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Antarctic Quest
via the
Falklands & South Georgia
20 Day Itinerary
Ships: Akademik
Ioffe, Akademik Sergey
Vavilov, Akademik
Shokalskiy, Ocean
Nova, Professor
Multanovskiy,
SEE
ALSO THE BIRDQUEST/OCEAN ADVENTURES GROUP TOUR
(Where you will also find a much more detailed account)
If your goal is to set foot on Antarctica but also – having
traveled to the extremes of the Southern Hemisphere – explore
the historic Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and remote South
Georgia, this is the ideal small ship expedition. From Shackleton's
lonely grave to spectacular Iceberg Alley to Zodiac landings at
remote penguin rookeries and other areas rich with wildlife, come
follow the early explorers on a remarkable Antarctic experience.
South
Shetland Islands
This impressive group of islands, lying to the north and roughly parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula, is a haven for wildlife. Our first landfall could be Elephant Island, where Ernest Shackleton's men found refuge during the epic 'Endurance' expedition (following in the wake of Shackleton, from Antarctica to Elephant Island and on to South Georgia, is a particular aim of Explorers' Cruise 3). We will visit enormous penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and observe southern elephant seals wallowing in mud pools. We also hope to visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago and look for Antarctica's only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. A highlight of our visit to the South Shetlands will be sailing through a narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island.
Antarctic Peninsula
This awe-inspiring wilderness of snow, ice, waterways and mountains is the most readily accessible part of the White Continent and has some of the best wildlife. Enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls, Cape Petrels, Snowy Sheathbills and Antarctic Terns are just some of the many birds found here in abundance. We are also likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, while orcas, humpback whales and Minke whales are often encountered at close range.
The Peninsula also has a remarkable history and, during the trip, we will learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world. Keeping a lookout from the Bridge or the deck of the ship, as we thread our way along the continent, we will certainly feel the same sense of excitement as many of those early explorers.
Sailing around the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula we hope to navigate the Antarctic Sound, or 'iceberg alley' as it is often called, where huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. If we are lucky, and weather and ice conditions permit, we may be able to land on Paulet Island to see its enormous Adélie Penguin rookery. We also plan to visit aptly-named Paradise Harbor, or nearby Neko Harbor, where glaciers fill the calm waters with a mind-boggling vista of icebergs; this is where we hope to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself. At Port Lockroy, as well as enjoying the thriving penguin colonies, we will visit a former British scientific station that has recently been renovated to serve as one of the most isolated and intriguing museums in the world. The station also acts as a post office and we will have a unique opportunity to send postcards home.
During the voyage we hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways in the world (if they are not choked with pack ice and icebergs - a spectacular sight in itself); two in particular, the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, are narrow passages between towering rock faces and glaciers that are so impressive they are a highlight of the trip for many people. On some voyages we sail south of the Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing site.
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
In the historic Falklands we explore some of the privately-owned outer islands that are home to great concentrations of wildlife - including several species found nowhere else in the world. Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic Penguins and Gentoo Penguins are just some of the highlights on Carcass Island, for example, while nearby West Point Island and New Island boast fantastic Rockhopper Penguin rookeries as well as nesting Black-browed Albatrosses and Blue-eyed Shags. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins are often seen along the coasts of these islands and frequently bow-ride and play alongside our boats. We will also explore Stanley, the charming capital of the archipelago.
South Georgia
South Georgia has its own astonishing concentrations of wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery ranging from 7,000-foot mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying grassland. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on earth and certainly has more wildlife than virtually anywhere else on the planet. Thousands of King Penguins greet us at Salisbury Plain, Wandering Albatrosses nest and thousands of fur seals breed at Prion Island, whilst huge southern elephant seals and a substantial number of King and Gentoo Penguins crowd the beaches at places such as Gold Harbor. The island also played a significant role in Ernest Shackleton's epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the 'Endurance', when he managed to raise the alarm at the whaling station in Stromness. We visit Shackleton's grave at Grytviken, a once-active whaling station.
Drake Passage and other sea crossings
Our journey across the famous Drake Passage, named after the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake, is an experience in itself. Our ship is accompanied most of the way by albatrosses - including the magnificent Wandering Albatross - along with an impressive variety of other seabirds such as Giant and Cape Petrels. We have a good chance of spotting whales and dolphins and many different species have been encountered in these rich waters over the years. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones. Meanwhile, the program of lectures continues during these sea crossings as our expedition staff introduce some of the wildlife we are likely to encounter and cover all topics from the history of exploration to the geology of the region.
| Itineraries |
| Please
note: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact
route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions
- and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to
the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations
depend on final permission.
