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Antarctica – Off the Beaten Track (RCGS Resolute)

Antarctica – Off the Beaten Track (RCGS Resolute)

From USD $13,295

Description

Only on this departure in Antarctica, extended hikes, snowshoeing, enhanced photography excursions, overnight sea kayaking and ski touring are possible combined on one voyage.

Passengers benefit from the expedition ship being used as a mobile basecamp wilderness lodge to discover the white continent at everyone’s own pace! Travelling on a true small expedition ship with high ice rating unlocks great wildlife sightings, because Chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguin colonies, whales, seals and sea birds return to the plentiful feeding grounds of the Antarctic peninsula.

Trip Name
Antarctica – Off the Beaten Track (RCGS Resolute)
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Expedition Vessel Passenger Capacity: 146 Built: 1993 Named after the HMS Resolute, a British Royal Navy Arctic exploration vessel, as well as the Inuit town of Resolute in Canada’s Nunavut Territory, RCGS Resolute will arrive in Canada in November 2018 for its inaugural polar voyage. RCGS Resolute also carries the name of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), since we are exclusive education, environmental science, and expedition partners in Canada’s north. This longstanding partnership works to the benefit of our guests, who have the opportunity to learn from and interact with world-renowned educators, researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, artists, historians and photographers. With an unsurpassed ice classification, a proven track record for stability and safety, large indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, and exceptional maneuverability, RCGS Resolute is ideally equipped to guide guests through the world’s most pristine regions, further expanding our expertise in exploration and discovery. RCGS Resolute will carry a maximum of 146 passengers in unparalleled comfort, with an array of luxury amenities, educational opportunities and activities tailored to guests’ particular interests, and individual, personalized service.  Superb Design and Layout Throughout the ship there are spaces ideally suited to every need. Spacious outer decks provide 360 degree viewing platforms perfect for photography, wildlife watching, birding and appreciating expansive views.  The salt water plunge pool, large relaxation deck, hot water jacuzzi are all located aft of the wellness centre (massage therapy, Finnish Sauna, steam room) and well equipped gymnasium.  Inside there are multiple areas to explore ranging from our well appointed theatre style presentation room, aft observation lounge and bar, forward observation lounge and bar, and both dining rooms. Add in the One Ocean Expeditions multimedia room, and mobile laboratory and the opportunities are endless.  Six Different Cabin Categories All cabins feature outside viewing ranging from deck three traditional with port holes, up to decks 4 through 6 offering expansive panoramic windows.  Cabins all have lower berths that have the ability to be single beds, or 1 double bed depending on our guests needs.  Extensive renovations have provided new carpets, high quality cabinetry with soft close drawers, contemporary and spacious bathroom design, all paired with soft accent lighting offering options dependant on our guests daily activities and mood. All cabins offer modern sectional lounge quarters, providing a quiet nook to read or catch up on journalling.  Space is exceptional as each cabin offers 22M squared living space, whilst the One Ocean Suites are absolutely palatial offering 44M squared with enough room to entertain or do back - flips (your choice)! Enjoy Great Dining? So do we At One Ocean Expeditions, the priority is on the expedition.  However with every activity, option, event, or excursion we find we build up incredible appetites to indulge in superb and extensive menu options.  Our bistro dining room provides early birds the option to get their social caffeine or smoothy start to the day, accompanied by light breakfast style snacks.  Full meal service includes buffet breakfast and lunches incorporating an international flare.  For those with special dietary requirements - no problem, we can accommodate that too.  Dinner is a great opportunity to catch up about the day’s events, as well as look to where we expect to explore next.  Five course menu options are offered a la carte, and seating is open in our business casual dining room featuring 180 degree sweeping views.  There’s also an excellent wine list featuring a range of international wines and other beverages of choice.  Join us on the Bridge There is an open-bridge policy and guests are welcome to meet the navigating crew at virtually any time of day; there’s always something to learn from the officers on watch and the bridge is one of the best places on the ship for spotting whales and sea birds.  The bridge is closed during times of tricky navigation, pilotage, or weather. Operational Safety There are no compromises here. The expedition staff and crew onboard RCGS Resolute have the deepest respect for changeable weather in the polar regions and the varying sea and ice conditions. That respect is apparent in every decision made throughout the voyage. The ship carries the most extensive inventory of safety equipment on all excursions and require leaders to undergo vigorous and effective safety training programs. Your expedition team are well prepared, so you can relax and enjoy your voyage.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 / USHUAIA (ARGENTINA)
Our journey to Antarctica commences this afternoon in Ushuaia,in southern Argentina. We gather at our central meeting pointand transfer to the pier and embark our expedition ship. Aftersettling in to our cabins and exploring the ship, we meet ourexpedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the airas we enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner and cast off, boundfor Antarctica and the adventure of a lifetime.
Day 2 - DAYS 2-3 / AT SEA – TOWARDS ANTARCTICA
We chart a southerly course for Antarctica. This stretch of theSouth Atlantic is rich in its bio-diversity and showcases anabundance of wildlife. We will be joined by hundreds of seabirdsincluding the wandering albatross. Giant petrels and smallerCape petrels are also constant companions as make our waysouth. Photographing these magnificent birds takes patienceand skill and our photography expert will be on hand to showyou the best techniques. Join the ship’s Captain on the bridgeand learn about the operations of our modern expedition vessel.Throughout the day our onboard experts educate us with aseries of presentations about the environment, the wildlife andhistory and the locations we hope to visit in the coming days.As we approach the coastline of Antarctica, we anticipate anincrease in whale sightings.
