ANTARCTICA
Antarctica plus the Falkland Islands & South Georgia
Aboard the ship built for artic conditions the M/S Nordnordge of the Hurtigruten Fleet- AKA Norwegian Coastal Voyage!
Customized Private Tour Program Prepared For Ellie Leinaweaver & Focus Travelers
February 21– March 14, 2010
This Antarctic cruise adventure program gives you the opportunity to explore Buenos Aires, the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands/Malvinas. On the Antarctic Peninsula your dream vacation includes sailing the narrow, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel, one of most beautiful passages in Antarctica, and the breathtaking Neumayer Channel with its majestic cliffs. South Georgia is one of the few places in the world where you'll get up-close to the famous King penguins and is also where you'll find the grave of great explorer Sir Earnest Shackleton; and the Falklands/Malvinas boosts a fascinating history, flora and fauna.
22 days from Denver, Colorado
Rates From $7699.00 per person double occupancy
Taxes, Port Charges, and fuel surcharges are additional.
Day 1: Depart Denver.
Depart from Denver on your overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Day 2: Arrive in Buenos Aires
Morning arrival at the Buenos Aires airport in Argentina. During the transfer to your hotel, a sightseeing tour will be given. Rest of the day at leisure to explore this "Paris of South America," or join the optional excursions, including a fantastic tango show in the evening.
Day 3: Buenos Aires-Ushuaia/Embarkation
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. Orientation tour of this popular and attractive resort town, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. Leisure time to explore on your own, or join the interesting optional shore excursion. Board the MS Nordnorge for your Antarctica cruise vacation adventure. Voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands/Malvinas. An informative welcome meeting will be held in the evening. [B/D]
Day 4: At Sea-Cape Horn-Drake Passage
You'll spend a day at sea, passing Cape Horn, located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The cape is the last outpost in South America, situated at almost 56 degrees south. Continue crossing the Drake Passage on your way to Antarctica. During this day of cruising lectures are held regarding Cape Horn and Antarctica. [B/L/D]
Days 5-8: Antarctica
Antarctica, "The White Continent," is more than half the size of North America. On the Antarctica cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula, you'll experience the narrow, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel, considered one of most beautiful passages in Antarctica, where humpback and killer whales, various penguins and elephant seals are a common sight, and the breathtaking Neumayer Channel with its majestic cliffs. The Lemaire Channel is a spectacular sight with enormous sheer cliffs falling straight into the sea. It's a narrow channel flanked by the Antarctic Peninsula on one side and Booth Island on the other. So photogenic is the channel that it's nicknamed 'Kodak Gap', and it's only once you're well within it that a way through is visible. You'll make visits by Polar Circle boats in various locations (weather permitting), including:
- Half Moon Island, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, famous for its large chinstrap penguin rookery, kelp gulls, and Antarctic terns. Whale spotting is also common here.
- Whalers Bay on Deception Island, with its warm springs and black volcanic sand.
- Ukrainian Vernadsky Base, with its abundant bird life.
- Almirante Brown in Paradise Harbor, named for its beauty, with ice cliffs and floating icebergs, home to gentoo and chinstrap penguins.
- Port Lockroy, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and ice shelves, and known for its gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants.
- Neko Harbor off Errera Channel, home to hundreds of gentoo penguins, Weddell and elephant seals, is believed to be part of main land Antarctica. Polish Arctowski Base in Admiralty Bay, where Adelie and gentoo penguins and elephant seals can be found.
- Petermann Island, home of the southernmost gentoo penguin colony, blue-eyed shags and Adelie penguins nest here too. [B/L/D]
Day 9-10: At Sea
Two days will be spent at sea before reaching South Georgia Island. During these days further lectures will be held regarding Antarctica, as well as your next adventure destination. [B/L/D]
Day 11-12: South Georgia
You'll explore the beautiful South Georgia Island, surrounded by snow-capped Allardyce and Salvesen Mountains, with its blue glacier ice and breathtaking emerald green bays. You'll have an opportunity to visit Grytviken, one of the oldest whaling station, home to the South Georgia Museum, featuring the island's wildlife and heritage, original artifacts, photographs and paintings; the Church brought from the Norwegian town of Strommen in 1913; and the cemetery famous for the grave of the great explorer Sir Earnest Shackleton. South Georgia is a home to many albatrosses, cape and giant petrels, Antarctic prions, King and Rockhopper penguins and fur and elephant seals. You'll visit the beautiful Cooper Bay, well-known for colonies of Macaroni and Chinstrap penguins. [B/L/D]
Day 13-14: At Sea
After leaving South Georgia, you'll cruise to the port of Stanley in the Falkland Islands/Malvinas. During these days further lectures will be held while you sail regarding your next destination. [B/L/D]
Day 15-16: The Falkland Islands/Malvinas
The archipelago of The Falkland Islands/Malvinas, consisting of West and East Falkland/Malvinas, and about 700 small islands, situated in the South Atlantic Ocean bears a fascinating ecosystem of Sub-Antarctic species such as the black browed albatross, elephant seal, southern sea lions and five species of penguins. The islands offer sheltered tussac grasslands, unspoilt beaches and a coastline of magnificent cliffs. Your first stop will be at Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands/Malvinas, built on a north-facing slope overlooking the harbor with its sea-birds and shipping. Explore the town on your own or participate in one of the optional excursions. Next day, you'll sail to Sounders Island, featuring miles of spectacular black-browed albatross colonies and four types of penguin, and West Point Island the most northwesterly point of West Falkland/Malvinas, well known for its wildlife and beautiful scenery featuring the highest sea cliffs in the archipelago. [B/L/D]
Day 17-19: At Sea
You'll leave the Sub-Antarctic climate of magnificent nature and wildlife and sail back to Buenos Aires. During these days various lectures will be held. [B/L/D]
Day 20: Buenos Aires
Morning arrival at Puerto Madryn. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. [B] OR elect to join a post-tour extension in Buenos Aires.
Day 21: Return to the U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Denver.
Day 22: Arrive in the U.S.
Morning arrival in the U.S. and continuation to Denver.For more information, contact Ellie Leinaweaver.