ANTARCTICA EXPEDITION 16 th 28 th DECEMBER 2016 Antarctica is the highest, driest, darkest, windiest, coldest and iciest continent on Earth, yet it holds a vast magnificence of beauty, wildlife and wonder for all who chance to see her. Experience one of the world s most extreme environments, embrace its absolute beauty and breathtaking originality. The Antarctic Peninsula is part of the Antarctic Continent and is the southern continuation of the mountain chain that runs from North America through South America into the Scotia Sea. Here it continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge, the Scotia Ridge, until it comes above sea-level at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Antarctic Peninsula consists of an 800 kilometres (500 mile) long mountain chain; the highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres (9,186 feet), and numerous off-lying islands Our expedition offers the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Visitors will enjoy a sensory overload thanks to the huge amount of icebergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.
Our Basecamp itinerary to the Antarctic Peninsula is outlined below. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. Our final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises! Basecamp expedition includes following activities: Shore camp Kayaking Snow shoeing Mountaineering Photo workshop Shore excursions A visit to the British Antarctica Station Zodiac cruising * Scuba diving is possible for experienced divers (additional charges apply) EXPEDITION PROGRAMME All participants must arrive in Ushuaia on the 16th December 2016 Rooms will be secured at the Albatross Hotel located a short walk away from the port where we board The Plancius. There will be a group meeting at the Hotel on the evening of the 16th December at 7.30 pm. Look out for details in the Hotel Lobby upon your arrival. Twin rooms have been blocked out at the Albatross Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. These rooms are on a first come first served basis so please put in your request early along with your expedition booking form.
EXPEDITION PROGRAMME DAY 1: Saturday 17th December EMBARKATION AND DEPARTURE FROM USHUAIA DAY 2-3: Sunday & Monday 18th / 19 th December AT SEA In the afternoon around 4 pm, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening. Welcome to your new floating home! During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum- Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering albatrosses, Grey-headed albatrosses, Black-browed albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty albatrosses, Cape petrels, Southern fulmars, Wilson s Storm petrels, Blue petrels and Antarctic petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs. DAY 4-9: Tuesday Sunday 20th/21st/22nd/23 rd / 24 th /25th December CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY IN ANTARCTICA! We will sail directly to High Antarctica, passing the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. We will sail to the Neumayer Channel, where our ship will be positioned for the multi -activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, by zodiac and on kayaking trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shore lines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and viewpoints further inland, i.e. Jabet Peak (540 m). All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions. We plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days. We will visit the former British research station and the post office, now a living museum, Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also have a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo penguins and Blue-eyed shags. We look out for Leopard seals, Crabeater seals and whales. In good conditions and time allowing we sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pléneau Island and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie penguins and Blueeyed shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback whales, Minke whales and Fin whales. At Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers and permanent ice fields and enjoy the spectacle on zodiac cruises, hikes and kayak excursions. Mountaineers may climb up on higher grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night at Neko Harbour or in nearby Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore.
DAY 10-11: Monday & Tuesday 26 th & 27 th December AT SEA We will leave early morning after breaking our last camp. We sail via Melchior Islands towards the open sea of the Drake Passage. On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage. DAY 11: 28 th December ARRIVAL IN USHUAIA AND DISEMBARK We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark around 9am. Transfers from the port direct to the airport are included in the expedition fees. Flight bookings out of Ushuaia are best made for the afternoon of the 28th DECEMBER. CABIN COSTS Cabin Type Cost Per Person Availability 20 % Deposit Required on booking. Twin Deluxe Cabin NOK 95 600 1 cabin NOK 20 000 Twin Window Cabin NOK 90 500 6 cabins NOK 18 200 Twin Porthole Cabin NOK 85 500 3 cabins NOK 18 200 The above cabins have been blocked out for the group, the sooner we can assign names to the cabins and secure with a deposit the better as cabins fill up quickly and the holding time is limited. Plancius -Our basecamp During the Expedition It is preferable to book as early as possible so that you are guaranteed the type of cabin you have requested. A 20% deposit is required to secure your place in a cabin. This is a non-refundable deposit (it can be transferred on the condition you find someone to take your place) Balance payments can be staggered / made in installments during 2016. Please note, full payment for the voyage must be made by the 1st October 2016. This trip is open to men and women. Rates are calculated after $ rate on April 2 nd 2016. Subject of price changes due to $ rate.
THE ABOVE RATES INCLUDE: 11 day voyage aboard Plancius in the cabin of your choice All activities as per programme All meals on board Transport to airport after disembarkation on 28th December Branded Fleece Experienced professional guides on board Jules Lewis as group leader (English) Advice on clothing and training Amazing scenery The opportunity to get close to nature and wildlife Lots of snow and ice & Penguins! The opportunity to meet a diverse range of people from around the globe We are a ladies group travelling together THE ABOVE RATES EXCLUDE: International & domestic flights Room nights in Hotels prior and post voyage Airport to hotel transfer Travel Insurance Visa costs where applicable Any personal expenses (drinks, laundry etc ) FURTHER INFORMATION FLIGHTS Group fares can be requested once the numbers for the group are finalized, this will depend on participants start point ADDITIONAL ROOM NIGHTS Rooms in Ushuaia have been blocked for the group. Accommodation in Buenos Aires is your own free choice and will depend on your final flight arrangements. TRANSFERS Group transfers can be arranged at an additional cost. In certain circumstances taking a Taxi makes more sense and keeps transfer charges more competitive. For example a taxi from Ushuaia airport to the Albatross Hotel is around USD 20. NEXT STEP. 1. Request and complete a booking form 2. Make a 20 % Deposit into the account details on the booking form 3. Send a scanned copy of the passport you will be travelling on 4. Start putting cash aside every month to go towards your trip!