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Peregrine Travel Centre

Antarctica: the Last Untouched Continent

Antarctica: the Last Untouched Continent

From USD $22,600

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Description

Join us for a journey to the last untouched continent including a visit to breathtaking South Georgia. Huge King Penguin colonies, its whaling history and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition with the Endurance make South Georgia special. Antarctica offers spectacular icebergs and calving glaciers, as well as the possibility of up-close encounters with penguins ashore, seals sunbathing on slow-moving ice floes, and humpback or minke whales surfacing close to the ship. Weather depending, we will take daily Zodiac departures in Antarctica and cruise amidst colorful icebergs, or step ashore to visit a variety of penguin rookeries and research stations on excursions led by our team of natural history experts. Go kayaking in Antarctica under the guidance of certified instructors, and cross the incredible Drake Passage to look for pelagic birds, including petrels and prions. Throughout the voyage, learn about the geology, wildlife and history of this spectacular area from lecture presentations offered by your knowledgeable on board Expedition Team.

Trip Name
Antarctica: the Last Untouched Continent
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 157 m Passenger Capacity: 200/260 Built: 1994 Refurbished & Rebranded: 2017 After extensive refurbishment, Silver Cloud will be the most spacious and comfortable ice class vessel in expedition cruising. Her large suites, her destination itineraries and her unparalleled service make her truly special. Her five dining options will tantalise your taste buds and as 80% of her suites include a veranda, watching a breaching whale or a few cavorting penguins has never been so personal. Broad sweeping decks with multiple open spaces and a swimming pool complete what is surely the most distinctive expedition ship sailing today. A limited number of guests, particularly with just 200 in polar waters, mean that Silver Cloud has the highest space to guest and crew to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 18 zodiacs, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous explorations. Finally, a team of 19 passionate and dedicated experts are always at hand to ensure your voyage is enhanced every step of the way. DECK 09 - Observation Lounge, Jogging Track DECK 08 - Pool, Pool Bar, Hot Rocks, The Panorama Lounge, The Connoisseur’s Corner DECK 07 - La Terrazza, The Spa at Silversea, Beauty Salon, The Library DECK 06 - Lecture Theatre, The Fitness Centre, Reception/Guest Relations, Expedition Desk DECK 05 - The Bar, Boutique, Casino DECK 04 - Main Restaurant, Le Champagne, Launderette

