Antarctic Dream Expedition - Antarctica - 11D/10N

Ushuaia – Antarctica – Ushuaia

Antarctic Dream ExpeditionThis 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.
The Antarctic, land of extremes, a destination that enthralls all who participate in the exciting voyage to one of the most remote and fascinating natural reserves in the World. The Antarctic, with its spectacular beauty, amazing colors of light reflected on the ice, wild life in full splendor and magnificent sites for visiting promises to be an unforgettable experience for travelers in search of unique sensations. The continent is practically covered by a cape of ice formed by the constant accumulation of snow during hundreds of thousands of years. The deepest part is approximately 4 kilometers deep. Hidden beneath lie mountains, valleys, and prairies. Daily, huge ice masses break off turning into icebergs that can measure various kilometers. Wildlife in the Antarctic is singular. Due to the fact that the White Continent has no history of hunting, animals are usually unafraid of human beings and are actually “intrigued” by their presence. The opportunity of being able to wander amidst thousands of penguins and sea lions makes this place paradise for taking photographs. Not to mention being able to view first hand, the flight of large southern birds such as Cape petrels, among others.

Ship M/V Antarctic Dream (former Piloto Pardo)

Wheelhouse replica open to passengers - 39 Outside Double Staterooms - 4 Decks 02 Suites Cape Horn deck - 02 Suites Piloto Pardo deck - 16 Superior staterooms Shackleton deck - 19 Staterooms Amundsen deck - 4 Zodiacs, each one with capacity for 15 passengers - Staterooms According to the deck. Only in double cabins, Queen or Twin beds.
All cabins feature • Private bathroom with shower or tub • Closed TV Circuit (movies upon request) • Music • Individual / Central Heater • Intern telephone connection • Wardrobe • Safe deposit box
Public Areas • Lobby • Main Dining Room (capacity for 100 passengers) • Bar • Library • Auditorium / Projection Lounge • Heliport • Wet Room • Litte Gym / Sauna with reservation • First Aid (doctor on board) • Boutique • Internet available at the library • Passenger Bridge.

Other Recommendations: No special clothing is included in this trip. It is recommended that passengers bring: Trekking shoes for the snow - 2 pairs of thick socks (wool or wool blend) - 2 pairs thin thermal socks - thermal long underwear - waterproof rain pants - waterproof backpack - Wool sweaters, polar fleece jackets or polypropylene vests - Do not wear cotton - 1 snow jacket made of gore tex® - ski gloves, mittens and a pair of thin glove liners – scarf - 1 polypropylene or wool ski cap (preferably wind-proof), earflaps or a pair of ear mufflers - Sun glasses with UV protection - Sun block and lip balm with UV protection - Video or photographic camera – Film – Binoculars.

Included: Accommodation in cabin of choice - Welcome cocktail - Daily shore excursions as scheduled by the ships by inflatable Zodiac landing craft to visit spectacular, pristine glaciers, forests, bays, islands, and national parks featuring wildlife colonies - 1 helicopter over flight as long as weather conditions permit it - Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, & Dinner) - Appetizers and wines according to the menu (only during meals) - Lecture program on the region’s flora, fauna, history and geography - Use of library - Onboard activities - On board lectures and exhibits - Passenger accident insurance.

Not Included: Any airfare - Passport and visa expenses – Any personal Expenses - Lodging in Ushuaia - Taxes, port and airport boarding charges - Transfers not mentioned in the program - Laundry, phone calls, use of internet - Meals or drinks not included in the menu - Medical attention, clinics, health insurance - Tips.

Departures:

  • November 09 - 19 - 29, December 09 - 19 - 29, 2008
  • January 08 - 18 - 28. February 07 - 17 – 27. March 9, 2009

Fuel Supplement
Due to sustained, rising fuel prices, fuel surcharge may applied to all departures. Charges, if necessary will be advised at time of confirmation of booking.

Itinerary MapDay by day Itinerary A:

  • Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina - Board the M/V Antarctic Dream. Our departure is scheduled for 7:00 pm
  • Day 2 and 3 Drake Passage - This pass to Antarctica was discovered in the 16th century by Sir Francis Drake, our journey will start today sailing south to this natural pass. Sailing towards Antarctica, in this biological barrier, the icy waters go under warmer currents of more temperate areas, generating a rich feeding place for the sea fauna.
  • Day 4 King George Island - Península Antártica - Arrival to King George island, which shelters thousands of penguins, other sea birds and elephant seals. King George Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. If the weather is good, we will offer passengers a short helicopter over-flight to admire the immensity and beauty of the landscape*. If conditions do not allow us to fly we will disembark in Potter Bay.
  • Day 5 Antarctic Peninsula - Neko Bay - Goudier Island - Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife like chainstrap, gentoo and Adelie penguins, seagulls, cormorants and peterls. The area has a great historical interest, since it began to be explored in the 19th century. We will be part of history when disembarking in Neko Bay and setting foot in the Antarctic continent. Later on we will disembark at Goudier island.
  • Day 6 Pleneau - Petermann Island - We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel to visit Petermann Island, where we will disembark to see the southernmost colony of Gentoo and Papua penguins. In the area of Pleneau we will cruise on board of zodiac boats among millenary icebergs to disembark on Peterman islands to get to see local fauna..
  • Day 7 Peninsula Antarctica - 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. Sailing and exploring the canals is the peak of the expedition. In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island.
  • Day 8 Deception Island - Whaler’s Bay - Pendulum Cove - HANNA Point - We continue sailing to Deception Island, considered one of the southernmost active and largest volcanoes in the world and will try to disembark in Whaler’s Bay and Pendulum Cove. In the afternoon we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island), one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna
  • Days 9 and 10 Drake Passage - Leave the Antarctic and head north back to the American continent, across the Drake Passage. On board we will attend lectures while crossing Drake’s passage, to get to the American continent and Patagonia, sharing experiences.
  • Day 11 Ushuaia, Argentina - Arrival to Argentinean territory. After an early Breakfast, we will land at 9:00 a.m. and bid farewell to our guests. We will arrive to Ushuaia, one of the southernmost cities in the World. We will say goodbye to the crew and disembark.

Please note: The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success. Antarctic Shipping S.A does not own nor operate helicopters. Helicopter services are provided by an external company. The flights are dependant on weather conditions.

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Also tagged with: Cruise Expeditions, South America, Active Travel, Antarctica / Arctic, Patagonia, Argentina, South