Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia / Embarkation

In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes and right at the Beagle Channel shore. Sail through this scenic waterway during the afternoon.

Days 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passsge

During these two days you sail across the Drake Passage. When you cross the Antarctic Convergence, you arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area you may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, you glimpse at the first icebergs. If the winds are favorable you may land 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.

Days 4-8: Exploring the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula

A typical itinerary in the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only; the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.You may start your first day in Antarctica with a landing at either Half Moon Island or Hannah Point, where you’ll find a nice variety of Gentoo penguins, Chinstraps and southern giant petrels, as well as Elephant seals hauling out on the beach. Later, you may land at Baily Head on the outer rim of Deception Island with a colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Penguins, and you may attempt to make the exciting hike to Whalers Bay. Deception Island is a huge volcano of which the crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here you find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black- bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.On your way further South you sail to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbor, you have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, you will enjoy zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area there are good chances of seeing Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.You sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island where you can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area there are good chances of encountering Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent.Sailing north through Neumayer Channel you arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where you may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.

Days 9-10: Crossing the 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

Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark the ship.

Trip Details

Ship	Grigoriy Mikheev/Aleksey Maryshev
Highlights	Five days exploring the wildlife abundant Peninsula. Fairly active program aboard basic Russian research vessel with good guides and lectures; passengers are mostly from Europe.
Trip Notes	This voyage operates aboard the Aleksey Maryshev, sister ship to Grigoriy Mikheev, on 12/20/2008, 12/30/2008, 1/9/2009, 2/17/2009, 3/21/2009.Included:Voyage aboard the indicated vessel 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 programme; Comprehensive pre-departure material.Not Included:Any airfare; pre- and post land arrangements; 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; customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided); 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
2008-12-20	2008-12-30	+
2008-12-24	2009-01-03	+
2008-12-30	2009-01-09	+
2009-01-09	2009-01-19	+
2009-01-31	2009-02-10	+
2009-02-17	2009-02-27	+
2009-02-28	2009-03-10	+
2009-03-21	2009-03-31	+

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