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Antarctic Circle Voyage 2012-13

Trip Length

Trip Code
13 days ACV

Activities
Cruising (Moderate)

Countries Visited
Antarctica, Argentina

Start City

End City
Ushuaia Ushuaia
Antarctic Circle Voyage 2012-13

Antarctic Circle Voyage 2012-13

Sailing in comfort aboard the comfortable and well-appointed Ioffe or Vavilov, we begin this 12-night expedition at the tip of South America. We chart a course through the Drake Passage with a goal of heading directly south to the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S. The farther south we go, the more sea ice we will find and our aim is to cross the circle before getting stopped by this ice. Few ships go this far south and we will take full advantage of being on a modern, ice-strengthened vessel of this caliber.

Marguerite Bay and Detaille Island are two places that we might visit while traveling south of the circle. Who knows, we may even try to camp ashore south of the circle. We will slowly make our way back up the peninsula, visiting penguin rookeries as we go When we arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula, be prepared to be dazzled. Even our experienced crewmembers many of which have visited the southern region a hundred times or more are still astonished by its pristine beauty. The abundance of wildlife here is truly extraordinary including five seal species, massive penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adelies and chinstraps as well as a profusion of seabirds from albatross to skuas. It is nature you will experience up close and personal on frequent excursions inland.

Our journey will take us to Petermann Island or Wilhelmina Bay where we encounter colossal icebergs and, of course, the ice landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Hardy adventurers or those with a yen for history have the chance to camp out on the ice overnight and feel the thrill and audacity of early explorers who attempted to conquer this continent.

As with all our expeditions, safety is our top priority. For that reason weather, ice or other conditions may require us to change our itinerary and shore excursions as we go but that is half the fun of Polar exploring. Predictability is a word that has no relevance in this environment.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia

Day 1 is an arrival day and you can arrive at any time. You will be transferred to your hotel in Ushuaia. A night in a hotel is included in the voyage price. No meals are included on Day 1. Arrival Transfers: Please note an arrival transfer from the airport is included in your voyage fare. Full details will be sent with your final joining instructions. Accommodation: One pre night's accommodation in Ushuaia is included in the voyage price. If you arrive earlier or wish to extend your stay and need accommodation please ask at Peregrine or your agent for details and costs.

Day 2: Ushuaia - Embarkation Day

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

A transfer from your hotel or town centre to the pier for embarkation on to the ship will take place at 4pm. Full details will be sent with your final joining instructions. Once onboard, our expedition team will welcome you and once you’ve settled in we’ll set sail from Ushuaia, charting our course through the Beagle Channel.

Day 3-4: Drake Passage

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

As we cross the Drake Passage, our team of experts will be out on deck to help us spot whales and identify seabirds. We also have the chance to take part in the onboard presentation series, preparing us for our adventure to the 'White Continent'. Talks on wildlife, ice and polar history will create enormous anticipation that continues to build as we cross the Antarctic Convergence. Here the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We will also notice a sharp drop in temperature at this point. Huge icebergs loom up against the horizon and seabirds such as the wandering albatross and petrels are regularly sighted.

