18 dyas
Full Day
Independent
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The Penguin Safari is a one-of-a kind experience that will take you to the 7th continent and South Georgia. As our ship sets sail, we’ll observe massive albatrosses as they soar around us while hundreds of petrels can also be found on this journey towards their native land; both breeds reside there in abundance! Beaches teeming king penguins live out lives full with elephant seals giving homage from time spent ashore or go underwater exploring sea creatures such an interesting gentoo macaroni Penguin trio make themselves at home among others less welcome visitors –
We start this trip in Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the American Continent. Here, we will already begin to receive information about Antarctica and the Antarctic cruise. Crossing the Drake Passage will be one of the first adventures you will tackle on this incredible journey to Antarctica on a unique cruise ship that only makes polar voyages.
During this itinerary, you will enjoy the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula. We start sailing for 2 days departing from the city of Ushuaia in ships that have a maximum capacity of 200 people.
Arriving at the Antarctic Peninsula, we will have the opportunity to make the most of our time.
Every day there will be activities included, such as exploratory walking tours, Zodiac tours. In addition, the specialized guides will give talks with information about biology, fauna, geology and all the wildlife of Antarctica where we will be able to learn in detail about what animals live in Antarctica.
In addition, if you want to live an even more special adventure, we recommend taking the optional activities offered by this itinerary, such as kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, camping or helicopter rides to fly over the peninsula (only available on the Ultramarine ship).
Enjoy more itineraries to Discover the Antarctic Continent
* Itinerary by Quark Expeditions.
* Photos provided by Quark Expeditions.
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!
There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica. If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocky spires rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.
After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. The sites you visit will provide you with wildlife encounters unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a birder’s paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance. You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now. One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in sub Antarctic waters. Grytviken possesses a special appeal largely because it’s the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.
Say goodbye to the king penguins as you leave for your next destination: Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival on the 7th Continent.
The most common reaction upon reaching Antarctica is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover a land of extremes. One moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a curious penguin waddles by to observe you. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or observing penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new array of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by booking an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!
After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.
Yes, Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.
Yes, you can extend your trip and Enjoy the rest of Argentina and Chile, either before your Antartic expedition or after, don't hesitate to contact a travel advisor.
ARRIVING IN USHUAIA You may arrive in Ushuaia at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Ushuaia is a destination worth exploring, so we do encourage you to arrive a day or two before your expedition. Based on the arrival information you send us, we will arrange for a transfer from the airport to your hotel. A Quark Expeditions representative will be available to answer your questions in the lobby of your hotel in Ushuaia during your optional pre-departure briefing on Day 1, at 6 pm. EMBARKATION IN USHUAIA On the morning of Day 2, your luggage will be collected from the lobby of your hotel, transferred to the ship and stored in your cabin. Ship embarkation will occur on Day 2 of your itinerary, usually around 4 pm. You and your shipmates will meet at a designated location near the pier, and board the waiting buses for transfer to the ship. Information about embarkation will be posted in your Ushuaia hotel and discussed during your optional pre- departure meeting on Day 1.
DISEMBARKATION IN USHUAIA AND ONWARD Your ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier in Ushuaia, usually between 7 am and 8 am. Once the ship has docked, you will bid farewell to your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing your disembarkation. The process takes about an hour. Weather conditions can always change our arrival times, and airline schedule changes have also been known to occur in Argentina. Please book your flight home from Ushuaia to depart as late in the day as possible or at a date after the end of your expedition. If you have booked a flight that departs before 11am on the date that your expedition ends, you will be at risk of missing your flight. Quark Expeditions staff in Ushuaia will reconfirm your domestic flight 48 hours prior to disembarkation, provided you give your information to our team ahead of time.
Your included accommodation begins on Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific hotel will be indicated on your final voyage confirmation. Ushuaia accommodations trend toward mid-range properties, and hotel spaceis limited. A particular property cannot be guaranteed, but space is most often booked at Hotel Las Lengas, Hotel Los Acebos, and Albatros Hotel. If you are arriving prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are staying after the disembarkation day and would like help booking a pre- or post-stay, please contact your preferred travel agent or Quark Expeditions for hotel options. As accommodation space is limited, you are encouraged to request any extra nights as early as possible.
USHUAIA AIRPORT TRANSFERS ARRIVAL: A group transfer in Ushuaia is included from the airport to your included pre-expedition hotel on Day 1 of your itinerary. DEPARTURE: A group departure transfer is included from the ship to the airport on the final day of your itinerary. If your flight is later in the day, you may opt to transfer to our luggage storage facility instead and enjoy further activities in Ushuaia on your own. Access to luggage storage is available until 6 pm on the disembarkation day only. You will need to arrange your own transfer to the airport if you do not take advantage of the included transfer or if you are leaving Ushuaia after the disembarkation day. In order to facilitate your transfers, we request that you provide your flight details to Quark Expeditions at least 30 days prior to traveling.
Quark Expeditions boasts the largest polar-class fleet of any polar operator, and the ability to offer you this incredible voyage on one of our ice strengthened vessels. The entire Quark Expeditions fleet is built for challenging polar environments, allowing us to take you to places ordinary cruise companies wouldn’t dream of going. WORLD EXPLORER A polar powerhouse, World Explorer—our first all-suites, all-balcony ice-class ship—lets you discover everything Antarctica has to offer, with the type of service available only at premium hotels. World Explorer also provides plenty of areas, both inside and out, to witness the incredible Antarctic wildlife or simply watch the world go by. Enjoy the spacious observation deck for taking in sights outdoors, the observation lounge with panoramic skyline views, the library for intimate relaxing and reading, and the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat. Presentations and discussions are held in a dedicated lecture theater. Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor running track, small gym and spa—the world’s only l’Occitane Spa at Sea—plus an outdoor swimming pool. With its new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology and state-of-the-art Rolls-Royce engines and generators, the ship also boasts reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. OCEAN ADVENTURER Ocean Adventurer has long been a fleet favorite among guests and crew who’ve appreciated the charm of this nimble vessel, its ample outdoor deck space, numerous cozy spots to socialize onboard, the outdoor jacuzzi and, of course, the intimacy of a 128-passenger vessel. Several years ago, Ocean Adventurer underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation including a refreshed look and feel throughout, plus a completely remodeled lounge, dining room and bar. All cabins received brand new bathroom facilities. Six new deluxe cabins, as well as three new suites, were also added. Major technical enhancements featured two new Rolls-Royce engines, which yield increased speed and fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint.
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