Epic Antarctica
Itinerary - Season 2008/09
Day 1
Ushuaia, Argentina
As your plane lands in Ushuaia, you’ll be treated to a stunning view. Ushuaia is a picturesque community nestled at the foot of the Andes, with the rugged peaks of the Five Brothers overlooking the Beagle Channel. After arrival proceed to our host hotel. The city has excellent restaurants and intriguing museums. You’ll spend the night at our host hotel, so you’ll have time to explore.
Day 2
Embarkation Day
This morning is free, however you may like to take advantage of our optional half-day tour to the nearby National Park. This is a delightful way to see the area and we’ll also include a traditional Argentine BBQ lunch. After the tour return to the hotel for your afternoon transfer to the ship. After boarding we’ll follow the Beagle Channel into the open waters of the Drake Passage.
Day 3 - 5
South Shetland Islands
Seabirds accompany the ship across the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands, your first landfall in Antarctica. We plan to visit penguin colonies and deploy Zodiacs to cruise through ice floes where seals lounge in the Antarctic summer sun.
Day 6 - 8
The Antarctic Peninsula
Pushing ever southward, we cross the Antarctic Circle, entering a world where daylight is continuous. We’ll explore bays ringed by glaciers and islands where penguins and seals co-exist in relative harmony. From Marguerite Bay, we’ll enter the Bellingshausen Sea.
Day 9 - 10
The Phantom Coast
As we follow the Phantom Coast, we plan to visit Peter I Island. In 2006, the last time we landed successfully, our historian noted that only 800 people in all human history have been known to visit the fog enshrouded island.
Day 11 - 16
Amundsen Sea
Look forward to several adventurous days of breaking through the Amundsen Sea pack ice. We’ll deploy our helicopters so you can witness the power of the icebreaker from the air. Make sure you take your camera when the call to board the helicopters is made.
Our Expedition Team will deliver a series of illustrated presentations about the history and geology of the region. Our naturalists will explain the natural life cycles of the penguins and seals you may encounter en route.
Day 17 - 18
Ross Ice Shelf
Excitement builds as you approach the immense Ross Ice Shelf. If conditions permit we plan to land our helicopters atop the floating ice barrier. Be on the alert for Emperor Penguins. The water around the Ross Ice Shelf is known to be the habitat of Emperors.
Day 19 - 21
Ross Island and McMurdo Sound
Ross Island is home to the US research base McMurdo Station and Scott Base, New Zealand’s research station. Nearby is Robert Falcon Scott’s Discovery Hut (1901-04) The historic building is slowly deteriorating under the onslaught of a century of ice, snow and wind. Conservation efforts are underway. Our planned visit is carefully controlled to ensure that the impact of our exploration is negligible. Environmentally responsible tourism is the hallmark of our expedition voyages.
We’ll deploy the helicopters to travel over the fast ice into the Dry Valleys. Virtually no precipitation has fallen there for millions of years. The sole vegetation is lichen that grow inside rocks. If conditions permit, you’ll encounter unusual granite formations eroded by the winds and mountain glaciers coloured by the sand and rock blown into the ice.
Day 22 - 24
Cape Royds and Cape Evans
At Cape Royds, we’ll visit Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod Hut (1907-09). At Cape Evans, we’ll visit a hut associated with Shackleton and Scott. A century after its construction, the Cape Evans hut is considered one of the ten most endangered monuments in the world. The Antarctic Heritage Trusts are raising funds for its restoration. We support the project through onboard charity auctions and visitor admission fees.
Day 25 - 28
Southern Ocean and Campbell Island
Heading north, we pause to visit Campbell Island, a nature preserve where Royal Albatross nest. You’ll follow boardwalks through lush greenery to observation points. from which you can photograph the wildlife.
Day 29 - 31
Enderby Island to Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand
Yellow-eyed Penguins, Royal Albatross and New Zealand sea lions share Enderby Island with Red-crowned Parakeets. If the conditions are right, we’ll go ashore to explore the protected environment, before disembarking our epic adventure in Lyttelton, New Zealand. A group transfer to Christchurch Airport from the vessel completes the journey.
