Antarctic Peninsula and Polar Circle
Antarctica
In addition to the Antarctic Peninsula itinerary (see trip Ref. AOP), you'll go further south in an attempt to cross the Polar Circle at 66? 30'S to see magnificent ice-filled channels, sounds and soaring mountains. This is even more dependent on weather and ice conditions than the other cruises but the icebreaking capabilities of the Polar Star mean that the chances of success are good.
The Great White Continent is still a remote and isolated place - truly the last frontier on earth. The only realistic approach is still by sea and we have chosen to use the expedition ship 'Polar Star' to ensure the best possible experience of this extraordinary and untouched part of the world. We are offering a range of cruises that allow different lengths of holiday and a variety of experiences.
Polar Star - About your cruise
Built for the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Polar Star is the first ice-breaker to be fully converted for expedition cruising. Carrying approximately 100 passengers the range of cabins and public rooms offer a high degree of comfort. There is a large observation lounge and open bridge policy. A full expedition/naturalist team on board will give talks on the wildlife, natural environment and history of the area. These experts will also accompany all our expeditions ashore which will normally be carried out in sturdy inflatable 'zodiac' boats. These expeditions will either land you ashore or will be water-based and will typically take place twice a day. Please remember that as this is an expedition cruise, the exact programme may well be varied to take advantage of good ice and weather conditions as well as the movements of wildlife.
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Details |
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Price Excludes |
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No Local Payment on this trip.
Airport tax abroad not included. Insurance £78
No complusory single supplement
If you would prefer a cabin to yourself you can
guarantee this by paying the single cabin rate. If you
are happy to share but are travelling independently,
don't worry, you pay the twin share rate and leave
the rest to us.
Based on a K2 cabin.
Airport tax abroad not included. Insurance £78 |
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Countries / Places Visited |
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Antarctic - Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - Polar Circle |
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Activities Included |
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cruising |
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Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
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Minimum Age |
18 |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Day 1/2: Fly to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires
Our local agent will meet you in Buenos Aires and facilitate transfers either to your hotel or (as often happens) you will need to transfer between the international and domestic airport, which is the other side of Buenos Aires city (approx. 45-mins drive). Here you will board your flight to Ushuaia.
On arrival in Ushuaia you will be met and transferred to your overnight hotel. The evening and next morning are free to relax and recover from your journey. You will then be met at your hotel and transferred to the dock to join the cruise.
Day 3: Embark Ship - Ushuaia
You will board your ship in the afternoon in the town of Ushuaia. Located on the Beagle Passage in Tierra del Fuego, this charming town has a spectacular setting.
Cabin on board ship – 10/11 nights (BD)
Day 4/5: Drake Passage
Settle in on board as you head south across the Drake Passage. You will soon leave Cape Horn behind and head out into the open sea, escorted perhaps by petrels and albatrosses. Take your time to find your way about the ship and go onto the bridge, which is fully open for passenger access, where you can see the experienced crew at work. There will be plenty of opportunities to listen to the talks and lectures given by the specialist expedition team and discuss their experiences in the Polar region with them. Once you cross the Antarctic Convergence there will be the possibility of passing icebergs and, conditions permitting, late on day three the Captain may well try to make a landing in the South Shetlands at Aitcho. (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)
Day 6-8: Antarctic Peninsula
On day four you will arrive off the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands. With a backdrop of high ice-capped mountains, crevassed glaciers and ice-filled fjords this is Antarctica in all its majesty.
You will explore the region taking advantage of the crew and expedition team’s experience. The route will be dependent on weather or sea conditions and information passed from other ships in the area or polar stations. You are likely to be able to join two Zodiac expeditions a day, in the company of the ship’s specialists, exploring the ice floes or stepping ashore onto Antarctica itself!
The itinerary will vary but there are a number of places that are particular favourites. You take beautiful transits through the channels and straits such as Lemaire, Gerlache and Neumayer with their towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers – possibly the highlight of the cruise. Bring your swimming gear for a dip in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove and you can post your letters at the historic research station of Port Lockroy. Here, as well as enjoying the thriving penguin colonies, the former British scientific station has been renovated to serve as one of the most isolated and intriguing museums in the world. We also hope to visit Paradise Bay, Petermann Island, Cuverville Island, Vernadsky Station and Neko Harbour.
There are many sites with an abundance of wildlife and with the expedition team in attendance you really can understand this incredible environment. The penguin rookeries are a lively highlight with large numbers of adelie, gentoo and chinstrap noisily grouped together and as you cruise among the icebergs you will hopefully see seals both in the water and on the ice. The most common are the fur, leopard, crabeater, weddel and mighty elephant seals. At all times the ship will be on the lookout for mammals at the top of the food-chain and with the wealth of krill around the Peninsula there is a likelihood of seeing minke and humpback whales.
There is so much to see and the excitement of a Zodiac expedition, with perhaps a chance encounter with an orca pod. This will be followed by a discussion on board with one of the expedition team while clutching a hot chocolate - or something stronger! The experiences are unpredictable but many will no doubt be unforgettable. (Bx3,Lx3,Dx3)
Day 9/10: South Shetland Islands
You visit Whaler's Bay on Deception Island, an active volcanic island with thermal waters welling up under the black sand. You also visit Half Moon Island, part of a dormant volcanic caldera where chinstrap penguins abound and the views can be spectacular. (Bx2,Lx2,Dx2)
Day 11/12: Drake Passage
After five days in and around the Antarctic Peninsula it’s time to head north to ‘civilisation’. Experiences will no doubt be relived and discussed with new friends and the expedition team will recap on some of the wonders seen. The icebergs will be left behind and soon Tierra del Fuego will loom ahead. (Bx2,Lx2,Dx2)
Day 13: Disembark Ushuaia
Morning disembarkation from your ship in Ushuaia. Clients flying home with us will transfer to the airport from the ship and take a morning flight back to Buenos Aires. You will be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. On all cruises you spend one night in Buenos Aires - a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the vibrant city of Tango.(B) |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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Cruise ship, zodiac inflatable, on foot.
Ship cabin (11nts), Hotel (3nts).
Flights (Schedules & airlines can change.)
Direct flights with British Airways / Aerolineas
Argentinas from London Heathrow. Depart UK
20.50, Return UK 08.35.
UK domestic add-on available. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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We have provided a little
section of extra travel needs that you may need
and to make life easier for our customers. We aim
to provide all the extras you would need; flights,
hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.
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Included
