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Explorers, King Penguins and Wildlife Expedition

Explorers, King Penguins and Wildlife Expedition

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Description

Pristine, remote and truly awesome
When embarking on one of our most ambitious voyages to Antarctica, it’s best to travel with an open mind and expect the unexpected. The overwhelming power of nature and teeming wildlife, thriving despite the extremes of temperature, will leave you speechless, creating everlasting memories to take home. Come ashore on isolated beaches to encounter incredible wildlife in haunting landscapes, take kayak trips in untouched waters with icebergs floating by, or spend a night in a tent under the stars.

Starting in Buenos Aires, you have the opportunity to discover the `Paris of South America´ before embarking on MS Fram in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost town. From there, we set a course through the scenic Beagle Channel and across the Drake passage.

Antarctica and the wonders of the Deep South
Antarctica is a peaceful continent where man’s primary activity is science. It has evolved through millennia without human interference; here, wild animals remain fearless of man. We will visit several places in Antarctica. Depending on the ice and wind conditions, we might visit Whalers Bay, Half Moon Island and Brown Bluff, a landscape dominated by a towering, rust-coloured bluff of volcanic origin, next to a beach sprinkled with lava “bombs”. Smell, hear and see the rich penguin colonies, watch whales break the surface and always be prepared for the unexpected. Being our smallest vessel in Antarctica, MS Fram qualifies for the largest range of possible landing sites to enhance your experience.

The Expedition team will seize opportunities to take you hiking, go kayaking among icebergs or pitch camp in the footsteps of the great explorers.

Captivating South Georgia
On board lectures will prepare you for South Georgia, where we sail into the mountainous Drygalski Fjord at the southern end of the island and we also aim to visit some of South Georgia’s abandoned whaling stations.

We cross open sea before we reach the Falkland Islands, with its seamless horizons, vast open vistas, stunning white sand beaches and wildlife like penguins and albatrosses. Here, we first explore the northwest before we continue to the capital Stanley, with its red buses and English pubs. Stanley is also the natural starting point for several excursions.

Please note – your price includes: One hotel night in Buenos Aires before the voyage including breakfast, Transfer hotel to airport in Buenos Aires, Economy flight Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Transfer in Ushuaia including an orientation tour

