ATLANTIC
ODYSSEY:
From
Antarctica to Europe
8
- 38 Days
This unique voyage takes us from Ushuaia, the
southernmost city in the world, further south to the mysterious Antarctica, and
then all the way north to the Cape Verde Islands.
After exploring Ushuaia, we sail out along the Beagle
Channel and across the Drake Passage. Icebergs become a familiar sight as the
ship approaches Antarctica.
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 the abundant wildlife.
Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic Islands are
some of the last truly unspoiled regions of the world. The 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.
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.
Later on, the scenery changes dramatically. Now
accompanied by flying fish as well as birds and dolphins, we visit St. Helena
Island, where Napoleon lived in exile. We continue to Ascension Island and visit
a spectacular Soothy Tern colony with over a million of birds. There are great
opportunities for snorkelling around these tropical islands. We will admire the
volcanoes of the Cape Verde Islands and meet friendly locals.
The
Atlantic Odyssey from Antarctica to the Cape Verde Islands takes 38 days, but
can be sub-divided in two voyages.
From
Praia (Cape Verde Islands),
we fly to Lisbon in Portugal.
Note: Please
note that this itinerary is for guidance only. The exact program may vary
depending on local ice and weather conditions and to take advantage of
opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Day 1 (March 09)
In the
afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Day 2 - 3
In the Drake
Passage we witness a multitude of albatrosses, petrels and fulmars.
Day 4
At
Hope Bay and Brown Bluff we hope to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. In this
area chances are good for encounters with Gentoo Penguins, Weddell Seals,
Leopard Seals and Orcas.
Day 5
From
Devil Island at the tip of the Weddell Sea is surrounded by huge table icebergs
of the Larsen Ice Shelf. We will climb a hill with a gently slope from where we
have a great view on the surroundings. At Paulet Island we will observe the last
individuals of a large Adelie Penguin colony near the ruins
of the Nordenskiöld Expedition
from the beginning of the 20th century.
Day
6
At
sea we will probably sail along the sea ice drifting north out of the Weddell
Sea. On the floes we may see some juvenile Emperor Penguins.
Day 7
On
our way north we plan to visit South Orkneys, where the Scotsman Bruce once
wintered and where we now may visit the friendly people of an Argentinean base.
D
ay
8
At
sea, on our way to South Georgia, we witness a multitude of albatrosses, petrels
and fulmars.
Day 9 - 11
In South
Georgia we will pay visits to the abandoned whaling settlements Grytviken, where
now the penguins walk through the streets, and King Edwards Point with the grave
of Shackleton. We
will walk near the big King Penguin
colony on Salisbury Plain and the
breeding Wandering Albatrosses on
Prion Island in the Bay of Isles. The
last day in South Georgia we will spend in Cooper Bay where we will observe
Chinstrap Penguins and Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light-mantled Sooty
Albatrosses. Later we intend to sail to Gold Harbour to visit another King
Penguin colony and to see many Elephant Seals and Fur Seals. It is a good area
for long walks. We conclude our visit with zodiac excursions in the magnificent
Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour.
Day 12 - 16
In the
westerlies we have a pleasant tailwind. On both sides of the Antarctic
Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and
sub-Antarctic seabirds.
Day 17
Today we plan
to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as
always weather permitting. In previous years we managed to circumnavigate all
but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island in the ship, saw
spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife.
We felt very privileged to be among the few visitors who have been able
to experience Gough and in particular, to see it at such close quarters and in
such favourable conditions. We hope to be lucky to repeat this unique experience
with you.
D
ay 18 - 20
In the Tristan
da Cunha archipelago we call at the settlement at the west side of the main
island. We will also try to make landings at Nightingale Island with millions of
seabirds ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatrosses to Brown Noddies. We allow one
day in reserve for bad weather.
Day 21 -
24
At
sea, we now enter sub-tropical waters with their own brand of seabirds and
dolphins.
Day 25 - 27
St. Helena has
a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, we will have ample opportunities
to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. We will
visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to
explore the Island on your own and for snorkelling, in the shallow surf near a
wreck we can find a lot of fishes.
Day 28 - 29
At sea.
Day 30 - 31 (April
08)
Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island
with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony
sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. We will try to climb
the moist summit of Ascension Island and make a zodiac-cruise around Boatswain
Bird Island offering also great opportunities for snorkelling. We may witness
egg-laying sea turtles coming ashore at night. Some of our passengers may
disembark and fly with the scheduled RAF (Royal Air Force) flight to Brize
Norton in Oxfordshire, UK.
In
the evening the vessel will depart from Ascension Island.
Day
32 - 36
At sea, we witness the northbound spring
migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas join us to
cross the Equator (“the Line”).
Day
37
We land at Fogo.This is the great
vulcanological laboratory of the Cape Verde
Islands. Here we shall see lava as
fresh as is possible because it emerged from the ground within the last 10
years and with the dry atmosphere of the islands there is little
weathering to take place. We shall land a short distance from the capital,
Sao Felipe and shall take an excursion into the very crater to the village
of Portela where the people, unbelievable as it seems, make wine. This is
perhaps not, one of the greatest vintages of the world but it deserves tasting
because of its curiosity. On returning to Sao Felipe we shall relax
for a while before re-embarking for an early dinner after which we shall
try an evening zodiac cruise in order to see the sea birds before dark.
Day 38 (April 15)
Praia on Sao Tiago, the main island of the
southern group, has a character of its own. We shall make an excursion to Cidade
Velha, steeped in history, and shall observe the massive fortress on the
hill, built to deter English marauders in the period when the Crowns of
Portugal and Spain were united and Portuguese possessions became as fair
game to the likes of Drake and Raleigh as were Spanish ones. We shall see
the ruins of the Cathedral, the oldest Christian Church in the tropics, and
the slave whipping post in the main square. The village is well
watered and there are plantations of sugar cane, which support a rum distillery,
and several species of birds. We shall have another guided stroll around
the City of Praia, which is the capital of the Cape Verdes, and which has given
rise to a unique variety of folk music, which we shall hear as we pass the
various bars!
Shortly after midnight (Day
39, April 16) we fly to Lisbon in Portugal (not included in the cruise rate).
Passengers can also disembark in Praia, evening
Day 38 and stay for a day or more in a hotel in Praia and take a later flight to
Lisbon.
Day
39 - 49
Passengers can also stay on board the vessel and
join us for a repositioning voyage to Hansweert in the Netherlands, arrival on
April 26. On this leg of the voyage there will be no excursions and no
expedition staff on the ship.
It is for passengers, who just want to relax and
enjoy the sea voyage without any program and with a minimal service.
From Hansweert there are nearby train-connections
to Amsterdam / Schiphol International Airport (2 ½
hours train ride).
SUMMARY
Inclusions:
·
Expedition cruise
onboard a modern and comfortable ice-strengthened vessel, providing
accommodation for just 49 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.
Trip grade:
Easy
Dates and
Rates (US$)
Please note that all dates & rates are subject to
change
Aboard ‘Professor Molchanov’
Note: The voyage might also be carried out by a
similar sister vessel
M/V
‘Professor Molchanov’ & ‘Professor Multanovskiy’
·
small vessels with a maximum of only 49 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 and Professor Molchanov 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.
1-866-318-5050 office@50plusexpeditions.com
