Antarctic Expedition Cruises for the independent traveller
|
|
|
Antarctic Expedition Cruises for the independent traveller |
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
WildWings are agents for most of the vessels that visit the area, and generally recommend the ‘small ships’ (up to 100 passengers or so) for the best Antarctic experience. Tourism has been increasing in the last few years and as associate members of IAATO, we continue to work to ensure the continued protection of this unique environment. Over 10 years experience of sending travellers to the white continent allows us to offer unrivalled personal advice, the best choice and the best prices.
Nearly all the ships that visit the Antarctic Peninsula ( plus the Falklands and/or South Georgia) depart and return to the port of Ushuaia in South Argentina. A small city set in the stunning scenery of southern Tierra Del Fuego, on the shores of the Beagle Channel. Well worth a few days stay, and we insist our clients arrive at least the day before sailing in case of flight delays, you don’t want to miss the boat! Small enough to explore on foot, a wide range of local sightseeing tours are also available plus some good birds can be seen in and around Ushuaia itself, often rafts of Black-browed Albatross are offshore, just a taste of what’s to come further south. Disembarkation at the end of the voyage is normally after breakfast, allowing plenty of time to catch a flight back up to Buenos Aires, in readiness for your flight home the next day. All our recommended ships carry a team of expedition staff, whose services are available to all passengers. The Expedition Leader is the person who runs the trip from the passenger side, and decides where you will go each day and supervises the rest of their team and the landing staff. The captain is ultimately in charge and safety is of paramount importance. Exact itineraries are subject to weather and ice conditions on the day, no ship ‘guarentees’ the exact planned itinerary but in practice most make the majority of planned landings and alternative sites are usually never far away. An optional series of lectures and film shows on the region are shown onboard to make your Antarctic experience as complete as possible. The team usually includes a specialist for birds and marine mammals, the exploration history of the region and geography and geology. Briefings are made usually before each landing and most evenings the team will hold a recap of the day’s events. You will be sent a souvenir log of your voyage after you return home, often illustrated with images to help you treasure your memories. Members of the team go ashore with you for the Zodiac landings, some even driving the Zodiacs too. The season is the Antarctic summer and you will be supplied with comprehensive pre-cruise information including clothing etc to bring. In practice if you go out for country walks in the UK in the winter, you probably own most of the nessecary clothing already. The one essential is good old Wellington Boots for the Zodiac rides and shore landings. Wind is the main weather enemy and the ‘layer’ principle of dressing applies. The ships are usually very warm inside. A suggested reading list will also be sent, well worth doing your own pre-trip research to maximise your experience. Photo opportunities will be tremendous, the wildlife in your face and super results are easy even with ‘instamatic’ type cameras. Superb results can also be obtained from digital media, all the ships have plenty of power points to recharge your batteries (including in your cabin). A number of vessels now offer photography specials, with guest lecturers and onboard workshops. Binoculars will also greatly enhance your views, especially of the wildlife. You will see thousand and thousands of penguins, seabirds including the incredible albatrosses, seals and whales and dolphins. In some areas of the peninsula recently, some of the whales are becoming very friendly and will readily approach Zodiacs, sometimes for a scratch, or you may even get a penguin land inside your Zodiac! The scenery is spectacular, ice and snow covered mountains and many passengers are surprised at how beautiful icebergs are, which come in every shape and size. On some voyages you may visit one of the scientific bases on the continent. Like the ship, the Zodiac drivers are captains of their vessels and their orders are to be followed at all times. No standing up without their permission for example. You will be fully briefed at the beginning of your voyage. Strict rules apply ashore, and absolutely no smoking, eating or toilet facilities exist. The only complaint about food we get onboard is that there is usually too much of it. Most voyages have a mix of nationalities onboard, a great way to meet new interesting people. Many people travel as singles, cabin sharing is commonplace on our ships, you will spend little time in it anyway, and single cabin supplements range from 1.4 to 1.7 times the twin share rate. Seasickness is not usually the problem most people imagine, the Drake Passage is often calmer than its made out to be but even in the Antarctic summer a storm could occur at any time, although in practice most captains do everything to avoid them. We can give some suggestions for prevention which seem to work for most people. Most find their visit to the white continent a life-changing experience and return home uplifted with a new outlook on our natural world and it’s worth. You will probably want to go back again, you have been warned, the region has a sense of pristiness found nowhere else on the planet. WildWings will donate money to the Save the Albatross campaign for each visitor we send, we hope when you come home you will make your own donation too (if there was not a collection onboard your ship). The Antarctic Peninsula The standard itinerary, usually 9 , 10 or 11 nights onboard. You will embark in Ushuaia late afternoon and sail down the Beagle Channel heading out towards the open ocean. Next morning you will be in the Drake Passage, surrounded by seabirds and keeping an eye out for whales and dolphins. When will the first iceberg be seen? Next day (depending on your ship’s speed) land should be first sighted, often the South Shetland Islands and your visit to the most recently discovered continent has begun. You will spend your days in and around the northern end of the peninsula and it’s islands, making up to three landings a day. The days are long and you will soon forget all the about the ‘real’ world as you loose track of time and just absorb the incredible landscape and it’s abundent wildlife which surrounds you. Respect for the early explorers becomes very apparent too. Finally the long sea crossing back to Ushuaia, a number of ships swing close by to Cape Horn on their way back in. A sample trip report is available here. Sample Itinerary Day 1: Board vessel and sail.
£1665 sharing a triple cabin Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia These itineraries are the ones to do if you can afford them and the time. They range from 16 to 19 nights onboard and include the two unique island groups. The Falklands are similar to the northern Scottish Islands, wild with generally grass and tussock covered landscape, and is of course settled. Most ships visit at least one of the remote ‘wildlife’ islands plus Port Stanley, the capital. South Georgia is a spectacular range of mountains which rise out the sea, covered in snow and ice, with more endemic wildlife, abandoned whaling stations and the British Antarctic Survey base. Steeped in exploration history, you will pay homage and visit the grave of surely the greatest explorer, Shackleton.If you even see part of the route he and his men walked you will join the rest of us in wondering how they did it, one of the greatest stories of human endurance. Sample Itinerary Day 1: Board vessel and sail. Cruise only price £3999 sharing a triple cabin All prices here are cruise only. WildWings are able to arrange your flights and any other travel requirements you may require. We stock the full colour brochures and complete range of itineraries for all our vessels, contact us for full details, advice and your up to date quote. Return flights to Ushuaia from the UK cost from £915 return from London including prepaid taxes. Pre-cruise hotels in Ushuaia start from £55 per person per night (included with some ships) A few departures start or finish in Port Stanley, this involves an extra flight, for which about an extra £250 should be budgeted for. We can of course combine your expedition cruise with any other arrangements you may require in South America. Other itineraries Occasionally Antarctic Peninsula and The Falklands OR South Georgia itineraries are on offer. Sometimes The Falklands and/or South Georgia only. A number of ships offer voyages which include crossing the Antarctic Circle too. For 2007 there is a Falklands only photography voyage. Full details available from us. Ice Diving/ Kayaking/ Camping
|
|
