Argentina

Starting Price:	£11,793.00
Trip Length:	19 days

The Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula

Description Pricing Itinerary

From Ushuaia, beneath the last peaks of the Andes, we follow the Beagle Channel and cross the Southern Ocean to the Falkland Islands. During the crossing we expect to see several species of albatrosses and shearwaters, as well as storm petrels and diving petrels. We shall visit Stanley, Falkland’s capital, and other islands in the archipelago where there are colonies of Black-browed Albatrosses, Rockhopper and Magellanic Penguins as well as endemic and interesting local flora and fauna.

We continue sailing east of the Falklands, to the island of South Georgia. For Captain Cook it was barren and dreary, others have written lyrically of the splendours of its scenery and its wildlife with thousands of dignified, yet colourful King Penguins, Wandering Albatrosses, large groups of Elephant Seals and thousands of Fur Seals.

From the stunning beauty of South Georgia, we cruise 800 miles west through the remote Southern Ocean towards the Antarctic Peninsula. We will be travelling during this leg via the Iceberg Graveyard where we should encounter numerous floating ice-bergs in a spectacular array of colours, shapes and sizes.

We edge cautiously through Neptune’s Bellows to reach the flooded caldera of Deception Island: here the brave can swim in waters heated by volcanic activity deep under the sea. Hikers can walk the steep hills of the crater at Telephone Bay from where there is a stunning view of Whalers Bay. From Deception it is a short sail to the Antarctic Peninsula and a landing on that most remote of continents. On our way we might be accompanied by Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to reach islands on which colonies of penguins and other southern birds breed, all the time keeping watch for local predators; Leopard Seals and Killer Whales. Finally we turn north, perhaps having one last glimpse of a Weddell or Crabeater Seal, before crossing the Drake Passage.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Tuesday

Day 1

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the picturesque southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through the Beagle Channel.

Day 2

Day at sea. In the westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.

Day 3

In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) we plan to spend the whole day on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. On New Island we’ll witness how heavy Black-browed Albatrosses try to land and take off in a colony they share with the sturdy Rockhopper Penguins. A hike along the shore of Carcass Island will give us instead views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl and Night herons

Day 4

In Port Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, we can experience Falkland culture, which has some South-American characteristics. In Port Stanley and surrounding area we can see a quite important number of stranded clippers from a century ago.

Day 5

At sea, on our way to South Georgia we will cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop as much as 10 degrees C in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence we will see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas.

Day 6

Continuance of Day 5

Day 7

In South Georgia we shall visit Grytviken with the abandoned whaling village, where King Penguins now walk in the streets and King Edwards Point with a British garrison and the grave of Shackleton. Fortuna Bay and Bay of Isles with breeding Wandering Albatrosses on Albatross Island, and Salisbury Plain with a large colony of King Penguins are other highlights of the South Georgia program. We may also visit Elsehul, Right Whale Bay, Possession Bay, Gold Harbour and Drygalski Fjord to give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the introduced Reindeer, Fur Seals, Elephant Seals, Gentoo Penguins, Macaroni Penguins, Grey-headed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Northern and Southern Giant Petrels, White-chinned Petrels, several species of prions and storm petrels, Brown Skuas, Dominican Gulls, Antarctic Terns, sheathbills and the endemic South Georgia Pintail.

Day 8

Continuance of Day 7

Day 9

Continuance of Day 7

Day 10

Continuance of Day 7

Day 11

Day at sea, where the ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds.

Day 12

In the South Orkneys we plan to call at Laurie Island and may visit the friendly Argentine base, in which vicinity we can see breeding Southern Giant Petrels. With permission of the base personnel we may also visit Punta Cormoran which has an Adelie Penguin colony.

Day 13

At sea when we approach the sea-ice, we may have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like Maccormick Skua, Snow Petrel and the elusive juvenile Emperor Penguin. Chances to encounter Minke Whales are also increasing when we approach the ice.