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 SANTIAGO
Arrive in Santiago and overnight accommodation included in cruise fare, name tbc.
Day 2 - Day 2 SANTIAGO - USHUAIA
Group transfer from hotel to airport for early morning charter flight to Ushuaia. Group transfer from the airport to Pier in Ushuaia for embarkation of the ship.At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina's northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego's historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk'nam, and Alakaluf Indians.
Day 3 - Days 3 to 5 AT SEA
While we're at sea, enjoy wine tastings, designer boutiques, language and dance classes. Take in a matinee movie, check the market or your e-mail in the Internet Point, slip away with a novel from the library to a sunny chaise or with a movie to your suite. Or just take in the sun pool side. The choice is yours.
Day 4 - Days 6 to 8 SOUTH GEORGIA
South Georgia is a breathtaking destination of towering snow-covered mountains, mighty glaciers, and low-lying grasslands that attract an astounding concentration of wildlife. It is possible to find Southern fur seals, Southern elephant seals and a variety of albatross species including Black-browed, Light-mantled Sooty, Grey-headed and the spectacular Wandering Albatross, plus thousands of King and Macaroni Penguins. South Georgia is also linked to the early Antarctic explorers.
Day 5 - Days 9 & 10 AT SEA
While we're at sea, enjoy wine tastings, designer boutiques, language and dance classes. Take in a matinee movie, check the market or your e-mail in the Internet Point, slip away with a novel from the library to a sunny chaise or with a movie to your suite. Or just take in the sun pool side. The choice is yours.
Day 6 - Day 11 ELEPHANT ISLAND
Awesome glaciers flecked with pink algae can be seen approaching Elephant Island — so named either for its elephant-like appearance or for sightings of elephant seals here. Elephant Island is home to several Chinstrap Penguin rookeries, as well as 2,000-year-old moss colonies. Weddell seals and Macaroni Penguins can also be spotted. In 1916, when Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was crushed in pack ice in the Weddell Sea, the crew was stranded here for more than 4 months finding shelter under two upturned lifeboats on the spit of land Shackleton’s men named ‘Point Wild’.
Day 7 - Day 12 ANTARCTIC SOUND
The Antarctic Sound is a stretch of water named after the first ship to have passed through this body of water from the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea in 1902. The Antarctic eventually sank and crew and scientists had to spend quite some time in this area before they could be rescued. Sites that have to do with this story - like Hope Bay or Paulet Island - are sometimes visited. At Paulet, Hope Bay and Brown Bluff Adelie and Gentoo Penguins breed, as do Kelp Gulls and Cape Petrels, Snow Petrels and Skuas.
Day 8 - Day 13 ANTARCTICA PENINSULA
Remote and otherworldly, Antarctica is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness.
Day 9 - Day 14 ANTARCTICA SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
Some 770 kilometers (478 miles) south of Cape Horn, the South Shetland Islands are usually the first land seen in Antarctica. Separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait, nine major islands make up the group. The region was the first to be exploited by sealers in the early 19th century, and because of its proximity to South America, it still is the most visited by scientists and tourists. Chinstrap, Adelie, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins all breed here.
Day 10 - Day 15 & 16 DRAKE PASSAGE
The Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas due to the westerly winds and the funneling effect of the passage. The Antarctic Convergence, a natural boundary where cold polar water flows northward and warmer equatorial water moves southward, is within the Drake Passage. When these two currents meet, nutrients are pushed to the surface, often attracting a multitude of seabirds and whales. Black-browed Albatross, Sooty Shearwaters and White-chinned Petrels glide in the air currents alongside and in the wake of the ship.
Day 11 - Day 17 USHUAIA
Disembarkation of the ship after breakfast, group transfer to the airport for charter flight to Santiago.
Day 12 - Please Note:
Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $22,600Vista Suite. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $28,200Veranda Suite. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $84,100Owner's Suite 2 Bedroom. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $29,700Deluxe Veranda Suite. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $48,700Medallion Suite. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $54,200Silver Suite. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $56,800Royal Suite 1 Bedroom. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $59,600Grand Suite 1 Bedroom. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $68,400Owner's Suite 1 Bedroom. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $77,100Royal Suite 2 Bedroom. From
03-01-202019-01-2020USD $79,400Grand Suite 2 Bedroom. From

Inclusions

    • South Georgia – In South Georgia we will land at old whaling stations, depending on landing conditions hope to visit a huge King Penguin colony, see the South Georgia Museum in Grytviken and do Zodiac cruises looking for wildlife.
    • Antarctic Sound, Antarctica – We will travel to see tabular icebergs in the Antarctic Sound. The Sound is referred to romantically as the “parking lot” for these massive continental icebergs, which rise out of the water like giant white-blue blocks. Depending on ice conditions Zodiac cruises and a landing might be possible.
    • Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica – We will explore the Antarctic Peninsula from the Silver Cloud, on Zodiac cruises and via landings to see seals and penguin colonies. This promontory of land is the furthest-north extension of mainland Antarctica. Your excursions will be expertly planned by your Captain and Expedition Leader according to weather and ice conditions.
    • South Shetland Islands, Antarctica – Several landing sites and remains of whaling stations can be found in the South Shetland Islands. This grouping of islands is 75 miles north of the Antarctic Peninsula and holds sixteen research stations run by Argentina, the US, Chile, Spain and several other countries. Sites for your activities will be selected based on weather and ice conditions.
    • Drake Passage – We will pass through the Drake Passage, a 600-mile wide expanse that marks the convergence of the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans. This is an excellent area for whale-watching and pelagic birding. Look for albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels, as well as Cape Petrels, prions and storm-petrels.
    • Kayaking in Antarctica – Silver Cloud offers the opportunity to kayak in a small group under the guidance of certified kayak instructors. These special excursions are a chance to appreciate the wilds of Antarctica in peaceful silence.
    • Cultural Highlights: As permits are available, meet the scientists and other residents of scientific stations to get updated on their state-of-the-art Antarctic research.
    • Wildlife Watch List: Penguins (Gentoo, Chinstrap, King, and Adelie Penguins), Seals (Antarctic fur seals, Southern elephant seals, Weddell seals, crabeater seals and leopard seals), Whales (humpback whales, Minke whales, Sei whales, fin whales, pilot whales, orcas), Birds of note: Blue-eyed Shag, Black-browed Albatross, Wandering Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Cape Petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Snowy Sheathbill, Antarctic Terns, Arctic Terns

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