Antarctica Cruise - Emperor Penguin Snow Hill Island Safari - 2008

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This unique Icebreaker itinerary explores the realm of emperor penguins, the only birds on Earth that breed on the frozen sea in 24 hours darkness of an austral winter. This immense wilderness is a fabulous and virtually pristine paradise for wildlife with incomparable scenery of mountains, snow and ice. It is a privilege to visit this awe-inspiring continent and to experience the special magic that has lured explorers, adventurers and scientists for more than two centuries and - most recently - world travelers.

Trip Details

Duration: 14 days
Visited Areas: Antarctica
Trip Type: Expedition Trips
Airfare not included

Trip Price (per Person)

USD	11500.00
or call: 1-866-549-7614

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Ushuaia is a picturesque community with excellent restaurants and intriguing museums. YouÂll spend the night at your host hotel, so youÂll have time to explore.

Day 2: Embarkation Day

After boarding in the afternoon, youÂll follow the Beagle Channel into the open waters of the Drake Passage.

Days 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage

Emperor Penguins will be on your mind while you cross the Drake Passage. By the time you reach the Weddell Sea, youÂll be a well-rounded expert on birds of all kinds. In addition to the biology, habitat and behavior of Emperors, our ornithologist will make presentations on the pelagic birds that accompany the ship. Your photographer-in-residence will prepare you for the special lighting conditions you will encounter during your visit to the rookery.

Days 5-7: The aristocrats of the Antarctic

Reaching the Snow Hill rookery under the best possible conditions is the goal of the expedition. The Captain and Expedition Leader consult charts, weather bulletins and satellite images to determine where to park the icebreaker for efficient helicopter flights to the rookery.In 2007, visitors to the rookery saw Emperor chicks, many sitting on the feet of the adult caring for them. Hopefully, you will repeat this unique opportunity! Helicopters will be used to ferry adventurers to a landing site about 2 km (1.2 miles) or more from the rookery. YouÂll walk a well marked path through a sculpture garden of towering ice. Adult Emperors tobogganing to the sea to feed have the right of way!

Days 8-11: Discovering the White Continent

While the Emperors are the priority, you will also visit the Antarctic Peninsula. Your exact route will be determined by local conditions.You plan to sail Iceberg Alley. Use your newly acquired photographic skills to snap pictures of massive tabular icebergs until your camera beeps a warning that the memory is full. While passing through Antarctic Sound, you will see more fantastic ice sculptures from pure white to deep blue. A soulful silence may engulf you, unless a glacier calves or an iceberg over turns--then suddenly, everything is noise and waves.While visiting the Peninsula, you may explore penguin rookeries under construction. AdÃ©lie, Chinstrap, and Gentoo Penguins court, lay eggs, and raise their young during the austral summer. Your voyage takes place at a time when these smaller penguins are selecting nesting sites and choosing partners.

Days 12-14: Recollection and Reflection

On the return to Ushuaia, youÂll be recalling the details of the voyage. These memories will stay with you, as clear and powerful as the day they were formed. The existence of the Emperor Penguin is more than a story of survival and endurance. It is the triumph of life itself.

Trip Information

Ship	Kapitan Khlebnikov
Highlights	This trip focuses on viewing Emperor Penguins. This is only possible very early in the season with helicopters and an icebreaker to get you far enough South.
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. Mandatory Travel Insurance: Passengers traveling on this expedition are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. As this voyage travels to remote regions of the world, we recommend that the policyÂs emergency evacuation benefit be higher than minimum. Included:One pre-cruise night hotel night with breakfast (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.); Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; All meals on board throughout voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the shipsÂ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program; Formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers; Photographic Journal on DVD; A pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings. (So you donÂt have to pack any.); Hair dryer in every cabin; Expedition parka to keep; 24-hour coffee, tea, cocoa, and bottled water; Comprehensive pre-departure materials; Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation Â plus all baggage handling aboard ship; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Polar Arts Program featuring an artist-in-residence who gives presentations and may conduct workshops in digital photography or traditional media (e.g. pastel, watercolor, oils, pens and ink); All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each dayÂs program on the icebreaker.Not Included:All airfare; Passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (please note that emergency medical insurance is mandatory); Excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges; Telecommunications charges; Customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel (guidelines will be provided); Any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced on board.
Payment Policy	2007/2008 Season:A deposit of $1000 per person (11-15 day Antarctica expeditions); $1500 per person (20 day Antarctica expeditions and all Arctic 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.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).