CAMPING WITH EMPEROR PENGUINS Detailed Itinerary A JOURNEY BY FLIGHT Jan 19/16 The emperor penguin is one of the most fascinating of all birds and one of the most difficult birds in the world to see. The only true Antarctic bird, emperor penguins breed in the middle of winter, when night lasts for months and temperatures reach 76F/ 60C. You will travel with a small group of other adventurers by ski-equipped aircraft to a remote emperor penguin breeding colony on the far southern coast of the Weddell Sea. There our experienced guides and staff naturalist will set up a field camp. By camping with the penguins and keeping our group size small, you will be free to immerse yourself in the activity of the colony without crowds or rigid schedules. Each day brings new sights and sounds as thousands of breeding pairs call, feed, and shelter their chicks. For photographers, the golden plumage of adult penguins and the antics of down-covered chicks provide ideal subjects set against a scenic backdrop of icebergs and deep blue ice cliffs. Facts & Highlights 9 land days Maximum 10 travelers Start and finish in Punta Arenas, Chile All meals included Included return flights to Union Glacier Camp and to the remote Weddell Sea coast Fly by specially equipped ski aircraft to the remote Weddell Sea coast and camp with the Emperors Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Emperor colony as thousands of birds call, display, feed their young, and toboggan across the sea ice View and photograph penguins by the golden light of the midnight sun, against a spectacular backdrop of ice cliffs, pressure ridges, and icebergs departure dates & price Nov 15 - Nov 23, 2016 $42,750 USD Activity Level: 1+ Comfort Level: 2 person tented camping in Antarctica. Shared bathroom facilities at main camp, sponge bathing only. US/CAN 1-800-741-7956 UK 0808-234-1714 INTL. 001-416-588-5000
We visit the colony at the start of the Antarctic season when viewing opportunities and sea ice conditions are at their best. You will arrive in Antarctica at our seasonal basecamp at Union Glacier. Bathrooms will be basic. Early season temperatures may drop to 22F/ 30C. Weather and sea ice conditions on the shores of the Weddell Sea are unpredictable and travel to the coast requires much patience. The program itinerary includes a buffer to allow for weather delays yet still gives you plenty of time at the colony. Though logistically challenging, this authentic safari offers rewards beyond the mere viewing of emperor penguins. You will live among the most majestic of all birds and witness their amazing adaptation to the Antarctic environment. This is not an ElderTreks operated tour. As such, participants on this tour are not exclusive Elder- Treks clients and it may not adhere to ElderTreks maximum size restrictions of our tours. Arrival in Punta Arenas Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile 2 days prior to your scheduled departure date for Antarctica and make your own way to your hotel to settle in. Contact our staff to arrange a convenient time to meet you and give you information on Punta Arenas and surroundings. Flight Preparations The following day is busy with flight preparations. In the morning, you are invited to join us for an Antarctic presentation followed by refreshments. The presentation will include information on your flight south, the current weather situation and what to expect on your arrival in Antarctica. This will be the trip of a lifetime and we want to ensure that you are well prepared to enjoy it to the fullest. There will be time to ask any questions you may have and get to know your fellow travellers. After the presentation we will agree on a time to check pacific ocean union glacier punta arenas (chile) drake passage antarctic peninsula weddell sea Emperor penguin colony your Antarctic clothing to ensure nothing has been inadvertently forgotten, issue you with any rental clothing you have requested, and then collect your checked baggage for loading on to the aircraft ready for departure the following day. Please ensure that your baggage complies with international air transport regulations. No hazardous goods such as fuels may be packed in your checked bags. You are going to the interior of Antarctica, one of the most difficult places in the world to fly to. Every effort will be made to keep to the scheduled departure date, but please note that all flights are dependent on weather, aircraft serviceability, and local conditions. Days of delay are part of the Antarctic travel experience and should be expected. Our Punta Arenas staff will keep you informed of any schedule changes. Please also note that in exceptional circumstances, if logistics permit and weather is exceptional, we may depart the evening PRIOR to our scheduled departure date. No two Antarctic adventures are exactly the same. This is part of the magic and excitement of Antarctic travel. The itinerary below is intended to outline general program objectives and highlight typical activities and experiences. Exact timeline, activities, and program details will vary from trip to trip. 2
