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polar regions: antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula Cruise is an 11-day comprehensive introduction to the White Continent. Your home base for the expedition is the 104-guest M/V Plancius or the 120-guest M/V Ortelius, from where you'll set foot on glaciers and discover the land that gentoo penguins and imperial shags call home.

The Antarctic Peninsula is part of the Antarctic Continent and is the southern continuation of the mountain chain that runs from North America through South America into the Scotia Sea. Here it continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge, the Scotia Ridge, until it comes above sea-level at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The peninsula consists of a 500-mile-long mountain chain, the highest peaks rising to approximately 9,186 feet, and numerous off-lying islands. The Peninsula offers the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Visitors are easily overcome by sensory overload by the huge amount of icebergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.

The history of Antarctica's discovery runs parallel to that of the South Shetland Islands. Here, exploitation was again the major force behind the early explorations. Today, 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.

On this Antarctica expedition, you'll experience the continent's rich wildlife and learn its history from experienced naturalists and guide on board. The Antarctic Peninsula Cruise is the quintessential Antarctica voyage - experience the wonder!

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

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the 11-day itinerary, shorter 10-day routes are available. The March 15-24, 2013 10-day departure has a special focus on whale-watching, wildlife and photography. Please call AdventureSmith for more details.

10-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Ushuaia
Days 2-3 - At Sea
Days 4-7 - Antarctica Exploration
Days 8-9 - At Sea
Day 10 - Ushuaia

Itinerary Notes: 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.

Included: All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; Free use of rubber boots aboard Plancius & Ortelius and snowshoes aboard Plancius; 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.

Exclusions: 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, including mandatory emergency evacuation insurance; 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).

If world fuel prices will reach or exceed US $120 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.

Room Configurations: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a quadruple, triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth or berths 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.

Families & Children: Children under 16 years old in Superior, Family Triple and/or Family Quadruple cabins receive a 40% discount. Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.

Arrival & Departure: The Antarctic Peninsula Cruise aboard M/V Plancius begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. 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. Plan flights to depart Ushuaia anytime after noon on the final day. Get a free flight quote

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a 20% deposit is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
90 or more days - 20% of the total price
89 to 60 days - 50% of the total price
59 to 0 days - 100% of the total price

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 medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. 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: Daily excursions from the boat will be made in zodiacs. 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. Various add-on activities are available on the Antarctica Peninsula Cruise, depending on departure date/season. For the 2013/14 season, the following may be available: camping $170pp/night, scuba diving $500pp, kayaking $430pp. Contact AdventureSmith Explorations to for details on which activities are available on your specific departure date.

Qualifications: The Antarctic Peninsula Cruise 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. 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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com