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Peregrine Travel Centre

South Georgia & Antarctica Fly Both Ways Cruise

South Georgia & Antarctica Fly Both Ways Cruise

From USD $16,295

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Description

This is our most far-reaching polar expedition and includes visits to three different locations. The sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands and the island of South Georgia are home to a proliferation of unique wildlife and birdlife. There are penguin rookeries with more than 100,000 nesting birds and the beaches are covered with fur seals and elephant seals. Seabirds, including many of the albatross species call these islands home, nesting and raising their young in this wild and remote environment. Both locations feature a fascinating history and stunning scenery.

To the south lies Antarctica – the frozen continent and our final destination on this outstanding voyage. Icebergs in all shapes and sizes fill the waters, and yet more unique wildlife can be found living in sizable colonies. The waters are full of life and we frequently encounter whales including humpback, minke and orca.

On this voyage, our days are spent exploring on shore in the company of expert guides – including naturalists, marine biologists, ornithologists and adventurers as well as our resident photography professional. Cruising in our inflatable Zodiac boats is another memorable activity. For the adventurers, we provide plenty of opportunities to explore on long hikes ashore, or by sea kayak. The clever use of timesaving flights on this departure means you maximize your time in the key locations. The perfect option for those short on time.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This itinerary includes a complimentary post-voyage hotel night in Punta Arenas for all guests returning from voyages that conclude at King George Island. This evening is at your leisure. Punta Arenas is home to some cozy restaurants, cafes and bars – including the historic ‘Shackleton Bar’ at the Hotel Jose Nogueira – a fitting location to reflect on your journey to Antarctica.

Your voyage also includes scheduled flight to Stanley (Falkland Islands) and special charter flight from King George Island (Antarctica) back to Punta Arenas (Chile).

Trip Name
South Georgia & Antarctica Fly Both Ways Cruise
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 117 metres Passenger Capacity: 96 Built: 1989 The Akademik Ioffe is modern, comfortable, safe and ice strengthened. From small group sessions to briefings for all passengers, we have public spaces onboard the ship ideally suited for each and every need. A separate lounge and bar, as well as a library provide ideal places to sit and relax or catch up on some reading. A selection of movies and documentaries can also be watched in the lounge. The sumptuous meals prepared for you by our culinary team are enjoyed in our dining room, which can host all passengers in a single seating and will keep you feeling healthy and strong for the myriad of activities offered throughout the voyage. Other facilities include the theatre style presentation room, gift-shop, fitness room, massage room, hot water spa, sauna and plunge pool. There’s also a dedicated expedition ‘mud-room’ where you prepare for your off-ship excursions. Features: Superior Comfort and Stability Highest standards of Marine Safety Comfortable Bar Bridge Communications Dining Room Fitness and Fitness Room Gift Shop Wellness Centre Presentation Room Top Deck and Observatory Multimedia Room

