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Peregrine Travel Centre

An Expedition to the Great White Continent

An Expedition to the Great White Continent

From GBP £10,815

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Description

In today’s highly accessible world there are few places that still hold the power to enthral and enchant. Antarctica is certainly one of these. No amount of travel books or films can prepare you for Antarctica. It is somewhere that has to be seen to be believed. Enormous icebergs rise from the sea, hillsides are covered with thousands of penguins and seals bask on icebergs dotted in the ocean; the sights, sounds and emotions will stay with you forever.

Antarctica is to be experienced, not just to be seen, and we believe the only way to do this is on board a small ship in order to maximise the time spent ashore. To enjoy the wonders of this icy paradise in the company of an expert expedition team and a small and enthusiastic party is the perfect way to achieve the most from a visit to this extraordinary place. We have timed our expedition for what is regarded as spring as the pack ice begins to melt. This is the mating season for penguins and other species and you can witness their spectacular displays of courtship ritual, nest building and such antics as stone stealing. This is also the time when fur seals claim their breeding territories.

Our expedition starts in Ushuaia from where we will be followed by albatrosses as we sail to the Falkland Islands for our exploration of these isolated islands thriving with wildlife and a fascinating history. We continue to South Georgia where we have ample time to explore what is one of the world’s natural wonders with a remarkable concentration of wildlife. We will land on remote beaches, alive with great numbers of fur seals, elephant seals, wandering and sooty albatrosses, Macaroni and King penguins. These beach paradises are backed by some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the world. Finally we sail for the peninsula where enormous tabular icebergs rise from the sea, hillsides are covered with thousands of penguins and seals bask on icebergs. Whilst at sea or in between our landings you can pass the time looking for wildlife on deck, attending the series of lectures by the expedition team or simply relaxing on board.

Trip Name
An Expedition to the Great White Continent
Days
19
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person PLEASE NOTE - DECK PLANS CAN VARY.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Ushuaia.
Arrive in Ushuaia and transfer to the MS Island Sky and start our adventure this evening as we cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Day 2 - Day 2 - At sea.
Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are albatrosses, prions and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our expedition team will be out on deck looking for whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area. During our day at sea our onboard experts will begin their presentations with informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history and geology of the Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean.
Day 3 - Days 3 & 4 - Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are isolated and windswept, a haven for wildlife. We hope to land on New Island, the westernmost island with one inhabitant and 40 species of breeding sea birds including rock hopper penguins. Weather and wind conditions allowing, we may also land on Steeple Jason, the north western outpost with the world’s largest colony of black browed albatross. We will make sure to visit some of the many historic sites on the island and to call at Port Stanley, the charming capital of the Falklands.
Day 4 - Days 5 & 6 - The Southern Ocean.
As we cruise towards South Georgia the richness of these waters will be evident in the marine mammal life, especially the fur seals on fishing forays. We have a good chance of spotting whales such as fins and minkies whilst the birds circling our stern will be outstanding, especially the large albatrosses and numerous breeds of petrels.
Day 5 - Days 7 to 9 - South Georgia.
We have two and a half days of expedition cruising in and around South Georgia, a paradise island with snow-clad mountain peaks rising 9000 feet and with 165 glaciers tumbling down towards the sea. We arrive early in the season when parts of the island are still covered by a thin layer of snow. For anyone interested in wildlife, South Georgia is a true oasis. The beaches will be covered by elephant seal bulls and females with feeding pups. They share the beach with a myriad of nesting King penguins. Most of the other sea birds have arrived and started nesting. This is also the time when the great arrival of the fur seals starts. Millions of fur seals will, over a few weeks, return to the beaches to breed. During our time here we hope to visit Salisbury Plain where we will find enormous elephant seals which crowd the beaches alongside thousands of pairs of King penguins. On Prion Island we visit the nesting place of the world’s largest flying seabird, the wandering albatross and in Fortuna Bay we will see nesting light mantled sooty albatrosses and hope to witness their gracious courting flights. A few thousand King penguins nest here. Meanwhile in Grytviken we will visit the old whaling station and of course pay our respect at the grave of ‘the boss’ – Ernest Shackleton.
Day 6 - Days 10 & 11 - At sea
The waters between South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula are rich with fin whales, where in good conditions we have seen as many as a hundred in a day. If not whale-watching, lookout for Antarctic Petrel, Kerguelen Petrel and one of the most beautiful birds of the Southern Ocean, the snow petrel. The icebergs will also become more plentiful as we sail south. Alternatively join the lecture programme as we learn more about the wildlife and history of the region.
Day 7 - Days 12 to 16 - Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
We have five days of exploration around the Peninsula which will include many of the best places for wildlife and magnificent scenery. Whilst we arrive with a planned itinerary the final schedule will be determined by our Captain and the Expedition Leader based on sea, weather and ice conditions. Using our Zodiacs we will make daily landings for unique close encounters with animals such as adelie and gentoo penguins, fur seals and petrels. We hope to visit the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay, Petermann Island, home to numbers of Adelie penguins, picturesque Neko Harbour, the Lemaire Channel where towering icebergs rise from the sea and Half Moon Island with its rookery of chinstrap penguins. We also hope to sail through the breathtaking Antarctic Sound, also known as ‘iceberg alley’, where massive icebergs drift north from the continent.
Day 8 - Days 17 & 18 - The Drake Passage.
Two days to relax onboard and reminisce with your fellow travellers about all you have seen and experienced during our expedition. Enjoy a lecture, look for wildlife or simply relax as we make our way across the Drakes Passage toward Ushuaia. Named after the 16th century English seaman, Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage separates the southernmost tip of South America from Antarctica. This is a particularly good area to spot royal albatross and blue petrel and we will also be on the lookout for pods of sperm whales.
Day 9 - Day 19 - Ushuaia.
Disembark after breakfast.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in Antarctica. Although we have outlined an itinerary above, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Day 11 - Day 21 - Ushuaia to Buenos Aires.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is free for independent arrangements.
Day 12 - Day 22 - Buenos Aires to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 13 - Day 23 - London.
Arrive this morning.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in Antarctica. Although we have outlined an itinerary above, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £10,815Magellan Suite
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £11,815Columbus Deck Superior
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £12,815Marco Polo Deck Premium
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £13,415Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £14,815Magellan Suite Sole
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £15,115Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £16,315Explorer Owners Balcony
01-12-201919-12-2019GBP £16,815Columbus Deck Superior Sole

Inclusions

    • Land on New Island, the westernmost island with one inhabitant and 40 species of breeding sea birds including rock hopper penguins
    • Spot whales such as fins and minkies
    • Have two and a half days of expedition cruising in and around South Georgia, a paradise island with snow-clad mountain peaks rising 9000 feet and with 165 glaciers tumbling down towards the sea
    • Have five days of exploration around the Antarctic Peninsula which will include many of the best places for wildlife and magnificent scenery

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