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Journey Below the Antarctic Circle 2020 (RCGS Resolute)

Journey Below the Antarctic Circle 2020 (RCGS Resolute)

From USD $14,995

Description

This remote stretch of the Antarctic Peninsula is visited for just a few short months each year. From January onwards, seasonal ice conditions give us our best chance of achieving our objective – crossing the Antarctic Circle. Here we witness expansive landscapes, sizable Adelie penguin rookeries and we hope to see the large tabular icebergs that have drifted north from the Bellingshausen Sea. We always anticipate
exciting ice navigation on this expedition. Detaille Island, below the Circle is a spectacular location. The snowy peaks which surround us, soar more than 2,000 metres above the ice-strewn waters. We aim to cross 66 degrees, 33 minutes south of latitude, which officially marks the position of the Antarctic Circle on the global map. We then return north, along the heavily glaciated coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula, passing through the Argentine, Fish and Yalour Island archipelagos along the way and into the Gerlache
Strait and Danco coast region. Several locations in the South Shetland Islands provide yet more fascinating places to explore.

Over the course of the voyage, there is an exciting selection of activities to choose from each and every day – including short or long hikes ashore, visits to historic points of interest and wildlife colonies, Zodiac cruising looking for whales and seals or simply photographing the incredible icebergs. Such activities are enjoyed in the company of our onboard team of wilderness guides, naturalists, marine biologists, historians and photographers.

Please Note: February 14 – 26, 2020 departure is 13 days long.

