Antarctica: Penguins, icebergs and the adventure of a lifetime

• Rates Include

• 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.)
• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible.
  Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.).
• All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.
• Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
• Photographic Album on DVD.
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
• Hair dryer in every cabin.
• A Quark Expeditions parka.
• Coffee, tea, cocoa and bottled water available around the clock.
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.
• Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum of $100,000 per person.
•  All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program.
•  Group transfers from the group flight to the group hotel in Santiago, Chile.
•  One post-expedition night accommodation in Santiago, Chile.
• All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program.

Day-By-Day Itinerary.

Day   1

Ushuaia, Argentina

Just as you will, special guests Robert Bateman and Birgit Freybe Bateman will overnight in Ushuaia, our staging point for this exclusive voyage. Overnight in Ushuaia.

Day   2

Embarkation Day

At the beginning of what is arguably the ultimate penguin expedition, travelers will be introduced to the Expedition Team, Hospitality Team and the Batemans at the Welcome Briefing.

Day   3-4

Crossing the Drake Passage

Prepare for rough water, but do not be disappointed if this crossing of the Drake Passage is smooth sailing. The Drake is always changing.

Day   5

South Shetland Islands

Emperor and King Penguins are the star attractions of this expeditin, but they are not the only penguins you will encounter. During landings in the South Shetland Islands you could visit Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguin rookeries.

Day   6-8

Emperor Penguin Rookery

The Captain and Expedition Leader consult charts, weather bulletins and satellite images to determine where to park the icebreaker for efficient helicopter flights to the rookery. From the landing zone, you will walk about 2.4 (1.5 miles) to the rookery, through a sculpture garden of ice. This memorable route is taken each time you visit the rookery during the three days allotted.

Day   9-11

South Orkney Islands and Southern Ocean

While at sea, the Batemans will deliver one of two presentations about their life as activists and artists. Their presentations supplement the in-depth education program delivered by the Expedition Team. If conditions permit, we will attempt a shore landing in the South Orkney Islands.

Day   12-16

 South Georgia

  Wildlife landings on South Georgia will include visits to King Penguin rookeries. King Penguin breed all year round, so you will encounter the meter (3 feet) tall birds in all stages of growth, In addition, you may see elephant and fur seals, Albatross and other species of penguins inhabiting the island, which is now a nature preserve.

Day   17-18

 At sea

  For the second time, the Batemans will supplement the in-depth education gropgram with a presentation about their work. Activists as well as artists, the Batemans have a lifetime of stories to share.

Day   19-20

 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

  When you reach the Falklands (Malvinas) you are no longer in Antarctica, yet you will add three more species of penguins to your life list – Rockhopper, Macaroni and Magellanic Penguins.

Day   21

 Fly from Stanley to Santiago, Chile

  If weather and ice conditions permit, during this expedition you will have seen eight different species of penguin in the wild. Only a polar-class icebreaker makes this possible. Overnight in Santiago.

Day   22

 Santiago, Chile

  Depart for home.