THE FROZEN LAND OF THE PENGUINS

Transcription

1 THE FROZEN LAND OF THE PENGUINS Starting in Buenos Aires, you have the possibility to discover the Paris of South America before embarking on MS Fram in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost town. We set a course through the scenic Beagle Channel for the notorious Drake Passage, accompanied by wandering albatross and other seabirds. An expert lecture series focusing on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica prepares you for adventure ahead as the ship heads south into open sea. Explore the wildlife of Antarctica Having no land predators to worry about, the animals in Antarctica are fearless when encountering humans. They are as curious as you are, and there will be plenty of opportunities to take advantage of your mutual curiosity when we visit the resident colonies of Chinstrap penguins at Deception Island and Half Moon Island, the Gentoo penguin colonies at Yankee Harbour, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour and Paradise Harbour or the Adélie penguins at Peterman Island and the huge icebergs in the Antarctic Sound, where you also meet leopard seals and killer whales. The sights, smells, and noises of these huge colonies will overwhelm you as will hikes to explore the some of the last untouched places on the planet. Turning back we will once again sail through the Drake Passage, notorious among the early polar explorers, before disembarking in Ushuaia. Please note: your price includes one hotel night in Buenos Aires before the voyage including breakfast, return economy flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. Optional tours and activities are available, please contact us for details. ITINERARY DAY 1: Buenos Aires Your voyage starts with a night at a first class hotel in Buenos Aires. We offer an optional city tour in the afternoon. Spend the evening at your leisure and discover Paris of South America for yourself. DAY 2: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia The flight leaves Buenos Aires in the morning allowing you a few hours to explore Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world before boarding MS Fram. You can also join an optional excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. In the evening we set a course through the scenic Beagle Channel for the Drake Passage and Antarctica. DAYS 3-4: Drake Passage The Drake Passage is where the Atlantic and Pacific meet the Great Southern Ocean to create the Antarctic Convergence. In addition to spotting the magnificent wandering albatross and other seabirds, the crossing features our lecture series focusing on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica.

2 DAYS 5-11: Antarctica DAYS 12-13: Drake Passage Antarctica is an endless white wilderness full of fantastic vistas and nature. In spite of all the snow and ice Antarctica is teeming with life. It is home to millions of penguins, thousands of seals and is a rich feeding area for large numbers of whale. Antarctica is the home for many species including Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. There are no land predators in Antarctica, so they are fearless when encountering humans they might be just as curious about you as you are about them. Some of the highlights when we arrive in the South Shetlands are Deception Island andhalf Moon Island, because of the resident colonies of Chinstrap penguins. Once on land, you can either stroll around at your own pace, or join our Expedition Team for an activity. We have various routes to choose from, either taking you through spectacular scenery or to one of the penguin colonies. The main attraction for many visitors on Yankee Harbour is the terraced Gentoo penguin colony with an estimated 4,000 breeding pairs. Predatory Skua also nest here and visitors often witness the struggle between a penguin protecting its young and a Skua trying to feed theirs. Cuverville Island possesses the largest known colony of Gentoo penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula. Majestic mountains and high glacier walls surround the Gentoo penguin colony in Neko Harbour. This is one of the rare places on the Antarctic Peninsula where we may land on the mainland itself. Paradise Harbour is well named with its incredible scenery. It offers another rare opportunity for a mainland landing, some of the finest vistas the Peninsula has to offer and a colony of friendly Gentoo penguins! The Lemaire Channel is known as one of the most beautiful passages in Antarctica. Depending on sea and ice conditions, you might be able to take an optional exclusive tour through the channel on our Polarcirkel boats. On Petermann Island you will see thousands of Adélie penguins. It s location in the picturesque Penola Strait makes a great spot for iceberg- and whale-spotting and offers spectacular views across the channel to the Antarctic Peninsula. The British base in Port Lockroy is one of the most popular sites in Antarctica, and offers a peek into life on an Antarctic base in the 1950s. The nesting Gentoo penguins surrounding the main building have become accustomed to the frequent human visitors. The mountains and high glaciers around Wilhelmina Bay ensure plenty of dramatic scenery and sculpted ice from tiny pieces to large icebergs. The huge ice shelves of the Antarctic sound are home to an estimated half million Adélie penguins as well as Gentoo penguins, Leopard seals, and Killer whales. Brown Bluff lies on the coast of the Antarctic Sound at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Adélie penguins, Gentoo penguins, Kelp gulls, and Cape petrels can be found breeding here and Weddell seals are regular visitors. It s possible to land here and walk along the beach among the penguins. The best way to experience Adélie penguins however is just to sit quietly and watch nature s cutest comedians at work. On our way back to civilization, we spend two days crossing the Drake Passage. DAY 14: Ushuaia/Buenos Aires We arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning. Disembark after breakfast and you may choose to join an optional excursion in Ushuaia. In the early afternoon there is the flight back to Buenos Aires where it s possible to extend the South American part of your adventure with a post voyage extension to the Tigre Delta or the breath-taking Iguazu falls. Please Note: Planned landings will depend on weather and ice conditions. We reserve the right to change the scheduled program and itinerary.

3 YOUR SHIP: MS FRAM YOUR SHIP: MS Fram VESSEL TYPE: Expedition LENGTH: 114m PASSENGER CAPACITY: 276 BUILT/REFURBISHED: 2007 MS Fram is designed for sailing in polar waters, holds the highest safety standards and is the perfect size for optimum nautical manoeuverability and guests' comfort. With space for only 276 guests, you are sure to get to know many of your fellow travellers. You will share stunning sights and memories of a lifetime long after returning home. The Norwegian word Fram means 'forward' - lifting expectations of the voyage at hand. MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. As well as offering numerous lounges in which to relax, our more active guests can use our well-equipped gym. Meanwhile, on deck, our Jacuzzis guarantee you surreal memories when passing the towering icebergs of Antarctica or Greenland.

4 INSIDE YOUR SHIP Category U Category M Category I

5 PRICING 15-Nov-2016 to 28-Nov Jan-2018 to 14-Jan EUR pp Category I 5054 GBP pp 6561 EUR pp category N 6544 GBP pp 7106 EUR pp Category U 6544 GBP pp 8499 EUR pp Category M 7989 GBP pp Solo 9905 EUR pp Solo Category I 8199 GBP pp EUR pp Category N 9726 GBP pp Solo EUR pp Solo Category U GBP pp Solo EUR pp Solo Category M GBP pp prices are indicitave, please check for details 0 pp 02-Jan-2017 to 15-Jan EUR pp 6762 EUR pp 7328 EUR pp 8772 EUR pp Solo EUR pp EUR pp Solo EUR pp Solo EUR pp 14-Jan-2017 to 27-Jan EUR pp 7790 EUR pp 9340 EUR pp EUR pp Solo EUR pp Solo EUR pp