Falklands - South Georgia - Solar Eclipse - Antarctica aboard Plancius

Description

Don’t miss the chance to see one of Earth’s most wondrous cosmic events in one of Earth’s most fantastic places! An Antarctica viewing of the total solar eclipse is expected December 4, 2021. Though total solar eclipses occur roughly every 18 months, they can only be properly seen along a few key path locations. And what better location than one of the wildest and least-known places on the planet?

Three ships, 19 nights, and one very famous cosmic event
To witness the total eclipse, we’ll position our ships in the center of the moon shadow, at the edge of the sea ice in the Weddell Sea, between the South Orkneys and South Georgia. The ships making this voyage will be our three ice-strengthened vessels: Plancius, Ortelius, and Hondius. The full voyage lasts 19 nights, 20 days, and will visit the Falklands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Conditions of Antarctica’s sea and skies
Our goal on this itinerary is to see the total eclipse, but please keep in mind the polar regions are known for their unpredictability. There’s always the chance overcast skies may hinder visibility and that adverse conditions may alter certain details of the pre-planned route. Plancius and Ortelius are scheduled to make the trip clockwise, while Hondius will make it counter-clockwise.

Trip Name

Falklands - South Georgia - Solar Eclipse - Antarctica aboard Plancius

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 89 metres Passenger Capacity: 108 - 116 Built / refurbished: 1976 / 2009 M/v “Plancius” accommodates 116 passengers in 53 passenger cabins (108 passengers as of season Arctic 2020) with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, all (ca. 12,5 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters). All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two single beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed). The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/v “Plancius” has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation. M/v “Plancius” is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. Our voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible. Plancius fully meets our demands to achieve this. The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the vessel considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 - 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages. M/v “Plancius” is manned by an international crew of 37 (18 nautical crew and 19 hotel crew), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader, 1 assistant expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers), and 1 doctor.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey

Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia,Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet,is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting inthe afternoon, you embark from this small resort town onTierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sailthe mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of theevening.

Day 2 - Day 2: The winged life of the westerlies

Several species of albatross follow the vessel into thewesterlies, along with storm petrels, shearwaters, and divingpetrels.

Day 3 - Day 3: Finding the Falklands

The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily approachable, though caution is always advised.These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species ofbird live here, but chances are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.During this part of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything frombreeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds)live here.Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along withbreeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here.

Day 4 - Day 4: Porting in Port Stanley

The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley offers a little Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, welltendedgardens, and English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby,silent witnesses to the hardships of 19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a visit, covering theearly days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Feel free to wander at will,though be aware that admission fees to local attractions are not included in the voyage.

Day 5 - Day 5 – 6: Once more to the sea

On the way to South Georgia, you cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature gradually cools, and nutritious water risesto the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon sometimes attracts a multitude of seabirds nearthe ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.

Day 6 - Day 7 – 10: South Georgia journey

Today you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can bechallenging, largely dictating the program.You may visit the following sites over the next few days:Fortuna Bay – Near beaches inhabited by various penguins and seals, you have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’sroute to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall,and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams. Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in SouthGeorgia, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals. Only during this time of yeardo they peak in their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil (and occasionally fight) over territorieswhere dozens of females have just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a substantial number of Antarctic furseals here during the breeding season (December – January).Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own theplace – because they basically do. Here you might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.Cooper Bay – A Zodiac cruise in Cooper Bay offers a great opportunity to see macaroni penguins below a large rookery.Numerous fur and elephant seals are found on the beach, while majestic light-mantled albatrosses can be seeing gracefullygliding above.

Day 7 - Day 11: Southward bound

There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the otherseabirds trailing the vessel south.

Day 8 - Day 12: Weddell Sea pack ice & total solar eclipse (Dec 4, early morning)

The ship positions itself in the center of the shadow of the moon, and if possible, some distance into the Scotia Sea drift ice.The ice edge will be about 60°S, 41°W.Some coordinates for the path of the moon’s shadow:7.06 UTC: 58.47.7 S – 42.45.2 W, 1.39 minutes, 8 degrees above horizon7.08 UTC: 60.42.4 S – 40.59.8 W, 1.42 minutes, 9 degrees above horizon7.10 UTC: 62.22.3 S – 39.48.0 W, 1.44 minutes, 11 degrees above horizon

Day 9 - Day 13 – 14: Last push to Antarctica

Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south.Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.

Day 10 - Day 15 – 17: Awe-inspiring Antarctica

If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the easternside of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might alsovisit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the AntarcticContinent itself.If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head intothe Bransfield Strait, between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the AntarcticSound from the northwest.The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often cloaked in mist, but they nonetheless offer many subtlepleasures. A wide variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and fauna (gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins,southern giant petrels) live here.On Deception Island, the ship plunges through Neptune’s Bellows and into the flooded caldera. If a landing here is possible,you will find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and thousands of cape petrels. A number of kelp gulls, brown skuas,south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns can be spotted here too.Your last activities before venturing into the Drake Passage are likely to find you around the northern Gerlache Strait. Oneoption is Cierva Cove and the rugged, ice-gripped mountains of the Davis Coast. Mikkelsen Harbour on the south coast of TrinityIsland is another alternative. Here you may enjoy a gentoo penguin rookery as well as some fine scenic cruising.Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

Day 11 - Day 18 – 19: North by sea

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re greeted by a vast array of seabirds. But they seem alittle more familiar to you now, and you to them.

Day 12 - Day 20: There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but withmemories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Day 13 - Please Note:

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed of m/v Plancius is 10,5 knots.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Discover Falkland Islands & visit Carcass Island & Saunders Island
In South Georgia have an opportunity of exploring Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plain, Grytviken & Cooper Bay
Have a chance to see the total solar eclipse
Enjoy awe-inspiring Antarctica