Explore the historic White Continent on this 11-day small ship Antarctica cruise. Begin in Punta Arenas and fly to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands to board the Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Sail for Sea Lion Island, Elephant Island, and legendary Antarctica, itself. As you cruise, keep your eyes on the horizon for whales and marine mammals, and attend lectures presented by the ship's staff.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet your group at the airport in Punta Arenas and fly to Stanley in the Falkland Islands (included in the price of your voyage). Upon arrival, transfer to the pier and board the Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Settle in to your cabin and explore the ship, then meet your expedition team and fellow passengers. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner and cast off for South Georgia.
Cruise down the coast of the Falkland Islands and approach Sea Lion Island. Note the barren, windswept landscape, exposed to the wild weather which originates in the Drake Passage. Launch the zodiacs and go ashore to view the remarkable wildlife colonies found on the island. Three species of penguin including gentoo, magellanic and rockhopper exist in the vicinity. Southern elephant seals and South American sea lions are found hauled out on the beaches. Weather and time permitting, visit neighboring Bleaker Island, another settlement on the exposed southeastern coast of the Falklands. In the evening, push out into the Scotia Sea, charting a course for the frozen white continent.
Approach Elephant Island from the south at Point Lookout - home to an impressive macaroni penguin colony. Gentoo penguins are also known to nest on the island, and there are often sizeable numbers of Antarctic fur seals hauled out on the beaches. Enjoy shore landings at the fabled Point Wild on the north coast of Elephant Island, where Shackleton and his men were encamped under their upturned life boats.
Enter the steely blue waters of Antarctica’s Gerlache Strait. Protected by two large offshore islands, the waterways are home to deep bays, pristine coves and numerous small islands. The landscape features heavily glaciated mountains which are permanently covered in ice and snow. Rocky outcrops are home to gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguin rookeries and the waters are rich in marine life. Break into small groups of just 10-12 travelers and enjoy guided walks on shore, visits to wildlife colonies, and zodiac cruising among the ice. Planned visits include Cierva Cove, Danco Island, or a cruise through the Errera Channel to visit the penguin rookeries at Cuverville Island.
After several busy days of exploration, head north across the Bransfield Strait pn your way to to South Shetland Islands. If weather allows, sail into the flooded volcanic caldera at Deception Island. The caldera is a very dramatic plac,e and home to several penguin rookeries along the black sand beaches. History is all around you as you explore the old whaling station and aircraft hangar.
There are several other landing sites in the vicinity, including Half Moon Island and the broad pebbly beach at Yankee Harbour, a great spot for a zodiac cruise. In the evening, enjoy a special dinner attended by the captain.
Day 11: King George Island / Punta Arenas
1 Breakfast
Say goodbye to the crew and transfer ashore by zodiac. Time permitting, explore the surrounding area of King George Island before transferring to the airstrip for the two-hour flight back to Punta Arenas (included in the price of your voyage). Continue on in your independent travels.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Triple Share
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Twin Semi-Private
Deck 4. Two lower berths (one which can be converted to a sofa during the day), a writing desk/chair, bookshelf and tall wardrobes with internal shelving for storage. Facilities are semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) and all cabins have a window that can be opened.
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Twin Private
Deck 3, 4 and 5. Two lower berths (one which can be converted to a sofa during the day), a writing desk/chair, bookshelf and tall wardrobes with internal shelving storage. Facilities are private and all cabins have a window that can be opened.
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Shackleton Suite
Deck 4 & 5. One double bed, one sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, up-graded bedding, a writing desk/chair, IPod alarm clock, mini stereo, capsule coffee maker, mini bar. Private facilities. Large window that can be opened.
Notes
- Single Supplement: 1.5x for twin and superior cabins and 2x for suites. Single supplement is not available in the triple cabin category.
- Child and Youth Prices: 25% discount for young people aged up to 17 years, and 20% off for those aged from 18-21 years who can prove they are in full-time education.
Initial deposit is $1700 , and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 177 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 177 reviews on
10 hours ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
2 days ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
4 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
6 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 week ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.