Day 1 Departure for Antarctica In the morning, we will call you at your hotel to advise you of current conditions in Antarctica. If the weather is suitable for our flight to Union Glacier camp, you will be given just under an hour to prepare before being picked up at your hotel by bus. At the airport we will pass through security, including x-ray of all hand luggage. As on regular scheduled flights, no sharp objects may be carried on board in your hand luggage or on your person. We then complete immigration formalities and proceed to the aircraft, allowing time for photos before climbing on board. After a safety briefing by the flight crew we will fly south. The flight time from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier is approximately 4.5 hours. The initial part of our flight passes over Tierra Del Fuego, or Land of Fire, so named by Portuguese explorer Fernão de Magalhães (Ferdinand Magellan), for the native Yahgan people s campfires that illuminated its shores. The ocean south of Tierra del Fuego, the Drake Passage, has been notorious throughout modern history for its wild storms, violent winds and heavy seas. At approximately 60 south we reach the winter limits of frozen seas. This area of ocean is called the Antarctic Convergence and is rich in plankton and other tiny creatures that form the base of the food chain for Antarctica s rich bird and wildlife colonies. We are now entering the area governed by the Antarctic Treaty. At 66 south we cross the Antarctic Circle. Along this circle the sun never sets at the austral summer solstice and never rises at the austral winter solstice. Further south Antarctic days and nights lengthen until at the South Pole the sun rises and sets only once a year. Continuing our flight south and if cloud conditions co-operate, below us we may see tabular icebergs and the ice shelves from which they calve. Our first sight of the icy continent is Charcot Island close to Alexander Island, at 71 south. These islands lie in the Bellingshausen Sea, west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The ice sheet continues to stretch inland until in the distance appear the spectacular Ellsworth Mountains, the highest range in Antarctica. We fly south along the Ellsworths to their southernmost extension, the Patriot Hills, where our runway comes into sight. The wheeled aircraft lands on an area of blue ice that is approximately 800 m above sea level. The blue ice remains clear of snow due to katabatic winds that funnel down from the mountains with great force. On arrival you will be warmly welcomed and directed to our camp approximately 1 km away. Transportation is readily available, but most travellers enjoy walking up to camp as it provides an opportunity to stretch their legs and take photos. Be sure to stay away from the active loading zone at the back 3
of the aircraft, as well as off the ice runway. At camp you will meet our friendly staff who will show you to your accommodation and settle you down to a welcoming meal. Day 2 Orientation to Union Glacier Camp, Antarctica The Emperor Penguin group will meet in the morning for an orientation to Union Glacier and Antarctica. Your guide will brief you on environmental and safety considerations for your time on the ice and update you on logistics and weather for your journey to the coast. You will tour camp to discover the intricacies of daily life in Antarctica and hear about the range of activities that are available to enjoy at Union Glacier. Bring a pen, paper and any questions you may have to the meeting. The rest of the day provides an opportunity to acclimatize to your new surroundings and participate in optional, light activities. We want you to be well rested so that you get the most out of your time with the penguins. Days 3-Onward With the Emperors and Exploring Antarctica Our flight to the Emperor Penguin Colony will take place on the first day that weather and logistics permit. Days before and after our time at the colony round out your Antarctic adventure, with opportunities to explore life in and around Union Glacier camp as well as to enjoy the tranquillity and majesty of Antarctica-experiences you will not encounter anywhere else on earth. Please anticipate that you may spend several days at Union Glacier waiting for weather before leaving for the colony. Storms over the Antarctic Peninsula often track over the Weddell Sea causing low cloud and poor flying conditions. In this case, your guide will organise daily activities at Union Glacier and keep you updated regarding your departure. Travel to the Colony After breakfast and a final weather check by our pilot and guide, we pack up and depart for the Emperor Penguin Colony. The flight will take approximately 6 hours from Union Glacier, travelling eastward over the Ronne Ice Shelf and Berkner Island, then along the coast, hugging the edge of the ice shelf. En route we will stop at our cache on Berkner Island to re-fuel the aircraft, giving us a chance to stretch our legs. Depending on conditions, we may break our journey here and camp overnight. As we continue along the coast, we may see small groups of penguins on the sea ice, tucked in amongst icebergs as well as Weddell seals resting near tide cracks. Nearing our destination, our pilot and guide will assess conditions and decide where to land and set up camp. On arrival, our guides will scout the area, give a safety briefing, and set up a small field camp that will be our base for the upcoming days. In this unfamiliar environment and remote location, we ask that you strictly follow