South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula Earth’s Greatest Wildlife Destination October 21 to November 12, 2021 King Penguins, South Georgia Island © Scott Davis SAFARI OVERVIEW Experience the vibrant spring of South Georgia Island and the early season of the Antarctic Peninsula. Beneath the towering, snow-blanketed mountains of South Georgia Island, observe and photograph special wildlife behaviors seldom seen. This time of year is the only time you can find southern elephant seal bulls fight for territories while females nurse young, distinctly marked gray-headed albatross attending to their cliffside nests, and awkward wandering albatross young attempting first flight. You’ll stand amongst vast colonies of king penguins and watch macaroni penguins launching into the ocean. This time of year, the Antarctic Peninsula is in the beginnings of its spring season when the ice in the Weddell Sea can open up, allowing opportunities for lone emperor penguins to wander on ice floes. At penguin colonies, you’ll find penguins courting, setting up nests, and perhaps laying eggs. Through over twenty-five years of experience in the Antarctic, we offer the most in-depth exploration of one of the densest wildlife spectacles found anywhere in the world, and with only 100 passengers, you’ll have ample opportunities to experience this spectacle during every landing and Zodiac cruise. Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Page 1 of 19 Updated: March 2021 HIGHLIGHTS • Spend six full days on South Georgia Island and six full days in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands with maximum shore time and Zodiac cruising. • See five penguin species (possibly 6)! Plus, many species of whales, seals, albatross, and seabirds. • Hear the cacophony of and smell king penguins as you walk near colonies of up to 300,000 birds. • See gentoo, macaroni, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins as they start their breeding cycles. • Marvel at dramatic snow-capped mountains descending into valleys and glacier-fed rivers emptying into the ocean. • Watch southern elephant seal bulls defend their territories from competing bulls and females nursing pups during their peak breeding season. • See wandering albatross chicks and endangered gray-headed albatross on nests, only possible this time of year. • Hike or snowshoe on South Georgia Island. Take shorter walks in the Antarctic Peninsula. • With only 100 participants, everyone can land and/or Zodiac cruise at once, rather than in separate groups. • Our 15 leaders are polar specialists, photographers, and naturalists who will provide lectures, workshops, and guided excursions. LEADERS: Ted Cheeseman assisted by 14 other leaders. DAYS: 23, including estimated travel time. 19 nights aboard the Plancius. GROUP SIZE: 100. With only 100 participants, everyone can land and/or Zodiac cruise at once, rather than in separate groups, giving you more time on shore. SHIP: The Plancius. See the Ship section on page 7. COST: $15,550 to $23,550 per person depending on cabin type and occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See the Costs section on page 15. Iceberg © Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Page 2 of 19 Updated: March 2021 Date Description Accommodation Meals Oct 21 Travel to Punta Arenas, Chile. Oct 22 Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile from our Chile Hotel Cabo de Hornos, — extension or from home. Punta Arenas, Chile Oct 23 Fly to Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands. Board the On board the Plancius B, L, D ship from the flight or from our Falkland Islands extension. Oct 24–25 Sail to South Georgia Island. B, L, D Oct 26–31 Spend six full days landing at our favorite sites in South Georgia. Nov 1–2 Sail from South Georgia to the Antarctic Peninsula. Nov 3–8 Spend six full days landing and Zodiac cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Nov 9–10 Cross the Drake Passage to Ushuaia, Argentina Nov 11 Disembark in Ushuaia and continue on our Falkland Islands extension or B Falkland Islands tour or fly homeward. Nov 12 Arrive home. OPTIONS • Begin your journey early on our Falkland Islands extension from October 14 to 23, 2021. Visit three different islands, the best of Patagonia and Antarctica combined into one tour, to see penguins, albatross, seals, and more. See full itinerary at https://www.cheesemans.com/extension/falklands- extension-oct2021. • Begin your journey early on our four-day Chile extension from October 17 to 23, 2021. Explore the famous Torres del Paine to discover the Paine Massif’s many faces from different vantage points, visit Grey Glacier, and see many of the bird species that call this park home. See full itinerary at https://www.cheesemans.com/extension/chile-extension-oct2021. • Continue your journey on our Falkland Islands extension from November 11 to 21, 2021. Visit three different islands, the best of Patagonia and Antarctica combined into one tour, to see penguins, albatross, seals, and more. See full itinerary at https://cheesemans.com/extension/falklands- extension-nov2021. • Continue your journey on our Falkland Islands tour from November 11 to 28, 2021. Visit five different islands, including Steeple Jason with the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world, to see penguins, albatross, seals, and more. See full itinerary at https://www.cheesemans.com/trips/falklands-nov2021. Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Page 3 of 19 Updated: March 2021 LEADERS (TOTAL OF 15) Ted Cheeseman ~ Expedition Leader, Ecologist, Photographer, and Zodiac Driver Ted grew up traveling extensively and began studying and photographing wildlife as a child. After completing a Master's degree in Tropical Conservation Biology at Duke University, Ted returned to California to lead and organize expeditions with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris. Ted leads expeditions to Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Caribbean, he served a five-year term on the Executive Committee of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), and he recently founded the citizen science project Happywhale as part of the PhD he’s working on. Hugh Rose ~ Assistant Expedition Leader, Naturalist, Geologist, Photographer, and Zodiac Driver Hugh has over 20 years of professional guiding experience and has been a key member of the Cheesemans’ Antarctica staff since 1998. The vast landscapes and incredible wildlife of Alaska and the Polar Regions are his subject and passion, evident in his inspired leadership and stunning professional photos (www.hughrosephotography.com). Hugh receives unending praise for his amazing knowledge, delightful and accommodating personality, and attention to every trip detail. Samuel Blanc ~ Naturalist and Zodiac Driver Sam spent three years as the head of educational programs for the League for the Protection of Birds in France and has an incredible eye for spotting birds and mammals. He specializes in guiding in the polar regions and his photos have won many prizes (www.sblanc.com). His lectures about ice and explorers, plus his knowledge of wildlife will keep you entranced during our voyage. Agnès Brenière ~ Naturalist and Zodiac Driver Agnès is a self-taught naturalist who studied environmental law and management; she is devoted to helping others discover nature and is a committed conservationist. She worked in partnership with the League for the Protection of Birds in France, initiating and leading a project developing access to nature for disabled people. She specializes in guiding in the polar regions and the Russian Far East, where she shares her passion for these fascinating habitats and their wildlife. Agnès is also a keen photographer and one of the authors of Journey to Antarctica. Emily Burke ~ Naturalist and Zodiac Driver Emily is an assistant scientist at Sea Education Association, teaching marine science to university students aboard sailing ships in New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. Since graduating from Harvard with a degree in evolutionary biology and ecology, she has studied seabird and fisheries in the San Juan Islands, lived with Adélie penguins in a remote field research camp in Antarctica, and guided sea kayaking expeditions in Alaska’s Kenai Fjords. Emily loves sharing her enthusiasm for adventure and the natural world with those around her. Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Page 4 of 19 Updated: March 2021 Oliver Coray ~ Naturalist and Zodiac Driver Oliver was born and raised in Alaska, spending every summer of his life in remote Lake Clark National Park at his family’s wilderness lodge. He takes guests into the surrounding brown bear territory to photograph and observe bears. He also uses charter boats and kayaks to access bays up and down the coastline, the perfect way to gain access to pelagic bird nesting grounds, harbor seal rookeries, and wandering sea otters. After receiving a degree from Montana State University, he now splits his time between the lodge, travelling, and photography. Allison Cusick ~ Phytoplankton Biologist Allison is a PhD student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography studying polar phytoplankton and holds a master's degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. As lead developer of the citizen science project, FjordPhyto, she hopes travelers can help better our scientific understanding of Antarctic fjord ecosystems and their response to a changing climate. She has conducted research for more than a decade in the fields of neuroscience, biofuel, genetics, and ecology. Her work has taken her to exotic ecosystems in the Amazon jungle, the plains of Africa, and fjords of Antarctica. Dr. Merel Dalebout ~ Naturalist and Zodiac Driver A scientist with many interests, Merel studied botany, then earned her PhD specializing in the evolutionary genetics of rare “beaked whales.” She spent several years studying Southern Ocean cetaceans and realized she had a true passion for reconnecting people with nature. After training as a wilderness guide, she now travels extensively throughout the world as a trekking guide and a naturalist on small expedition ships while continuing to do scientific research as time allows. Merel combines her enthusiasm and passion for the world’s wild places with a burning curiosity to know all she can about them.