Trip Name
Journey Below the Antarctic Circle 2020 (RCGS Resolute)
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Expedition Vessel Passenger Capacity: 146 Built: 1993 Named after the HMS Resolute, a British Royal Navy Arctic exploration vessel, as well as the Inuit town of Resolute in Canada’s Nunavut Territory, RCGS Resolute will arrive in Canada in November 2018 for its inaugural polar voyage. RCGS Resolute also carries the name of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), since we are exclusive education, environmental science, and expedition partners in Canada’s north. This longstanding partnership works to the benefit of our guests, who have the opportunity to learn from and interact with world-renowned educators, researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, artists, historians and photographers. With an unsurpassed ice classification, a proven track record for stability and safety, large indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, and exceptional maneuverability, RCGS Resolute is ideally equipped to guide guests through the world’s most pristine regions, further expanding our expertise in exploration and discovery. RCGS Resolute will carry a maximum of 146 passengers in unparalleled comfort, with an array of luxury amenities, educational opportunities and activities tailored to guests’ particular interests, and individual, personalized service.  Superb Design and Layout. Throughout the ship there are spaces ideally suited to every need. Spacious outer decks provide 360 degree viewing platforms perfect for photography, wildlife watching, birding and appreciating expansive views.  The salt water plunge pool, large relaxation deck, hot water jacuzzi are all located aft of the wellness centre (massage therapy, Finnish Sauna, steam room) and well equipped gymnasium.  Inside there are multiple areas to explore ranging from our well appointed theatre style presentation room, aft observation lounge and bar, forward observation lounge and bar, and both dining rooms. Add in the One Ocean Expeditions multimedia room, and mobile laboratory and the opportunities are endless.  Six Different Cabin Categories. All cabins feature outside viewing ranging from deck three traditional with port holes, up to decks 4 through 6 offering expansive panoramic windows.  Cabins all have lower berths that have the ability to be single beds, or 1 double bed depending on our guests needs.  Extensive renovations have provided new carpets, high quality cabinetry with soft close drawers, contemporary and spacious bathroom design, all paired with soft accent lighting offering options dependant on our guests daily activities and mood. All cabins offer modern sectional lounge quarters, providing a quiet nook to read or catch up on journalling.  Space is exceptional as each cabin offers 22M squared living space, whilst the One Ocean Suites are absolutely palatial offering 44M squared with enough room to entertain or do back - flips (your choice)! Enjoy Great Dining? So do we. At One Ocean Expeditions, the priority is on the expedition.  However with every activity, option, event, or excursion we find we build up incredible appetites to indulge in superb and extensive menu options.  Our bistro dining room provides early birds the option to get their social caffeine or smoothy start to the day, accompanied by light breakfast style snacks.  Full meal service includes buffet breakfast and lunches incorporating an international flare.  For those with special dietary requirements - no problem, we can accommodate that too.  Dinner is a great opportunity to catch up about the day’s events, as well as look to where we expect to explore next.  Five course menu options are offered a la carte, and seating is open in our business casual dining room featuring 180 degree sweeping views.  There’s also an excellent wine list featuring a range of international wines and other beverages of choice.  Join us on the Bridge. There is an open-bridge policy and guests are welcome to meet the navigating crew at virtually any time of day; there’s always something to learn from the officers on watch and the bridge is one of the best places on the ship for spotting whales and sea birds.  The bridge is closed during times of tricky navigation, pilotage, or weather. Operational Safety. There are no compromises here. The expedition staff and crew onboard RCGS Resolute have the deepest respect for changeable weather in the polar regions and the varying sea and ice conditions. That respect is apparent in every decision made throughout the voyage. The ship carries the most extensive inventory of safety equipment on all excursions and require leaders to undergo vigorous and effective safety training programs. Your expedition team are well prepared, so you can relax and enjoy your voyage.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 / SANTIAGO (CHILE) TO STANLEY (FALKLAND ISLANDS)
We depart Santiago this morning on our special charter flightdirect to Stanley, the small capital of the Falkland Islands. Weare met on arrival and transfer from the airport into town. Thereis time to explore the town, or enjoy a guided visit to nearbyGypsy Cove which provides our first opportunity for observingthe local wildlife, including nesting Magellanic penguins andother sea birds. Making our way to the port, we board ourexpedition ship, RCGS Resolute in the afternoon. After settlinginto our cabins and exploring the ship, we meet our expeditionteam and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the air as weenjoy a welcome cocktail and cast off to explore one of themost remote regions on Earth.
Day 2 - DAYS 2-3 / AT SEA – TOWARDS ANTARCTICA
We chart a southerly course for Antarctica. The Drake Passageis rich in bio-diversity and showcases a great abundance ofwildlife. We will be joined by hundreds of seabirds including thewandering albatross. Giant petrels and smaller Cape petrelsare also our constant companions as we make our way south.Photographing these magnificent birds takes patience andskill and our photography expert will be on hand to show youthe best techniques. Join the ship’s Captain on the bridge andlearn about the operations of our modern expedition vessel.Throughout the day our onboard experts educate us with aseries of presentations about the environment, the wildlife andhistory of the locations we hope to visit in the coming days. Aswe approach the coastline of Antarctica, we start to encountericebergs and anticipate our first whale sightings.
Day 3 - DAYS 4-5 / SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA EXPLORATION
