The Weddell Sea is a remote and wild region, lying to the east of the Antarctic Peninsular. Together, the Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea make up the most diverse and productive Antarctic marine ecosystem. It was here that Shackleton’s ship Endurance was trapped and crushed by the ice in 1915. Further back in Geological time, it is believed that this is the place where Gondwanaland began to break up to form the continents of the Earth we know today.

This stunningly beautiful area remains locked in ice throughout the cold Antarctic Winter. The sea ice retreats in summer leaving behind magnificent tabular icebergs, many stretching for several miles. The Weddell Sea abounds with plentiful wildlife: most significantly it is the realm of the emperor penguin, who early in the Antarctic Summer, makes their way from the edge of the ice into open water.  It supports a rich marine ecosystem, where vast quantities of krill provide food for abundant and diverse populations of fish and marine mammals. It is the presence of the krill in the Sea that supports the thriving colonies of penguins who lay their eggs and raise their young on the Antarctic Peninsula. Such species as: king penguin, emperor penguin, Weddell seal, crabeater seal, humpback whale, southern right whale, minke whale, and hourglass dolphin.
 

This voyage also explores the north west of the Antarctic Peninsular, where we have the opportunity to observe the largest colony of gentoo penguins on the Peninsular. The frequent opportunities to see chinstrap and macaroni penguins as well as elephant seals, Weddell Seals and Antarctic fur seals make this experience a very inspiring and memorable one.

For a detailed draft itinerary, please click HERE

Voyage Dates: 11 day voyage Ushuaia-Ushuaia 2008 :        16Jan-27Jan                         21Nov-01Dec (best date for Emperor Penguins)  2009 :        24Jan-04Feb      Prices for 2008/2009 season from :                   £2895  p/p twin sharing non private cabins.                  £3290  p/p twin sharing with facilities                  £3850  p/p superior cabins (Prices exclude fuel surcharge of £12.50 per night onboard) 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: Voyage as indicated in draft itinerary All meals, snacks, coffee and tea All shore excursions and zodiac activities Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff All miscellaneous services taxes and port charges throughout the programme Comprehensive pre-departure material Excluded: Airfares. Pre and post land arrangements. Transfers to and from the vessel. Cancellation and personal insurance. Passports and visas. Arrival and departure tax. Meals ashore. Baggage. Items of a personal nature (alcohol, laundry etc). Tips. Activity Level: Low

Photos kindly provided by: Chloe Burnett