Day 5-12: South Shetland Islands and Antarctica

Meals included: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners

Our itinerary for these days is flexible by necessity and entirely dependent on ice and weather conditions. Our route will be decided by our expedition leader in consultation with the ship's captain. We may start by sailing as far south as possible, hopefully to the Antarctic Circle, and then working our way back north along the peninsula and finally visiting the offshore South Shetland Islands group. Alternatively, this order may be reversed meaning that we first cruise among the volcanic South Shetland Islands before travelling to the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula. Whatever the case, we will make our first landing on Day 4 or Day 5. The itinerary focuses on the areas with the greatest promise of wildlife. Around both the South Shetland Islands and the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, we travel ashore as frequently as possible in inflatable Zodiac boats. We hope to make shore excursions at Livingston, Half Moon and King George Islands. Admiralty Bay, on King George Island, is a favoured feeding ground for humpback whales and, with luck, we may see them dining on krill. At crescent-shaped Half Moon Island, we'll observe a breeding colony of chinstrap penguins that share their territory with fur seals and blue-eyed shags, while at Livingston Island we discover more flourishing wildlife. Here there are Weddell seals, elephant seals, skuas, giant petrels, Antarctic terns and rookeries of chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins. Weather permitting, we also hope to enter the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island - a recently active volcano and one of the most perfect crater islands in the world. Steam rises in places along its shores, where the cold Antarctic waters mix with the hot thermal waters of the bay. Here, conditions permitting, the very adventurous amongst us may choose to take a dip. We also observe the island's large chinstrap penguin colony and enjoy spectacular walks to the higher points on the crater rim. We then head further south to Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay, both situated on the Antarctic mainland. Here we'll be stunned by some of the most dramatic scenery the continent has to offer; truly a photographer's paradise. Ringed with overhanging ice cliffs, the bay is filled with a remarkable assortment of floating icebergs that reflect a stunning array of colours, including the most exquisite blues, turquoises and indigos. If the conditions are favourable we have the chance to set foot on the Antarctic continent. The lights of the southern sky bathe the landscape in an eerie luminescence. The days are long and the short nights are often preceded by a wonderful twilight. On one or two occasions we may attempt to go ashore to visit some of the research stations maintained by various countries. On board while we cruise between landing points, we will want to spend time on the bridge or on deck just marvelling at the glorious passing scenery, particularly when travelling through the Lemaire Channel. Penguins are often seen 'porpoising' in the water or resting on ice floes in this area. South of the Lemaire Channel we hope to find clear conditions that will allow us to travel right down to the Antarctic Circle. Here too the scenery is extraordinary and it's particularly exciting to realize we've crossed the line into this remote stretch of southern sea. It's a great feeling! It is likely to be with some sadness that we eventually turn the ship and head back north for the final leg of this remarkable journey.

Day 13-14: Drake Passage

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

We leave the Antarctic Peninsula (or the South Shetlands depending on our chosen route)and head back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn. We commemorate the conclusion of our adventure and our last evening together on board our ship at the Captain’s Dinner, as we cruise on up the Beagle Channel.

Day 15: Ushuaia

Meals included: 1 breakfast

In the early morning we arrive back in Ushuaia, where our cruise ends. If your flight departs on disembarkation day, a transfer is included (if on a morning flight you will be taken directly to the airport from the ship, if flying in the afternoon you will be transferred to the town centre and at a pre arranged time be taken back to the airport).

About Peregrine

Peregrine has been operating adventure holidays since 1977. Today we can help you discover all four corners of the globe, from the Polar regions, to Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. We offer high-quality, excellent-value, small-group adventures to interesting areas of the world, in harmony with the local people and the environment.

What's Included

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

Accommodation

Meals

Not Included

Visas and Permits

Antarctica

No visas are required to visit the Antarctic continent or its offshore islands. However, you will need to have your passport with you on the ship, as port authorities will wish to inspect passports on departure from Ushuaia or Port Stanley (as the case may be) and also again at the end of your voyage. (To facilitate matters, our ground operators in Ushuaia or Port Stanley will usually collect your passport prior to departure in order that all passengers’ passports may be kept together for the duration of the voyage. After completion of port formalities on the return to Ushuaia or Stanley on the final morning, they will be handed back to you prior to your disembarkation from the ship.) For most departures, your ship departs for the Antarctic continent from the port of Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, at the southern tip of Argentina. At the time of printing, no visas for Argentina are required by holders of Australian, New Zealand, British, Canadian, U.S.A. or European passports. Passengers holding passports issued by other countries should carefully check the situation with their travel agent or Argentinean consular authorities. If your flight to Ushuaia travels via Santiago, tourist visas are required for Chile for some nationalities. Please check with your travel agent. For a side trip to Iguassu Falls, Australian, USA and British passport holders also require a Brazilian visa if visiting the Brazilian side of the falls. However, New Zealanders and Canadians do not require a visa for this. This visa must be obtained prior to entering the country and, at the time of printing, costs $US60. Please check carefully with your travel agent or your nearest appropriate consulate for up-to-date information before you leave your home country. (There have been suggestions that passengers entering Brazil from Argentina for just a few hours at Iguassu may be able to do so without holding a visa, but we cannot give any guarantees. The only certain way is to hold a visa issued as above.) For the trip scheduled to depart from Port Stanley (and those departures scheduled to visit the Falkland Islands), visitors from Britain, the Commonwealth, North America, Chile and the European Community do not need visas as at the time of printing. Visitors should check their particular situation with us, their travel agent, the nearest British Consulate, or contact the Travel Co-ordinator at the Falkland Island Government Office in London (tel: 020 7222 2375).

