ANTARCTIC PENINSULA  &  SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

11-15 DAYS

An early booking discount of US$ 250 per person is available on select departures for reservations made with deposit by March 30, 2007

Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic Islands are some of the last truly unspoiled regions of the world. The mysterious White Continent, with its multi-colored ice caps, glistening glaciers and towering snow-capped mountains, offers unparalleled scenery and photographic opportunities. Enormous number of penguins, whales, seals and seabirds congregate in the food-rich waters along the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic shores. The future of Antarctica is crucial to the climate and ecology of the world and on most of our cruises we have an opportunity to visit one of the many scientific bases.

Our small, specially designed expedition ship cruises south, taking full advantage of the 24 hours of daylight during the austral summer. Ice-strengthened hull and state-of-the-art equipment allow us to navigate safely through the pack ice and narrow waterways. Our zodiac excursions, guided by foremost Antarctic experts, offer the freedom to explore remote locations and observe Antarctica’s abundant wildlife.

During our unique small-group cruise we will explore the spectacular landscape with icebergs, glaciers, snow-capped mountains and abundant wildlife, including many species of seals, seabirds, whales and vast number of penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula offers you the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. In the southern summer large ice-free areas provide breeding grounds for very large number of seabirds and seals.

The itinerary shown here is for the 12-day voyage. No two voyages can ever be exactly the same and so this itinerary is for guidance only. The Captain and Expedition Leader continually assess daily weather conditions and wildlife opportunities to take full advantage of the almost continuous daylight and to maximize time ashore.

Pushing further south, the 15-day itinerary and some of the 12-day voyages itineraries include an extended visit to the Peninsula, taking us below the Antarctic Circle.

Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands  

Day 1.                    Ushuaia

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel. After we have settled into our cabins, the ship sets sail along the scenic Beagle Channel – heading east towards the Drake Passage.

Day 2-3.          Drake Passage

Our journey across the famous Drake Passage, named after the 16^th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake, is an experience in itself. Our ship is accompanied most of the way by an impressive variety of seabirds that fly in our wake. We have a good chance of spotting whales and dolphins and many different species have been encountered in these rich waters. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse at the first icebergs.

Day 4-9.          South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

A typical itinerary in the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. 

When land is sighted, we know we have reached the South Shetlands. This impressive group of islands lying roughly parallel to the Peninsula is a haven for wildlife. At Deception Island, we will try to land at Baily Head with a colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Pen­guins. Deception Island is a huge volcano of which the crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

We will sail to Orne Islands with large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait. Later we continue to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. From there we sail through Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, while having chances of seeing large whales. We will have opportunities for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords.

We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags.  We also try to land at Pleneau Island home to Elephant Seals. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales.

Sailing north through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait we arrive at Charlotte Bay with a very beauti­ful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and Minke Whales.

Half Moon Island is a beautiful volcanic island with Chinstrap Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, sheathbills and Brown Skuas. Weddell Seals and Elephant Seals may also be spotted. We may also choose to land at Hannah Point, which has a very rich wildlife featuring Elephant Seals, Cape Pigeons, Southern Giant Petrels, Macaroni Penguins and Gentoo Penguins.

Day 10-11.          Drake Passage

Today we leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In between bird watching and whale watching, and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.

Day 12.          Ushuaia

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark after breakfast.

SUMMARY

Inclusions:

·       Expedition cruise onboard a modern and comfortable ice-strengthened vessel, providing accommodation for just 48-110 travelers;

·       All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship;

·       All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac;

·       Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff;

·       All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program;

·       Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Additional Inclusions (on all voyages including 1 night in Ushuaia):

·       Group transfer between hotel and vessel for embarkation

·       Group transfer between vessel and airport following disembarkation

·       Rubber boots loan service

·       A glass of house wine with every dinner onboard (except on “Orlova”, “Sarpik Ittuk”, and “Sarfaq Ittuk”)

·       Complimentary expedition parka on all voyages aboard “Professor Multanovskiy”, “Akademic  Shokalskiy”

Start and Finish: Ushuaia

Trip grade: Easy

Dates and Rates

An early booking discount of US$ 250 per person is available on select departures for reservations made with deposit by March 30, 2007

Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change.

Cost joining in Ushuaia (US$)  

Aboard 'Orlova'

Aboard 'Professor Multanovskiy'* & 'Akademik Shokalskiy'*

All 12-day voyages offer camping  

Aboard 'Sarpik Ittuk'* & 'Sarfaq Ittuk'

Aboard 'Aleksey Maryshev' & 'Grigoriy Mikheev'

All nights on a cruise!  

