fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

The Great White Continent – An Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula

The Great White Continent – An Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula

From GBP £11,995

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Even today after many decades of exploration, Antarctica remains a world apart, a majestic last frontier surpassing even the most jaded of travellers’ expectations. Join us aboard the MS Island Sky and follow in the footsteps of researchers, pioneers, adventurers and discoverers on this expedition cruise to the seventh continent. It is hard to put into words the sheer grandeur of an Antarctic landscape. This most southern of continents, this desert of ice, is so unique and uncommon to man’s experience, that even the most dramatic of photographs pale into insignificance when one is confronted by the sheer magnitude, beauty and wonder of an Antarctic landscape. Enormous icebergs rise from the sea, hillsides are covered with thousands of penguins and seals basking on icebergs dot the channels and straits we will sail though; the sights, sounds and emotions will stay with you forever.
For most travellers the Antarctic experience is a once in a lifetime visit, it is therefore important that the trip should be as rewarding as possible and the 100-passenger MS Island Sky is the perfect vessel both in terms of the educational experience on board and the number of opportunities to go ashore. Antarctica is to be experienced, not just to be seen, and we believe the only way to do this is on board a small ship. Our indepth itinerary allows for ten days of exploration on the Peninsula and has been timed for late summer when whale sightings are at their peak, the penguin chicks begin to fledge and brave their first swim and the snow algae is in bloom. In between our landings and while at sea, you can pass the time on deck looking for wildlife, attend the series of lectures by members of the expedition team and simply relax on board enjoying the facilities.

Trip Name
The Great White Continent - An Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula
Days
20
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person PLEASE NOTE - DECK PLANS CAN VARY.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 - Day 2 Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free to relax in the hotel or maybe join an orientation tour of the city including the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall) before we continue towards the most traditional neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. End the tour in La Boca to look around the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. The evening is free for independent exploration.
Day 3 - Day 3 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky and start our adventure this evening as we cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Day 4 - Days 4 & 5 At Sea.
Start your voyage with two leisurely days on board. Attend some lectures, look for wildlife or simply relax as we make our way across the Drake Passage towards Antarctica. Named after the 16th century English seaman, Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage separates the southernmost tip of South America from Antarctica. This is a particularly good area to spot many species of seabirds including the black-browed albatross, cape petrel and Antarctic prion and we will also be on the lookout for whales.
Day 5 - Days 6 to 15 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands.
We have ten days of exploration around the Peninsula which will include many of the best places to see the vast biodiversity of Antarctic species and iconic icy environments from glaciers to enormous tabular icebergs. Whilst we arrive with a planned itinerary, the final schedule will be determined by our Captain and the Expedition Leader based on sea, weather and ice conditions. Using our Zodiacs we will make daily landings and we have planned sites to see gentoo, chinstrap and hopefully Adelie penguins, as well as elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals, crabeater seals, Weddell seals and, if we are lucky, the iconic predator leopard seals at this busy time of year when the penguins are fledging. We will weave through the South Shetlands and hope to visit inside the caldera of Deception Island, stopping at Whaler’s Bay with its enormous whale oil storage tanks from its historic heyday. We cross the Bransfield and explore the islands around the Gerlache Strait, a body of water rich in plankton and humpback whales feeding in the summer months. Depending on ice conditions, we hope to travel through the Lemaire Channel down to Peterman Island with a vista that has an edge-of-the-world feeling. We have requested permission to visit a working Antarctic research station and will hopefully have the opportunity to send a postcard from the UK base of Port Lockroy. Through the Errera and Neumayer channels, surrounded by high white peaks, we will search for orcas and enjoy the grandeur of the white wilderness.
Day 6 - Days 16 & 17 At Sea.
Enjoy a final two leisurely days on board and reminisce with your fellow travellers about all you have seen and experienced during our expedition. If we are lucky, we may have albatross and giant petrels scouring our wake.
Day 7 - Day 18 Ushuaia to Buenos Aires.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is free for independent exploration.
Day 8 - Day 19 Buenos Aires to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 9 - Day 20 London.
Arrive this morning.
Day 10 - Please note:
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in Antarctica. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £11,995Magellan Deck Standard Single
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £11,995Magellan Deck Standard Suite
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £12,295Columbus Deck Superior Single
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £12,295Columbus Deck Superior Suite
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £12,495Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £12,795Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £12,995Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £13,495Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
10-02-202501-03-2025GBP £13,995Explorer Deck Island Suite

Inclusions

    • Buenos Aires: Explore the vibrant city with highlights such as the historic Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo's cobblestoned streets, and the colorful zinc houses of La Boca.
    • Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands: Experience ten days of Antarctic exploration, witnessing diverse wildlife including penguins, seals, and whales, and visiting iconic sites like Deception Island and Lemaire Channel.
    • Drake Passage: Enjoy the adventure of crossing the Drake Passage, spotting seabirds like the black-browed albatross and cape petrel, and keeping an eye out for whales in this rich marine area.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Argentina
More of activity:
Antarctica Cruises