E-mail a friendShip: Clipper Adventurer
Itinerary: From Spain to Senegal: Gibraltar, Morocco, Canary Islands, Cape Verde
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cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Arrive in Granada |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | Granada / Malaga / Embark the Clipper Adventurer |
| Day 3 : | Gibraltar, United Kingdom |
| Day 4 : | Casablanca, Morocco |
| Day 5 : | Agadir |
| Day 6 : | Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands |
| Day 7 : | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Island |
| Day 8 : | Cruising the Atlantic Ocean |
| Day 9 : | Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands |
| Day 10 : | Tarrafal, São Tiago / Praia |
| Day 11 : | At Sea |
| Day 12 : | Dakar, Senegal |
| Day 13 : | Dakar / Disembark |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Triple | Lower Deck Twin - porthole | Main Deck Twin - porthole | Main Deck Twin - window | Superior | Deluxe | Suite | Owner Suite | ||
| 13 | Oct 3, 2008 | $8,980 | $9,480 | $9,980 | $10,480 | $10,980 | $11,680 | $14,980 | $15,980 |
| Optional Marrakech Excursion: $600 per person, double occupancy; $145 single supplement. | |||||||||
| Destinations : Africa, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Europe, Morocco, Senegal, Spain Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography |
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Our Atlantic adventure begins in Spain’s Andalusian countryside, then takes in Morocco’s legendary cities. The Canary Islands feature unique plants and birds set in fantastic volcanic landscapes, while Cape Verde, an important stage in Portugal’s exploration of the New World, hosts a variety of endemic bird species. We end in lively Dakar, whose highlights include markets, mosques, and the World Heritage Site of Gorée Island, the notorious former slave-trading center. After your voyage take our post-extension to Mali and visit famed Timbuktu.
Day 1 : Arrive in Granada
Arrive in Granada and transfer independently to our hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy some tapas, explore Granada’s Gothic cathedral and royal chapel, or visit the old Arabic quarter, the Albaicín—with dramatic views of the region. Welcome dinner and overnight at our Granada hotel.
Day 2 : Granada / Malaga / Embark the Clipper Adventurer
After breakfast we depart for an exploration of the Alhambra, the most celebrated example of Moorish architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its multiple palaces—representing paradise on earth—were built by a succession of Muslim kings of Granada between the 13th and 14th centuries. The exquisite individual architectural components magically blend into a fantasy-land of lacy stonework, slender columnar arcades, graceful porticos, and courtyards which surround a series of light-reflecting water basins. In the Gardens of the Generalife, a five-mile-long conduit of water feeds dozens of fountains and waterfalls; hundreds of nightingales live in the park’s foliage. After lunch we drive to Malaga and board the Clipper Adventurer.
Day 3 : Gibraltar, United Kingdom
The 1,400-foot Rock of Gibraltar soars from the sea as we sail southward. Disembark after breakfast to explore this tiny British outpost, including a visit to Europa Point for superb views across the strait to the northern coast of Morocco. Enjoy a walk through the labyrinthine St. Michael’s cave, with its colorful and eerie stalactites and stalagmites. Naturalists search for the griffon vulture, Barbary partridge, and the indigenous, brightly colored wildflower known as the Gibraltar candytuft. Uphill, we meet the Barbary apes, a colony of introduced macaques that are the photogenic icons of The Rock. After lunch enjoy time at leisure before sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean with the Atlantic.
Day 4 : Casablanca, Morocco
Early this morning we dock in lovely Casablanca. Its modern quarters, defined by broad palm-tree-lined boulevards, are juxtaposed with the city’s elegant and historic civic buildings. Many of these were designed in the 1930s in the local Mauresque architectural style—a decorative blend of traditional Moroccan, French colonial, and Art Deco motifs. We begin our morning exploration with an excursion to the colorful Central Market, followed by a guided interior tour of the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest religious structure in the world (after Mecca). Its 700-foot-high minaret is visible for miles.
Continuing on, we pass through the elegant Corniche district which spreads along the Atlantic coast; the Anfa Quarters, where Roosevelt met with Churchill during World War II; the impressive Law Courts; and the Habbous Quarters, built by the French in the early 20th century. We return to the ship for lunch and sail westward along the Moroccan coast.
