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Peregrine Travel Centre

Antarctica – Land of Heroes Expedition Cruise

Antarctica – Land of Heroes Expedition Cruise

From GBP £14,495

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Description

Antarctica has produced more than its fair share of heroes. It is a land that has consistently challenged and inspired men of extraordinary character to deeds requiring extreme courage. The expeditions of Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton, Ross, Byrd and many others are a shining example of honour, strength and perseverance which today still inspire us and it will be a privilege to explore these same waters aboard the 118-passenger MS Island Sky. Our expedition combines the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula with the Falkland Islands and magnificent South Georgia. Even today after many decades of exploration, Antarctica still remains a world apart, a majestic last frontier surpassing even the most jaded of travellers’ expectations. 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 bask on icebergs dotted in the ocean; the sights, sounds and emotions will stay with you forever. Our expedition begins with two days in the Falkland Islands, a truly enchanting place with a unique character and staggering wildlife. This is the last sanctuary of the elegant albatross which soars graciously against the blue sky, with colonies of elephant seals basking at the foot of vertiginous cliffs. We continue to South Georgia where you will experience one of the world’s natural wonders, the ‘Alps in mid-ocean’, offering remarkable concentrations of wildlife against a backdrop of glaciers and snowcovered mountains. Hugging the coast to the wildest reaches of the island we will land on beaches alive with rampaging fur seals, somnolent elephant seals and truly astonishing numbers of King penguins. We have three days of exploration in this unique animal paradise and using the Zodiacs there will be landings each day allowing you the optimum time ashore to experience this rich animal kingdom. The final landings of our expedition will be on the Antarctic Peninsula where we have ample time to discover the icy wonders and wonderful array of wildlife before we sail to Ushuaia.

Trip Name
Antarctica – Land of Heroes Expedition Cruise
Days
24
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 Buenos Aires
Arrive this morning and transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free to relax or join an orientation tour of the city including the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo 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. Our guided tour will end in La Boca where we will see the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists.
Day 2 - Day 2 Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Trelew and transfer to the MS Island Sky moored in Puerto Madryn. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Day 3 - Days 3 & 4 En-Route to the Falkland Islands.
Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are albatrosses, prions and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our expedition team will be out on deck looking for whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area. During our two days of sailing, our onboard experts will begin their presentations with informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history and geology of the Falkland Islands and the Southern Ocean. We hope to arrive in the Falkland Islands in the evening of Day 5 and if time permits make our first landing ashore.
Day 4 - Days 5 & 6 Falkland Islands.
The Falkland Islands are isolated and windswept, a haven for wildlife. Weather and wind conditions allowing, we may land on Steeple Jason, the north western outpost with the world’s largest colony of black-browed albatross. See the rockhopper penguin colony and black-browed albatross on West Point Island whilst Grave Cove is home to the largest colony of gentoo penguins in the Falkland Islands. We also plan to call at Port Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands, and discover some of the historic sites there from the museums to the battlefields.
Day 5 - Days 7 & 8 The Southern Ocean.
As we cruise towards South Georgia the richness of these waters will be evident in the marine mammal life, especially the fur seals on fishing forays. We have a good chance of spotting whales such as fins and minkies whilst the birds circling our stern will be outstanding, especially the large albatrosses and numerous breeds of petrels.
Day 6 - Days 9 to 11 South Georgia.
We have three days of expedition cruising in and around South Georgia, a paradise island with snow-clad mountain peaks rising 9000 feet and with 165 glaciers tumbling down towards the sea. We arrive early in the season when parts of the island will still be covered by a thin layer of snow. For anyone interested in wildlife, South Georgia is a true oasis. The beaches will be covered by elephant seal bulls and females with feeding pups. They share the beach with a myriad of nesting king penguins. Most of the other sea birds will have arrived and begun nesting whilst millions of fur seals return to the beaches to breed. During our time here we hope to visit Salisbury Plain where we will find enormous elephant seals which crowd the beaches alongside thousands of pairs of king penguins. On Prion Island we visit the nesting place of the world’s largest flying seabird, the wandering albatross and in Fortuna Bay we will see nesting light mantled sooty albatrosses and hope to witness their gracious courting flights. A few thousand king penguins also nest here. Meanwhile in Grytviken we will visit the old whaling station and of course pay our respect at the grave of ‘the boss’ – Ernest Shackleton.
Day 7 - Days 12 & 13 At sea.
The waters between South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula are rich with fin whales, where in good conditions we have seen as many as a hundred in a day. If not whale watching, lookout for Antarctic petrel, Kerguelen petrel and one of the most beautiful birds of the Southern Ocean, the snow petrel. The icebergs will also become more plentiful as we sail south. During our time at sea you can also join the lecture programme to learn more about the wildlife and history of the region.
Day 8 - Days 14 to 18 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands.
We have five days of exploration around the Peninsula which will include many of the best places for wildlife and magnificent scenery. 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 for unique close encounters with animals such as Adelie and gentoo penguins, fur seals and petrels. We hope to visit the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay, Petermann Island, home to numbers of Adelie penguins, picturesque Neko Harbour, the Lemaire Channel where towering icebergs rise from the sea and Half Moon Island with its rookery of chinstrap penguins. We also hope to sail through the breathtaking Antarctic Sound, also known as ‘iceberg alley’, where massive icebergs drift north from the continent.
Day 9 - Days 19 & 20 The Drake Passage.
Two days to relax on board and reminisce with your fellow travellers about all you have seen and experienced during our expedition. Enjoy a lecture, look for wildlife or simply relax as we make our way across the Drake Passage toward Ushuaia. 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 royal albatross and blue petrel and we will also be on the lookout for pods of sperm whales. We will arrive on the final evening in Ushuaia and berth overnight.
Day 10 - Day 21 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. This evening we will attend a tango show with dinner.
Day 11 - Day 22 Buenos Aires
Check out of the hotel after breakfast and continue with your onward travel plans.
Day 12 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.
Day 13 - Day 24 London.
Arrive this morning.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £14,495Magellan Deck Standard Suite
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £15,495Columbus Deck Superior Suite
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £16,495Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £16,995Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £18,795Magellan Deck Standard Single
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £18,895Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £19,995Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £20,795Columbus Deck Superior Single
20-12-202412-01-2025GBP £21,495Explorer Deck Island Suite

Inclusions

    • Antarctic Sound & Brown Bluff
    • Salisbury Plain, South Georgia
    • Elephant Island

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