Antarctica Cruise - Crossing the Circle

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive in the southernmost city in the world and make your way to the Hotel Los Nires or similar hotel.

Day 2: Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego

Spend the morning with a local guide on a group excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, then enjoy a traditional Argentine BBQ asado lunch. Settle into your cabin and get to know the ship. You will meet your Expedition Team as the ship heads through the scenic Beagle Channel.

Days 3-5: Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands

Journey across the famous Drake Passage, named after the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake. As the ship sails, your naturalists and historians offer presentations on the marvels ahead. If weather allows, you can spend time on the deck spotting for albatrosses -- including the magnificent Wandering Albatross -- and other seabirds.

Days 6-12: Antarctic Peninsula

Your exploration of the Antarctic continent may begin with a visit to the aptly named Paradise Bay, or to nearby Neko Harbor. Glaciers fill the calm waters with an amazing vista of icebergs as you set foot on the Antarctic continent itself. During the voyage, expect to see enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and Minke whales. If pack ice and icebergs allow, the ship navigates some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Two in particular, the Neumayer and Lemaire channels, are impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Sailing south of the Lemaire Channel you may visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing site. The quest for the Antarctic Circle continues as the expedition pushes farther south. You will be in the vicinity of historic Stonington Island, which served briefly as a base for the Byrd's Little America Expedition in 1940. The site also served as the base for Finn Ronne's 1947-48 Antarctic Research Expedition that mapped a great portion of the continent by air. You will mark your arrival at the southernmost location with a celebration on board.

Days 13-14: Drake Passage

You bid farewell to Antarctica as you sail north across the Drake Passage. The adventure is not over, as there are more opportunities to watch birds and whales cavorting in the open ocean.

Day 15: Ushuaia

Disembark after breakfast and transfer by bus to the Antarctic Unit office located at the entrance to the pier. If you are departing on the morning flight, the transfer continues to the airport. Please note: Read this itinerary as a guide only. Flexibility is the key to the enjoyment of this expedition. Every effort will be made to push for the Antarctic Circle. Since ice and weather conditions can change quickly, we cannot guarantee that the vessel will reach the Antarctic Circle. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Trip Details

Ship	Shokalskiy
Highlights	Cross the Antarctic Circle aboard simple Russian research ship; great guides, kayaking and camping options.
Trip Notes	Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Camping Option: $195 per person; 12/29/2009 (minimum age 12 years, limited to 20 passengers) Sea Kayaking: $795 per person; 12/29/2009 (minimum age 16 years) Included: Cabin accommodations; all meals aboard the vessel; glass of wine with each dinner; one night pre-cruise hotel accommodation with breakfast; all shore excursions; program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; CD chronicle of the voyage in narrative, photography and video; A specially designed expedition parka that is yours to keep; A pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings; comprehensive pre-departure information package; All transfers between hotel, ship and departure airport; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum of $100,000 per person. (12/29/2009). Not Included: Any airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore, unless specifically mentioned; baggage; cancellation and medical travel insurance (emergency evacuation coverage is included in rates); excess baggage charges; all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges; telecommunication charges; customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided); sea kayaking supplement; fuel surcharge may apply.
Payment Policy	Antarctica 2008/2009 Season:A deposit of $1000 per person (11-15 day Antarctica expeditions and Arctic Adventure ships); $1500 per person (20 day Antarctica expeditions); or $2000 per person (on board the Kapitan Khlebnikov and Arctic Icebreaker Adventures) 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.* Final payment due 120 days prior to departure for the following sailings: 12/30/2008 (Ocean Nova), 1/5/2009, 1/14/2009 (Orlova), 1/24/2009 (Clipper Adventurer), 2/2/2009, (Ioffe).Antarctica 2009/2010 Season:A deposit of $1000 per person (11-15 day Antarctica expeditions and Arctic Adventure ships); $1500 per person (20 day Antarctica expeditions); or $2000 per person (on board the Kapitan Khlebnikov) 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.Arctic 2009:A deposit of $2,000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on Kapitan Khlebnikov and 50 Years of Victory. To confirm reservations on Akademik Shokalskiy, Akademik Ioffe, and Akademik Sergey Vavilov, a deposit of $1,000 per person is required. 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
2009-12-29	2010-01-12	+

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