Galapagos of the Southern Ocean

Itinerary

Day 1: Dunedin

Arrive at the City of Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. Its strength comes from the rich history of development during the gold rush of the 1860’s, and its current status as a University Centre and base for ecotourism. On arrival please make your own arrangements to transfer to the Southern Cross Hotel in the central city. A detailed programme will be available to you when you check in at reception. There will be an informal get together at the hotel for dinner this evening. This will be an opportunity to meet other participants and staff.

Day 2: At Sea

After breakfast there will be a transfer of your luggage and then yourselves to the vessel in the Port of Otago, Dunedin. Once you have embarked and cleared customs you will let go the lines and steam down the protected Otago Harbour, under Taiaroa Head and then southwards to the Snares Island.

Day 3: Snares Islands

The Snares is the first of the Subantarctic Islands you will be visiting. It is an amazing island - more birds nest on this small island than there are seabirds around the entire British Isles. You will arrive early morning, landings are not permitted so you'll enjoy a zodiac cruise along the sheltered eastern side where you should see the endemic Snares crested penguins. Cape pigeons, Antarctic terns, white-fronted terns and red-billed gulls are around the coastline. There is an estimated six million sooty shearwaters nesting on the Snares Islands. Buller’s albatross breed here from early January onwards.

Day 4: Enderby, Auckland Islands

Arrive at Enderby Island, a great island to view birds and wildlife in the Auckland Island group. You make a landing at Sandy Bay, the main breeding ground for the New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lion. You’ll also be able to observe the following species: Southern royal albatross, Northern giant petrel, Auckland Island shag, Auckland Island teal, Auckland Island banded dotterel, Auckland Island tomtit, bellbird, pipit, red crowned parakeet, yellow-eyed penguin and light-mantled sooty albatross. You will spend some time searching for the Subantarctic snipe which you have a very good chance of seeing. Other more common species you will see include goldfinch, song thrush, blackbird, European starling, red-bill gull, redpoll. On Derrycastle Reef there is a good chance to see bar-tailed godwit, turnstone and perhaps other migratory waders.

Day 5: Auckland Islands

This morning, cruise to Carnley Harbour in the south of the main Auckland Islands. There will be an opportunity for the energetic participants to climb to the Southwest Cape shy albatross colony. Gibson’s wandering albatross nest above the colony amongst the tussock, you should get good views of these birds as they will be nesting at this time. Those remaining on board will have an opportunity to zodiac cruise along the coastal forest with a chance to see New Zealand falcon and enjoy close encounters with other bush birds. You depart the Auckland Islands in the mid afternoon and head south west to Macquarie Island.

Day 6: At Sea

At sea enjoy a series of lectures supported by videos of the biology and history of the Subantarctic Islands and the Southern Ocean. The Subantarctic Convergence Zone is traditionally very close to the area you are sailing through so you should expect the birdlife to reflect this as you get closer to Macquarie Island. You will be at sea all day, another opportunity to bird watch: royal albatross, white-chinned petrel, diving petrel, light-mantled sooty albatross, and many others.

Days 7-8: Macquarie Island

Arrive at Macquarie Island which is the only place to see the royal penguin and there is an abundance of these. King penguins are also found in large numbers. Two other penguin species breed on Macquarie Island - the gentoo and the rockhopper. Along the coast you will see the imperial (Macquarie) shag. Redpolls can be seen as can the European starling along the cliff edges. You may land at both the ANARE base and at Sandy Bay. You will also zodiac cruise Lusitania Bay, where there is a huge king penguin colony. You continue your exploration of Macquarie Island and then depart for Campbell Island on the afternoon of your second day.

Day 9: At Sea

At sea en-route to Campbell Island, you will see a similar range of species as you witnessed en-route to Macquarie Island from the Auckland Islands.

Days 10-11: Campbell Island

Arriving early in the morning you will spend the day exploring the island by foot from Perseverance Harbor. Campbell Island is a magnificent island. Rats have recently been successfully removed with encouraging increases in small bird numbers being observed, most notably the pipit. There is some great birding and photographic opportunities on this island especially Southern royal albatross and the early flowering mega herbs. During the day ashore you should see the Southern royal albatross, northern giant petrel, Campbell Island shag, Southern skua, Antarctic tern, redpoll, dunnock and the New Zealand pipit, among others. The regeneration of the megaherbs since the removal of the sheep in the 1970's and ‘80's is a spectacle to behold.

Day 12: At Sea

At sea en-route to the Port of Bluff. A chance to relax and reflect on what will have been an amazing experience. Lecturers will take the opportunity to recap the highlights of the Expedition and you will enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as you cross the last few miles of your journey.

Day 13: Bluff

You arrive at the Port of Bluff. After breakfast and customs formalities have been completed you will disembark. A coach will transfer you and your luggage to the central city of Invercargill or to Invercargill Airport. Landings at the Sub Antarctic Islands are by permit only as administered by the Government of New Zealand. No landings are permitted at Snares Is. Circumstances may be encountered during your voyage which will make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. These circumstances include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed during the voyage.

Trip Details

Ship	Spirit of Enderby
Highlights	Among the world's wildest places; hosts the most diverse collection of seabirds in the world.
Trip Notes	Included: Cabin accommodations; all onboard lectures and access to public areas; all meals on board the ship; shore excursions as described; one nights accommodation including dinner (3 course) and continental breakfast; accommodation based on twin share occupancy (single supplement applies for guaranteed single); group transfers to embark the ship and transfer from the ship to city hotels and/or airport on disembarkation. Not Included: Airfare to and from your home to the port of departure and port of arrival; items of a personal nature such as insurance and excess baggage charges; passport, visa and vaccination fees; onboard the ship: beverages, laundry, ship to shore communications, medical supplies, souvenirs; landing fees ($350 per person); fuel surcharge may apply.
Payment Policy	A deposit of 25% per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment MethodsDeposit: 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
2008-11-27	2008-12-09	+

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