PLA28 Antarctic Peninsula
PLA28
40% Special Offer
A typical itinerary to the Antarctic Peninsula is illustrated below. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Day 1: Ushuaia
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes and right at the Beagle Channel shore. We'll sail through this scenic waterway during the evening.
Days 2 & 3: at sea
During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse at the first icebergs.
Days 4 - 8 (PL25 and PLA31 days 4 – 7): Antarctica
We will sail directly to "High Antarctica", passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, we will find a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. If we land on Danco Island we can observe Chinstrap Penguins and possibly Weddell and Crabeater Seals. In Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises.
When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, we hope to get permission to visit the British research station and post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags.
We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south we may visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.
Days 9 - 10 (PLA25 and PLA31 days 8 – 9): at sea
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds and taking advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team.
Day 11 (PLA25 and PLA31 day 10): Ushuaia
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
Itinerary details
- Voyage:
- PLA28 Antarctic Peninsula
- Duration:
- 10 nights / 11 days
- Embarkation:
- Ushuaia
- Disembarkation:
- Ushuaia
Trip details
- Voyage code:
- PLA28
- Start date:
- 17-02-2012
- end date:
- 27-02-2012
- Language:
- English
- Vessel:
- m/v Plancius
- Trip options:
- Field camping
Hiking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Photo Workshop
Rates
- Superior:
- $10,190 - $6,114
- Twin Deluxe:
- $9,290 - $5,574
- Twin with window:
- $8,750 - $5,250
- Twin with porthole:
- $8,350 - $5,010
- Quadruple private:
- $7,050 - $4,230
- Field camping:
- $ free of charge
- Hiking:
- $ free of charge
- Kayaking:
- $ free of charge
- Mountaineering:
- $ free of charge
- Photo Workshop:
- $ free of charge
Field camping
On some Arctic and Antarctic voyages we offer an exciting 'open air' camping option, which gives an intensive experience of the Arctic and Antarctic wilderness. Special gear and field equipment will be provided: tents, wind and waterproof bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to a tent system). This shelter will protect you from the elements during the night in the open air of the Arctic and the Antarctic. Mattresses and polar sleeping bags provide comfort during the night. The maximum number of participants for this camping option is 30 participants per night. One expedition guide will conduct the activity ashore. Camping is always subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations. 1 night has to be booked prior to the trip; any extra nights (if those are possible) must be arranged onboard. Additional nights will be charged by the Hotel Manager. For more details please refer to the activity manual.
Please click here if you want to download the full version of the Field Camping Manual with all details and information needed for preparing your trip.
Hiking
During designated hiking voyages we exceed our normal shore excursion walking program. In general we plan to offer 3 possibilities to become active ashore. There will be easy, moderate and more demanding walks available in the vicinity of the landing sites. There will be walks available to suit everyone's capability. In the Antarctic we are planning on two hikes per day, each 2 - 3 hours long during morning and / or afternoon landings.
In the Arctic we also offer several full day walks (5 – 7 hrs) with packed lunch. The final decision on those hiking options will be met by the Expedition Leader on the day of the excursion.
We recommend bringing a proper pair of hiking boots and gaiters. Snowshoes will be provided (for hikers only) on board. Those will fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with Oceanwide's rubber boots. Hiking is free of charge; more details can be found in the activity manual and the day by day programs.
Please click here if you want to download the full version of the Hiking and Snowshoeing Manual with all details and information needed for preparing your trip.
Kayaking
In general we plan to at least offer 4 kayaking days. Basic kayaking experience is required and physical fitness is essential. Parallel to all other activities we are planning on offering kayaking excursions during morning and / or afternoon landings. The final decision on those excursions will be met by the Expedition Leader. Victory Adventure will provide kayaks and neoprene wet suits. Kayakers will bring their own personal gear. Kayaking is subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions. For more details please refer to the activity manual.
Please click here if you want to download the full version of the Kayaking Manual with all details and information needed for preparing your trip (equipment list, faq, etc.)
Mountaineering
This is a technical and more strenuous activity for mountaineers who wish to walk beyond the shore radius in order to reach higher grounds and view points. Mountaineers walk in rope parties under the leadership of a certified mountain guide mostly across glaciated environment in Antarctica. Depending on the landing site, glacier walks can vary from half day to full day outings.In general we plan to offer 3-4 glacier excursions parallel to all other activities during designated "Basecamp Plancius" voyages. Mountaineering knowledge is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. The maximum number is limited to 6 mountaineers per rope party. Special glacier equipment will be provided: ropes and
carabiners, harnesses, helmets, ice axes and crampons. Participants will bring their personal protective outdoor clothes, mountaineering boots (leather or plastic) suitable for using crampons. A qualified mountain guide and assistant will supervise and guide the activity for a maximum of 12 mountaineers at a time.
Basecamp Plancius voyage:
1 mountaineering excursion is free of charge. Every mountaineer will be able to take advantage of at least one outing but it can be more. Space is limited to 36 participants, first come first serve.
Photo Workshop
On selected voyages and "Basecamp Plancius" voyages VAE is going to offer photo workshops for beginners and advanced photographers under the supervision of a photo expert on board. Everybody is welcome to participate, no previous experience required. The workshop group (up to 20 participants per guide per landing, and up to 14 participants per guide on other voyages) will be accompanied by the photo expert during activity ashore. Participants with a special interest in photography will bring their personal photo equipment. During cruise days everybody will be able to listen into photo lectures and workshops in order to learn more about objects, exposures and photo composition. The workshop does not intend to instruct on how to use specific camera models, but more to give an insight on better photo results by respecting basic rules of photography. Photographers can also take part in other activities of their choice. Photo workshops are free of charge on Basecamp voyages, and supplemented on other coded voyages. The photo workshop must be pre-booked with Oceanwide's reservation departments prior to departure.
Character of photo workshops:
Basecamp Plancius voyages: free "try out" activity for everybody, participants also dip into other activities, group size up to 20 participants per photo guide and landing, daily changing groups, workshop content not too specialised, target group "beginners to experts" who wish to receive daily photo tuition.
Basecamp Plancius voyage:
Photo workshops are free of charge. The group size per outing is
limited to 20 participants.
