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 *these voyage inc 1st night in an Ushuaia hotel 2009:         Nov 02 - Dec 01, Nov 21 - Dec 02                   Nov 30 - Dec 11, Dec 10 - Dec 21                   Dec 19 - Dec 30, Dec 20 - Dec 31                  Dec 30 - Jan 10 Prices from:   £3840  p/p triple sharing with facilities   £4585  p/p twin sharing with facilities   £5475  p/p twin share private facilities   £6360  p/p superior cabin  £6795  p/p Amundsen Suite  £7990  p/p single private facilities  Adventure Options Information  Activity Surcharges: Kayaking:£520 Skiing:£440 Camping:£160 Limited speces: all on a first come first served basis Notes: No fuel surcharges at current oil prices     All prices are due to exchange rate fluctuations 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: One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program. Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities. Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled. Photographic Album on DVD. A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings An expedition parka Coffee, tea, cocoa and bottled water available around the clock. Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader. Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum of $100,000 per person 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

Antarctica -  Antarctic -   Peninsular  -  Ice-stengtherned -  Polar  -  Wilderness & Wildlife - Carbon Climate Neutral - Responsible Travel  - Penguin - Leopard-  Seal - Albatross -  Birdwatching - kayak

Photographs kindly provided by Chloe Burnett, Murray Watson, Keith Hiscock & Jamie Scarrow