Antarctica Guide
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In Search of the Emperor Penguin
Venture through the Beagle Channel, Drake Passage until you reach the magnificent Great White Continent of Antarctica. You will go in search of an abundance of wildlife including seals, seabirds and an Emperor Penguin colony.
This stunning 10 night voyage to the great white continent is an incredible opportunity to enjoy an encounter with the protagonists of the famous ‘March of the Penguins’ documentary. Cross the Drake Passage before being welcomed by huge tabular icebergs as you sail into the Weddell Sea on your way to Snow Hill Island.
The captain will do his utmost to position the ship as close as possible to allow ship-to-shore helicopter transfers to gain access to the Emperor Penguin Rookery. An extraordinary journey aboard the M/V Ortelius, accompanied by an expert expedition team, you will experience spectacular excursions and amazing landscapes in some of the best Antarctica has to offer.
WHY BOOK THIS TRIP
- Explore Antarctica on the Weddell Sea side of the peninsula.
- The use of helicopters on the ship to reach the Emperor penguin colony, also offering an aerial view of the great white continent.
- Fantastic wildlife viewing including chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, elephant and Weddell seals.
- Cross the famous Drake Passage, with an array of seabirds following in your wake.
Day 1 - Ushuaia
You will board the ship in Ushuaia, your home for the next 11 days, before setting off into the wonderfully scenic Beagle Channel where you will now be truly on your way to the great white continent.
When to Go
The best time to visit Antarctica is during the the austral summer and Antarctic travel season run from mid-October through to March. Outside these times, it is not possible to travel to Antarctica. Weather, sea conditions, sunlight and wildlife sightings vary greatly as the continent’s climate can change from minute to minute, a true wilderness.
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Days 2 - 3 - At Sea
The next 2 days are spent crossing the infamous Drake Passage. The numerous Polar experts prepare you for your adventures with presentations on everything Antarctic, from wildlife to history. After passing the Antarctic Convergence, we enter the circum-Antarctic welling up zone.
M/V Ortelieus
M/V Ortelius was originally built in Gdyma, Poland in 1989 to be used as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The ship was rebuilt and re-named after Abraham Ortelius, who published the first modern world Atlas, and is now to a comfortable hotel standard. There are 5 quadruples and 14 twin cabins with shared facilities. 9 twins with portholes and 10 with windows, each with private shower and toilet facilities. The 6 superior cabins have added day rooms and there is 1 suite, all with private en-suite facilities. There is a large observation deck and 2 restaurants, a bar, lecture room and a sauna.
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Day 4 - Weddell Sea
Having reached Antarctic waters, you will continue into the Weddell Sea and providing the ice allows our passage through the Antarctic sound you will reach the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is common to be welcomed by huge tabular icebergs.
Wildlife in Antarctica
Following in the footprints of explorers such as Shackleton and Scott, you can experience incredible wildlife in Antarctica, which seems surprising on first glance in this land of superlatives – the coldest, windiest and driest location on Earth.
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Days 5 - 6 - Emperor Penguin Colony
The ultimate goal on your journey is to spend the next 2 days visiting an Emperor penguin rookery, the use of helicopters gives you a great advantage, however success on this mission is ruled by the forces of nature, ice and weather conditions.
Emperor Penguins Migrations
You hear them before you see them. A loud and almost brash call that alone would be shrill enough to make you jump. As the Emperor penguins call out to each other it sounds almost like a welcoming song
Read more...Day 7 - Devil & Vega Island
If conditions were favourable on the previous 2 days, and you managed an impressive encounter with the Emperor Penguins, you will continue to Devil Island, Vega Island or Hope Bay. If not, we will try to get to Snow Hill Island once more by ship-to-shore helicopter flights.
Antarctica Photography
The remote region of Antarctica is a photographer's paradise. From stunning ice statues to peppy penguins.
Read more...Day 8 - Half Moon Island
This morning the plan is to carry out a landing on Half Moon Island where chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, elephant and Weddell seals and ample seabirds live. In the afternoon you will then set sail for Deception Island and Pendulum Cove, the last landing on your voyage.
Whales
Encounters with the Ocean’s Giants
One of the most memorable experiences, catching eye-contact always brings a sense of understanding between the two species, creating a connection and memory that will last long after your encounter ends.
Days 9 - 10 - At Sea
You will spend another two days travelling back through the Drake Passage where you will have opportunities to see many seabirds and listen to a number of lectures. You will have plenty of time to look back over your pictures and footage from your time on the Great White Continent.
Drake Passage
At just 400 miles, the Drake Passage is the shortest crossing of Antarctica, a body of open sea located between the southernmost tip of South America and the northern tip of the mainland ‘White Continent’.
Read moreDay 11 - Arrival in Ushuaia
Today you will arrive back in the port of Ushuaia where your adventure first began. Disembarkation takes place after a delicious lunch and then you will either be transferred to the airport or your hotel depending on your future travel plans.
The largest of all penguins—an average bird stands some 45 inches tall. These flightless animals live on the Antarctic ice and in the frigid surrounding waters. Penguins employ physiological adaptations and cooperative behaviors in order to deal with an incredibly harsh environment, where wind chills can reach -76°F. They huddle together to escape wind and conserve warmth. Individuals take turns moving to the group’s protected and relatively toasty interior. Emperor penguins spend the long winter on the open ice—and even breed during this harsh season. Females lay a single egg and then promptly leave it behind. They undertake an extended hunting trip that lasts some two months!
Your Expedition Ship
M/V Ortelieus
Now accommodating up to about 100 guests, M/V Ortelius was originally built in Gdyma, Poland in 1989 to be used as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The ship was rebuilt and re-named after Abraham Ortelius, who published the first modern world Atlas, and is now to a comfortable hotel standard. There are 5 quadruples and 14 twin cabins with shared facilities. 9 twins with portholes and 10 with windows, each with private shower and toilet facilities. The 6 superior cabins have added day rooms and there is 1 suite, all with private en-suite facilities. There is a large observation deck and 2 restaurants, a bar, lecture room and a sauna.
PLEASE NOTE:
The helicopter operation will take a full day and the flight takes approximately 15 minutes, with a maximum of 6 passengers in each flight. The landing area of the helicopter is chosen very carefully so that the Emperors are not startled, disturbed or stressed by the noise. However, this means passengers will need to walk for approximately 45 minutes before reaching these magnificent birds. It is important to realise that this is one of the most remote parts of the world and there are no guarantees. Weather conditions can change dramatically in a short space of time and may have an impact on the helicopter operation. It is important that passengers are fully aware of this. Safety is our greatest concern and no compromises can be made.
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots. If ice conditions are favorable and the route to Snow Hill Island is free of multi-year pack ice, you have the chance for ship-to-shore helicopter transfers to Snow Hill Island (roughly 45 minutes walking distance from the emperor penguin rookery).
Dates & Prices in-search-of-the-emperor-penguin
| Date | Ship | Passengers | Trip Length | Trip Style | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10 - Nov 20 2024 | M/V Ortelieus | 10 Days | Small Group | 13500 | ||
| Nov 20 - Nov 30 2024 | M/V Ortelieus | 10 Days | Small Group | 13500 |