Client quotes 2008: “The trip was a faultless and unforgettable experience, thank you.” WC “A fantastic trip!” N & A.B. “Dick is an outstanding leader” J.C.

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There is no doubt amongst those that have travelled to the Antarctic region on voyages that have included South Georgia, be they birders, naturalists or the general tourist, that they rate this unique island as awesome as the Antarctic itself. That the scenery is incredible, the penguin rookeries immense, how King Penguins are usually everybody’s favourite, that you have not lived until you have seen nesting Wandering Albatrosses, that the beaches filled wall-to-wall with Fur Seals are to be seen to be believed, that Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses are the most haunting of all the albatross, and that the sea crossing, filled with birds and often whales, is a highlight in itself.  Preceded with the splendours of the Falklands, and followed with the best of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetlands, this is truly the ultimate Antarctic trip.  Making this voyage in January ensures the maximum whale sightings too. Most people only do one Antarctic trip in their life, and if they do not include South Georgia, then they may always regret it. There is no doubt that we consider this to be the perfect itinerary for the trip of a lifetime. 

 

Antarctica is truly like nowhere else on Earth, a continent of dramatic ice-covered mountains, never-ending snowfields, innumerable glaciers and colossal icebergs fractured into fantastic shapes.  Captivated and spellbound by the incredible and ever changing beauty of our surroundings, you will thrill to unique wildlife spectacles that unfold daily on this trip.  Bring twice a much camera film as you think you could possibly need (or digital data storage!)

 

As we travel, we will marvel at the exploits of the early explorers, especially Shackleton, and in particular his incredible open-boat journey from Elephant Island culminating in the traverse of South Georgia to save his men.  All this they accomplished without the help of modern navigation aids or high performance clothing.

 

Throughout the voyage, landings are made at the best areas for wildlife.  The sturdy Zodiac inflatables allow us to go ashore at the remotest of places with ease and comfort.  Days spent at sea on this trip are a major highlight for wildlife observation. A key element of our success is that by travelling in a group we will have many keen eyes, ensuring that more birds and cetaceans are spotted than on the average voyage.  We include a day’s bird watching excursion in Ushuaia to visit our favourite local birding hotspots including several in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, and will seek the local specialties including Magellanic Woodpecker.

 

Our vessel for this expedition cruise will be the Akademik Ioffe, with a maximum passenger capacity of just over 100, we can expect to make two landings each day. This vessel offers a number of advantages over the other 50 or so passenger ships, not least her larger size meaning greater stability on the open ocean, very important for maximising sea watching on the crossings of the Drake Passage and Scotia Sea. She has a unique stabilisation system which often means a ‘scope and tripod can be used on deck, at sea! Originally built for scientific research, she is almost silent too, allowing for close encounters with cetaceans. This ship has travelled often to these waters and her experienced staff and crew are dedicated to ensuring that we have a successful, comfortable, safe and enjoyable trip and that we see as much of the wildlife as possible.  The Zodiac drivers take us safely ashore, and also on more leisurely cruises as well, so we gain an even more intimate and unique perspective of the seabirds and marine mammals in this stunning wilderness.

 

The atmosphere on board is relaxing and informal and meals are taken at a single open sitting.  Western chefs produce an international choice of cuisine throughout the voyage.  The cabins are comfortable and all have private facilities and an outside view, porthole or window.  Other on-board facilities include an exercise room, radio station, comfortable lounge, bar, a gift shop and a well-stocked library.  The bridge is usually open for those who wish to learn about navigation, see the ship's charts, or simply sea watch in comfort.

 

We are usually able to make two shore landings each day, sometimes three, thus maximising your South Georgian and Antarctic experience. In South Georgia we plan to land at vast King Penguin colonies and subject to conditions a small island on which Wandering Albatross nest amongst the many highlights.  The two days on The Falklands are carefully planned to ensure that we have the best chance for all the avian specialities of the islands with planned landings in the west Falklands and Port Stanley itself. In the Peninsula region we will visit colonies of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie Penguin colonies as well as set foot on the continent itself.

 

Your WildWings guide, Dick Filby, probably has more experience in Antarctica than any other UK tour leader.  This will be his 19th consecutive season.  His unstinting enthusiasm for the birds, mammals and scenery is infectious.  Whether you are a serious birder, a keen naturalist, or just want to see the most incredible place on earth, don't miss this chance to join him on the best ship, on the ultimate itinerary timed at the peak of the Austral summer. 

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia, overnight hotel.

Day 2: Birding excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Board Ioffe and sail down the Beagle Channel

Day 3: At sea.

Days 4 –5: The Falkland Islands (landings)

Days 6 - 7: At sea.

Days 8 – 11: South Georgia (landings and Zodiac cruises)

Days 12 - 13: At sea and the South Orkneys (landing subject to time and conditions)

Days 14 - 17: The Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands (landings and Zodiac cruises)

Days 18 – 19 : At sea, crossing the Drake Passage

Day 20: Disembark Ushuaia.

NB: The exact voyage itinerary is subject to ice, weather and local conditions at the time.

 

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Holiday Information

Dates: 15^th January – 3^rd February 2009

Leader: Dick Filby and ship’s expedition team.

Deposit:10%

Prices per person sharing:

 

	Jan2009
Triple basic	£5335
Twin basic with upper & lower berths	£6470
Twin with semi-private facilities, lower berths (bathroom shared by two cabins)	£6775
Twin with private facilities – lower berths	£7655
Superior twin, private facilities, lower berths.	£8170
Suites	from £8685

Price includes:  Accommodation and all meals aboard ship (with free tea, coffee and bottled water), port taxes, Zodiac landings, services of WildWings leader and ship’s expedition staff including optional lecture programme aboard, WildWings birding excursion in Ushuaia with picnic lunch, daily sea watching sessions (at sea), evening checklist, use of WildWings onboard library and marine radios (to maximise group sightings) and a WildWings pre-tour information pack and day-by-day checklist of mammals and birds. Pre-cruise hotel night in Ushuaia with breakfast, transfers in Ushuaia to and from ship. souvenir voyage log and onboard boot loan.

 

Price excludes: Flights UK – Ushuaia (available from £845), other meals in Argentina, other drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature, crew gratuities (we suggest $10 per passenger per day aboard ship), passport fees, travel insurance.  

 

Previous trip reports and ship’s colour brochure available from us.