Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise

Antarctic Peninsula - An Expedition Cruise with the Adventure Company. The Great White Continent is still a remote and isolated place, the last frontier and the last truly pristine region on earth. Huge icebergs rise out of the water and glaciers make their tireless march into the ocean. Wildlife abounds from raucous seals and calling seabirds to immense penguin colonies.

Telephone 0845 609 0837 for more details

The only realistic approach is still by sea and we have chosen to use the expedition ships, the Clipper Adventurer or the Lyubov Orlova, to ensure the best possible experience of this extraordinary and untouched part of the world. Sturdy Zodiac craft will whisk you around this ice world enabling you to either experience the extraordinary landscape from the water or to land and encounter it close up. An experienced expedition team will be with you at all times, helping to unlock the secrets of this far-flung continent. It’s the ultimate destination for all travellers and a genuine once in a lifetime trip.

Heading South
From Ushuaia, the world most southerly city, you board your converted icebreaker and head out along the Beagle Channel into the Drake Passage. Your destination is the rugged and beautiful wilderness of Antarctica – the white continent. Followed by wandering albatross and storm petrels the anticipation grows as you catch sight of your first giant iceberg and finally reach land.

Antarctica revealed
Many superlatives are used to describe Antarctica but nothing prepares you for its awe-inspiring beauty. Sculpted aquamarine icebergs float beneath vast glaciers and soaring cliffs provide the backdrop to abandoned whaling and research stations. Whilst the scenery is truly spectacular, for many the magical moments are those spent watching penguins run and slide on the ice, seals play or whales break the surface of the water.

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)

Ships

Lyubov Orlova - On your voyage southwards the Lyubov Orlova is the ideal ship for a comfortable cruise, with 59 outside cabins, all with private facilities. A spacious dining room will provide hearty and delicious food during your voyage, and there is a fully stocked library with Polar-themed literature. She is also equipped with durable Zodiacs for cruising closer to the water and for any shore landings. Towards the end of 2006, this spacious, ice-strengthened ship underwent extensive renovations to the forward lounge, dining room and cabins.

Clipper Adventurer - The sister-ship of Lyubov Orlova, built in 1975, underwent a $13-million conversion in 1998. Carrying up to 122 passengers, she is prepared for a comfortable voyage with a fully equipped library, spacious lounge area and excellent restaurant facilities. She has a proud reputation as a well-appointed, elegant expedition ship for softer adventures. The ship is equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings and ocean-level cruising, yet offers fine dining and cabins with exterior views and en suite facilities.

Responsible Travel - All our Antarctic cruises adhere to the IAATO regulations and actively ensure that this pristine wilderness is protected and preserved.

Visit the Adventure Company website or telephone 0845 609 0837

Special Offer Receive the following loyalty discounts if you travel with us again. 2nd trip - £50 outdoor equipment voucher per person (or £25 voucher if booking is under £1,000 per person.) 3rd trip - SAVE £50 per person (or £25 per person if booking is under £1,000 per person.) 4th trip+ - SAVE £100 per person (or £50 per person if booking is under £1,000 per person.) Terms & Conditions apply