Aboard ‘Professor Molchanov’

All nights on a cruise!

               *           One night at a hotel, the rest of the nights on a cruise

            **         Option for sea kayaking and camping:                       

                        Kayaking                        US$ 695

                        Camping                        Free  Confirmed at booking on a first-come, first-served basis.

            ***        With option for camping only

            ^^         With option for cross-country skiing and mountaineering 

                        Cross-country skiing    US$ 250

                        Mountaineering              US$ 250

            ^^^        Supplement for Scuba-diving option:  US$ 990

Cruises with kayaking, camping, cross-country skiing, and mountaineering options

SEA KAYAKING  (previous kayaking experience is strongly recommended)

A fantastic way to explore the little bays, waterways and the wide expanses of Antarctica! We use 5-meter (16 foot) Prijon double sea kayaks, equipped with rudders, which are very stable, surprisingly comfortable and incredibly tough – perfect for paddling through such an icy environment. Each trip is led by two experienced and highly qualified kayak instructors and a Zodiac safety boat stays in constant communication ready to assist should the need arise. There will be a maximum of ten kayakers per departure. Weather and ice permitting we plan to make a minimum of four kayak excursions, each paddling over several miles and typically lasting for two to three hours. With the long daylight hours of the southern summer, there may be opportunities for short evening paddles as well.

CAMPING

This will be a great opportunity to enhance your appreciation of Antarctica as a wilderness and to experience a more personal and private connection with the continent. We aim to give you a sense of independence, while still retaining our high safety standards. Two experienced staff will supervise campers throughout the night. There will be a maximum of 20 campers allowed ashore. Weather and ice permitting we plan to offer one night of camping during each voyage. All meals will be taken onboard the vessel. You will sleep in high quality mountain tents and sleeping bags provided.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Another unforgettable way to experience the spectacular landscapes of Antarctica is on a pair of cross-country skis. Traveling quickly and quietly under your own power, you can explore deeper into the White Continent than you'd be able to reach on foot, while taking advantage of the long hours of daylight. We supply the equipment and expert guides, you provide the energy, enthusiasm and ideally a bit of previous experience - and together we break trail (subject to weather conditions, of course) through an incredible pristine world of snow and ice.

ICE CLIMBING

If gazing up at spectacular Antarctic icebergs isn't awe-inspiring enough, you can always put your mountaineering skills to work and try climbing one of the ice cliffs. Our expert guides provide detailed briefings and all the equipment you need, then offer helpful direction as you climb. If you're up for the challenge, this will add a whole new dimension to your Antarctic adventure.

A Day in Antarctica

Imagine a comfortable hotel with almost as many staff as guests, spectacular views out of every window, superb international cuisine, and a range of facilities including a well-stocked library. Then move the hotel to a different wild and remote location every day, add a team of international experts on everything from polar exploration to birds or seals, throw in many once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as whale watching, penguin watching, Zodiac cruises, visits to scientific research stations … and you begin to get the idea.

Admittedly, an Antarctica expeditions cruise can be challenging. One of the problems with visiting the Antarctic in mid-summer, for example, is the almost 24-hour daylight. The problem has nothing to do with being unable to sleep, but it has a lot to do with not wanting to sleep. Even after a full day of adventure, with the ship well on its way to the next breathtaking destination, you do not want to sleep for fear of missing something. You want to be on deck, or on the bridge, to glimpse just one more iceberg or one more penguin, to watch the vessel break through one more frozen stretch of sea or to take just one more front cover photograph, before the next day of intrepid adventure.

A typical day on a cruise begins with a friendly wake-up call and breakfast. Everyone will have been briefed the night before, so talk will be of the adventures ahead. The morning might begin with an entertaining lecture by a world-renowned expert, or a chance to watch as the ship wends its way through the polar landscape. Then comes the call to get ready for the first shore landing of the day.

Every ship carries a fleet of sturdy Zodiac craft to transfer expedition staff and passengers quickly and safely to otherwise inaccessible wildlife, cultural and historical sites. Getting in and out of the Zodiacs soon becomes second nature and the expedition staff and crew take the utmost care to get everyone ashore efficiently and safely.

Many people stay ashore for the maximum time allowed – typically from two to four hours depending on the day’s itinerary – but others are ready to return to the mother ship sooner. Wherever possible, your Expedition Leader will tailor excursions to several levels of activity, offering options of long or short walks or Zodiac cruises.

