You never know what you are going to discover when you set course for the Weddell Sea. It is a wild and exciting area, alive with wildlife and offering great scope for exploration. The day-to-day itinerary of this voyage is dependent on weather and ice conditions prevailing in the vicinity of the mighty Riser Larsen Iceshelf.
Having travelled through the iceberg canyons of Antarctic Sound, enter the Northern Weddell Sea. Nestled amongst ice floes is the little-known Seymour Island whose fossil rich rocks conceal the story of the disappearance of the dinosaurs and the collapse of the mythical Gondwana.
The aim of this voyage is to explore these fossil beds under the watchful eye of Dr. Paul Willis, as well as to enjoy the wildlife treasure chest of the northern Weddell Sea. We also hope to follow the incredible, compelling story of Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjold and his men (1901 - 1903).
Travel in Zodiacs around the icebergs an wildlife havens of this lesser known part of the Antarctic Peninsula, and spend a few days on it's better known west coast.
Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia
Board the ship Polar Pioneer in the afternoon. Set sail along the Beagle Channel then turn south towards Antarctica.
Day 2 Drake Passage
As you cross the Drake Passage, the temperature begins to fall. Stay busy with lectures and safety briefings in preparation for your first landing.
Day 3 Enroute to South Shetland Islands
By mid-afternoon the ship should be in iceberg waters. If all goes well you may encounter your first penguin on one of the South Shetland Islands.
Day 4 Antarctic Sound
In the early hours of the morning hope to be among the towering corridors of icebergs in Antarctic Sound. A narrow passage, alive with penguins, guards the entrance to the Weddell Sea.
Days 5-7 Weddell Sea
Three days of exploring in the whale- and seal-rich Weddell Sea, where activities will be controlled by the movement of ice. Huge glaciers pour down between the mountains from the polar plateau, and the surface of the ocean is covered with plates of ice the size of city blocks. One aim is to visit the fossil-rich shores of Seymour Island.
Days 8-9 Antarctic Peninsula
Plan to visit the beautiful western flanks of the Antarctic Peninsula, exploring the Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, and Paradise Harbour area.
Days 10-11 Drake Passage
Cross the Drake Passage with magnificent albatrosses in our wake. The last shipboard lectures give you time to polish your Antarctic education before making a ceremonial rounding of Cape Horn.
Day 12 Disembark in Ushuaia
Cruise up the Beagle Channel in the early morning before docking in Ushuaia. After transferring to a city hotel there is time to explore the central town area, or perhaps visit the nearby Tierra del Fuego mountains.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1350, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/mail/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | $1350 deposit |
| 0-90 days | 100% trip cost |
