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See the Antarctic
Voyages >
 From
floating behemoths of ice to dormant volcanoes, creatures
on land and in the sea, atmospheric diversity and cold
waters that both nourish and challenge life, Antarctica
is truly remarkable.
The region has long been a source of food and minerals, a void in scientific
knowledge, a land of peace, and a lab to monitor global climate change. However
the intrepid visitor heads due South to view unsurpassed wildlife and to experience
the extremes, beautiful and serene, savage and violent on a mind-boggling scale.
Antarctica is the most isolated continent on the planet and as heroic explorers
such as Shackleton, Scott, Nansen, Peary and Franklin discovered, a journey to
the polar south must still be earned. Six million square miles of wilderness
harbouring untold secrets. An ice sheet covers all but 2.4 per cent of Antarctica's
14 million square kilometres, encompassing 70 percent of all the world's fresh
water. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, windiest continent. The world's record
low temperature of -89.2 degrees Celsius and gusts of nearly 90 metres per second
have been recorded there. Yet in winter the population still averages 1,200 hardy
souls.
 The
Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands (an archipelago of over 20
islands)
are less than two days’ sailing from the mainland South America
and Ushuaia, the southernmost town in Argentina. The Peninsula has relatively
mild weather conditions with temperatures as high as 15 degrees Celsius. This
mild climate leads to a proliferation of wildlife and, in ‘summer’,
endless twilight.
Many species of Antarctic wildlife are unique to the southern region. They all
take their food from the sea that surrounds the continent; indeed, most live
at the shore, although some breed on land. The major groups of animals are the
birds (particularly the sea birds and penguins), and the mammals (the seals and
whales).
With the signing of the Protocol of Environmental Protection to the Antarctic
Treaty it is hoped that Antarctica will remain a wonder for those who set foot
there, a dream for those who have yet to venture there and a source of inspiration
and hope for humankind.
When to Go
The Antarctic is a place of climatic extremes. Each year
the area of Antarctica doubles as the pack ice in the
seas surrounding the continent freezes solid in winter.
The Antarctic summer (November to March) is the best time
to visit. The sea ice has retreated, so it is possible
to get to the continent itself and the wildlife is plentiful
and active. During summer on the Antarctic coast, the
daily temperature is usually about 0oC to 5oC.
Any time in summer is a good time to go and there is always
something to see. In December you are more likely to see
massive icebergs in the water and for the ship to have
to crash through plates of ice on the water’s surface
– if you want spectacular ice, this is the time
to go. Penguins abound and are nesting their eggs. In
January the penguins are hatching and there will be plenty
of action around the colonies with penguin chicks galore
and skus circling overhead waiting for the chance to swoop.
In February the mammals will be out in force – seals,
orcas, humpback whales and minke whales abound.
Choosing your Expedition
All of our voyages begin in the ‘Town at the
end of the World’, Ushuaia, at the southern tip
of Argentina. We sail down the Beagle Channel accompanied
by albatrosses and head into the Drake Passage. Once
at sea, our informal educational program consisting
of presentations, discussions and other fun activities
gets under way.
As we continue south towards the Antarctic Peninsula
we see our first icebergs and then our first glimpse
of Antarctica! The western flank of the Antarctic Peninsula
is a rugged, mountainous spur flanked by ancient glaciers
and massive ice shelves that creep down to the water’s
edge. In the lee of the Peninsula lie dozens of islands,
home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on the
continent, including Weddell seals, Elephant seals,
Skuas, Giant Petrels and rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap
and Adelie penguins.
We'll usually make our first landing in Antarctica
late on Day 3. Over the following days we make the most
of the long daylight hours, with several excursions
each day, weather permitting. With an emphasis on spending
as much time off the ship as possible, we’ll venture
ashore to hike or watch the wildlife, or cruise in the
Zodiacs among the icebergs and whales. No two voyages
are the same, and you can be as active or not as you
please.
Our Falkland Islands and South Georgia itineraries
extend the experience to include the extraordinary wildlife
and history of the Sub-Antarctic. Homeward bound, we
pass legendary Cape Horn on our return to Ushuaia, our
journey’s end.
Ports of Call
The following is a list of some of the more interesting
areas in and around the Antarctic Peninsula, some of
which we plan to visit during our voyages.
The South Shetland Islands
An archipelago of over 20 islands just north
of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Deception Island
You sail into the heart of this flooded volcanic
island, one of the most interesting destinations in Antarctica.
You go ashore to explore an old whaling station, and can
enjoy a dip in the hot springs at Pendulum Cove.
King George Island
Home to a sizable colony of Adelie and Gentoo penguins,
and some Chinstraps, King George is a favorite feeding
area for Humpback whales, which can often be observed
during summer feeding on krill.
Livingston Island
This was once an important hunting ground for seal traders,
who decimated the local seal population. Today the island
is again rich in wildlife, including Weddell, Elephant
and Leopard seals, plus rookeries of Chinstrap, Gentoo
and Macaroni penguins, petrels, terns and skuas.
