destination
antarctica
Antarctic Peninsula aboard Plancius
trip specifics
price
2011/2012 - 11 Day
|
Plancius |
Price |
|
Quadruple |
$6,590 |
|
Twin/porthole |
$7,790 |
|
Twin/window |
$8,090 |
|
Twin/deluxe |
$8,650 |
|
Superior |
$9,550 |
2011/2012 - 11 Day
|
Ortelius |
Price |
|
Quadruple |
$6,290 |
|
Twin non Priv |
$7,450 |
|
Twin/porthole |
$8,650 |
|
Twin/window |
$9,050 |
|
Superior |
$10,650 |
|
Suite |
$11,890 |
2011/2012 - 10 Day
|
Plancius |
High |
Low |
|
Quadruple |
$6,590 |
$5,290 |
|
Twin/porthole |
$7,790 |
$6,190 |
|
Twin/window |
$8,090 |
$6,490 |
|
Twin/deluxe |
$8,650 |
$6,890 |
|
Superior |
$9,550 |
$7,550 |
Low Season: Mar 20-29
Fuel Supplement May Apply
Dive option $420 pp
Kayak option $350 includes dry suit
Camping option $85 pp 2012/2013 - 11 Day
|
Plancius |
Price |
|
Quadruple |
$7,650 |
|
Triple/porthole |
$8,350 |
|
Twin/porthole |
$9,050 |
|
Twin/window |
$9,490 |
|
Twin/deluxe |
$9,990 |
|
Superior |
$11,150 |
2012/2013 - 10 Day
|
Plancius |
Price |
|
Quadruple |
$6,890 |
|
Triple/porthole |
$7,550 |
|
Twin/porthole |
$8,190 |
|
Twin/window |
$8,490 |
|
Twin/deluxe |
$9,050 |
|
Superior |
$10,190 |
* March 20, 2013 - Photography & whale voyage
Fuel Supplement May Apply
Dive option $490 pp
Kayak option $400 includes dry suit
Camping option $125 pp duration
11 daystrip dates
Feb 07 - Feb 17, 2012Feb 12 - Feb 22, 2012 †
Feb 17 - Feb 27, 2012
Mar 20 - Mar 29, 2012 *
Feb 07 - Feb 17, 2013
Feb 17 - Feb 26, 2013 *
Mar 20 - Mar 29, 2013 *
* 10 Day Itinerary
† Ortelius
trip level
view explanation
highlights
UshuaiaDrake Passage
Antarctic Convergence
Cuverville Island
Neko Harbor
Paradise Bay
Lemaire Channel
Petermann Island
Melchior Islands
accomm types
Small Ship
special offer
Free Christmas Gift - Leica Utravid HD Binoculars: Book the March 20, 2012 Antarctic Peninsula departure by January 20,... view details
The history of discovery runs parallel to that of the South Shetland Islands. Here, exploitation was again the major force behind the early explorations. Nowadays the Antarctic Peninsula is protected by the Antarctic Treaty, which has been signed by 46 countries. The signatory parties have agreed to abstain for 50 years from recognizing, disputing, or establishing territorial sovereignty claims. The parties also agreed to set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, established freedom of scientific investigation and banned military activity on the continent.
Note:Arriving in Ushuaia the day before departure is highly recommended. We can assist with hotel arrangements if you need it.
Day 1 - Embark in Ushuaia
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: dinner
Days 2&3 - Drake Passage
During these two days sail across the Drake Passage. After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area meet Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. If the winds are favorable, spend the evening of the third day at Aitcho Island or Penguin Island at the South Shetlands. These volcanic islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and southern Giant Petrels.
Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Days 4-8 - Antarctic Peninsula
A typical itinerary in the Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.
Start our first day in Antarctica with a landing at Hannah Point, home to a nice variety of Gentoo Penguins, Chinstraps and southern Giant Petrels, as well as Elephant Seals hauling out on the beach.
Try to land at Deception Island. Deception itself is a sub ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson's Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while our ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune's Bellow into the ring of Deception Island. On our way further South we will sail to Orne Islands with large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait or to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbor and Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We shall have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords.
Sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island offering Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. Try to land at Pleneau Island with Elephant Seals and fair chances to encounter Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales. Head south along the Argentine Islands to Crystal Sound, south of the polar circle. The landscape is very impressive with very high mountains and huge glaciers. At the Fish Islands we land at one of the southernmost Adelie Penguin and Blue-eyed Shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula.
A base visit will also be provided, to give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. At Detaille Island, south of the Polar Circle, in Crystal Sound we reach probably our farthest south. Sailing north again through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait, arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs and sightings of Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.
Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Days 9&10 - Drake Passage
In the Drake Passage again have the chance of seeing many seabirds.
Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 11 - Disembark in Ushuaia
Arrive in the morning and disembark in Ushuaia.
Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast
Notes on Itinerary: 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.
Single Travelers: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate.
Minimum Age for Children: No age requirement, however children over 12 years old must pay full price. -Children must be able to safely navigate a steep gangway, by themselves, in variable conditions. Expedition Leaders will determine if children are allowed on shore excursions and landings. If an Expedition Leader determines a child's participation in these activities is unsafe the child must stay on board, accompanied by an adult. On board our vessels we do not have any children facilities or activities, parents must bring all games, etc. Parents must be aware there is no hospital nearby and it may take several hours, sometimes even days to eventually get to the hospital. Parents are responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board. There is no babysitting available. There is no running around in or outside the vessel. Parents must provide a child’s life vest in order for the child to go into the zodiac.
Arrival/Departure Information: The Antarctic Peninsula Cruise aboard M/V Plancius begins and ends in Ushuaia. Embarkation time is between 4:00 – 5:00pm on day of departure. We strongly advise all passengers to arrive the night prior to departure and get a hotel in Ushuaia to avoid baggage and flight delays. The ship sails around 6:00pm on day of departure. Disembarkation is after breakfast on final day between 8:30 – 9:00am. Please schedule flights based on these time frames. Get a free flight quote.
Land Cost Includes: All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes; Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation); All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Not Included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Fuel Surcharge: If world fuel prices will reach or exceed US $80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure, we reserve the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US $25 per night per passenger, to be paid.
Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on this Antarctic voyage. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. We do NOT accept credit cards for Final Payment. Final payment can be made by check , money order or bank wire transfer. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.
Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctic and Arctic trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received:
Outside 60 days prior to departure deposits are forfeited.
Between 59-30 days prior, 30% of total price is forfeited.
Inside 29 days, all deposits and tariffs are forfeited.
Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Consider Travelex Select or Max policies to ensure the best level of coverage. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.
Vessel Descriptions: Click vessel links above for individual vessel descriptions. Vessels accommodate between 46 - 110 passengers and have ice-strengthened hulls designed specifically for polar travel.
Accommodations and Services Aboard: Vessels accommodate passengers in comfortable cabins. Public areas include a Lounge and bar with facilities for slide shows and lectures; Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where passengers are always welcome. The chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. Inform us of any special dietary requirements; however, note that the galleys unfortunately can not prepare kosher meals. The ship officers and crew are all highly experienced in ice navigation. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.
Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.
General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.
return to top of page
