Antarctica,
the Falkland Islands & South Georgia
February 6-24, 2008
Naturalist Journeys, LLC teams up with Peregrine
for this expedition!
Click here to read our Penguin Primer, a special supplement
to your Antarctica itinerary!
In
2005, Peg explored Greenland and Arctic Canada aboard the R.V.Akademik
Ioffe with Peregrine Expeditions. The ship, crew and all aspects of
the voyage surpassed any expectations and she looks forward to working
with them again on this spectacular Antarctica voyage. Peg has selected
prime dates, towards the end of the penguin breeding season when we
can see large chicks and a lot of behavior. She has blocked cabins
in several categories, and is happy to discuss any aspect of this
remarkable adventure with you in further detail.
Peg
has selected Peregrine’s most complete and varied Antarctic
adventure. It promises an in-depth and unforgettable experience to
the bottom of the world travelling to the extraordinary Falkland Islands
and diverse sub-Antarctic islands before sailing further south to
the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula area.
Our
first stop is the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. This
far-flung group of islands lies north of the Antarctic Convergence
and enjoys a relatively warmer climate than our other destinations.
As a result, the mainly uninhabited Falklands support unique wildlife
not found further south, including sixty species of migratory birds
as well as the rare rockhopper penguin.
Our
journey continues southeast, crossing the Antarctic Convergence to
the remote and hauntingly beautiful island of South Georgia. Here
amongst the soaring snow-clad mountains and massive glaciers, we’ll
find huge king penguin rookeries, thousands of sub-Antarctic fur seals,
the comical macaroni penguin, as well as spectacular wilderness that
is perhaps, unequalled on earth. We’ll also discover a remarkable
history here that reminds us of some of the world’s most legendary
explorers from Captain James Cook to Sir Ernest Shackleton.
We
then set course to the off-shore islands of the Antarctic Peninsula,
hoping to land at the remote and often mist-shrouded South Orkney
Islands. Then we continue on to the South Shetland archipelago, stopping
at various islands whose waters are often inhabited with feeding humpback
whales.
On
approaching the mainland, the splendours of Antarctic nature will
be on display. Thousands of differently shaped icebergs dot the sea,
penguins are seen porpoising through the waters and various seals,
including the predatory leopard seal, use the ice flows as a resting
place. The Antarctic Peninsula itself boasts a profusion of wildlife
including five species of seal, massive penguin rookeries with gentoos,
Adelies and chinstraps as well as a variety of whale species and seabirds
including albatross, petrels, shearwaters and skuas.
Extraordinary
and inhospitable scenery greets us on land. A sweeping ice sheet rises
above the shore line, binding together an entire continent, close
in size to Africa. One can only marvel at the resolve of the early
explorers in their quest to conquer Antarctica.
Note:
Weather, ice, or other conditions may necessitate changes to our itinerary
and alteration to certain shore excursions.
ITINERARY
Feb
6 - Day 1: Ushuaia
We
board our Peregrine expedition vessel at Ushuaia on Tierra del Fuego,
the southern tip of South America. In the early evening, we set sail
travelling through the Beagle Channel. The long days mean plenty of
evening light in which to experience the beauty of the channel, and
to perhaps enjoy our first wildlife sightings.
Meals included: 1 dinner
Feb
7 - Day 2: At Sea
As
we sail to the northeast, we have the chance to enjoy a series of
presentations that will prepare us for all our Antarctic adventures
to come. On deck, the first sightings of albatross and petrels are
likely to add to the sense of excitement.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Feb
8-9 - Days 3-4: Falkland Islands
We arrive
in the Falklands overnight and make our first shore excursion in the
morning. Depending on conditions, we’ll explore the islands
of the West Falkland Archipelago including West Point, Carcass or
Saunders Islands, all rich in wildlife. We’ll find an abundance
of land and seabirds with many migratory species in residence, such
as the wandering albatross and its smaller relative the black-browed
albatross.
The breathtaking
cliffs at West Point are home to busy rookeries of rockhopper penguins
and Magellanic penguins nest in the tall tussock grass on privately
owned Carcass Island, where we may see a variety of land birds. Here,
we’ll also hope to observe oyster catchers, geese and the endemic
steamer duck along the rocky shores.