There’s time to change and clean up before lunch, while the ship cruises to the next spectacular venue. Be prepared, though, for frequent interruptions by some amazing views and spectacular wildlife spied through the panoramic windows. It’s the ultimate comfortable adventure: few vacations offer such awe-inspiring and ever-changing scenery over a single meal.

The afternoon’s activities might include a second shore landing at a different site, or a Zodiac cruise. A highlight of many trips is the opportunity to cruise through beautiful ice scenery, past seals sleeping on ice floes, or among whales. Whatever the activity, by the time supper arrives, everyone will be talking animatedly about the adventures of the day.

Evenings are for relaxing. Well, not necessarily. By all means, curl up with a good book, spend a few hours chatting in the bar, or watch a movie. But there are some rather more exhilarating alternatives. There may be another shore landing or Zodiac cruise, a lecture in the auditorium or, of course, you could always spend a few more hours on the deck, or on the Bridge, looking for just one more iceberg...

What to see (and when) during the austral summer

Our voyages operate during the five-month austral summer – November through to March – when the continent is at its most spectacular.  However, within that period each month has its own special highlights, so choose your departure date with these possibilities in mind.

November (late spring - early summer)

Undoubtedly the most adventurous and, in some ways, the most awe-inspiring time to visit.

·       huge volumes of ice and pristine snow

·       incredible courtship displays in the penguin rookeries (including nest building and stone stealing)

·       scientists at the research stations welcome the first visitors of the season

·       fur seal courtship most active on South Georgia

·       spring flowers bloom on the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

December - January (full summer)

Antarctica’s warmest months when wildlife activities are in full swing.

·       longer days with more daylight –  take stunning photos at midnight!

·       a rare opportunity to spend an unforgettable Christmas or New Year in Antarctica

·       the first penguin chicks hatch on South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) - followed in mid-December by the first Antarctic chicks

·       seal pups are visible on South Georgia

February - March (late summer)

The weather is still good and the wildlife active but, most importantly, this is the best whale watching time of the season.

·       ice allows exploration further south along the Antarctic Peninsula

·       best whale watching of the season

·       penguin rookeries at their busiest, with the adult birds fetching krill and feeding their chicks

·       fur seals most common along the Antarctic Peninsula and young fur seals at their most playful on South Georgia

·       Penguin chicks begin to fledge late February/early March

The Vessels

M/V ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ & ‘Aleksey Maryshev’

·     small vessels with a maximum of only 46 passengers

·     small size allows for a more intimate and spontaneous expedition venturing into areas closed to larger vessels

·     ice-strengthened hull

·     experience more like a private expedition than a traditional cruise with maximum time ashore

·     relaxed and informal atmosphere on board

·     excellent varied international menu

·     comfort combined with all international environmental and safety standards

The ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ and ‘Aleksey Maryshev’ are sister ships. The ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ is a modern and comfortable research vessel of the Hydrographic Institute in St. Petersburg. She was built in 1990 in Finland, and was designed as an ice-strength­ened vessel. She has been converted in the Netherlands for passenger use and is ideally suited for expedition cruising. The vessel measures 66 meters (210 feet) in length, 12.8 meters (42 feet) in breadth, and has a draft of ap­proximately 3.5 meters (12 feet), and a displacement of 2000 tones. Powered by two 1700 horsepower diesel engines, she is capable of speeds of 14 knots. She has a good anti-roll system, a range of 70 days independent operation and is ISM certified. The vessel is strongly built of steel with an ice-strengthened hull, perfect for the polar seas.

The ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ provides ac­commo­dation for 46 travelers in comfortable twin and superior cabins.  All cabins are outside, with a desk, windows and ample storage space.

6 twin cabins without bath have upper and lower berths and washbasins. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same Deck 3.

14 cabins with private facilities are located on Decks 3 and 4 and have upper and lower berths. 

3 superior cabins with private facilities located on Deck 4 have a double sofa bed and a separate single bed.

The ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ has a large bridge (where you are almost always welcome) and good open deck-viewing areas. She carries a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise in­accessible areas. Excellent cuisine prepared by international chefs is served in the dining room, which also acts as the lecture room. Other public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary and sauna.

All our international expedition leaders and lecturers are highly knowledgeable, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment. The expedition leaders speak English and most of the time some other languages as well.

The ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ is manned by an en­thusiastic Rus­sian crew of around 20, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognized experts in polar navigation. Some of the crew speak English, some don’t. The personal contact with the Russian crew is always a nice aspect of our polar journeys. Ship registry: Russia.

