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The Most Exciting Playground in the World - Roundtrip
from Ushuaia, Argentina
MS Hanseatic - January 8 - 26, 2013
Voyage HAN1301
5% early booking discount if booked before June 10, 2012!
January in Antarctica - and it's the height of summer. At this time of year the sixth continent is
transformed into a cradle of life where a richly varied animal world is busy rearing its young. You
can witness the touching spectacle when baby penguins come together in a 'kindergarten', and young
seals, elephant seals and seabirds discover the land of ice for the first time. |
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Date
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Destination |
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8-Jan-2013
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Charter flight from Buenos Aires,
Argentina to Ushuaia, Argentina. Embarkation in Ushuaia/Argentina,
departure 22.00 hrs |
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9-Jan-2013
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Relaxation at sea |
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10 Jan
- 11 Jan-2013
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Falkland Islands |
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12 Jan
- 13 Jan-2013
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Relaxation at sea |
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14 Jan
- 16 Jan-2013
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South Georgia |
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17-Jan-2013
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Relaxation at sea |
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18 Jan
- 23 Jan-2013
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South Orkney Islands , South Shetland Islands , Antarctic
Peninsula |
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24 Jan
- 25 Jan - 2013
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Sailing through the Drake Passage |
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26-Jan-2013
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Ushuaia/Argentina, arrival 6.00 hrs. Disembarkation and charter
flight to Buenos Aires. |
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The Falkland Islands - a Kingdom of Birds
With
just 2500 inhabitants, the group of islands is an absolute animal paradise -
especially for countless bird species. One curious specimen is the flightless
steamer duck. When under threat, it flees across the water with loud wingbeats
suggestive of the movements of a steamship. With the Zodiacs, you will land on
New Island and Carcass Island, where you will also be able to
observe albatrosses and rock penguins, large colonies of which live here. If
you are very lucky, you may catch sight of a striated caracara, one of the
rarest birds of prey in the world. The capital of the islands, Stanley ,
on the other hand, is a very British affair. You can discover the Anglican
church, and the museum is also worth a visit. Alternatively, you may wish to
take a nature walk along the coast in the company of our experts. |
In the Land of the King Penguins on South Georgia
This uninhabited
island is a fabulous habitat for the animals that have settled here amidst the
spectacular mountain landscape. The island is famous for king penguins - there are
more colonies than the eye can take in. The king penguin is the second biggest
penguin species in the world - a fascinating sight. There will be numerous Zodiac
rides and landings enabling you to explore the coast, where wandering albatrosses
and giant petrels incubate their eggs and large groups of king and gentoo penguin
chicks huddle closely together for mutual protection from predators. Thousands of
king penguins also live on Salisbury Plain. Between the green tussock grass
and a fantastic mountain panorama, there is a good chance of spotting elephant and
fur seals. By comparison, it is rather quieter in Grytviken, an old whaling
station, which was in use from 1904 to 1961. In the cemetery next to the little
church you can pay homage to the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in the way
traditionally favoured by sailors - with a few spoken words in memoriam and a slug
of rum. Following a Zodiac landing in Gold Harbour, you will meet brown
feathered penguin chicks which share the area between the precipitous cliffs and
the glaciers with elephant seals and thousands of fur seals. Weather permitting and
subject to official authorisation, you will be able to visit the Argentinean
research station Orcadas on the South Orkney Islands. This is the Antarctic
station that has been inhabited for the longest period of time without
interruption.
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South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula: A Wealth
of Animal Life
En route for the Antarctic Peninsula, nature will
determine the order of events. The crew will respond flexibly and spontaneously
to the prevailing conditions, allowing for intense experiences every day.
During a Zodiac ride off Elephant Island, for instance, you
can catch a glimpse of the monument to Captain Pardo, which commemorates
Shackleton's legendary expedition with the "Endurance". Lonely Paulet
Island - a volcanic island in the Weddell Sea at the tip of the
Antarctic Peninsula - is an ideal natural habitat for thousands of Adelie
penguins. The penguins have created proper 'hiking trails', and are just
setting off at this time to look for food for their chicks.
Rising out of the icy waves, Deception Island consists of the remains of a
volcanic crater. A Zodiac ride takes you right inside the crater. You will be
amazed at the black lava beaches and the possibility of enjoying a hot bath in the
midst of Antarctica... Truly paradisiacal views of impressive ice landscapes are
offered by Paradise Bay. As your expedition continues further south, drift
ice and pack ice will grind on the reinforced hull of the HANSEATIC. The
breathtaking passage of the Lemaire Channel with its impressive panorama of
snow-covered mountains is a spectacular highlight. You subsequently reach
Petermann Island, the most southerly point of your expedition. Embark on a
hike to the gentoo and Adelie penguins, which have to watch out for the predatory
skuas and sea leopards that are a constant threat to their chicks. Further north
you can visit the historic British research station Port Lockroy. Against a
backdrop of glorious mountain scenery with extensive slope glaciers, gentoo
penguins are rearing their families. This last sight forms a fitting conclusion
before you set sail again for South America, having garnered many unforgettable
impressions. With a bit of luck, majestic whales may be sighted in the Drake
Passage on the return voyage. |
A change of itinerary may become necessary on this expedition to Antarctica. The
captain will decide on the best possible alternatives depending on weather and ice
conditions. |
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5% early booking discount if booked before June 10, 2012! ²
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
6-8 months.
Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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