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 / PUNTA ARENAS (CHILE) – FALKLAND ISLANDS
Our journey commences this morning in the southern Chileancity of Punta Arenas. We meet at a central location beforetransferring to the airport for our scheduled flight to Stanley inthe Falkland Islands. (This flight is included in the price of yourvoyage). After a short 90-minute journey we are met on arrivaland transferred to the pier. Stanley is currently home to just over2,000 residents and is reminiscent of a rural town in coastalBritain. It is charming with brightly colored houses, prettyflower-filled gardens, a quaint cathedral and several local pubs.There is time to explore the town, before ship embarkation.After settling in to our cabins and exploring the ship, we meetour expedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in theair as we enjoy a welcome cocktail, dinner and cast off for theadventure of a lifetime
Day 2 - DAY 2 / SEA LION ISLAND AND BLEAKER ISLAND
Overnight we have navigated down the eastern coast ofthe Falkland Islands. Approaching Sea Lion Island, we firstnote the very barren and windswept landscape, exposed tothe prevailing weather that originates in the Drake Passage.We launch the zodiacs and go ashore to view the incrediblediversity of wildlife found at this location. Three species ofpenguin including gentoo, magellanic and rockhopper, as wellas southern elephant seals and South American sea lionsare known to inhabit the area. King cormorants and striatedcaracaras are just some of the bird species we expect to see.Weather permitting, we may have time to visit neighboringBleaker Island - another settlement on the exposed southeasterncoast of the Falklands - equally rich in wildlife.DAYS 3-4 / AT SEA – TOWARDS SOUTH GEORGIAWe chart a southeasterly course bound for South Georgia.The seabirds once again join us in the Southern Ocean. Oureducational presentations continue and are always popular.History is a key theme of this voyage and the epic story of SirErnest Shackleton and the HMS Endurance expedition is centralto any trip to South Georgia. Perhaps you will pick up somevaluable tips from our onboard photographic guide,learning about image composition, the subtle polar light and allthe basics of good camera craft. We will also learn about Polarconservation - a theme particularly close to the hearts of ourguides and crew.
Day 3 - DAYS 3-4 / AT SEA – TOWARDS SOUTH GEORGIA
We chart a southeasterly course bound for South Georgia.The seabirds once again join us in the Southern Ocean. Oureducational presentations continue and are always popular.History is a key theme of this voyage and the epic story of SirErnest Shackleton and the HMS Endurance expedition is centralto any trip to South Georgia. Perhaps you will pick up somevaluable tips from our onboard photographic guide, learning about image composition, the subtle polar light and allthe basics of good camera craft. We will also learn about Polarconservation - a theme particularly close to the hearts of ourguides and crew.
Day 4 - DAY 5-8 / EXPLORATION OF SOUTH GEORGIA
South Georgia has often been called the ‘Serengeti of theSouthern Ocean’ – and as we approach the deep bays of thisrugged, rocky outcrop, you will begin to see why. Launching theZodiacs we begin our exploration of the island, in the vicinity ofElsehul Bay. Large numbers of fur seals and the much largerelephant seal will line the dark sand beaches. Living in thetussock grass, king penguins and their chicks may number upto 100,000 birds in some locations, including Salisbury Plain,St Andrews Bay and Gold Harbour. The island is also home tolarge numbers of nesting albatross as they fill the skies above,coming and going from the nest.South Georgia is a thrilling location for history lovers and therusting relics of the early whaling industry are all around us.We hope to observe several of the old stations at locationsincluding Leith, Husvik and Stromness. A highlight is a visit toGrytviken – the largest of the whaling stations, situated at thehead of Cumberland Bay. It is here we visit the gravesite of SirErnest Shackleton. For many, being in the presence of the greatexplorer will be a highlight of the trip. An excellent museum atGrytviken, maintained by the South Georgia Heritage Trust andthe restored church built by the original Norwegian whalersprovides a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Day 5 - DAYS 9-11 / AT SEA – TOWARDS ANTARCTICA
Weather and ice will dictate our crossing of the Scotia Sea fromSouth Georgia to Antarctica. As with all of our itinerary planning,our Expedition Leader and Captain will make a decision basedon the sea and ice conditions at the time. The South OrkneyIsland group represent the peaks of a submarine mountainrange called the Scotia Arc, connecting South Georgia to theSouth Shetland Islands. Often shrouded in fog and surrounded by ice much of the year, a chance to visit these islands doesn’tcome often. As we edge ever closer to the frozen continent,large icebergs announce our arrival in Antarctic waters. Ifconditions allow, we hope to see the dark cliffs of ElephantIsland appear on the horizon. Shackleton and his men wereencamped here for many months, having lost HMS Endurancein the thick sea ice, far to the south in the Weddell Sea in1915. From the tiny beach at Point Wild, Shackleton and sixcompanions set off on the rescue mission to South Georgia,aboard the tiny lifeboat, James Caird. To this day, the epicocean crossing is considered one of the greatest in history.If conditions allow, we will attempt a landing at Point Wild onElephant Island.
