Antarctic Peninsula
Gerlache Strait
Spigot Peak (continent landing) 64º39’ S 62º34’ W
Danco Island 64º44’ S 62º37’ W
Errera Channel
Paradise Bay/Almirante Brown (continent landing) 64º54’ S 62º52’ W
Lemaire Channel 65º04’ S 63º57’ W
Neko Harbour
Danco Island is a one-mile long island which lies in the southern part of the Errera Channel, off the west coast of Graham Land. Danco Island was first charted by Gerlache and is named for the geophysicist who died during the Belgica expedition of 1897-9. Gentoo penguins breed here. Snowy sheathbills, kelp gulls and blue-eyed shags may often be seen as well.
Andvord Bay is a 15 mile-long fjord that cuts east into the Antarctic Peninsula. The average width of the peninsula at this point is 30 miles; the Weddell Sea is just over the mountains. This site is named for the floating whale factory ship Neko, which operated in the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula from 1911 to 1924, and often used this bay. There is an unmanned Argentine refuge on the site. In Neko Harbor, listen and watch for the sounds and sights of active tidewater & alpine glaciers that surround the bay. We will be offering a walk up to a view point on an ice dome over looking the glaciers of Neko Harbor. This is another landing on the continent of Antarctica.
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Early wake up call at 5AM, landing at Spigot Island, watched for an avalanche; many penguins on the way. After the breakfast, kayak around the island; real icebergs around the kayak and penguins jumping in the water.
After the lunch, instead at Neko island (too much ice) went to Paradise Bay, where Chilean base is, but no visit to them (too complicated, many political issues!?).
Zodiac cruise for an hour. Another kayaking.
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
3 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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.