safety guidelines set by your guide. At the Colony Over the next few days we will be settled in the vicinity of the penguins. There will ample opportunities to learn about the habits of these birds from our ornithologist who will remain with the group for the duration of our stay. Each day there will be a new discovery: Weddell seals with pups; crèches of older penguin chicks; bristle-like discarded feathers; perhaps a lone Adelie penguin running clownish amongst the Emperors; or snow white Antarctic petrels that disappear against the equally white back-drop of the ice cliffs. Listening to the constant trumpeting and mingled calls of the colony it is overwhelming to think that each voice is unique and that parent and chick use these calls to locate one another amidst the thousands of other birds. During our stay, we can expect a variety of weather conditions, from steely-grey overcast skies, to brilliant sun- 4
shine, to heavy coastal snowstorms. Twenty-four hours of daylight allow you to spend as much time outdoors as you wish and the guides will adjust meal times to suit the schedule you choose to keep. The soft light of the midnight sun provides some of the best photo opportunities and we may find ourselves up at night and sleeping during the day. Each day our guide will be in touch with Union Glacier camp to report all ok and to check weather conditions. Return to Union Glacier While the exact number of days we spend with the Emperor Penguins depends on weather conditions and varies from year to year, 4-6 days is likely. We find this is usually ample time to experience a variety of weather and photographic conditions, as well as explore all of the corners of the penguin colony. Our departure day will be dictated by the upcoming arrival of the aircraft from Punta Arenas, as well as weather patterns predicted on our flight route back to Union Glacier. As our aircraft takes off, we leave behind the now familiar trumpeting, whistles, and activity of the Emperors and the colony becomes little more than a black smudge amid the white and grey shadows of the coastal ice. Our flight to Union Glacier retraces our outbound route, stopping once again at Berkner Island cache to re-fuel the aircraft. At Union Glacier camp we will enjoy a celebratory dinner and toast our achievement. Not only have we seen one of the most remarkable and difficult birds in the world to view, we have spent time among them and got to know them as only a few other determined souls have done. Union Glacier Days During your stay at Union Glacier you can be as active or as relaxed as you wish, just let us know. Some outside activities are weather dependent but we are accustomed to changes in the weather and so have learnt to be flexible and weather resilient. Your guide will organise a daily program of activities, based on group interests and weather conditions. Some of the active pursuits you can enjoy include: Snowmachine assisted tours to the local mountains; excursions to view unusual ice and rock formations nearby; an ascent of the Mount Vinson with panoramic views of the Union Glacier; opportunities to learn and practice cross-country skiing; short walking trips across the vast polar landscape; and navigation lessons. Photographers will enjoy the unusual wind-sculpted snow features, ice pools, dramatic peaks, spectacular open skies and cloud formations, as well as the golden light cast by the midnight sun. In camp, our experienced staff will share their knowledge of the icy continent, giving talks on diverse themes. You can join the meteorologist for weather observations; learn rope handling skills, track expeditions as they make their way southward; carve snow sculptures, play indoor games and exchange stories with some of the other adventure travellers you meet on your journey. The variety of activities available is only limited by your enthusiasm and imagination. Return to Punta Arenas Weather permitting, the aircraft from Punta Arenas will arrive at Union Glacier on the scheduled departure day with a new collection of avid explorers and will take off with your group for the final leg of your Antarctic journey. Once the flight is confirmed, our client service staff in Punta Arenas will make hotel reservations on your behalf. In Punta Arenas you will be met at the airport by our staff who will arrange for transfer to your hotel. We will assist wherever possible with any questions you may have. 5
Please note that you are travelling to an expedition base camp situated in the interior of Antarctica, the most isolated and windiest continent on earth. Every effort will be made to follow the above itinerary but it is offered subject to change at the discretion of ANI staff based on weather, aircraft serviceability, and local conditions. You will be accommodated and looked after in Union Glacier during any flight delays to Punta Arenas. Days of delay are a normal part of Antarctic travel. DO NOT plan anything important for a minimum of two weeks after your scheduled return. Give yourself time to enjoy this unique experience without the stress of pending commitments. Questions & Answers 1. How big are the groups? Each group is limited to 10 participants. Small groups are an important ingredient in adventure travel. They allow for more interaction and more personalized service throughout the itinerary. 