Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia / Embarkation

In the afternoon, 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.

Days 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage

During these two days you sail across the Drake Passage. When you cross the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the cir¬cum-Antarctic up welling zone. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of seabirds—Wandering Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Antarctic Petrels, etc. If the winds are favorable you may make your first landing in the evening of the third day at Aitcho Island or Penguin Island at the South Shetlands. These volcanic islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrels.

Day 4: Weddell Sea: Paulet Island / Snow Hill

Sail into the Weddell Sea and if the Antarctic Sound is accessible and the ice does not prevent you to sail further, you may see the huge tabular icebergs that announce your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. You may visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of adelie penguins. In the afternoon you visit Snow Hill with the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition.

Day 5: Emperor Penguins

Between Snow Hill Island and James Ross Island you will make your first attempt at observing Emperor Penguins on the ice-edge making their way to open water. In case this should fail you will try again on day 6. You may also visit Seymour Island, where many fossils can be found, and the Argentinean station Esperanza on the Antarctic Continent, where you can observe gentoo penguins, cape petrels, pale-faced sheathbills, skuas, kelp gulls and Antarctic terns.

Day 6: Deeper into the Weddell Sea

If the ice allows the ship to go further into the Weddell Sea area you will visit Devil Island and Vega Island with a large colony of adelie penguins and a magnificent view for those hikers who can make it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes provides spectacular waterfall from the cliffs close to point ‘Well-Met’.

Day 7: Esperanza Station / Gourdin Island

On your way north through the Antarctic Sound you may pay a visit to the Argentinean station Esperanza on the Antarctic Continent. You will still look out for Emperor penguins on the ice floes. In the afternoon you may visit Gourdin Island, with three penguin species, chinstraps, gentoo and adelies.

Day 8: Half Moon Island / Pendulum Cove

In the morning you may visit Half Moon Island where you can see chinstrap and gentoo Penguins, various other bird-species and southern elephant seals and Weddell seals. Early in the afternoon you will sail to Deception where you have the last landing of your voyage at Pendulum cove.

Days 9-10: Drake Passage

In the Drake Passage you have again a chance of seeing many seabirds and to take advantage of the knowledge of your lecture team.

Day 11: Ushuaia / Disembarkation

You arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.

Trip Details

Ship	Grigoriy Mikheev/Aleksey Maryshev
Highlights	This is a fairly active program with great lectures aboard a Russian Research vessel that visits the rarely-seen Emperor Penguins and explores the remote Weddell Sea; passengers are mostly from Europe.
Trip Notes	This voyage operates aboard the Grigoriy Mikheev, sister ship to Aleksey Maryshev, on 11/13/2007.Included: Cruise voyage as indicated in the itinerary; All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Comprehensive pre-departure material.Not Included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements transfers to/from the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance ( which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; all gear such as boots and jackets; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard ( guidelines will be provided); Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants; fuel surcharge ($20 per person, per night).
Payment Policy	A deposit of 10% per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment Methods: Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover). Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-11-11	2008-11-21	+
2008-11-21	2008-12-01	+

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