Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands (2009/2010)

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart the U.S.

Fly from the United States to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Day 2: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Arrive in Buenos Aires, ArgentinaÂ’s capital and one of South AmericaÂ’s most beautiful cities, and transfer to the Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires for the night. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Evening cocktail reception at the hotel.

Day 3: Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Embark

Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, a Patagonian city set on the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Darwin Cordillera and forests of southern beech. Upon arrival, transfer to the ship. Enjoy a spectacular vista of glaciers and greenmisted mountains as Clelia II navigates the Beagle Channel.

Day 4: At Sea

Enjoy a day at sea, listening to lectures and relaxing as Clelia II cruises to the Falkland Islands.

Days 5-6: Exploring the Falkland Islands

Spend the day exploring the Falkland Islands, including Westpoint Island, where youÂ’ll walk across the moors to a busy rookery of elegant black-browed albatross and raucous rockhopper penguins. On nearby Saunders Island, explore the dramatic beaches, teeming with Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, as well as cormorant and black-browed albatross colonies before continuing to the quaint capital of the isalnds, Port Stanely.

Days 7-8: At Sea

Cruise toward South Georgia.

Days 9-11: Exploring South Georgia

Spend three days exploring the rugged, ice-bound islands of South Georgia. Once ravaged by the South Atlantic whaling industry, the waters of South Georgia are now strictly protected and harbor abundant numbers of elephant seals, fur seals and king penguins. Your visit may include the Bay of Isles, home to a massive rookery of king penguins; Albatross Island, a paradise for grayheaded, black-browed, light-mantled sooty and wandering albatross; and the town of Grytviken, where Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried in a small cemetery beyond the abandoned whaling station.

Day 12: Sailing the Scotia Sea

Attend onboard lectures and watch for whales and seabirds as Clelia II cruises the Scotia Sea.

Day 13: South Orkney Islands

A vista of enormous grounded icebergs is visible as Clelia II approaches the South Orkney Islands to call at Coronation Island. In the company of British scientists from Signy Station, visit the rookeries of penguins and snow and cape petrels that populate the island.

Days 14-17: Antarctic Peninsula and its Islands

Enjoy four days exploring the pristine wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula, a narrow finger of land that separates the ice-choked waters of the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas. As Clelia II sails through scenic waterways, witness a breathtaking panorama of icebergs, blue glaciers and jagged, snowcapped mountains. Aboard the ship’s fleet of Zodiacs, cruise among ice floes, land at penguin rookeries and visit with scientists at research stations. Our first day in this incredible region will be at Elephant Island, where in 1916 Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance was stranded, forcing Shackleton and five of his men to undertake a thousand-mile rescue mission on a 20-foot whaleboat to secure help. Although the itinerary varies according to local ice and wind conditions, you also may land at such places as Petermann Island, where humpback and minke whales are often sighted offshore; Paradise Bay, the habitat of gentoo and chinstrap penguins and the blubbery Weddell seal; Deception Island, whose waters are often warm enough for swimming; and King George Island, home to several research stations. Voyages through the magnificent Lemaire, Neumeyer, Errata and other protected channels are also planned—and never to be forgotten.

Days 18-19: At Sea

Attend lectures by naturalists and study leaders as Clelia II crosses the Antarctic Convergence, where the warm waters of the north override the colder waters of the Southern Ocean. Then sail through the Drake Passage. Albatross and cape petrels are among the birds that company the ship on its passage.

Day 20: Ushuaia / Disembark / Buenos Aires, Argentina / U.S.

Disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires connect with flights to the U.S.

Day 21: Arrive in U.S.

Today, arrive back in the United States.

Trip Details

Ship	Clelia II (2009/2010)
Just Released Offer	Book your cruise by April 15, 2009 and receive a $500 per cabin airfare credit from ExpeditionTrips.com. Applied upon final payment. Applicable Date: 12/10/2009
Highlights	One of the more comfortable smaller vessels traveling to Antarctica; luxury accommodation, excellent guides; infamous Elephant Island; incredible king penguin rookeries on South Georgia
Trip Notes	Included: Round-trip group flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia; 1-night stay in Buenos Aires at the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, with welcome cocktail reception and breakfast; 17-night cruise aboard the 100-guestp; expedition cruise ship, Clelia II; Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship; All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; Complete program of excursions; Physician aboard ship; Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers; Expedition parka, complete pre-departure materials and detailed cruise log; Expedition leader and tour staff; Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival date; Port and embarkation taxes; Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers. Not Included: Fuel surcharge may apply; Airfare (other than the designated group flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia); visas; passports; luggage, cancellation and accident insurance; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and email/Internet service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel.
Payment Policy	A deposit of $1000 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
2009-12-10	2009-12-30	+
2010-02-05	2010-02-25	+

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