Optional Two-Day Excursion to Marrakech on Days 4-5: see below
Day 5 : Agadir
After breakfast we set off on a drive from Agadir to the inland town of Taroudant, often called “little Marrakech.” We walk the fortress ramparts and through the central plaza. The colorful Berber Market offers a fascinating array of quality handicrafts, spices, and produce, while the artisan souk displays silverwork, leather goods, and carpets. We enjoy lunch here before returning to Agadir in the afternoon.
Day 6 : Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
We arrive in the Canary Islands today, once a steppingstone in the era of exploration. Lanzarote, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a volcanic island with some 300 cinder cones pock-marking its rugged landscape. After lunch on board the ship, we have a choice of two tours. Our north-bound option features a drive to the charming “white village” and ancient capital, Teguise. A highlight is the Jameos del Agua, a spectacular lava-tube cave transformed by famed local artist César Manrique into a delightful series of pools, gardens, and a natural amphitheater.
Or, you may choose to explore Timanfaya National Park and its stunning volcanic landscape, a legacy of the 1824 eruption. By coach, on dromedary, and on foot watch for some of the 177 species of rare plants, many of them unique to the Canaries. On the nearby coast, we view natural geologic formations where water rushes dramatically into a sea-eroded volcanic cave at Los Hervideros. Birders keep a keen eye out for the rock dove, Cory’s shearwater, Eleanora’s falcon, and other species.
Day 7 : Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Island
An early morning arrival in the capital of Tenerife gives us the opportunity to choose between a visit to either the northern or southern end of the island. Northern island highlights include small charming villages, dramatic miradors (viewpoints), and the university town of La Laguna. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated for being the first, non-fortified Spanish colonial town, is a showcase of superb examples of 16th – 18th-century architecture—and a layout that became a model for many American colonial towns.
Our southern tour includes the spectacular Botanical Gardens, a walk through the lovely town of La Orotava, and Teide National Park where we view the twisted volcanic formations of basalt and obsidian surrounding Spain’s highest peak. After lunch at El Parador, we take either a gentle or a more active hike to view the Roques de Garcia— bizarrely eroded rocks set in ochre plains and rivers of lava at the mountain’s base. Birders head off to look for many of the 200 species that populate the varied habitat.
Day 8 : Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
As we sail toward the Cape Verde Islands, watch for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins which frequent this area. Our lecturers offer natural history and cultural perspectives on these starkly beautiful islands settled by the Portuguese conquistadors in the 15th century. Independence was as recent as 1975. It was also here that Charles Darwin began his studies in natural history.
Day 9 : Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands
Birders head out this morning from Mindelo, our first Cape Verdean port. The rest of the group visits Fortim, the site of an old fort, with spectacular views. In the lovely town we see the Governor’s Palace, the court house, the local market, and Amilcar Cabral Square, flanked by brightly painted colonial Portuguese houses. We also enjoy the stunning views from the top of Mt. Verde before returning to the ship for lunch.
Day 10 : Tarrafal, São Tiago / Praia
São Tiago, the largest of the Cape Verde Islands, is crowned by Antonia Peak which rises 4,500 feet above fertile farmlands. Exploration options include a south-bound tour through green valleys and mountains, stopping to visit tiny villages, the botanical gardens and horticultural institute, and the village of Assomada. Or, take a guided walk through the seaside town of Tarrafal, with its central market and ancient prison-turned-museum. Birders set out early in search of such species as the Cape Verde petrel, cream-colored courser, and European golden plover. The ship repositions to the town of Praia and we explore this relaxed capital city, with its colonial remnants, the fortress of São Filipe, the local market, and museum. Dinner is on board ship or you may wish to enjoy one of the local restaurants in town on your own.
Day 11 : At Sea
Our ship crosses into a subtropical trade wind belt as we cruise eastward today toward Senegal’s fascinating capital, Dakar, Africa’s westernmost city. We may also spot vast flocks of migratory birds as they return to Africa for the winter.
Day 12 : Dakar, Senegal
After breakfast birders head out on a full day search for the treasure trove of West Africa’s avifauna, while others take a ferry to infamous Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the 15th – 19th centuries Gorée was a slave-trading center, and we see the contrasts between the dungeon-like slave quarters and the elegant colonial mansions of the slave traders. We explore the moving 18th-century House of Slaves, the Women’s Museum, and the fortified Le Castel, offering splendid views before returning to Dakar.
