LEGENDARY SNOW HILL March to the Emperor Penguins / ITINERARY The Trip Overview During this once-in-a-lifetime experience, journey to the bottom of the EXPEDITION IN BRIEF world—cruising past masses of dense ice and thick, tabular icebergs— Travel aboard the legendary Kapitan Khlebnikov, the storied icebreaker aboard the legendary icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. and the only vessel to circumnavigate True to the explorer spirit, this exclusive Antarctic adventure, last offered by Quark Antarctica twice Expeditions© in 2010, is your chance to be a part of polar history. You’ll have the rare Cross the famous Drake Passage opportunity to observe one of the most spectacular sights in the wild: the elusive on your way to explore the Snow Hill Emperor penguin colony Emperor penguin colony off the coast of Snow Hill Island, whose existence was first confirmedin 1997, and to which the first ground visit was conducted by Quark in 2004. Enjoy helicopter sightseeing and Zodiac cruising Imagine flying in a helicopter to the vicinity of this astounding rookery,then walking Experience thousands of pairs of across the sea ice to come within several feet of chicks so young they’re huddling with Emperor penguins, including chicks, their parents. Watch in awe as these extraordinary creatures toboggan across the ice on in their natural habitat their way to the ocean to dive for food. If you’re lucky, some may even approach you! View other iconic Antarctic wildlife, An experience like no other, it’s like a wildlife documentary come to life. such as whales, seals and seabirds DID YOU KNOW? When the BBC and Discovery Channel decided to produce Frozen Planet, the sequel to their popular Planet Earth TV series, the filmmakers turned to Quark Expeditions©, and in 2009 they joined two of our Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island Safaris aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov. On each voyage, the film crew delivered presentations and screened dailies—raw footage captured during each day’s filming—to the delight of our passengers! 1 Itinerary DAY 1 | USHUAIA, ARGENTINA DAY 3 & 4 | AT SEA You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, Crossing the legendary Drake Passage a small but bustling port town at the is as much a part of the Antarctic tip of South America. This Argentine experience as penguins and seals are. hot spot is the ideal gateway for you to With ideal weather conditions, your explore the southern extent of Patagonia passage could be relatively easy, but be while preparing for your adventure ahead. prepared for some rough seas in case Get active in the mountains or savor some the Drake lives up to its reputation. handcrafted chocolate at a café in town. Santiago Buenos Aires These two days will have an air of DAY 2 | EMBARKATION DAY anticipation, as you prepare for your ARGENTINA In the late afternoon, you and your fellow first landing at the elusive Snow Hill travelers from your group hotel will be Emperor penguin rookery. Plenty of transfered to the pier, where you’ll board activities will keep you engaged at sea, CHILE Kapitan Khlebnikov. This iconic icebreaker including educational and informative Falkland Islands should be instantly recognizable at the presentations by your Expedition Team. (Islas Malvinas) port, as the shape and bulk are distinctive, You’ll learn about such things as the Atlantic Ocean Ushuaia especially from a distance. history of whaling in Antarctica and PuntaArenas South the Emperor penguins’ biology, unique Georgia As Khlebnikov sets sail, you’ll first pass habitat and adaptive behavior. South Shetland through the historic Beagle Channel, Drake Passage Islands which opens up to the vastness of the You may also want to spend some Anvers Southern Ocean. Named after the famed time on deck, with your binoculars Island Snow Hill Island Lemaire ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, and camera at the ready, looking out Channel ANTARCTIC the channel presents many great photo for wandering albatross, petrels, whales CIRCLE Weddell Sea opportunities to capture seabirds and dolphins. Crossing the polar front, Antarctic hovering overhead and possibly seals keep a close watch, as you should see Peninsula and sea lions cavorting in the water. your first iceberg, too. 2 DAY 5 - 11 | WEDDELL SEA & SNOW helicopters will land as close to the Since we are visiting earlier in the rearing HILL ISLAND EMPEROR PENGUIN penguins as possible, yet still at a safe season than any other expedition, the While approaching the island, remember distance (at least 0.75 nautical miles/1.4 Emperor chicks are still young, so you that no two polar expeditions are alike, km), to protect the birds. Since you must may see a few brooding on their parents’ particularly this voyage through the icy carry your own gear to the rookery feet or even several huddling together Weddell Sea, since landings