Antarctic Quest

• Fly in from Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile
• Your hotel may not be available until mid-afternoon so you can store your luggage and enjoy an afternoon in this city at the end of the Earth. Read our newsletter article about Ushuaia to find out more about this city.
• Take a taxi to the hotel nearby, where our representative will meet you in the lobby at a designated time  to make recommendations on the best places to hike, bike or kayak

• A guided motor coach tour of the Tierra del Fuego National Park where you’ll hike over hills to reach an estuary
• After the hike, you’ll satisfy your hunger with a traditional Argentine meal of asado barbecue consisting of lamb, beef and chicken cooked over an open fire
• Late afternoon, you’ll be transferred from the coach to a pier to board the ship. Make sure you have your identification ready to pass security.
• Aboard the ship, there will be an important safety briefing.
• In the dining room, a three course meal will be served; casual attire as always

• The day begins with a wake-up call where you’ll be briefed on the sea’s conditions, the weather, and the ship’s longitude and latitude
• After breakfast, learn about the history of the discovery of Antarctica or hear a variety of presentations on the lifecycle of the wildlife in the region
• There will be a variety of activities to choose from in the evening: you can have a drink at the bar and get to know your fellow adventurers, a current movie may be shown in the presentation room, an educational presentation may be given or you could curl up with a book about Antarctica from our library

• Explore the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
• Welcome reception by locals upon arrival to the Falklands where the people are friendly, inviting travelers to camp, to chat over tea and cake
• Visit Stanley, the archipelago’s government seat and only town. Make a visit to a pub, which you’ll find to be more British than the Tower of London.

• The islands are home to five species of penguins: King, Macaroni, Rockhopper, Gentoo and Magellanic. Native species include the Falkland Thrust and Tussac Bird.
• Dolphins and whales are common sights in the waters that surround the islands where three species of seal also breed.
• Landings are planned to provide photographic and hiking opportunities during exploration of the islands.

• When the conditions are right, en route to South Georgia, you’ll sail past Shag Rocks, the smallest of the sub Antarctic islands.
• The rocks found at Shag Rocks are covered in guano which gives them a light brown appearance. The rocks form an extension of the South Georgian continental shelf and are composed of highly altered sedimentary rock similar to those found in the South Orkney Islands.

• As the ship draws closer to Antarctica the water and air temperature drop sharply indicating that you’ve crossed the Antarctic Convergence, an invisible circumpolar that separates Antarctica from the rest of the globe.

• South Georgia is a breeding ground for birds such as Wandering Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels and various species of penguins. You’ll hike glaciated terrain to hilltops with amazing views of the King Penguin rookeries.
• On the headland where the Shags nest, you might see Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses flying in synchronization while making bonding calls.

• Our polar historian will bring the history of Antarctic explorations to life aboard and ashore.
• On the stone beaches and snowy slopes you may encounter Weddell seals sunning
• Larsen Harbor is the northernmost place for seals to pup at the beginning of the austral spring.

• The first whaling enterprise in South Georgia was established in 1904. After eight years, there were seven whaling stations on the island. The remains of the whaling stations are open to the public for exploration where the exposed machinery remains as a reminder of the mainstay of the island’s economy until 1965.

• In the evening as the lights dim, you might be able to see tens of thousands of Antarctic Prions around the ship. Onshore, these birds wait for pitch darkness to enter their burrows among the tussock to protect themselves from their predators, skuas and petrels.

• En route to the Antarctic Peninsula we’ll be busy identifying seabirds, listening to presentations on everything from the Antarctic food web to the life cycle of the humpback whale.
• Our specialist provides behavioral notes about the species that you will encounter.

• Members of the Expedition Team will continue the education program with subjects ranging from the historic age of exploration to the whales of the Southern Ocean.

• During the next four days you will be exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Landings and wildlife sighting will depend on weather, ice conditions and wildlife cycles.
• Landings are announced in advance in the program that will arrive at your cabin each evening. On average there will be 3 landings per day but this may change according to conditions.
• When an announcement over the PA system is made to board the Zodiacs, you will don your expedition gear and descend the gangway.

• From early November to mid-December you can witness a pristine wilderness of ice and snow. In the austral summer the sun heat ups the Peninsula, snow and ice retreat until there is little snow left from the previous winter.
• The austral spring is when penguins return to their rookeries to court and build nests. Mid-December until the end of January is the best time to see fluffy penguin chicks. From the end of December to mid-February, rockeries come alive with penguin chicks testing their newly found independence.

• Antarctica is a land of incredible colors where the evening sky can paint the snow shades of rose and orange. The green moss vibrates beside the rusty red lichens growing on rocks. Icebergs run the gamut from turquoise to violent in different light. The ocean appears inky one minute and as clear as glass the next. Opportunities for photography are extraordinary; be sure to bring a camera.

• The Expedition Team will hold recaps of what you experienced during landings. These sessions provide opportunities to relive the explorations, share your experiences and ask questions of shipboard specialists.

• Members of the Expedition Team will continue the education program with subjects ranging from the historic age of exploration to the whales of the Southern Ocean.
• You can spend the day on deck watching the large seabirds that you probably recognize by now or relive your adventures as you exchange photos with your companions aboard the ship

• Recapping sessions are great opportunities to discuss how to preserve Antarctica for future generations.
• Final remarks and instructions for disembarkation are made on packing day so that you will know when to place your luggage outside the corridor for collection.

• In the night a small vessel will come alongside our ship and a pilot will come aboard to help us navigate the last stretch of water before arriving Ushuaia. If the weather permits, you’ll have the opportunity to see the lights of the austral summer night
• After breakfast aboard the ship, you'll be transferred by bus to the passenger collection point at the end of the quay

• Hotel accommodation with continental breakfast the night prior to embarkation
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage
• Zodiac transfers and sightseeing while aboard
• Educational program
• Group transfer between hotel and vessel for embarkation
• Group transfer between vessel and airport following disembarkation
• Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour and BBQ lunch
• Rubber boots loan service and complimentary parka
• A glass of house wine with dinner on board

PLEASE NOTE:
As of 1 January 2010, an entrance fee (Reciprocity Fee) is chargeable for citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia visiting Argentina. For further details, please read this article on the Latin America For Less Travel Blog.