trip specifics

price

2013/2014

Due to the size of the continent, Antarctica's diversity is best appreciated on longer voyages. This extended 20-day expedition encompasses the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), as well as the extraordinary beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll experience a great diversity of environments and landscapes, which will provide unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities. Join us for the quintessential Antarctic experience for polar travelers!

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina

Your gateway for this expedition is Ushuaia, Argentina. Nestled within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia offers you a small-town feel but has many shops, museums, cafes and restaurants to enjoy before your voyage. If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby national park and Martial Glacier offer plenty of hiking and outdoor activities.

Accommodations: Hotel Albatros or similar
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Embarkation Day

As we embark, the anticipation and excitement grows. Trade your land legs for sea legs, meet and greet your fellow travelers and get acquainted with your ship. As every Antarctic adventure presents new opportunities and experiences, Embarkation day is just as exciting for your Expedition Team as it is for you. They’re onboard to ensure your comfort and safety, as well as help make your wildlife dreams come true.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: dinner

Day 3 - At Sea

There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify the seabirds that will glide alongside the ship, or attend the illustrated presentations by the Expedition Team. They prepare you for the shore landings and Zodiac cruising that is to come. You’ll also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional kayaking adventures, a truly intimate way to experience the Antarctic.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 4-5 - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Upon arrival in this archipelago your cameras will get their first real workout capturing the abundant wildlife and rugged feel of these remote islands. The Falkland archipelago contains two main islands - East and West, which you'll explore by Zodiac excursions and daily landings. Port Stanley is often a favored landing site, as the town offers a unique British outpost feel to it, complete with a bit of a ramshackle charm. You’ll be free to explore the town, grab a pint at the local pub, or visit numerous churches and museums.

In terms of wildlife, the archipelago is home to Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins. If lucky, you may even spot king penguins here as well! Expect to see black-browed albatross and two endemic species; Cobb’s wren and the Falkland’s flightless steamer duck. Your team of lecturers and specialists will be sure to educate you on the local flora and fauna so that you get the most out of your time in the Falklands.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 6-7 - At Sea

Sailing south, you’ll officially enter Antarctic waters by crossing the invisible biological boundary called the Antarctic Convergence. Encircling the continent, cold Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, creating the abundance of krill and marine life that attracts whales and seals to this part of the world. Ship staff will be sure to keep you posted when your ship crosses this invisible yet important line.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 8-10 - South Georgia

This remote outpost was a popular stop for many historic Antarctic expeditions and was once a haven for hunting whales and elephant and fur seals. Today, South Georgia Island wildlife populations have rebounded, but you’ll still see remnants of those old whaling stations and other abandoned outposts. One significant and historic site that will be of interest is the grave of the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to an old whaling station, a museum, gift shop, church and a research station of approximately 20 scientists and support personnel.

While South Georgia’s history is an important attraction to the islands, it is the wildlife on South Georgia that you and your shipmates will surely find most captivating. Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles, each landing you make on South Georgia will open your eyes to a new wonder of wildlife. One day you may see rookeries with a hundred thousand pairs of king penguins waddling on the beach. The next day you may visit another beach with thousands of fur seals or elephant seals with (non-native) reindeer grazing in the background. The grasses, mountains and beaches of South Georgia all play an important role in the breeding and survival of different species on the island; this fragile and symbiotic relationship is something that your Expedition Team will share with you during your time here.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 11-12 - At Sea

Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with seminars from your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife that will be greeting you upon your arrival in Antarctica. In between presentations, spend time chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar. If conditions allow, the crew may attempt landfall on the South Orkney Islands, which are officially in Antarctica.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 13-16 - South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

The most common reaction to arriving at the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, as few places are as untouched, unique and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete desolation and silence, at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into the brilliant blue sea or a penguin comes waddling by to inspect your footwear.

Guided hikes with the Expedition Team will have you trekking up a glacier, visiting a research station or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, gentoo and Adélie penguins are found here, along with fur, Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals. Curious whales, such as Minkes, are often attracted to Zodiacs as well, giving you a chance to get within reaching distance of these majestic animals. Each day and each landing will present a new collection of creatures to entertain you and keep your camera shutter busy. As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra special Antarctic experience by partaking in an optional (extra cost) kayaking excursion or going for a swim in the Antarctic!