Day 3 - DAYS 4-5 / SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTICA
We awaken today and the magnificent snowy peaks of theSouth Shetland Islands are laid out before us. Depending onice and weather conditions, we plan on entering the McFarlaneStrait, which separates Greenwich and Livingstone Islands. HalfMoon Island or nearby Yankee Habour are possible landingsites. A short way to the south-west lies Deception Island – aflooded volcanic caldera. Navigating the ship into the narrowpassage takes great skill. The old whaling station here begsexploration and there are some fantastic hikes available alongthe black sand beach to investigate the old aircraft hangarand other relics. A hike of several kilometers up to a high pointknown as Neptune's Window is another option.Overnight we cross the Bransfield Strait and are now along thecoastline of continental Antarctica. Over the next four days, ouritinerary is deliberately flexible to account for early season iceconditions, and to take advantage of optimal snow conditionsat several of our favourite landing sites. Our planned explorationstarts in vicinity of Mikkelson Harbour and neighbouring CiervaCove – both beautiful locations and the perfect introduction toAntarctica.
Day 4 - DAYS 6-9 / GERLACHE STRAIT (ANTARCTICA)
Heading south along the coastline of the continent, our busyprogram of activities will now be in full swing. Our days arespent exploring on and off the ship. Popular activities includeguided hikes on shore and visits to wildlife colonies with ourexpert naturalist guides, while the historic huts and sciencestations provide a fascinating glimpse into the past and thepresent. Zodiac cruising among the ice is always a memorableactivity.Based on site characteristics, the ski touring group may setoff to explore the pristine terrain and range several kilometersinland with our experienced mountaineering guides. What aunique thrill it is to carve ‘fresh tracks’ in the virgin snow ofAntarctica. The expedition snow shoe group may follow inthe tracks of the skiers, climbing to high points which affordbreathtaking views. If you are not up to the more strenuoussnow shoeing program, you will be able to try this uniqueactivity at many of our landing sites.Our expedition sea kayakers will head out on excursionswhich may last all day. An overnight kayak/camping excursionis available to the more adventurous in the group. Everyoneaboard will have an opportunity to camp onshore for the nightin Antarctica if the weather conditions co-operate. We have allthe gear to keep you warm, dry and as comfortable as possible.Photography enthusiasts will enjoy the chance to spend anentire day with our expedition photographer, on an all-day fieldworkshop.We range as far south as ice conditions permit and hope tonavigate as far as Neko Harbour and into the Errera Channel.Witnessing the migration of the penguins early in the season,as they busily re-establish their rookeries and prepare nests is afascinating experience.
Day 5 - DAY 10 / SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
The adventure is not over and we plan an additional dayof exploration in the South Shetlands. Prevailing weatherconditions will dictate our landing locations. Aitcho Island isa possibility and is a great spot for a hike or a Zodiac cruise.There are several other landing sites in the South Shetland'sincluding Half Moon Island, or the broad pebbly beach atYankee Harbour, where we sometimes encounter Weddellseals sunning themselves. This is another great spot for ahike. Hannah Point, with it's elephant seal colony and nestingAntarctic petrels - could also feature. In the evening, wenavigate north and into the Drake Passage, charting a coursefor South America.
Day 6 - DAYS 11-12 / DRAKE PASSAGE – RETURN TO SOUTH AMERICA
Making our way back to South America, the educationalpresentations continue and we enjoy a memorable voyagerecap by our Expedition Leader. Join our photography expertsin the multimedia room and download and back up yourprecious images. If weather conditions allow, we hope to makea rounding of Cape Horn. This fabled stretch of water is hometo legendary tales of exploration and early navigation. It is afitting place to reflect on a wonderful expedition. Approachingthe entrance to the Beagle Channel in early evening light, weenjoy a special dinner attended by the Captain of the ship.
Day 7 - DAY 13 / ARRIVE USHUAIA (ARGENTINA) – VOYAGE CONCLUDES
In the early morning, we arrive into Ushuaia, Argentina. It is timeto say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers. Guests willbe transported to their hotels or to the airport for return flightshome. It will be possible to connect to flights through to BuenosAires or other destinations in South America. Otherwise enjoy anight in town or venture further afield to explore the highlights ofPatagonia.
Day 8 - Please Note:
Polar exploration can be unpredictable. Specific sites visited will depend on prevailing weather and ice conditions at thetime of sailing. The above itinerary should be read as a ‘guide only’ and may change. The ship’s Captain in conjunction with the Expedition Leadercontinually review the sailing plan throughout the voyage, making adjustments to the itinerary along the way to take advantage of optimal weatherand ice conditions or to maximize our encounters with wildlife. Decades of experience spent exploring these waterways mean we have a largenumber of outstanding landing sites and zodiac cruising locations to consider, even when the weather conditions may not be ideal or when heavyice may hinder our a planned route. A flexible approach is something we encourage you to bring to the ship.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
16-11-201828-11-2018USD $0Triple Private
16-11-201828-11-2018USD $0Twin Private
16-11-201828-11-2018USD $0Superior
16-11-201828-11-2018USD $0Superior Plus
16-11-201828-11-2018USD $0Shackleton Suite
16-11-201828-11-2018USD $0One Ocean Suite

Inclusions

    • Outstanding wildlife observation on shore, zodiac cruising and from the ship
    • In-depth exploration of the Gerlache coastline and Antarctic Peninsula
    • A great range of off -ship adventure activities
    • Learn about the environment, wildlife and ecology of Antarctica from polar experts
    • Complimentary expedition snow shoeing, overnight camping, onboard photography

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