ANTARCTIC POLAR CIRCLE EXPEDITION
Starting in Buenos Aires, you have the opportunity to discover
the “Paris of South America” before embarking on MS Fram in
Ushuaia, the world's southernmost town and setting course for
the Southern Ocean. En route to Antarctica we sail through the
notorious Drake Passage, where two oceans meet. Then we
head through open sea towards a continent of endless white
wilderness, with its overwhelming presence of nature and
wildlife. Old research stations Deception Island, Half Moon
Island and Yankee Harbour all have a diverse landscape,
amazing animal life and spectacular photo opportunities. The
narrow Errera Channel offers a spectacular passage to and from
Cuverville Island. Neko Harbour is feeding ground for shy Minke
whales. Paradise Harbour offers another rare opportunity for a
mainland landing and some of the finest vistas of the Antarctic
Peninsula. The Lemaire Channel is known as one of the most
beautiful passages in Antarctica and Petermann Island is a
great place for iceberg- and whale-spotting. From our Polarcircel
boats we can take a closer look at the partially submerged
wreck of a Norwegian whaling ship, evidence of the historical
activity on and off these remote shores. Crossing the Antarctic
Circle The forming of the sea ice in Antarctica is the largest
natural seasonal phenomenon on Earth, and during the austral
summer more than 20 million square kilometres of sea ice
melts. Taking advantage of this passage we are venturing far
into the areas that are almost permanently iced down, inside
the winter-locked landscape of Antarctica. Hardly anyone sails
this far south, let alone goes ashore. Our Antarctic circle
expedition lets you go ashore several places and get even
closer to penguins, seals, whales and birds by
hiking, kayaking and snowshoeing. You might even get a chance
to spend a night ashore in a tent. Turning back and leaving
Antarctica, we will once again sail through the Drake Passage,
before disembarking in Ushuaia. Please Note: Your price
includes return economy flights between Buenos Aires and
Ushuaia. Optional tours and activities are available, please
contact us for details.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires’ mixture of elegant and bohemian neighbourhoods only adds to
its charm and appeal. You start with an overnight stay here, in the birthplace
of the tango.
Day 2: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Ushuaia is where the Andes meet the Southern Ocean. It is a busy port and
adventure hub with steep streets and architectural diversity below the
snow-capped Martial Range.
Days 3 & 4: Drake Passage
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The Drake Passage is the stretch of ocean between the south tip of South
America, also known as Cape Horn or Tierra del Fuego, part of Chile, and the
South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
On the way across the passage and towards “the ice” (as it’s often referred to
by our expedition leaders) you can learn a great deal about Antarctica’s
natural wonders and fascinating history. The Drake Passage is famous for
some of the roughest and most unforgiving waters of the world. This is where
two oceans meet; sailors say that it’s either the Drake Lake or the Drake
Shake.
Back in Ushuaia you can either join an optional excursion or go straight to the
airport to fly to Buenos Aires. Here you can either fly back home or spend time
with our post programmes to the Tigre Delta or the incredible Iguazu Falls.
Days 5 - 13: Antarctica
Visiting the South Shetland Islands is definitely worth looking forward to.
Deception Island, Half Moon Island and Yankee Harbour all have a diverse
landscape, amazing animal life and spectacular photo opportunities. The
narrow Errera Channel offers a spectacular passage to and from Cuverville
Island. Neko Harbour is feeding ground for shy minke whales. Paradise
Harbour offers another rare opportunity for a mainland landing and some of
the finest vistas of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Lemaire Channel is known as
one of the most beautiful passages in Antarctica and Petermann Island is a
great place for iceberg and whale spotting. On the British base Port Lockroy
you get a peek into life on an Antarctic base in the 1950s. Wilhelmina Bay is
feeding ground for whales and seals, and was a preferred hunting ground for
whalers back in the days. Evidence of this is a partially submerged wreck of a
Norwegian whaling ship. We might take a closer look at the wreck from our
Polarcirkel boats. The 48 km (30 mi) Antarctic Sound is home to an estimated
half million adélie penguins as well as gentoo penguins, leopard seals, and
killer whales. On Brown Bluff we might land and take a walk along the beach
admiring the lava “bombs” from the old volcano and all the penguins. There is
also the chance to walk to the viewpoint above the landing site. On Detaille
Island we find the former geology and meteorology "Base W" of the British
Antarctic Survey. On Horseshoe Island we’ll see an important example of a
relatively unaltered and completely equipped British scientific research station
of the 1950s.
Days 14 & 15: Drake Passage
After nine unforgettable days in Antarctica, MS Fram takes us safely back
across the famous Drake Passage. The sailing from the Antarctic Peninsula to
Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 40 hours in good weather.
During the voyage north, we will continue our lecture series and recap our
experiences of Antarctica.
Day 16: Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia)
[email protected] | wildearth-travel.com
YOUR SHIP: MS FRAM
YOUR SHIP:
MS Fram
VESSEL TYPE:
Expedition
LENGTH:
114m
PASSENGER CAPACITY:
276
BUILT/REFURBISHED:
2007
MS Fram is designed for sailing in polar waters, holds the
highest safety standards and is the perfect size for optimum
nautical manoeuverability and guests' comfort. With space for
only 276 guests, you are sure to get to know many of your
fellow travellers. You will share stunning sights and memories of
a lifetime long after returning home. The Norwegian word Fram
means 'forward' - lifting expectations of the voyage at hand.
MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring
her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable
experiences. As well as offering numerous lounges in which to
relax, our more active guests can use our well-equipped gym.
Meanwhile, on deck, our Jacuzzis guarantee you surreal
memories when passing the towering icebergs of Antarctica or
Greenland.
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia)
[email protected] | wildearth-travel.com
INSIDE YOUR SHIP
Arctic Superior U
Expedition Suite M
Polar Outside FJ
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia)
[email protected] | wildearth-travel.com
PRICING
25-Jan-2018 to 09-Feb-2018
Polar Outside FJ
5979 GBP pp
Arctic Superior U
7167 GBP pp
Expedition Suite M
8774 GBP pp
Polar Inside Solo Category I
9093 GBP pp
N4 Polar Outside
14866 GBP pp
All prices are subject to
availability & can change
0 pp
08-Feb-2018 to 23-Feb-2018
Polar Inside I
5565 GBP pp
Polar Outside FJ
5979 GBP pp
Arctic Superior U
7167 GBP pp
Expedition Suite M
8774 GBP pp
Polar Inside Solo Category I
9093 GBP pp
All prices are subject to
availability & can change
0 pp
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia)
[email protected] | wildearth-travel.com