Argentina

Australians, Americans, British, Canadians and New Zealanders, do not currently require a visa for Argentina. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Please note that when entering Argentine Territory, the following citizens must pay a "reciprocity fee": Australians USD100, Canadians USD70 and Americans USD140. From 20 December 2010, the fee will be valid for multiple re-entries within a period of one year as of the date of first entry. At present the fee is only collected at Ezeiza International Airport and at Jorge Newbury Airport; however, it may be extended to other international points of entry at a later date. Payments are made prior to clearing immigration controls and can be made by cash (Argentine pesos or US dollars), credit card or travellers’ cheques.

Important Information

These Trip Notes should be read in conjunction with Peregrine’s Antarctica pre-departure information that is provided to you shortly after booking (or which can be requested prior to booking). A second information manual dealing with Antarctic history, geology, geography, marine and bird life will also be provided.

1. Budgeting: in addition to funds for onboard expenses, it is sometimes possible to purchase souvenirs such as books, t-shirts, stamps, postcards, windcheaters, caps and similar items at some of the research stations in the Antarctic Peninsula area. Mail can sometimes be posted from these stations as well. Transactions are usually in US dollars cash.

2. Clothes: please read our Antarctic pre-departure information carefully. Although you don’t need to make expensive, specialist-clothing purchases for this trip, you will need clothes that adequately protect against cold and wet conditions. (Sea spray is common on board Zodiacs). It is recommended that you have warm, waterproof clothing available for use upon arrival in Ushuaia, to protect yourself against the inclement weather.

3. Motion sickness: the waters of the Drake Passage can be some of the roughest seas in the world, although at other times they are so smooth that it is referred to as the 'Drake Lake'! Although our vessels are among the most stable ships in their class, we will still inevitably encounter motion. Unless you are certain you are impervious to the problem, you should take precautions against seasickness. Your doctor can advise you as to the best methods for avoiding this uncomfortable condition.

4. Gratuities: we suggest you allow the equivalent of US$11-13 a day for gratuities for the crew and expedition staff. This is usually collected just prior to the end of the cruise. If you wish, the amount can be paid by Visa or MasterCard.

5. Sea kayaking: there are separate Trip Notes for the sea kayaking option. Please note that this option must be booked prior to your departure from home and it cannot be booked on the ship. Some prior experience is required and places are limited.

6. Camping: if you chose to camp on the continent, we’ll provide all the required gear such as tents or bivouac (or 'bivy') sacs and sleeping bags. This excursion is managed with strict environmental regulations - a portable toilet is used and absolutely everything is transported back to the ship afterwards. Please note that this option must be booked prior to your departure from home, it cannot be booked on the ship. Spaces are limited.

Peregrine Voyage Documentation
Once you have booked your voyage to the Polar regions with Peregrine, you will be required to complete a series of online forms. You will be sent a link via email (my polar forms) which will take you to an enrolment form, cruise contract, medical form, arrival/departure information form and expedition parka size order form. These forms must be completed.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

19 December 2011