Half Moon
This is a delightful spot, close to Livingston Island,
with a sizable rookery of Chinstrap penguins as well as
nesting terns, Kelp gulls, fur seals and Blue-eyed shags.
The Antarctic Penninsula
Against a spectacular backdrop of snow-capped mountains
and ice-blue water, the Antarctic Peninsula has a rugged
coastline of bays and channels which offer excellent opportunities
for exploration.
Hope Bay
Situated in the most northerly point on the peninsula,
Hope Bay boasts one of the largest penguin rookeries on
the continent (mostly Gentoo penguins).
Paradise Bay
With breathtaking panoramic views across the bay, this
is one of the most beautiful places on the peninsula,
home to terns, petrels, cormorants, seals, penguins and
whales.
Lemaire Channel
This glacier-lined fjord offers a unique spectacle and
is undoubtedly one of Antarctica's most beautiful passages.
Minke and Humpback whales can often be observed, following
in the wake of the ship.
South Georgia
South Georgia rises some 3,000 metres above the Scotia
Sea, and is undoubtedly the most dramatic of all the Sub-Antarctic
islands. Salisbury Plain is home to a vast rookery of
brightly coloured King penguins, and at Grytviken you
witness the remnants of a once-prosperous whaling industry
that nearly decimated whale populations.
The Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands have a haunting beauty, and in the
outer islands you observe Elephant seals, Southern sea
lions and a host of seabirds including the Black Browed
albatross. At Stanley, the smallest capital city in the
world, you stroll past quaint homes with a distinctly
Victorian character. History buffs will be fascinated
by its museums and memorial sites.
Highlights:
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Photography
Floating photographic 'symposiums'; comprehensive series of workshops, presentations and excursions, including both digital and film photography. |
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Camping
camping ashore on the Antarctic ice is an unforgettable experience. We provide all the gear and you bring along a sense of adventure. It's an optional activity and is included in the voyage fare. |
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Kayaking
We'll take up to 16 Kayakers per voyage to experience Antarctica at its most serene and tranquil state. If you have experience in paddling and are up for some nautical adventure, then be sure to reserve your spot. |
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Whales
Whales: Sperm, Humpback, Minke, Fin, Southern right... Magnificent Mammals 5 March 2006 Antarctic Explorer. |
See the Antarctic
Voyages >
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See the Arctic Voyages
>
 The
Arctic is one of nature’s last, most remote and
marvelous strongholds: the basic raw elements of creation
and constant struggle for survival in a harsh climate.
It is a savage land of rock and ice, which is home to
a rich range of bird and animal life.
The Arctic, centred on the North Pole includes the
regions north of the tree line; Greenland (Kalaallit
Nunaat), Svalbard, and other polar islands; the northern
parts of the mainland of Siberia, Alaska, and Canada;
the coasts of Labrador; the north of Iceland. Conditions
typical of Arctic lands are extreme fluctuations between
summer and winter temperatures, permanent snow and ice
in the high country and grasses, sedges, and low shrubs
in the lowlands and permanently frozen ground (permafrost).
The Norwegian explorer, Amundsen, adopted Inuit ways
of travel by dogsled and hunting in his bid for the
North Pole and his search for the North West Passage
and today the native people’s art and rich mythology
fascinates. At the top of the food chain Polar bears
are the undisputed monarchs of the Arctic with seals
being a favourite prey. They can swim in icy waters
for more than a day at a time and adult males can reach
11 feet in length, weighing up to 1,800 pounds: their
beauty is to be admired, their strength respected.
The name Arctic derives from the Greek “arktos”
or bear referring to the constellation of the Great
Bear (or Big Dipper) above the North Pole, with Antarktikos
reserved for the continent ‘opposite the Bear’-
Antarctica.
When to Go
The Arctic is a wild and rugged place with extreme weather
conditions. The Arctic summer (late June to September)
is the best time to visit the areas of the Canadian
and Scandinavian Arctic that our expeditions travel
to. Daylight hours are long and the ice has retreated
enough for us to get close to land where we’ll
have our best wildlife opportunities.
Polar bears roam the shores and there’s also
the chance to see arctic fox, musk ox, walrus and plenty
of sea birds. We might also see the phenomenon of the
Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis – the
spectacular bands, or streamers of coloured light that
appear in the sky. During summer, the daily temperature
is usually about 2oC to 7oC.
Highlights:
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Wildlife
Polar Bear, Walrus, Bowhead whale, Beluga whale,
Arctic Fox, Musk Ox, Ivory Gull, Ross's Gull, Arctic
Turn, Sabine's Gull.
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Kayaking
We'll take up to 10 Kayakers per voyage to experience
The Arctic at its most serene and tranquil state.
If you have experience in paddling and are up for
some nautical adventure, then be sure to reserve
your spot.
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Expeditions
North West Passage, In centenary year of Roald Amundsen's
first successful voyage through the North West Passage,
we'll make our own bid to traverse one of the world's
most elusive sea routes.
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See the Arctic
Voyages >
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