2. What is included in the tour price? A return charter flight from Union Glacier to Patriot Hills and a return charter flight from Union Glacier to the Weddell Sea camp. Meals and accommodations while in Antarctica. 3. What is NOT included? Accommodation in Punta Arenas, insurance, sleeping bag, international airfare/taxes and any visa fees. 4. What meals are included? All meals at Union Glacier camp or Weddell Sea camp are included, starting with dinner on day 1 and finishing with breakfast on departure day. 5. Travel Insurance Medical emergency evacuation is mandatory, and coverage of $300,000 USD is required. Please call our office for further details. 6. Are these educational voyages? Yes, in the broadest sense of the word, educational. You ll be accompanied by experienced guides and naturalists. 7. How do we travel during the tour? We take a charter flight from Punta Arenas to Union Glacier and return and it is also a charter flight from Union Glacier to Weddell Sea camp and return. 8. What are our accommodations like? Union Glacier houses up to 50 visitors in expedition style accommodations and is the only private camp in Antarctica. At Union Glacier and Weddell Sea camp travelers sleep in two-person, double lined tents constructed of a high-tech nylon covering, stretched over a durable aluminium frame. These have been specially designed and tested for their security and comfort in polar regions. Maximum heat is maintained with zippered doors and plywood floors. Guests sleep in their own sleeping bags, on mattresses, with bed linen and pillows provided. There is no reason why your standard of personal hygiene should change at Union Glacier; you may just have to approach it differently. It is estimated, from government tables, that if all the clients plus staff had the opportunity of using the shower facilities once a week it would generate approximately 10,000 gallons (37,500 liters) of water in the course of the Antarctic season. That is equivalent to a small swimming pool. It cannot justify producing this amount of grey water and pouring it back into the Antarctic ice. In tune with the environmental policy and concerns to keep the impact to a minimum, offered facilities are for sponge bathing using a bowl of hot water 6
and a wash cloth. Your body will be just as clean as with a shower and you will feel more energized and invigorated. Some travelers also choose to bring pre-moistened towelettes such as Wet Wipes with them. For the brave the other option is a snow bath. At Union Glacier toilet facilities are located in the main camp. There are a limited number of portable devices for those who may have special needs and require facilities in their tent at night. Toilet facilities at the Weddell Sea camp are basic. There are no laundry services at Union Glacier. The Dining Tent at camp is truly the heart of our camp in Antarctica. It has a complete kitchen and dining area and serves as a regular gathering place for our guests to meet staff and other travellers and enjoy tea and coffee while discussing the day s adventures. On the ice, the cooks prepare wonderful delicacies from their diverse menus. Three meals a day are served and snacks and beverages are available on an ongoing basis. Food is flown in from Punta Arenas, Chile including fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, a variety of beers and Chilean wines. Included in the dining tent is a library of books and games for guests to enjoy. It is a place to relax, write diaries or postcards, play cards or games, or just read. 9. What about the weather? The weather in Union Glacier, as with everywhere else in the world, varies with the seasons. Air temperatures in early October can be around -30 C (-22 F) and can rise to a high of -5 C (23 F) in mid December. Throughout your stay, you will have 24 hours of daylight. The wild whims of nature can fall as snow, blow as 60-knot winds and dance on the ice creating colors more beautiful that those used by Michelangelo. 10. When is payment due? At the time of booking, required medical forms will be sent. Once those medical forms have been approved, a non-refundable deposit of $5000 USD per person - (plus insurance, if you require) is due and will reserve your place on the tour. Payment of the full tour cost is due 120 days before departure. Cancellation charges are as follows: More than 120 days prior to departure $5000 USD non refundable and non-transferable 120-90 days prior to departure $7500 USD non refundable and non-transferable 90-0 days prior to departure and after departure 100% non-refundable and non-transferable. 11. What should I take on the tour? There is a detailed What to Take list in our Trip Kit, which we will send to you after you have booked the trip. 12. Can you arrange my flights? We would be happy to take care of your air arrangements. ElderTreks offers personalized flight itineraries not group flights. Stop over enroute, come in a few days early, or extend your stay. Call us for a customized itinerary. 13. What if I would like more information? If you have any further questions about the trip, please do not hesitate to contact our office for additional information. A Trip Kit containing further details on the destination will be sent to you once you have booked the trip. 7
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