The
next day we’ll visit Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands,
with its brightly painted houses and renowned philatelic bureau and
museum. We’ll learn about the historic importance of the harbour
in Stanley that served as a major port during the 19th century for
sailing vessels attempting to round the Horn, or seeking refuge after
completing the formidable journey.
Meals included:
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Feb
10-11 - Days 5-6: At Sea
Leaving
the Falklands, our journey continues southeast heading for the island
of South Georgia. We’ll have a chance to learn about Antarctic
conservation as well as the fascinating history of the area as our
onboard presentations continue. Of course, there’ll be ample
time to scan the seascape from the top deck in search of marine mammals
and seabirds. We’ll cross the Antarctic Convergence on this
leg of our journey and notice a dramatic drop in temperature.
Meals included:
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Feb
12-15 - Days 7-10: South Georgia
We arrive
in South Georgia, the most rugged and mountainous of the many islands
in the Southern Ocean. The towering, snow-covered mountains and glaciers
are truly magnificent to behold. We’ll cruise the more protected
eastern coast of the island, seeking out suitable landing spots as
variable ice and weather conditions permit.
We’ll
hope to get ashore at Salisbury Plain where colourful king penguins
crowd the beaches in numbers that are simply astonishing. Hundreds
of thousands of adult birds and their young literally carpet the vast
area. Another 75,000 pairs of king penguins nest at St Andrews Bay.
Everywhere, albatross, skuas and giant petrels wheel overhead and
fur seals are found in good numbers along the shore or frolicking
in the water.
At
Grytviken, we’ll visit an old whaling station as well as the
grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the greatest Antarctic explorers
of all time.
Meals included: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Feb
16-17 - Days
11-12: Sea and South Orkneys
Crossing
the Scotia Sea to the southwest, we’ll head for Antarctica.
Along the way, if time and conditions allow, we’ll make a stop
at the South Orkney Islands linked to the Antarctic Peninsula by a
massive range of sub-marine mountains. This area is usually surrounded
by sea ice and often guarded by large icebergs.
We’ll
attempt a landing at Coronation Island, known for its extensive moss
beds, nesting penguins and beautiful snow petrels. We may also visit
the Argentinean meteorological station located on the seldom-visited
island of Laurie.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Feb
18-21 - Days
13-16: South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Mainland
En route
to the South Shetland Islands, we may be able to land at Elephant
Island. It was from here that Sir Ernest Shackleton set out on a small
boat for South Georgia in 1916, undertaking one of the most remarkable
sailing journeys of all time and returning 132 days later to rescue
his men.
We’ll
spend several days cruising among the South Shetlands, an archipelago
of bays, channels and some 20 islands off the Antarctic Peninsula.
We’ll enjoy frequent shore excursions via zodiac boat, exploring
various islands such as King George, Half Moon, Aicho or Livingston.
Here on these beautiful islands, we’ll enjoy superb wildlife
encounters with Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, as well as
several species of seal.
Weather permitting,
we’ll enter the flooded caldera of Deception Island and enjoy
a spectacular walk to the higher points of the crater rim, or we may
explore an abandoned whaling station nearby.
Finally,
we’ll arrive at the Antarctic mainland in Paradise Harbour or
Hope Bay. Here we’ll witness some of the most dramatic scenery
on the planet. We’ll hope for temperate weather so we can undertake
a shore excursion and set foot on the Antarctic continent.
Meals included: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Feb
22-23 - Days 17-18: Drake Passage
Leaving
the Antarctic Peninsula, we’ll head back across the Antarctic
Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with
the rounding of Cape Horn. Our final evening onboard is spent at a
special Captain’s dinner where we’ll celebrate our extraordinary
Antarctic adventures together.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Feb
24 - Day
19: Ushuaia
In
the early morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia where the cruise ends.
You’re transferred to your hotel.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
|
Tour
Cost and Travel Arrangements
COST
OF THE JOURNEY: The cost starts at $11,950.00
from Ushuaia, Argentina. More
information coming soon!
TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS: More information coming soon...Please
note that due to the nature of this expedition, weather,
ice, or other conditions may require changes be made to
the itinerary and/or cancellation of certain shore excursions.
Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary, within
the limits of safety and time constraints.
Photo Credits:
Images to come! |
