We provide authentic experiences to enhance your visit with an in-depth perspective of local life, people and culture.
This journey to the White Continent starts and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. The itinerary includes visits to the Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Each voyage is orientated to the viewing wildlife as much as possible: albatrosses, storm and giant petrels, leopard seals, orcas, humpback and minke whales, gentoo penguins, blue eyed shags, sea elephants. The Antarctic Dream is a Dutch built, ice reinforced vessel with accommodation for 84 passengers in 42 twin cabins (some suites and superior cabins), all with private bathroom, central heating and Closed TV Circuit (movies on demand). Facilities on board include a bar, library, auditorium, gym and sauna, boutique and a passengers' bridge.
Day 1: Ushuaia,
Argentina
Passengers board the MV/Antarctic Dream where you
will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to
your cabin. Check-in begins at 2:30 PM at the Hotel Albatros in
Ushuaia.
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.
|
Seasons |
Decks |
10 Nights |
|
All Year |
Amundsen |
£4948 |
|
|
Shackleton |
£5881 |
|
|
Piloto Pardo Suite |
£7403 |
|
|
Cape Horn Suite |
£8094 |
Prices per person including transfers to/from airport, one night accommodation in Punta Arenas or Ushuaia (breakfast included) and flights when travelling on the Antarctica XXI from Punta Arenas-King George Island-Punta Arenas. Cabin of your choice, full board, drinks and shore excursions accompanied by a naturalist guide. Flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas or Buenos Aires to Ushuai are additional. Please contact us for further information.
Facilities on board
• Lobby
• Main Dining Room (capacity for 100 passengers)
• Bar
• Library
• Auditorium / Projection Lounge
• Heliport
• Mud Room
• Fitness room / Sauna /
• Sick bay / First Aid (doctor on board)
• Boutique
• Passenger´s Bridge
Cabins
All Cabins have private bathroom with shower or tub, Closed TV Circuit, Individual/central heater and Wardrobe.
There are 39 Double cabins in 4 Decks