Sailing the Antarctic Peninsula
About this Adventure
Fact File:
Duration: 10 Days
Price: £3,275 GBP
This is a once in a lifetime adventure to one of the most remote places on the planet.
Retrace the path of the early explorers as you sail through the Southern Ocean on the M/V Polar Star and set foot on the Great White Continent.
This adventure begins in the most southerly city in the world, Ushuaia is located on the edge of the impressive Beagle Channel, close to beautiful beech forests and the southern tip of the Andes.
You’ll start your expedition officially by crossing the passage that bears the name of the 16th-century English explorer, Sir Francis Drake. The Polar Star is at home in the turbulent waters of the Southern Ocean where the Antarctic Convergence sees a meeting of polar and temperate waters. This mixing pushes nutrient-rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species. While at sea, there is plenty of time to become acquainted with the ship and take part in lectures and information sessions to learn about the extraordinary human and natural history of the region.
Next you’ll set foot on the Great White Continent! Antarctica is a land of superlatives. It is the coldest, windiest, driest, iciest and highest of all the major landmasses in the world. It is the continent with the longest nights and the longest days, and it is home to one of the world’s greatest concentration of wildlife. It is also one of the last true wilderness areas left on earth, largely unchanged since the early explorers and whalers first landed on its inhospitable shores less than two centuries ago. Spend three days exploring its shores on Zodiac cruises and landings at historic and wildlife sites. Keep an eye out for chinstrap and gentoo penguins, fur, Weddell and crabeater seals, as well as minke and humpback whales.
A real highlight is spending time in the South Shetland Islands. Head north of the peninsula to the South Shetland Islands. Disembark on a number of the islands for some prime penguin spotting, whale watching and hopefully a visit to one of the science research stations. Weather permitting, stop at the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay and see the rusted remains of boilers and tanks that once processed and held the whale oil.
Lastly the return journey heads back to Ushuaia. Keep your eyes open on the deck for some final whale sightings.
The adventure ends on disembarkation in Ushuaia.
This amazing adventure is brought to you by Intrepid Travel. Visit their website for information on this and other trips. This adventure runs over the course of 10 days, and is priced at £3275. Happy Sailing.
