Experience the essence of Antarctica: a white wilderness of spectacular icescapes, obliging marine wildlife, scenic narrow channels, and panoptic penguin colonies. The Antarctic Peninsula is the pinnacle of Polar. You may think adventure is only for the young, the super athletic, or the bold risk-takers of the world. But regardless of your background and age, Antarctica will fill you with the spirit of adventure. Once you see it, you will be swept up in the desire to make the most of every precious second you spend in this amazing place. You may not want to sleep at all while you’re here, preferring instead to live your waking Antarctic dreams. You may wonder what eyes were ever meant for, if not for absorbing the splendor of Antarctica and its incredible wildlife. You’ll surely want to capture every snowflake and penguin pose, not only with your camera, but with your eternal memory so that you may carry them everywhere. The spirit of Antarctic adventure may manifest in different ways. You may want to get physical by taking to its icy waters in a sea kayak. You may want to test your endurance by spending a night in a tent on its icy surface. You may simply want to breathe it all in so deeply that it becomes part of you. No matter how you answer the call of Antarctica, you will be changed forever. That is real adventure.
We suggest that our tourists arrive in Santiago de Chile a day earlier to have a good rest after a long flight before our Subantarctic adventures begin. A pre-cruise night is not included in the price of the itinerary, but we highly recommend the Holiday Inn Hotel due to its most favorable location right in the airport terminal.
Arrival of your transfer flight at the Falkland Islands. Welcome to Stanley, the charmingly British capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbor. We provide a group transfer to the pier and welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come.
The remote and sparsely-populated Falkland Islands are a birders’ paradise. We anticipate visiting one or more of the isolated outer islands on the south of the archipelago which are particularly important for their colonies of cormorants and different breeding birds that have been recorded there, including Magellanic, southern rockhopper, macaroni and gentoo penguin. The Falklands are also a great place to observe marine mammals. The waters around the archipelago are home to various whale and dolphin species. Our route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather among these windswept islands.
From the Falkland Islands we head east toward South Georgia. We will cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. Briefings, bio-security procedures, and lectures from our expert staff prepare you for our arrival in South Georgia.
This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our route and exploration opportunities in South Georgia are heavily dependent on the weather conditins we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the world. We take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this amazing place. South Georgia is a scenic wilderness and an unrivalled paradise for subantarctic wildlife viewing. The islands are said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, and terns. On beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins including stately king penguins and sprightly macaroni penguins. The recently completed rat eradication program is sure to make this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife. The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. This is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer. Our days in South Georgia are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.
After our amazing time in South Georgia we proceed southwest toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Pelagic seabirds including the majestic albatross are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks or from exterior stateroom windows and balconies.
The wilderness of Antarctica is subject to unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which dictate our route and exploration opportunities. This is a real expedition. We exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, amazing scenery, and excursions via Zodiac. The Antarctic Peninsula region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and some of Antarctica’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Protected bays and narrow channels are surrounded by towering mountain peaks covered in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to a variety of whale and seal species. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large nesting colonies at special places on land. The area is also home to Antarctic research stations of various nationalities. The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first sighting of land. This wild and beautiful island chain contains numerous landing sites with abundant wildlife and historical significance. Among them is Elephant Island, where men from Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition spent the winter.
From Antarctica we head north through the Drake Passage toward South America. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent. This is also the time for our End of Voyage ceremonies including slideshow and farewell dinner.
After breakfast we say farewell in the city of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the town center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!
Itinerary, landings and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on ice and weather conditions and are subject to the decisions of the Expedition Leader and the Captain of the vessel. Encounters with any mentioned wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
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Vessel Type: Small Ship Expedition
Length: 90 metres
Passenger Capacity: 114
Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2016
Like some of the birds we see in the Arctic and Antarctica, our m/v Sea Spirit is migratory and follows the sun, northbound in the summer and southbound in the winter, always ready for spontaneous discoveries – a pod of whales, a family of polar bears or a glaciated mountain vista. She is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of East Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen.
Onboard, we create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all our guests. They are united by one goal – to have a memorable wilderness experience and to become real polar adventurers. We believe that first-hand travel to such places makes one an ambassador for conservation, and helps strengthen our resolve to protect these natural environments for future generations.
Public areas include: Reception, Restaurant, Bar, Outdoor Bistro, Club Lounge, Library, Presentation Lounge, Infirmary, Gym, Bridge.
We have open Bridge policy. Talk to the Captain and officers. Watch landscapes from this special angle of view. Fix your location at a map of your expedition.
Sea Kayaking (1210.00 AUD)
Antarctica is a paddlers’ paradise. The White Continent boasts some of the world’s most impressive landscapes and is home to incredible marine wildlife. Sea Kayak Club members will have the opportunity to paddle through tranquil waters filled with glittering icebergs and porpoising penguins while surrounded by magnificent glaciers and mountains. The protected and picturesque waters of the Antarctic Peninsula offer the best sea kayaking opportunities in Antarctica. Sea Kayak Club is also offered on selected voyages to South Georgia, where members may have the rare opportunity to encounter the island’s legendary abundance of wildlife from a kayaker’s perspective, if the area’s notoriously inclement weather permits.
“Faces” of Buenos Aires
Duration : from 2 days Explore the cosmopolitan, dynamic, many-faced & generous city of Buenos Aires. It offers a rich cultural, historic and architectural heritage built by generations of Spanish, Italians, Germans, Russians and many other immigrants. The city is a blend of Tango, coffee stores, theaters, antiques; art crafts markets, museums, gallery nights, and gastronomic delights. You will visit historical squares and neighborhoods, walk in the city’s charming parks, taste the most delightful typical Argentine dishes, and – of course! – enjoy the unique sexual magnetism of the Tango performed by the best tango dancers and singers.
Iguazu Falls: Natural Wonder of the World
Duration : from 3 days The Iguazu Falls are the most breathtaking waterfalls in South America. The falls were chosen as one of the new natural Seven Wonders of the World. Perpetual rainbows, hundreds of butterflies, immense green jungle and the energy of the falling water will leave you lost for words. During the tour you’ll visit Iguazu Falls from the Argentine and Brazil sides. Explore the unique flora and fauna of the Iguazu Falls National Park. Experience close the striking views and the thundering sounds of the waterfalls. Discover one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.