Trip Name
Explorers, King Penguins and Wildlife Expedition
Days
23
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 114m Passenger Capacity: 276 Built: 2007 MS Fram is designed for sailing in polar waters, holds the highest safety standards and is the perfect size for optimum nautical manoeuverability and guests' comfort. With space for only 276 guests, you are sure to get to know many of your fellow travellers. You will share stunning sights and memories of a lifetime long after returning home. The Norwegian word Fram means ‘forward’ – lifting expectations of the voyage at hand. MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. As well as offering numerous lounges in which to relax, our more active guests can use our well-equipped gym. Meanwhile, on deck, our Jacuzzis guarantee you surreal memories when passing the towering icebergs of Antarctica or Greenland.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Explore the `Birthplace of Tango´
Your expedition starts with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, the bustling capital of Argentina. We offer an optional city tour in the afternoon. Spend the evening at your leisure and discover the `Paris of South America´ for yourself.
Day 2 - Day 2 Embarking the expedition
The following day, you fly to Ushuaia. The flight leaves Buenos Aires early in the morning, allowing you a few hours to explore Ushuaia or to join an optional excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, before embarking on MS Fram. In the evening, we will sail through the scenic Beagle Channel.
Day 3 - Day 3 At sea
We cross the open sea towards the Falkland Islands. Enjoy our in-depth lectures and keep an eye out for wildlife from deck
Day 4 - Days 4 - 6
The Falklands teem with wildlife, and offer clear blue skies, vast vistas and stunning white beaches. Here, the sheep graze alongside colonies of penguins, while caracaras patrol overhead and geese forage at the water’s edge. Penguins waddle close to take a look, then continue on their way, providing great photo opportunities!We hope to go ashore for exploring, hiking or taking a closer look at all the birds. Stanley makes an excellent starting point for our excursions. We will be docked in the capital the entire day, giving you time to discover on foot, as most shops and services are clustered around the port.Included activity:Stanley self guided walk (1 - 2 t)Take a short self-guided walk to get insight into life in the Falklands. Start at the historic Jubilee Villa gardens where local flora and fauna are found, stroll along Ross Road and visit Christchurch cathedral and the Whalebone Arch before proceeding to the Historic Dockyard Museum. Take the tour as part of a group or on an individual basis.Other optional tours available
Day 5 - Days 7-8 The South Atlantic Ocean
We spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. En route you can participate in a number of presentations about the area’s wildlife, as well as whaling and polar history. Our Expedition team is well versed in every facet of South Georgia, from its geology and glaciology to the mating rituals of the sooty albatross and the legends of the Norwegian whalers. One of the fascinating stories that will be told is that of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the men of the ill-fated Endurance and their amazing feats of bravery.
Day 6 - Days 9-13 The Serengeti of the Southern Ocean
Explore the unique beauty and wildlife of South Georgia. The rich history of exploration and whaling lends a great backdrop to its rugged scenery with glaciers and bustling wildlife. This area is known as the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, and is a favoured place for wildlife photographers. South Georgia’s unique position inside the Antarctic ecosystem - yet outside the limit of the yearly sea ice - makes it home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals and seabirds.We plan to visit Fortuna Bay and some of South Georgia’s abandoned whaling stations. During our stay here, you will see elephant seals lounge on the sand, fur seal pups race in and out of the water, albatross soar overhead, and king penguins in the thousands. Enjoy the sight of hanging glaciers and cliffs, the lagoons and a large king penguin colony. You will also see a whaling museum, the Norwegian seaman’s church, and the tiny graveyard where we can pay our respects to the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.South Georgia also offers some good hiking options, and one of our favourites is walking the last part of the route that Shackleton took on his brave journey across the island’s rugged mountains to find help for the 22 men left on isolated Elephant Island.
Day 7 - Days 14 Across the open sea
As we continue towards Antarctica you can learn more about the wonders of the Deep South, focusing on the history, environment and wildlife of the region. With favourable conditions, we aim to cruise by the Washington Strait and Coronation Island before setting course towards Elephant Island and Antarctica.
Day 8 - Days 15-20 Antarctica
Antarctica is a world apart from anything else on Earth! The first signs of our approach may be penguins in the water, or blue-white icebergs drifting by. This is true wilderness, and our captain will work with the elements to design the very best itinerary for your expedition cruise.There are no permanent human inhabitants in Antarctica, but it is home to millions of penguins and the feeding area for thousands of whales. The penguins are fearless when encountering humans, and they might be just as curious about you, as you are about them. We will attempt landings at several sites in the South Shetlands and on the Antarctic Peninsula and aim to show you the diversity of the reigion´s wildlife and landscape.Whenever opportunities arise, our Expedition Team will offer the chance to go out on kayaks, pitch tents ashore or take you on unforgettable hikes to explore the most beautiful, untouched places on the planet.Every day will be different, and each will be carefully crafted by our Expedition Team to create lasting memories.
Day 9 - Days 21-22 Northa across the Drake
The Voyage NorthOn our way back to civilisation, we will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica. The voyage from the Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 950 km (600 miles) or 40 hours of sailing time in good weather.
Day 10 - Day 23 Ushuaia
The Southernmost Town in the WorldWe make landfall in Tierra del Fuego. Your voyage ends in the world’s southernmost town, Ushuaia, and your journey back continues with a flight to Buenos Aires.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Go hiking and kayaking in Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia
    • Come ashore on isolated beaches and spend the night in a tent
    • Experience captivating South Georgia
    • See amazing wildlife, seals, penguins, birds and whales up close

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