Day 14

Our landings in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula may include Paulet Island featuring the remains of polar expeditions from the beginning of the 20th century, and a colony of hundreds of thousands of Adelie Penguins. Here at the tip of the Weddell Sea we see the magnificent table icebergs. At Brown Bluff we may set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a beautiful volcanic area. At Mikkelsen Harbour at the south end of Trinity Island we can observe a Gentoo Penguin colony and Weddell and Fur Seals hauled out on the beach. In the beautiful Charlotte Bay we may again set foot on the Antarctic Continent at Portal Point, where Crabeater Seals have often been seen. Here in the Gerlache Strait we often see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. We try to land at Baily Head (Deception Island), where we are surrounded by 100.000 Chinstrap Penguins like in an amphitheatre. From here good walkers can walk to Whalers Bay. In Whalers Bay, we can observe the remains of the Hektor whaling station from the beginning of the 20th century. We intend to visit Hannah Point, one of the best wildlife spots in the South Shetlands, with Giant Petrels, Cape Pigeons, Blue-eyed Shag, Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, a few Macaroni Penguins and Elephant Seals.

Day 15

Continuance of Day 14

Day 16

Continuance of Day 14

Day 17

On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Day 18

Continuance of Day 17

Day 19

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.

19 days , from £11793

Occupancy Type	Twin with porthole	Twin with window	Twin deluxe	Superior
Double	£11793	£12395	£13108	£14612
Single	£20048	£21071	£22283	£24841

Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).

This program is designed as an add-on to any of Yampu’s Chile or Antarctica highlight tours. If booking alone, booking fees may apply. Pricing includes voyage aboard cruise ship, all meals aboard the ship including snacks, all shore excursions and activities, naturalist guides, lecture programs and all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Prices do not include airfare and transfers, pre and post land arrangements, passport and visa expenses, government arrival and departure taxes, meals ashore, baggage, cancellation and personal insurance, and all items of a personal nature. Also not included are net fuel surcharge of USD$ 20 per person per night and a fixed amount of USD$ 300 for the Atlantic Odyssey vessel.

Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants.

All itineraries are for reference only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

All rates are quoted per person in US Dollar, based on twin occupancy. Not all cabins are available on all dates. Please check with your Yampu travel consultant for the most up-to-date availability.

Pricing corresponds to the following dates:

2011: November 1st

2012: January 10th

Vessels: Grigoriy Mikheev & Aleksey Maryshev

The ´Grigoriy Mikheev & Aleksey Maryshev´ are modern and comfortable research vessels of the Hydrographic Institute of St. Petersburg. Built in 1990 in Finland, and designed as ice-strengthened vessels, the ships are now under long-term contract by Oceanwide Expeditions. Converted in the Netherlands for passenger use, the vessels are ideally suited to expedition cruising. They have a range of 70 days independent operation and is ISM certified.

The vessels are strongly built of steel with an ice-strengthened hull, perfect for the polar seas. They are manned by an enthusiastic Russian crew of around 20, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognized experts in polar navigation. All our international expedition leaders and lecturers are highly knowledgeable, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment.

The ´Grigoriy Mikheev & Aleksey Maryshev´ have a large bridge (where you are almost always welcome) and good open deck-viewing areas. They carry a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise in-accessible areas. 3-star meals, prepared by international chefs, are served in the dining room, which also acts as the lecture room. Other public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary, and sauna.

Twin private cabins: 8 Cabins on deck 4 with a private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet, upper and lower berths, a desk, ample storage space and windows.

Superior cabins: 3 Superior cabins on deck 4 with a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with a shower, washbasin, and toilet. Room includes a sitting area with a desk, Coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator, and windows.

Twin private cabins: 6 Cabins on deck 3 with a private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet, upper and lower berths, a desk, ample storage space and windows.

Twin non private cabins: 6 Cabins on deck 3 with upper and lower berths, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck.

Yampu Tours is a trading name of Yampu Tours & Travel Ltd – Registered in England, Company No: 6054303 ATOL Number: 9522 VAT Number 919 1679 90 – 0800 011 2424 – Email Us