Day 6 - DAYS 12 - 16 / SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTICA PENINSULA
Around 60 miles off the coast of the Antarctic mainland wefind the South Shetland Island chain. Possible landing sitescould include King George Island, Half Moon Island or YankeeHarbour. Weather conditions permitting we sail the ship intothe flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. There aresome outstanding hikes at these locations and the old whalingstation and aircraft hangar at Deception Island beg for furtherexploration.After so much anticipation, we enter the icy waters of theAntarctic Peninsula in the vicinity of Mikkelson Harbour or CiervaCove. Snow covered mountains soar from the dark waters.Along the shoreline in the bays and harbors of the Peninsulalives an incredible abundance of wildlife. Large rookeries arehome to chinstrap, gentoo and Adelie penguins. Seals live onthe ice floes, including the powerful leopard seal that we hopeto encounter. Gulls, skuas and cormorants are also foundnesting and feeding at many sites along the Antarctic Peninsula.We explore by Zodiac boat and ashore where a range ofexciting activities await. Locations we hope to visit includeWilhelmina Bay, Orne Harbour, Cuverville Island and theErrera Channel. Join the photographic guide taking picturesof stunning icebergs. Or enjoy a hike to the top of a snowymountain saddle with one of our adventure guides. If theopportunity presents itself, visit a science base or an old historichut. The sea kayakers may range up to several miles from theship, for a truly memorable experience. As our voyage comesto an end we chart a course for King George Island. Tonightwe celebrate our voyage with a special dinner attended by theCaptain of the ship.
Day 7 - DAY 17 / KING GEORGE ISLAND (ANTARCTICA) – RETURN TO SOUTH AMERICA – OVERNIGHT PUNTA ARENAS
This morning we say goodbye to our expedition team andtransfer ashore by Zodiac. We walk from the shore landing sitepast the Chilean research station and up towards the airstripwhere we board our special charter flight. This flight takes alittle over two hours and is included in the price of your voyage.Upon arrival into Punta Arenas a transfer from the airport intotown is provided. IMPORTANT NOTE: This itinerary includes a complimentarypost-voyage hotel night in Punta Arenas for all guests returningfrom voyages that conclude at King George Island. Thisevening is at your leisure. Punta Arenas is home to some cozyrestaurants, cafes and bars – including the historic ‘ShackletonBar’ at the Hotel Jose Nogueira – a fitting location to reflect onyour journey to Antarctica.
Day 8 - DAY 18 / PUNTA ARENAS – DEPART
After breakfast and check-out, make your own way to theairport for your onward journey. (We recommend you bookflights after midday). Otherwise, why not continue yourexploration of Patagonia. Just a few hours north, lies thecelebrated Torres del Paine National Park – home to toweringpeaks, glaciers and spectacular wilderness - a paradise forhikers and nature lovers.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Polar exploration can be unpredictable. Specific sites visited will depend on prevailing weather and ice conditions at thetime of sailing. The above itinerary should be read as a ‘guide only’ and may change. The ship’s Captain in conjunction with the Expedition Leadercontinually review the sailing plan throughout the voyage, making adjustments to the itinerary along the way to take advantage of optimal weatherand ice conditions or to maximize our encounters with wildlife. Decades of experience spent exploring these waterways mean we have a largenumber of outstanding landing sites and zodiac cruising locations to consider, even when the weather conditions may not be ideal or when heavyice may hinder our planned route. A flexible approach is something we encourage you to bring to the ship.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
02-02-201918-02-2019USD $0Main Deck Triple
02-02-201918-02-2019USD $0Twin Semi Private
02-02-201918-02-2019USD $0Twin Private
02-02-201918-02-2019USD $0Superior
02-02-201918-02-2019USD $0Shackleton Suite
02-02-201918-02-2019USD $0One Ocean Suite

Inclusions

    • Fantastic glaciated scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia
    • Outstanding wildlife observation on shore, zodiac cruising and from the ship
    • Visits to historic sites and science stations
    • Learn about the environment, wildlife, history and ecology from polar experts

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