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 17-18 - Crossing the Drake Passage

After more than two weeks of endless wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake Passage is your unofficial rite of passage, which will complete your Antarctic adventure. Enjoy some final moments mingling with your fellow travelers. The noisy, busy, populated world awaits your return, so savor the silence of the sea as long as you can.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Ocean Diamond,or Sea Adventurer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 19 - Disembark Ushuaia

After breakfast aboard the ship, it is time to part ways and say goodbye to your Expedition Team. Transfer to the airport provided for your homeward flight.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the 19-day main itinerary, other Explorers & Kings routes are available:

Nov 2 - 22-day Itinerary via Buenos Aires
Day 1 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 2 - Embark Buenos Aires
Days 3-5 - At Sea
Days 6-7 - Falkland Islands
Days 8-9 - At Sea
Days 10-13 - South Georgia
Days 14-15 - At Sea
Days 16-19 - South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Days 20-21 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 22 - Disembark Ushuaia


Itinerary Notes: Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife encountered. Flexibility is the key to the success of this Explorers & Kings expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands, and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.

Included: One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast, as indicated in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.) All beverages aboard Sea Spirit. All shore landings per the daily program. Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities. All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program. Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled. Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage. A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings. A Quark Expeditions parka – yours to keep. Coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock. Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin. Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. All luggage handling aboard ship. Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.

Exclusions: Airfares to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point; adventure options of kayaking or diving; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; hotel accommodations; supplement for single hotel accommodations; meals while in Ushuaia; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided). Note: Should the price of marine fuel increase dramatically, we may have to institute a fuel surcharge.

An all-inclusive (all beverages) and a non-alcoholic beverage package ($595 and $275, respectively, 2013/14 season) are available on all departures aboard the Ocean Diamond and Sea Adventurer ships. Choose from alcoholic beverages including a wide selection of domestic and imported beers, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails and two varieties of red and white wine. Non-alcoholic drinks include unlimited soft drinks, water and juice. Beverages are included aboard Sea Spirit.

Room Configurations: 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 be guaranteed the double rate. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate.

Families & Children: At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times, and may not participate in adventure options.

Arrival & Departure: Your Antarctica Explorers & Kings cruise begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. Plan flights to arrive (USH) at any time on day 1 of the outlined itinerary and outbound flights to depart no earlier than 12 noon on the final day. Get a free flight quote.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of 20% (minimum $1,000 per person) is required to confirm a reservation on this Antarctic voyage. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Payments by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card are accepted. All prices and payments are in US dollars, and no other currencies can be accepted.

Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
180 days or more - $1000 per person admin fee
179 to 120 days - per person deposit amount is forfeited.
119 days or less - all deposits and tariffs, whether paid or not, are due and forfeited

Terms & Conditions: 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 and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: Emergency evacuation insurance, to a maximum benefit per paying traveler of $100,000 USD, is included in the cost of this trip. In addition to the emergency evacuation insurance, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. 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. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: Kayaking, mountaineering, snowshoeing and/or photography may be available on your Antarctic Explorer cruise. The following table details what activities may be available on each departure and their per-person cost. Key: (K) kayaking $950 Sea Spirit/Sea Adventurer, $895 Ocean Diamond; (S) snowshoeing included; (P) photography included; (M) mountaineering $595. Please call AdventureSmith for more details and to reserve activity space.

Nov 14 - Dec 02, 2013 - K, P, S
Nov 23 - Dec 11, 2013 - K, S
Dec 17 - Jan 05, 2014 - K, S

Qualifications: Explorers & Kings 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.

Guest Lecturers: The Nov. 2 voyage features the first-ever Floating Polar Film Festival, with diverse program of documentaries, curated by Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary film festival. Special guests include "Chasing Ice" director Jeff Orlowski. The Nov. 14 - Dec. 02, 2013 departure is a Special Interest Voyage with guest host, Patricia Schultz, author of the best selling book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."


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