E-mail a friendShip: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Itinerary: Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition
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| Days 1-2 : | Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
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| Days 3-4 : | Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands |
| Days 5-8 : | Setting Foot on the Peninsula |
| Days 9-10 : | Antarctic Circle |
| Days 11-12 : | Loubert Coast |
| Days 13-15 : | Drake Passage to Ushuaia |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Main Deck Triple | Main Deck Twin | Upper Deck Twin | Twin Private | Superior | Peregrine Suite | Cook Suite | ||
| 15 | Jan 6, 2010 Feb 16, 2010 |
$8,490 | $10,190 | $10,790 | $12,190 | $12,890 | $13,790 | $14,990 |
| Optional activities: Sea Kayaking and Camping | ||||||||
| Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Circle Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching |
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Join a select group of travelers who have journeyed to the world's southernmost extremes and crossed that imaginary line in the polar sea: the Antarctic Circle. En route, you sail deep blue waters among calving glaciers and tabular icebergs; explore Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguin rookeries on the Antarctic Peninsula; then venture still further south along the White Continent as the Akademik Sergey Vavilov probes the edge of the pack ice.
Days 1-2 : Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Arrive at our hotel in scenic Ushuaia and spend the rest of the day exploring this colorful port town. Next morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and spend a leisurely day exploring the town. In the late afternoon, transfer to the Akademik Sergey Vavilov and join the others on deck as we head out in late afternoon through the scenic Beagle Channel.
Days 3-4 : Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands
Journey across the Drake Passage, named for the 16th-century English admiral and explorer, scanning the skies for Wandering Albatross and other seabirds. As we make the crossing, our naturalists and historians offer presentations on Antarctic wildlife and explorers - and ofcourse there's plenty ofinformal conversation on deck and over drinks in the lounge. On the South Shetland Islands, which we typically reach on Day 4, you can observe several species of penguin, as well as Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Wevisit with the expert staff at one of the area's many research bases. You can also search for Antarctica's two flowering plants, which only bloom during the short southern summer. Often the Professor Molchanov sails through Neptune Bellows into Deception Island's sunken caldera, a legacy from the explosion or collapse of a volcano's center. If the tide allows, you can soak your feet or even enjoy a dip in the steaming thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.
Days 5-8 : Setting Foot on the Peninsula
Our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula typically begins with a visit to Paradise Bay or nearby Neko Harbor. As you set foot on the continent, you're surrounded by vistas of crystal-blue waters filled with icebergs and giant glaciers descending from jagged, snowcapped mountains. We plan to visit extensive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins; you can also expect to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, and humpback and Minke whales. While the western Peninsula offers this diversity of wildlife, our specialists will also draw your attention to the simple yet fascinating plant life - including 100 species of moss, 25 species of liverwort, 20-odd species of macro-fungus and 300 to 400 species of lichen - that somehow manages to grow in this very extreme environment, despite the low temperatures and lack of moisture. If ice conditions allow, the ship will navigate some of the world's most breathtaking waterways - including the narrow Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, which wind between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. The Expedition Team will be pleased to explain the Captain's strategy while you pore over some of the detailed ice charts. Sailing south of the Lemaire Channel, we may visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to our landing site.
Days 9-10 : Antarctic Circle
As our expedition pushes further southward, the mountains grow higher, the glaciers more precipitous and the sense of remoteness even deeper. Our route should take us near historic Stonington Island, site of the East Base established by the US expedition of 1939-41. It was from here that veteran explorer Admiral Richard Byrd and his colleagues conducted the first systematic ground survey of the Antarctic Peninsula's east coast. The island also served as the base for Norwegian-American Finn Ronne's 1947-48 Antarctic Research Expedition, which mapped a great portion of the continent by air. As always on an expedition of this kind, nature has the last word - but if the pack ice and weather cooperate, we expect to cross the Antarctic Circle (to be precise, at latitude 66 33'38˛ south), the southernmost point at which the sun can still be seen on the austral winter solstice (and conversely, the northernmost point at which the midnight sun is visible in the southern polar regions). We commemorate our arrival at this furthest point in our journey with a celebration on board.
Days 11-12 : Loubert Coast
During the voyage, your Expedition Team will keep you informed about the fabled history of each area we visit. Every name on the map of the Antarctic has a story to tell, and the Loubert Coast is no exception. The French names that appear are a legacy of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, physician, yachtsman, and explorer. He, like you, lived for adventure.
Days 13-15 : Drake Passage to Ushuaia
We sail north across the Drake Passage, again looking out for seabirds and whales. Recap presentations - and discussions in the lounge on everything from Antarctic conservation to swapping digital photos via e-mail - enliven our voyage back to Ushuaia. After a final breakfast, transfer to the historic town for more exploring or head directly to the airport to catch a flight home.
-Sea Kayaking Supplement is $695 per person for Antarctic voyages ($795 per person for 2009-2010 Antarctic)
-Camping is complimentary for 2008-2009 season and $195 per person for 2009-2010
-Fuel surcharge (subject to change) of $58/night on ship, per person, for Antarctic departures, Oct 2008 - Mar 2009.
-Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
- All of the Akademik Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking. Sea Kayaking Supplement is $695 per person for Antarctic voyages ($795 per person for 2009-2010 Antarctic) and $495 per person for Arctic voyages
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
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Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov offers a high level of comfort - in her appointment, stability and strength.
As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov forms the ideal platform from which to explore during your Polar travels. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying up to 110 passengers. In terms of stability and speed, she is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition.
All cabins have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) or private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna and plunge pool - a great place to relax after your shore excursions. In addition, there is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include an exercise room, gift shop and laundry.
Main Deck TripleBunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category. |
Main Deck TwinBunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 11 cabins in this category. |
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Upper Deck Twin One lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Porthole Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category. |
Twin Private A typical superior twin cabin arrangement. One lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category. |
Superior2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category |
Peregrine SuiteThe Peregrine Suite is one of our fine premium cabins. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category. |
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Cook Suite The Cook Suite is our finest premium cabin. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There is 1 cabin in this category. |
