Day
2 - 3: Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort
the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after
Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue
towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar
waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In
1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland
Islands as “barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance”.
Day
4: King George Island
King George Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic
really is. It is the biggest island of the South Shetlands. and here
we will have a chance to disembark in Potter Bay. In the afternoon we
will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert
Islands. We will continuing with the crossing of the Bransfield and
Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.
Day
5: Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica
you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife. Other birds
to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy
sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely
to see include Weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals while orcas, humpback
and mink whales may be spotted at close range. The program includes
your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on
Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island). Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de
Gerlache, a Belgian explorer. Port Lockroy is close to Wiencke Island
in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin
Operation - the scientific research included the Antarctic’s first
ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric
whistle.
Day
6: Pleneau - Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel whose high, sheer cliffs
suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, known
as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate
and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann
Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here
we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of
Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot.
On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei
penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity
to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations.
Day
7: Paradise Bay - Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During
the morning and, stressing again that if weather permits, we will disembark
or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. In the evening we will visit Cuverville
Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to one of the largest
colony of Gentoo penguins and skuas. This rocky island is on the north
side of the Errera Channel, between Ronge Island and the Arctowski Peninsula.
Day
8: Deception Island - Whaler’s Bay -Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is the largest active
volcano in the area at the northwest side of the Peninsula. During the
morning we will try to disembark in Whaler’s Bay and Pendulum
Cove where you can live the unique expirience of swimming in this water.
In the afternoon we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island).
This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we
should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, giant petrels, Wilson petrels,
skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck we should also see sea elephants.
Days
9 and 10: Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake
Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on
the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to
enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.
Day
11: Ushuaia, Argentina
After and early breakfast we will land at 9:00 am and bid farewell to
our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition.
IMPORTANT
Please note that you should regard this itinerary as a guide only; our
exact route and program varies according to the weather conditions we
encounter. Flexibility is the key to success for all expedition of the
MV/ Antarctic Dream.
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Lobby
Day
1: Ushuaia, Argentina 