Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Peninsula
« All Akademik Sergey Vavilov cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Main Deck Triple | Twin Share | Twin Semi-private | Twin Private | Superior | Peregrine Suite | Cook Suite | |
| Feb 25 '12 |
$5,790 | $6,790 | $7,190 | $8,090 | $8,590 | $9,190 | $9,890 |
| Sea Kayaking Option ($825 per person) Camping Option ($225 per person) |
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| Deals, Discounts... Savings! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Savings | Dates | |
| 30% | Feb 25, 12 | |
| These special offers are applicable only to new bookings. Discounts are subject to availability, so contact us for more details. | ||
-Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
- All of the Akademik Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking - rate varies per departure.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Deposit & Payment - All of the Akademik Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking - rate varies per departure.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina
This expedition is perfect for first-time polar travelers, adventurers who want to push the envelope or time-constrained people. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.
Day 2 Embarkation Day
After embarkation in the late afternoon, you will sail down the Beagle Channel. From the deck, birders can add albatross, penguins and petrels to their life list. Later in the evening everyone should be on deck to watch the sure-footed Channel pilot clamber down to the boat sent to collect him.
Days 3-4 Crossing the Drake Passage
Prepare for rough water, but do not be disappointed if your crossing is smooth sailing. The Drake is always changing.
Days 5-9 Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition’s progress. We attempt to leave the ship to explore in a range of activity levels at least twice a day. Perhaps, you’ll feel salt spray on your face as the Zodiac weaves in and around grounded icebergs in Pleneau Bay. You could scramble to the top of a craggy hill for an unforgettable view of an icy chasm near Port Lockroy. You could sit quietly on a pebbled beach and wait for a curious penguin chick to approach or plunge into the frigid Antarctic waters.
Explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula with adventurers who enjoy camping, kayaking, cross –country skiing, mountaineering and other active pursuits. Over the course of the austral spring and summer, the sun lingers longer and longer, melting snow and ice. Wildlife abounds: chicks hatch and fledge, and pods of whales breach in a deep bay where a calving iceberg has churned up krill, the local delicacy.
The natural cycle of life ensures that every expedition is different. And that every expedition is full of surprises! In Antarctica, silence is so complete that interruptions become indelible memories: noisy penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, the boom and crack of a calving glacier near Petermann Island. Then there is the sound of breathing as your arms pump and your legs power you up an incline on cross-country skis. As you sail from island to shore to bay during four days in the Peninsula, the Expedition Team provides opportunities for contemplation, to test your endurance and engage your curiosity.
Days 10-12 Drake Passage to Ushuaia
Activities during the return voyage depend on the conditions of the Drake. A smooth crossing is a busy crossing. You will be transferred to the airport from the ship when you disembark in Ushuaia.
Itinerary Notes
This expedition includes* 1 night of pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast.
* Group transfer on Day 2 from a designated location in Ushuaia to the ship.
* Shipboard accommodation with housekeeping.
* Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
* Shore landings per the program delivered on the ship each day.
* Professional Expedition Leadership.
* All Zodiac excursions and transfers.
* Formal and informal educational presentations by the Expedition Team.
* Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage.
* An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep.
* The loan of a pair of waterproof boots for the duration of the voyage.
* Coffee, tea, and cocoa available around the clock.
* Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin.
* Comprehensive pre-departure package including a map and Reader.
* All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
* All shipboard luggage handling.
* Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.
* Group transfer from the ship to the Ushuaia airport.
* Transfer from Ushuaia airport to the hotel on Day 1.
This expedition excludes
* Any airfare.
* Passport and Visa Expenses.
* Adventure options - kayaking, mountaineering, camping or cross-country skiing
* Any meals ashore, with the exception of breakfast at the hotel.
* Government arrival and departure taxes.
* Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
* Excess baggage charges.
* Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges.
* Shipboard and land telecommunication charges.
* Gratuity for ship's crew, Hospitality or Expedition Team members.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 20% (minimum $1000), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 130 days days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AmEx. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 130 days days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 180 days or more | $1000 per person |
| 179-120 days prior to departure | deposit |
| 119 Days or less | 100% total cost |
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 110
Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov offers a high level of comfort for Antarctic and Arctic cruises - in her appointment, stability and strength.
As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov forms the ideal platform from which to explore during your Polar travels. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying up to 110 passengers. In terms of stability and speed, she is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition.
All cabins have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) or private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna and plunge pool - a great place to relax after your shore excursions. In addition, there is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include an exercise room, gift shop and laundry.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Main Deck Triple Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Share Bunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 8 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Semi-private One lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Porthole Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Private A typical superior twin cabin arrangement. One lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category. |
 | Superior 2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category |
 | Peregrine Suite The Peregrine Suite is one of our fine premium cabins. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category. |
 | Cook Suite The Cook Suite is our finest premium cabin. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There is 1 cabin in this category. |
