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Ship:  Polar Pioneer

Itinerary:  Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula

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  We climb where few, if any, have gone before

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Day 1 :	Embark in Ushuaia
Day 2 :	At Sea
Day 3 :	Falkland Islands
Day 4 :	Port Stanley, Falklands
Days 5-6 :	At Sea
Days 7-10 :	South Georgia
Day 11 :	Enroute to South Orkney Islands
Day 12 :	South Orkney Islands
Day 13 :	Elephant Island
Days 14-16 :	Antarctic Peninsula
Days 17-18 :	Drake Passage
Day 19 :	Disembark in Ushuaia
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Triple Shared	Twin Shared	Twin Private	Mini Suite	Suite
19	Jan 8, 2009	$9,190	$10,990	$12,990	$13,990	$14,990
		Optional Kayaking (Including Dry Suit):$1,045
19	Nov 9, 2009 Jan 7, 2010	$9,790	$11,690	$13,790	$14,890	$15,890
		Nov 9, 2009 - Optional Kayaking ($1,145)
Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching

South Georgia is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. On the northeastern flanks of the island, the harbours that once sheltered large fleets of whaling ships are now home to a staggering variety and profusion of wildlife. In Stromness, Leith and Grytviken Harbours, the well-preserved remains of vast whaling factories sit quietly at the base of 3000 metre high mountains. The nearby bays are home to literally hundreds of thousands of king, macaroni and rock hopper penguins. This spectacular journey combines the rugged beauty of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands and the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 1 : Embark in Ushuaia

Board the Polar Pioneer in the afternoon and cruise down the Beagle Channel.

Day 2 : At Sea

At sea, sailing towards the Falkland Islands. We start our onboard lecture program.

Day 3 : Falkland Islands

Using our Zodiacs, we visit settlements and wildlife-rich islands on the southern side of the Falklands.

Day 4 : Port Stanley, Falklands

A brief stop in Port Stanley, capital of the Falklands, before cruising south-east towards South Georgia.

Days 5-6 : At Sea

Lectures alternate with time spent on the bridge and outer decks watching the Southern Ocean and the trailing albatrosses.

Days 7-10 : South Georgia

South Georgia - four days exploring the network of harbors along the northern side of this wonderful island. We combine the fascination of local history with wildlife havens by visiting the old whaling station at Grytviken. Nearby are enormous penguin rookeries in St. Andrew Bay, Royal Bay, Gold Harbour and Salibury Plain, to name just a few.

Day 11 : Enroute to South Orkney Islands

Cruising the Scotia Sea towards the South Orkney Islands. Hopefuly we will see our first icebergs!

Day 12 : South Orkney Islands

Among the mountainous South Orkney Islands.

Day 13 : Elephant Island

We will attempt to land on wild and spectacular Elephant Island, where Shackleton's men wintered below an upturned rowboat.

Days 14-16 : Antarctic Peninsula

We cruise from the South Shetland Islands and through spectacular Gerlache Strait, passing the western flank of the Antarctic Peninsula. While cruising amongst the ice bergs we may attempt to enter Antarctic Sound and visit some of the magnificent penguin rookeries at the northern end of the Peninsula.

Days 17-18 : Drake Passage

We turn northwards into Drake Passage and once again enter the realm of the giant albatross. As Tierra del Fuego approaches, the air becomes warmer and we may smell the scent of green, grass-covered land.

Day 19 : Disembark in Ushuaia

During the morning we travel up the Beagle Channel to dock in Ushuaia, then transfer to our hotel or onto our homeward bound flights.

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-A fuel surcharge of $50/person/day applies to all Antarctic departures, Nov 2008-Feb 2009.

-Kayaking Options: US$825 $1,045 for Nov 10)
-Diving Options: US$700
-Alpine Crossing Options: US$700
-Climbing Options: US$250
-Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple 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 1.7 times the twin rate

Ship Description: Polar Pioneer

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  Polar Pioneer

Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring - inviting surroundsing for your Antarctica travel.

This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary.

The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.

Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is a most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors enable us to travel from ship to shore.

Triple Shared Triple Cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.	Twin Shared Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.
Twin Private Twin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403).	Mini Suite Mini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Suite The Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.