This natural history expedition is unique in providing the opportunity to explore the Antarctic Peninsula by kayak, on skis or by camping under the polar skies. Each of these optional activities is designed to enrich your personal experience of the last true wilderness.

Kayaking invites us to explore close-up, providing a unique perspective that offers intimate contact with our surroundings. It takes only a moment or two to get used to the paddle in our hands before we are totally absorbed in the incredible wildness that is Antarctica. We may encounter penguins, seals and other marine life in close proximity as we glide silently past sculpted icebergs. We can inspect krill, the most abundant creature on the planet at close quarters and listen to the eerie noise of the brash ice as we float by. The kayaks used are 5m Prijon tandem models, stable and surprisingly comfortable. All kayaking activities are under the leadership of two highly qualified instructors with a zodiac safety boat in constant communication.

 

Only a select few have been privileged to camp overnight on the Antarctic Peninsula. It is a very personal experience to be alone in one of the world’s great wildernesses, with just a tent, a sleeping bag and the intense sense of solitude. High quality mountain tents, bags and mats are provided as your protection from the polar elements. Your overnight stay is carefully planned and discretely overseen by professional expedition staff, in close communication with your home-base ship off-shore.

There are several sites around the Peninsula which also offer an excellent opportunity for cross-country skiing. Exploring these virgin slopes on skis is an intense and invigorating experience, enabling you to reach greater altitudes on the peninsula, offering incorporable views.

This active natural history voyage explores the towering mountains of the Peninsula, amongst the most impressive on the continent where massive icebergs calve from glaciers and leave behind a sea peppered with iceberg ‘artworks’. This area is blessed with a spectacular abundance and diversity of wildlife including gentoo, chinstrap and adelie penguins, leopard and weddell seals, humpback, fin and sei whales, not to mention a plethora of seabirds ranging from blue-eyed shags to Antarctic terns.

We will be exploring the peninsula with a professional expedition crew. We will make guided zodiac landings and be given an on-board lecture programme, which together will enrich your experience and provide a privileged insight into the Great White Continent.
 
For a detailed draft itinerary please click HERE

Voyage Dates: 12 day voyage Ushuaia-Ushuaia *this voyage inc 1st night in an Ushuaia hotel 2008 :            Nov22-Dec03     Dec10-Dec21                      Dec30-Jan10 2009 :             Feb06-17       Feb16-Feb27                        Feb26-Mar09 Prices for 2008/9 from:                      £2595 p/p triple sharing facilities                      £3250  p/p twin sharing facilities                      £3780  p/p twin private facilities                      £4350  p/p superior cabins                      £4850  p/p amundsen suite (Prices exclude fuel surcharge of 2008/09: £12.50pp per night onboard  - 2009/10:£33pp per night onboard)               Surcharges: Kayaking: 2008/9: £376 - 2009/10: £460 Skiing: 2008/9: £135 - 2009/10: £330 Camping 2008/9: Free - 2009/10: £135 all on a first come first served basis Single supplement: Single occupancy price is 1.8 times the per person cabin price.However this does not apply if you are prepared to share a cabin with another passenger of the same gender. For detailed pricing on all our Antarctic Voyages, please click HERE Included: Hotel accommodation, with continental breakfast, the night prior to embarkation Shipboard accommodation from day of embarkation to disembarkation All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage Zodiac transfers and sightseeing while aboard Education program Group transfer between hotel and vessel upon embarkation Group transfer between vessel and airport following disembarkation Rubber boots loan service Complimentary parka and photo journal All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program Excluded: Airfares. Pre and post land arrangements (other than specified above) Cancellation and personal insurance Passports and visas. Arrival and departure tax Meals ashore. Baggage. Items of a personal nature (alcohol, laundry etc). Tips Itinerary :  Ushuaia-Ushuaia     Activity Level: Medium

Photographs kindly provided by Chloe Burnett, Murray Watson, Jamie Scarrow