We awaken today and the magnificent snowy peaks ofAntarctica's fringing islands are laid out before us. Even ourexperienced expedition staff, some with more than 100 journeyssouth, will take a moment to pause and reflect on this incrediblesight. Take a deep breath – you have arrived. This is Antarctica.The McFarlane Strait makes a natural entry point into theSouth Shetlands. There are several landing sites in the vicinityincluding Half Moon Island, or the broad pebbly beach atYankee Harbour, where we sometimes encounter Weddellseals sunning themselves. In the afternoon, we cruise alongthe coast of Livingston Island, which on a sunny day is amemorable experience. If the weather conditions allow, we sailthe ship into the flooded volcanic caldera at Deception Island.This is a very dramatic place and history is all around us as weexplore the old whaling station, with the rusted old boilers anddilapidated wooden huts. At the far end of the beach is an oldaircraft hangar. This is where Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkins,made the very first flight in Antarctica in 1928. There is also anoutstanding hike, high up onto the rim of the crater.Overnight we have navigated across the Bransfield Strait andaim for the broad expanse of Willhelmina Bay. This is a knownwhale 'hot-spot'. It's a rich feeding ground for humpbackand minke whales and we hope to encounter these gentlegiants from the ship or when cruising in the Zodiacs. This is aspectacular location, featuring sweeping views of the glaciersup to the mountainous ridge of the Antarctic peninsula. Nearbylies the Errera Channel - home to several exceptional sites,including Cuverville Island with its substantial gentoo penguinrookery, Ronge Island and the snow-capped dome of DancoIsland. In the soft evening light, we commence our journeysouth, towards the Antarctic Circle.
Day 4 - DAY 6-8 / ANTARCTIC CIRCLE CROSSING AND SOUTHERN GERLACHE COASTLINE
We have covered substantial distance overnight as we headsouth. Our objective is to cross the Antarctic Circle thisafternoon, hoping for a shore landing at Detaille Island. Anabandoned British science station - ‘Base W’ was established inthe 1950s and is in a remarkable state of preservation. For thehistory buffs this is a fascinating place providing a glimpse intothe harsh life of early Antarctic visitors. We toast our successon crossing the Antarctic Circle turning our gaze northwards,viewing the spectacular chain of glacier-covered peaksstretching as far as the eye can see. This coastline begs furtherexploration, which is exactly what we plan to do. Heading north, the peaks of Mount Shackleton and MountScott loom on the horizon. These towering granite sentinelsmark the southern entrance to the Lemaire Channel. NearbyPleneau Island offers more opportunities for shore landingsand observation of the gentoo penguins who nest here in largenumbers. Just offshore, in the shallow waters of the PenolaStrait, massive icebergs run aground. Constant wind and waveaction sculpt these gargantuan chunks of ice into fantasticshapes, revealing more shades of blue than you could everimagine. For many, a Zodiac cruise here will be a highlight of thevoyage. If ice conditions permit, we aim to transit the LemaireChannel on our way north towards Paradise Harbour, whichprovides a continental landing opportunity. There is a wonderfulhike here, up to a high point which provides jaw-droppingviews. Zodiac cruising in the glacial amphitheatre of SkontorpCove is also a possibility.We navigate north through the Gerlache Strait towards SpertIsland - a little visited rocky outcrop with remarkable geology.The island is criss-crossed by narrow channels which makesfor fantastic Zodiac cruising and sea kayaking. The cliffs arehome to numerous nesting bird species and we often encounterwhales here. Nearby Mikkelson Harbour also allows for anotheroff-ship excursion. After several busy days of exploration alongthe Peninsula, we head north, bound for the South ShetlandIslands. This is an important whale migration corridor and weexpect sightings of humpbacks, or the resident pod of orca thatinhabit this stretch of water.
Day 5 - DAY 9 / AITCHO ISLANDS
The adventure is not over, and we plan visits to severaladditional landing sites in the South Shetlands includingthe Aitcho Islands. There are some great hiking routes hereshowcasing the colourful mosses and lichens found on theisland. Gentoo and chinstrap penguins nest here and on thebeaches, we usually encounter seals coming and going fromthe surrounding waters. Fort Point situated on Greenwich Islandis another favoured location for a visit. Eventually we leave thesnow-covered peaks behind us, pushing northwards on ourreturn trip to the Falkland Islands.
Day 6 - DAYS 10-11 / DRAKE PASSAGE – RETURN TO STANLEY AND THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
As we make our way back to Stanley and the Falkland Islands,the educational presentations continue, and we enjoy anentertaining and memorable voyage recap by our ExpeditionLeader. Join our photography experts in the multimedia roomand download and back up your precious images. Approachingthe coast of the southern Falkland Islands in the early eveninglight, we enjoy a special dinner attended by the Captain of theship.
Day 7 - DAY 12 / ARRIVE STANLEY (FALKLAND ISLANDS) – VOYAGE CONCLUDES – FLY BACK TO SANTIAGO (CHILE)
This morning we find ourselves back in the port of Stanley. Wesay goodbye to our crew and after some free time in town,make our way to the airport for our return charter flight toSantiago. On arrival in Santiago our journey comes to an end.Onward regional and international flight connections may bepossible this evening. Discuss the options with your bookingagent. A transfer is provided to a downtown location for thosechoosing to stay and explore Santiago and the delights of Chile.
Day 8 - 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
14-02-202026-02-2020USD $14,995Triple Private
14-02-202026-02-2020USD $16,295Twin Private
14-02-202026-02-2020USD $17,695Superior
14-02-202026-02-2020USD $18,295Superior Plus
14-02-202026-02-2020USD $19,395Shackleton Suite
14-02-202026-02-2020USD $21,995One Ocean Suite

Inclusions

    • Cross the Antarctic Circle while enjoying daily off -ship excursions
    • In-depth exploration of the Gerlache coastline and Antarctic Peninsula visting historic sites and science stations
    • Observe penguins, seabirds, seals and whales and learn about the environment, wildlife and ecology from polar experts

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