28 days tour

Antarctica And Emperor Penguins: Weddell Sea And Larsen Ice

Antarctica And Emperor Penguins: Weddell Sea And Larsen Ice

This tour includes:

Transport

all shore excursions, hikes and dinghy rides subject to weather and ice conditions and permit issuance if necessary

Meals

Meals: 27ร—F, 26ร—M, 27ร—A

Guide

English speaking expedition team

Accommodation

27 Overnight: ship in booked cabin category

Others

Helicopter flights depending on weather and permission granted extensive, scientifically based lecture program on board sturdy hiking boots (on loan)

Not included:

Others

Arrival/departure meals and drinks not mentioned optional activities any additional nights required before or after the tour Travel health insurance (compulsory) Services on board Possible fuel surcharge gratuities Personal items

Insurance

Optional

optional activities

Flights

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Antarctica And Emperor Penguins: Weddell Sea And Larsen Ice

  • Day 1 Day 1: Ushuaia - Embarkation
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Ushuaia - Embarkation

      Individual arrival in Ushuaia. Embarkation in the afternoon. The first leg through the Beagle Channel to the open Atlantic follows in the evening. Overnight stay on board.

  • Day 2 Day 2-3: At Sea
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2-3: At Sea

      On the sea days towards South Georgia you can observe many different seabirds and cross the Antarctic Convergence. 2 overnight stays on board.

  • Day 3 Day 4-6: In The Animal Paradise Of South Georgia
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4-6: In The Animal Paradise Of South Georgia

      Conditions in South Georgia change quickly, so the weather will dictate the activities over the next few days, where you will encounter a dramatic variety of landscapes and a wide range of wildlife, such as elephant seals, fur seals, king penguins, gentoo penguins and golden crested penguins. Possible landing points in South Georgia are: Prion Island: No bird has such a huge wingspan as the wandering albatross. A large colony of these huge animals breeds on Prion. If approved, the breeding parents and later the first young can be observed from January (closed 20.11. - 07.01.). Fortuna Bay: Surrounded by beaches inhabited by penguins and seals, you can retrace the last stretch of Shackletonโ€™s legendary migration to the abandoned whaling station in Stromnes. Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour: The three largest king penguin colonies in the world are located in South Georgia - right in the middle of the fluffy chicks of the big birds. The beaches are also home to the largest herds of the mighty elephant seals, which give birth and raise their young here. In autumn (October/November), the spectacular fights between the bulls, which can weigh up to four tons, are impressive. Grytviken: The abandoned whaling station offers a small, interesting museum and a Norwegian wooden church. A visit to Shackletonโ€™s grave is of course a must. Penguins waddle along the paths and elephant seals bask in sheltered corners. You leave South Georgia in the afternoon of day 6. 3 nights on board.

  • Day 4 Day 7-8: At Sea
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7-8: At Sea

      Like Shackleton on the Endurance Expedition in December 1914, you will leave South Georgia with the aim of reaching the South Sandwich Islands and the Weddell Sea. Here you will repeatedly encounter sea ice, on the edge of which South Polar skuas and snow petrels join the other seabirds following the ship south. 2 overnight stays on board.

  • Day 5 Day 9: Rugged South Sandwich Islands
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Rugged South Sandwich Islands

      Landings are not possible on the South Sandwich Islands, but if conditions permit, you will travel by Zodiac through the breathtaking landscape of this volcanically active area. In this area you are very likely to see humpback and minke whales. On and around the islands, you have the chance to see brown skuas, throat-striped or Adรฉlie penguins, and various albatross species such as gray-headed, black-browed or even the wandering albatross may also cross your path. Overnight stay on board.

  • Day 6 Day 10-12: Course South
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10-12: Course South

      You will sail towards the Antarctic continent in the direction of Queen Maud Land and New Swabia on the north-eastern side of the Weddell Sea. Varied lectures on board complement the days at sea. 3 overnight stays on board.

  • Day 7 Day 13-14: Landings At New Swabia
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13-14: Landings At New Swabia

      Their first destination in Antarctica is New Swabia between 20ยฐE and 10ยฐW in Queen Maud Land. The area was explored by Germany in early 1939, during the third German Antarctic expedition from 1938 to 1939 under the leadership of Alfred Ritscher. The main aim was to find an area in the Antarctic for a German whaling station and to explore a possible location for a German naval base. In order to claim the region for themselves, German flags were placed on the sea ice along the coasts. 2 overnight stays on board.