Days
1 & 2: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
On
arriving in Ushuaia, transfer to our conveniently located
hotel and explore this pioneering port town on the edge of
Beagle Channel. Next day, join your fellow travelers for a
guided tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park, a haven for
Ashy-headed Geese, Buff-necked Ibis, Fuegian red fox and other
regional species. Savor a traditional Argentine asado
barbecue lunch while learning more about local history
and culture then enjoy some free time to shop or relax before
boarding our small expedition ship.
Days
3, 4 & 5: Northward to the Falklands (Malvinas)
Join
us on deck as we make our way out of the harbor and head toward
the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). In the days ahead there
will be many presentations to deepen your understanding of
the region – and plenty of opportunities to chat with
the Expedition Team in the lounge. Our specific stops in the
outer Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) will depend on local
conditions. Typical sightings include Flightless Steamer Ducks,
Magellanic Penguins and Gentoo Penguins on Carcass Island;
Rockhopper Penguins as well as nesting Black-browed Albatross
and Blue-eyed Shags on nearby New Island; plus Peale's and
Commerson's dolphins, which frequently bow-ride and play alongside
our Zodiacs as we explore the coastal waters. Walk over the
tussock grass to enjoy tea and cake at a family “camp” (as
Falklanders call their farms), and stroll among colorfully
painted buildings in the historic capital Stanley, stopping
for a pint at one of its British-style pubs.
Days
6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11: Shackleton's South Georgia
Our
shipboard historian offers absorbing presentations on the
exploration of the Southern Ocean as we continue on toward
South Georgia. Remembered as the endpoint of Sir Ernest Shackleton's
heroic rescue trek following the sinking of the Endurance,
the island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of
2,100 m mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands and deep
fjords. Your many wildlife viewing opportunities over the
next few days include thousands of King Penguins at Salisbury
Plain; Wandering Albatross and fur seals at Prion Island;
and southern elephant seals, plus King, Macaroni and Gentoo
Penguins along Gold Harbor and other untouched beaches along
the coast. On our visit to the former whaling outpost of Grytviken,
you can pay your respects at the simple grave of Shackleton,
who died here after suffering a heart attack during the Quest
expedition in 1922.
Days
12, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17: South Shetlands and the Peninsula
As
we sail on southward, our naturalists continue their presentations
and informal mealtime chats on the natural wonders you'll
encounter in the coming days. Passing through the South Shetland
island chain, just north of the Antarctic Peninsula, we hope
to stop at Paulet or Elephant Island, home to a large Gentoo
Penguin rookery. It was on Elephant Island that the crew of
Shackleton's Endurance found refuge while he and
five handpicked men carried on in a small open lifeboat, crossing
1,300 km of open sea in order to arrange the rescue of their
comrades. On some departures we're able to sail right into
the sunken volcanic caldera of Deception Island, where adventurous
travelers can test the thermal waters at Pendulum Cove. Our
approach to the Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible part
of the White Continent, brings breathtaking views of snowcapped
mountains, cascading glaciers and massive, flat-topped tabular
icebergs in crystal blue seas. On our planned landings you
can expect to see every manner of fascinating bird life, from
enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins,
to Blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls, Cape Petrels, Snowy Sheathbills
and Antarctic Terns. You may also sight Weddell, crabeater
and leopard seals, along with orcas, and humpback and Minke
whales. As you'll see from the detailed ice charts (which
one of the ship's officers will be happy to explain if you're
interested), there are challenges to navigating the Antarctic
Sound through the area known as Iceberg Alley; we'll try to
loop down for a visit to the large Adélie Penguin colony on
Paulet Island. Your exploration of the continent proper typically
begins at Paradise Bay or nearby Neko Harbor. Depending on
the thickness of the pack ice and iceberg conditions, we venture
into spectacular Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, sailing past
towering rock faces and magnificent glaciers. We also try
to visit one of the many Antarctic research stations in the
region, including Port Lockroy, a former British wartime outpost
and scientific base that now houses a museum (and what is
probably the world's most remote post office, where you can
mail a card home).
Days
18, 19 & 20: Drake Passage and Ushuaia
As
our ship makes the return voyage across the Drake Passage,
we're escorted much of the way by an impressive variety of
seabirds, including magnificent Wandering Albatross, as well
as Giant and Cape Petrels. You'll often spot whales and dolphins
en route as well. Illuminating presentations and lively chats
continue as the Expedition Team reviews the journey and invites
your perspective on all we've seen and experienced. After
docking in Ushuaia, enjoy breakfast on our last morning, then
transfer to town or head directly to the airport for your
flight home or on to other adventures.
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Map courtesy of Quark Expeditions
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Photograph
courtesy of Quark Expeditions
A bull Elephant
Seal is an extremely impressive beast!
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CRUISE DATES & PRICES
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