and wildlife and back across sea ice several feet in large communal groups. It’s possible sightings are determined by weather thick, you’ll want to keep items in your you may catch the impressive sight of and ice conditions, as well as the natural backpack to a minimum. A must-bring, a constant trail of adults walking or cycles of the wildlife. But it’s exactly this however, should be your camera. tobogganing in single file from the sea element of the unknown that makes to the rookery to feed the chicks, and We encourage everyone—photographers expedition-style travel so exhilarating then heading back out again to hunt for and nature lovers alike—to carry a camera and adventurous. more food. Listen closely for a parent during our rookery visits, because any trumpeting upon its return to the That said, our expeditions will have some visit could reward with that once-in-a- rookery—the call is instantly recognized elements in common, such as landings, lifetime shot. Your Expedition Team will by the chick, who whistles in response. wildlife sightings, helicopter sightseeing include a professional photographer, who and ice—truly massive amounts of ice! will conduct on-board workshops and To protect the penguins, we’ll remain at Having broken away from the ice shelf, assist you on-site to help you get the most least 15 feet (five meters) away, but you large tabular icebergs, so named for their out of your camera, whether you’re a may have the opportunity to encounter plateau-like flat top and steep sides, will newbie or a pro! them up close. Curious creatures, signal your arrival to Antarctica. Emperors are unafraid of humans, and Though we can’t predict how many if you stand still and remain quiet, the Located on sea ice, the Emperor rookery excursions will occur during your birds may actually approach you. If you is situated some distance from Snow Hill stay in the vicinity of the rookery, rest are crouching on the ice, eyes focused Island, so your captain will navigate your assured that your Expedition Leader will down through your camera lens, pause ship to a position in the ice that’s within take every possible advantage of good for a moment and slowly look around helicopter range of the rookery. As we weather and flying conditions, and our you—you may find yourself surrounded draw near, keep your eyes peeled for intention is to spend as much time as by the very birds you’ve been trying to curious penguins that may be attracted possible in the area, to give you plenty of photograph! to the open water by the ship. Deployed chances to observe the Emperors in their in a rotation of flights, our on-board natural environment. 3 DAY 12 & 13 | AT SEA A day at sea can be as busy as any day ashore. Share stories and photos with your shipmates in the lounge, relax in the Polar Library or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team, who may even screen documentaries. Lecture topics can range from the Historic Age of Exploration to whales of the Southern Ocean. If you choose to spend time outside on deck, keep an eye out for the large seabirds that have accompanied mariners through the Southern Ocean since Magellan made his first navigation of the globe. By now, you should be able to recognize albatross and petrels on the wing. As you enter the mouth of the Beagle Channel on your way back to Ushuaia, a small vessel will come alongside and a local pilot will board your ship to help navigate this last stretch of water. If the weather is fine, you may want to watch from the deck, enjoying the soft light of the austral summer. DAY 14 | DISEMBARKATION IN USHUAIA This morning, you’ll say farewell to your Expedition Team and fellow travelers before disembarking to catch your homeward flights. 4 Included Activities Be sure to take your camera with you— OTHER EQUIPMENT ON BOARD PLEASE NOTE photography is very much a part of the Walking poles are also provided at each Embracing the unexpected is part of the big picture. Presentations and lectures landing for your convenience. legacy—and excitement—of expedition are slotted during periods of sub-optimal travel. When traveling in extremely INCLUDED HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS weather, to prioritize visits to the remote regions, your Expedition Team Your included accommodation begins on Emperor penguin colony. must allow the sea, the ice and the Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific weather to guide route and itinerary AERIAL SIGHTSEEING hotel(s) will be indicated on your final details. This itinerary is a tentative The Kapitan Khlebnikov is one the voyage confirmation. If you are arriving outline of what you’ll experience on this few vessels offering aerial sightseeing prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are voyage; please be aware that no specific flights and landings by expertly-piloted staying after the disembarkation day, itinerary can be guaranteed.