BOUVET ISLAND:

Ushuaia - Antarctic Peninsula - South Orkney’s - South Georgia -

South Sandwich - Bouvet - Cape Town

24 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 to Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.

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 20)

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.

Da y 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 20^th 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.

Day 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 Albatros 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. At Sea

Our vessel now takes us to the South Sandwich Islands.

Day 13 - 14. South Sandwich Islands

In the rarely visited and uninhabited South Sandwich Islands (British), we will try to land on Zavadovski Island, on the steep-sided Candlemas Island and Saunders Island. These volcanic islands, discovered by James Cook in 1775, with an ice cap on the top, are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap penguins and Southern Giant Petrels. Elephant Seals and Fur Seals also haul out at the beaches.

Days 15 - 17. At Sea

In the westerlies we have a pleasant tailwind. Near the Antarctic Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.

Days 18 - 19. Bouvet Island

Due to the unpredictability of landings at Bouvet, we are allocating 48 hours to be able to have multiple opportunities to land at Bouvet Island (Norwegian territory), another volcano in Antarctic waters topped by an ice-cap, with a rich fauna of seabirds and seals near the coasts. At the southwest side of the island we should have the best opportunities to land at Larsöya and Kapp Norvegia, which have some protection from the swell from the west. A third possibility is at Nyröysa, but this area is more exposed and partly out of bounds; as it is a nature reserve. We will allocate these two days for landings at Bouvet Island.

Days 20 - 23.  At Sea

In the westerlies we have side winds and tail winds. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds. We also get now in more temperate waters with their own brand of species as we approach South African waters, where we meet wintering seabirds from the North like long-tailed Skua’s and Sabine Gulls.

Day 24

Arrival and disembarkation in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.

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

Note: The voyage might also be carried out by a similar sister vessel

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.