  • Day 8 Day 15-23: Out And About In The Wedell Sea
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15-23: Out And About In The Wedell Sea

      If you go deep into the Weddell Sea, you have a good chance of seeing Weddell and crabeater seals or leopard seals. With a bit of luck, you might even spot emperor penguins! Humpback whales, minke whales and orcas are common in this area. The ice conditions in the Weddell Sea vary seasonally and you will encounter an impressive, lonely wilderness here. On the way to high latitudes (and thus further and further south) you will experience the raw beauty and power that makes the Antarctic so special. Only here can you fully understand why it took so long to discover the white continent and how difficult it must have been for the early polar explorers. A circular route is planned to the Brunt Ice Shelf and along the Luitpold Coast, which was discovered and named by the second German Antarctic expedition (1911-1912) led by Wilhelm Filchner. If conditions permit, there will be the possibility of a Zodiac cruise and possibly an ice floe landing. The route continues west to the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf before changing course to the north and following the coast along the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Larsen Ice Shelf. Here you will once again be following in well-known historical footsteps: this is where Shackletonโ€™s ship Endurance was stranded in the pack ice during his Imperial Transantarctic Expedition and later drifted towards the Antarctic Peninsula before finally sinking. The wreck was discovered under the waves of the Weddell Sea on March 5, 2022, the 100th anniversary of Shackletonโ€™s burial, after 107 years. However, the pack ice is also the reason why you cannot approach the site. With colonies of 6500 emperor penguins, you hope to see some migrating penguins on the shore or on the ice. When you reach the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula, you will enter the area of Erebus and Terror Gulf. The numerous ice floes of Snow Hill Island are often home to highly migratory emperor penguins, so there may be another opportunity to see these charismatic animals. If conditions permit, a landing on James Ross Island is planned. 9 nights on board.

  • Day 9 Day 24: Brown Bluff And Kinnes Cove
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 24: Brown Bluff And Kinnes Cove

      Steep canyon walls, overturned rocks, beautiful volcanic creations - covered in ice - await you today at Brown Bluff. One of the most scenic places on the entire northern tip of the Antarctic continent is home to a large Adรฉlie penguin colony, gentoo penguins and nesting snow petrels. On the other side of the Antarctic Sound is Kinnes Cove, where you can land to see the nearby Madder Cliffs with their subtle red coloration as well as the nearby gentoo penguins. Overnight stay on board.

  • Day 10 Day 25: Experience Polar History: Elephant Island
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 25: Experience Polar History: Elephant Island

      Among polar fans, Elephant Island is a place that gives you goosebumps! The starting point of the route that Sir Ernest Shackleton took in the spring of 1916 with only a small lifeboat, the James Caird. When you see Elephant Island appear on the horizon after crossing the water, you can only marvel at how he and his crew of five accomplished this feat. The purpose of Shackletonโ€™s crossing was to rescue 22 shipwrecked members of his Endurance expedition who were stranded on Elephant Island. This legendary rescue operation lasted four and a half months. The conditions on Elephant Island are difficult. The coastline consists largely of vertical rock and ice cliffs, which are heavily exposed to the elements. If possible, take the Zodiacs to Point Wild, where the stranded members of Shackletonโ€™s expedition miraculously survived. Overnight stay on board.

  • Day 11 Day 26-27: At Sea
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 26-27: At Sea

      Your return journey is anything but lonely. As you cross the Drake, you will once again be accompanied by albatrosses, petrels and perhaps even a minke whale or two. 2 overnight stays on board.

  • Day 12 Day 28: Disembarkation In Ushuaia
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 28: Disembarkation In Ushuaia

      You reach the port of Ushuaia. Disembarkation and individual journey home.

  • Day 13 At Sea 1ร—(F/M/A)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      At Sea 1ร—(F/M/A)

      Heading northeast, the ship sets course for Campbell Island. Overnight stay on board.



  • Day 14 Campbell Island 1ร—(F/M/A)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Campbell Island 1ร—(F/M/A)

      Campbell Island, like Macquarie, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vegetation is lush, the animal life unique. Royal albatrosses breed on the main island and many other albatross species on neighboring islands. Three species of penguins are resident here: rockhopper penguins, yellow-eyed penguins and crowned penguins. Populations of elephant seals, fur seals and sea lions have also recovered after being hunted in the 18th century. Overnight stay on board.



  • Day 15 At Sea 1ร—(F/M/A)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      At Sea 1ร—(F/M/A)

      The last nautical miles towards New Zealand. Overnight stay on board.



  • Day 16 Bluff - Journey Home 1ร—F
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Bluff - Journey Home 1ร—F

      You will arrive at the port of Bluff. Disembarkation and individual journey home.



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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 5 / Max: 85

Age range allowed for this experience.

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