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Itinerary: Antarctic Dream Expedition
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| Day 1 : | Ushuaia, Argentina |
|---|---|
| Days 2-3 : | Drake Passage |
| Day 4 : | King George Island |
| Day 5 : | Neko Bay |
| Day 6 : | Pleneau – Petermann Island |
| Day 7 : | Paradise Bay - Cuverville Island |
| Day 8 : | Deception Island - Whaler`s Bay - Pendulum Cove |
| Days 9-10 : | Drake Passage |
| Day 11 : | Ushuaia, Argentina |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||
| Amundsen | Shackleton | Piloto Pardo | Cape Horn | ||
| 11 | Nov 29, 2008 Dec 9, 2008 Dec 19, 2008 Feb 27, 2009 Mar 9, 2009 |
$6,450 | $7,710 | $9,750 | $10,700 |
| Dec 9, 2008 - 5% discount per person! | |||||
| 11 | Dec 29, 2008 Jan 8, 2009 Jan 18, 2009 Jan 28, 2009 Feb 7, 2009 Feb 17, 2009 |
$7,420 | $8,870 | $11,215 | $12,310 |
| 11 | Nov 7, 2009 Nov 17, 2009 Nov 27, 2009 Dec 7, 2009 Dec 7, 2009 Dec 18, 2009 Feb 28, 2010 Mar 10, 2010 Mar 20, 2010 |
$6,900 | $8,250 | $10,450 | $11,450 |
| 11 | Dec 28, 2009 Jan 7, 2010 Jan 17, 2010 Jan 28, 2010 Feb 8, 2010 Feb 18, 2010 |
$8,550 | $10,200 | $12,900 | $14,200 |
| Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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This expedition offers you the ideal introduction to the Great White Continent. Departing from and finishing in the port of Ushuaia, we take in the most exciting sights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Our program is orientated to the viewing of wildlife and the breathtaking scenery of narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and the rugged mountains. The itinerary given below is the 11 day expedition. Of course no two expeditions can be exactly the same so the itinerary outlined here is for your guidance only: the Captain and the expedition leader will assess conditions daily with the intention of maximizing your time ashore. This means taking full advantage of opportunities to land passengers with our zodiacs and making best use of the light of the long summer days.
Day 1 : Ushuaia, Argentina
Passengers board the "Antarctic Dream" where you will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Our departure is scheduled for 7:00 pm
Days 2-3 : Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands as "barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance". Yet, mosses and lichens thrive during the short summer at the low-lying peninsulas of these rugged islands located directly adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 4 : King George Island
King George Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. It was discovered by the same William Smith in 1819. The biggest island of the South Shetlands,nearly 90% of it is covered by the Collins glacier. The island is home to huge numbers of nesting penguins, while other seabirds nest on the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores. We will disembark in Potter Bay and visit the Argentine scientific base, Jubany. Here we will surely find marine elephants.
In the afternoon we will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert Islands and is part of the South Shetlands. We should be able to see Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins as well as Weddell Sea seals and sea elephants before continuing with the crossing of the Brainsfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.
Day 5 : Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife including Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins, which occupy rookeries ranging from a few pairs to many thousands. Other birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, Cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely to see include Weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals while Orcas, humpback and mink whales may be spotted at close range. This area is also of substantial historical interest and was extensively explored by several expeditions during the 19th century. Passengers should feel the same sense of excitement as the early explorers as you keep a lookout from the Bridge or other vantage points while your vessel threads her way through this dramatic and pristine region.
The program includes your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on Gaudier Island. Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de Gerlache, a Belgian explorer between 1897 and 1899 and it is called Neko after the Norwegian whaleship which operated in this area from 1911 to 1912 and from 1923 to 1924. Gaudier Island is close to Wienecke Island in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin Operation - the scientific research included the Antarctic`s first ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric whistle.
Day 6 : Pleneau – Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel whose high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found! Once through the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. From here we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations.
Day 7 : Paradise Bay - Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that (if weather permits, we will disembark or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. This is one of the most striking places of the whole Antartctic Peninsula. Here glaciers tumble into the sea, icebergs break off and are later carved into wonderful shapes by the wind.
In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to a large colony of nearly 5,000 pairs of Gentoo Penguins and other breeding birds including Giant, Wilson, White and Painted petrels while on its beaches seals and sea wolves. This rocky island is on the north side of the Errera Channel, between Ronge Island and the Arctowski Peninsula. Most visitors find the viewing of such abundant wildlife is every bit as rewarding as the magnificent Antarctic scenery, and you will be enchanted by these waterways. Navigating and exploring these channels is certainly one of the highlights of a visit to the Peninsula. Unfortunately on some trips they may be choked with icebergs and pack ice.
Day 8 : Deception Island - Whaler`s Bay - Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is at the northwest side of the Peninsula. Deception Island is the largest active volcano in the area and one of the main sources of seismic and volcanic activity in the Antarctic.Sailing through the narrow passage into its huge flooded crater is a thrilling experience. Do not forget to bring your bathing suite as swimming in this water is a unique experience.
During the morning we will try to disembark in Whaler`s Bay and Pendulum Cove. In the afternoon and depending on weather conditions we will disembark at Livingstone Island (Hannah Point). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck we should also see sea elephants.
Days 9-10 : Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.
Day 11 : Ushuaia, Argentina
After and early breakfast we will land at 7am and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition.
Please note that you should regard this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to the weather conditions we encounter. Flexibility is the key to success for all expedition of the Antarctic Dream.
-Additional fuel surcharge of $400 per person for all Antarctica departures for the 2008-2009 season.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single costs are 1.5 times the double occupancy rate to guarantee a private cabin.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Antarctic Dream
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Antarctic Dream Ship in Antarctica
The Antarctic Dream is a Dutch built ice-reinforced vessel, that was completely refurbished in July 2005. It features a spacious dining room, library, auditorium, gym, sauna, laundry, and boutique. Cabins all have private baths, queen or twin beds, closed circuit TV, and inter-cabin phone service. Satellite email and phone service is available in the library as well.
The Antarctic Dream's expeditions offer you the ideal introduction to the Great White Continent. Departing from and finishing in the port of Ushuaia, we take in the most exciting sights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Our program is orientated to the viewing of wildlife and the breathtaking scenery of narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and the rugged mountains. The Captain and the expedition leader will assess conditions daily with the intention of maximizing your time ashore. This means taking full advantage of opportunities to land passengers with our zodiacs and making best use of the light of the long summer days.
On board lectures are offered by geologists, historians, naturalists, expedition leaders, and the captain himself. Join the captain and the rest of our 40 crew members for an awe-inspiring journey of discovery and adventure.
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Amundsen 94 sq. ft. 20 cabins, each has a private bathroom with shower, 1 porthole window, and one queen or 2 twin beds |
Shackleton 98 sq ft. 16 cabins, each has a private bathroom with shower, 1 square window, and one queen or 2 twin beds |
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Piloto Pardo 140 sq. ft. Piloto Pardo deck includes 2 suites, each with private bathroom with bathtub and 3 square windows. One has a queen bed and the other has 2 twin beds |
Cape Horn159 sq. ft. Cape Horn deck includes 2 suites, each with private bathroom with bathtub, 7 windows, and queen bed. |