Our visit to Dakar, an energetic, eclectic, and cosmopolitan capital city, highlights views of the beautiful mosques, including the stunning Great Mosque, and handsome French colonial buildings that stand side by side with numerous contemporary edifices. We view the President’s Palace and stop at the picturesque Kermel Market overflowing with fruits and flowers before setting off for the charming medina. In the fishing village of Soumbédioune we witness fine craftsmanship of pirogues and traditional handicrafts. We return to the ship for our final dinner and overnight on board.
Day 13 : Dakar / Disembark
Early this morning disembark the Clipper Adventurer and transfer to the airport
Optional Two-Day Excursion to Marrakech
Join us for a two-day optional overnight excursion to magical Marrakech. From Casablanca we drive through the Chaouia Plain, the “breadbasket of Morocco,” and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant en route. We arrive in the rose-red city of Marrakech, set between the old Berber trade routes and the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. We explore sites such as the opulent 19th-century Bahia Palace and the medina—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—along with the Koutoubia Mosque, visible from almost anywhere in the city. We visit the imperial Saadian tombs and Djemaa El Fna Square, an energetic crossroads of magicians, acrobats, henna tattooists, and snake charmers. In the evening we enjoy a dinner of traditional Moroccan specialties. Overnight in our Marrakech hotel.
The following day we explore an enchanting local garden in the heart of this desert city, and visit the Palmeraie, a vast oasis planted with more than 100,000 date palms—the only grove of its kind in the Atlas Mountain range. We drive through the stunning mountain scenery on our way to Agadir, where we rejoin our group on board ship in time for dinner.
- Additional fuel surcharge of $58/night on ship, per person, for Antarctic departures between Oct 2008 - Mar 2009.
- 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.
-Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate. The supplement for a suite is 2 times the shared rate.
-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: Clipper Adventurer
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Library
Adventurer is a handsome expedition vessel reminiscent of the days of the great ocean liners, with lots of varnished wood and brass. She sails on a wide variety of cruises — in Europe, the Canadian Arctic, the U.S., South America, and Antarctica.
Built in 1975 as the Alla Tarasova in the former Yugoslavia, the 122-passenger M/S Adventurer underwent a $13-million conversion in 1998 in Scandinavia. The new features include: 61 comfortable, all-outside cabins, with lower beds, private bathroom facilities, and individual temperature controls to offer the most comfortable Antarctica tours possible. The window-lined dining room seats all passengers at leisurely single seatings, where superb American and Continental cuisine is served by the friendly staff. There are two lounges — the Main Lounge and Bar on Promenade Deck, seating 130 passengers; and the Clipper Club, also on Promenade Deck, seating 45 passengers. There’s also a library/card room, a small workout room, a gift shop, and a hair salon.
Unique to the Adventurer is a spacious, covered promenade with a beautiful wooden deck (varnished Oregon pine) where passengers can view the seascapes during their Antarctica travels. There’s also plenty of open deck space on the Boat Deck and Sun Deck, while an observation platform located forward below the Bridge is ideal for wildlife viewing.
The Adventurer is an oceangoing vessel equipped with an ice-strengthened hull (A-1 ice class) ideally suited for cruises in such remote environments that Antarctica tours can offer, but supremely comfortable anywhere she sails. A fleet of Zodiac landing craft provides access to areas where no infrastructure exists. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and communication equipment including telephone, fax, and e-mail.
The Captain and his officers maintain an open bridge to give passengers an opportunity to observe and ask questions. An experienced cruise staff, physician, and on board lecturers accompany all voyages to enhance the passengers’ enjoyment of the places visited.
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Triple Triple cabins available on the Lower Deck for the Antarctica 2009-2010 season |
Lower Deck Twin - portholeA Deck - Outside Double Cabin with one porthole. 125 sq. ft. |
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Main Deck Twin - porthole Main Deck - Outside Double Cabin with one porthole. 125 sq. ft. |
Main Deck Twin - windowMain Deck - Outside Double Cabin with a window. 125 sq. ft. |
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Superior Promenade Deck - Outside Double Cabin with a window. |
DeluxePromenade Deck and Boat Decks - Outside Double Cabin with a window. 160 sq. ft |
SuiteBoat Deck - Outside suites with separate sitting area |
Owner Suite Boat Deck - Outside suite with separate sitting area |