M/V ‘Professor Multanovskiy’ & ‘Akademik Shokalskiy’ 

·     small vessels with a maximum of only 48 passengers

·     small size allows for a more intimate and spontaneous expedition venturing into areas closed to larger vessels

·     ice-strengthened hull

·     experience more like a private expedition than a traditional cruise with maximum time ashore

·     relaxed and informal atmosphere on board

·     excellent varied international menu

·     comfort combined with all international environmental and safety standards

The Professor Multanovskiy, Professor Molchanov and Akademik Shokalskiy are sister ships, built in Finland in 1982/83, for polar and oceanographic research. Continuously refurbished since their conversion for passenger use they are ideally suited to expedition cruising. The vessels measure 69.7 meters (222 feet) in length, 12.8 meters (42 feet) in breadth, and have a draft of ap­proximately 4.5 meters (15 feet), and a displacement of 2,140 tons. Powered by two Russian diesel engines, they are capable of cruising speed of 9 knots. They carry a maximum of only 49 passengers in comfortable twin and triple cabins - some with private facilities and others with shared facilities (there are ample shared facilities on deck 3).  Each cabin has a window, a writing desk and plenty of storage space. 

Public areas include a lounge and well-stocked bar, a small library, infirmary, sauna and dining rooms. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and navigation Bridge (where passengers are almost always welcome).

Designed to explore some of the remotest corners of the world, the ships are equipped with passive stabilizers and have sophisticated communication and navigation equipment. They are crewed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation (Russian captains are recognized as the world experts in polar operations). They are joined by our internationally renowned expedition staff and lecturers from all over the world. European chefs produce an excellent international menu and the relaxing bars are well stocked with a good selection of beers, wine and spirits. Ships registry: Russia.

M/V ‘Orlova’

·     larger vessel with a maximum of 110 passengers reduces the cost (per person) of the trip

·     large size provides a more stable platform for wildlife watching on sea crossings

·     ice-strengthened hull

·     relaxed and informal atmosphere on board

·     excellent cuisine prepared by European chefs

·     comfort combined with all international environmental and safety standards

Built in Yugoslavia in 1976, and refurbished in 1999, the M/V Orlova is a 90-meter ice-strengthened passenger cruise ship. The vessel measures 100.02 meters (318 feet) in length, 16.24 meters (54 feet) in breadth, and have a draft of ap­proximately 4.65 meters (16 feet), and a displacement of 4,250 tons. Powered by two Russian diesel engines, she is capable of cruising speed of 12 knots.   Accommodation on board ranges from twin and triple cabins to superior cabins and suites. They all have two lower berths and private facilities, with a porthole or a window, as well as a writing desk, sitting space and ample storage. The spacious ship is configured for 124 passengers but we take a maximum of 110 on our Antarctic voyages.

Public areas include a spacious forward lounge and bar which also acts as a gathering place for lectures and recaps of the day’s adventures, a window lined dining room which accommodates all passengers in leisurely single seating, an infirmary and a well-stocked library.  There are ample deck areas and promenades for excellent views of the passing scenery and wildlife.  We maintain an ‘open bridge’ policy which means that you are almost always welcome to visit the Bridge at any time (subject to weather conditions).

Designed to explore some of the remotest corners of the world, the M/V Orlova is equipped with sophisticated communication and navigation equipment. She is crewed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation (Russian captains are recognized as the world experts in polar operations). They are joined by a team of internationally renowned expedition staff and lecturers from all over the world. European chefs produce an excellent and varied international menu and the comfortable bars are well stocked with a good selection of beers, wine and spirits. Ship registry: Malta.

M/V ‘Sarpik Ittuk’

 The Sarpik Ittuk was built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. (Its unusual name combines two Greenlandic words: ittuk refers to the throbbing sound of its engines, and sarpik means "the tip of a whale's tail.") The ship was upgraded in 2000 and will be significantly refurbished once again in 2006 to include a glass-enclosed forward observation lounge on the top deck - and to offer Quark Expeditions travelers even more of a comfortable retreat after days of exploring ashore. (The ship photos on the left have been digitally modified to include the planned new features.)
 
Carrying up to 96 passengers and classified to operate in ice-filled waters, the 73-meter vessel is guided by Danish officers with deep experience in polar navigation. The vessel measures 11 meters in breadth, and have a draft of ap­proximately 3.7 meters, and a displacement of 2,118 tons.  She is capable of cruising speed of 12 knots.  With outside cabins only (all with private facilities), a spacious dining room and a comfortable library, the Sarpik Ittuk is a perfect expedition ship for discovering Antarctica. Ship registry: Greenland.