Antarctica Beyond the Polar Circle Wilkins Ice Shelf Aurora Australis

16 Jours Oceanwide Expeditions

À propos de cet itinéraire

The journey to the bottom of the world began in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city on Earth, where the chill in the air felt like an omen of the adventure that lay ahead. Despite the brisk wind that greeted us, it was a sunny day with fresh snow falling on the peaks of the mountains, as we boarded the M/V Ortelius. A sense of excitement hung in the air, and anticipation was sensed among us. The ship, a sturdy ice-strengthened vessel, was waiting for us at the dock, ready to take us across the Drake Passage and into the icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Zones Visitées

Antarctic Circle Antarctica Peninsula Cape Horn Danco Island Drake Passage Ushuaia

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Embarkation Day
Boarded the M/V Ortelius in Ushuaia, Argentina. Safety briefings, abandon ship drill, and welcome reception with prosecco and canapés. Evening meal and further briefings on Antarctic Visitor Guidelines and Zodiac safety.
Day 2: At Sea, Drake Passage
Wake-up call and breakfast. Collected muck boots. Lectures on sea birds (Wandering albatross, Southern Royal albatross) and whales/dolphins. Daily recap and plated dinner. Sea conditions with 4 metre swell.
Day 3: At sea, Drake Passage
Lectures on photography in Antarctica, penguin species, and geology of the continent. Biosecurity party to clean outdoor clothing. First iceberg spotted. Evening recap with plans for Fish Islands. Documentary on Shackleton's Endurance.
Day 4: Fish Islands
Zodiac cruise along Fish Islands, observing Adelie penguins, Weddell seal, crabeater seals. Landing at Prospect Point on the Antarctic continent, viewing remnants of a former British hut. Crossed the Antarctic Circle at night.
Day 5: The Gullet and Pourquoi Pas Island
Transited through The Gullet, seeing crabeater, fur, and leopard seals on ice floes. Landing at Pourquoi Pas Island. Encounter with Adelie penguins, Weddell and fur seals. Aurora Australis visible at 21:00.
Day 6: Stonington Island and Red Rock Ridge
Landing at Stonington Island, visiting US and UK huts. Observed humpback whales. Later landing at Red Rock Ridge, a breeding site for Adelie penguins. Encounter with Antarctic fur seals and a Weddell seal.
Day 7: Sea day at Southern Ocean, going South
Sea day en route to Wilkins Ice Shelf. Lectures on ice sheets and climate change, Adelie penguins, Lightroom editing, and sledge dogs in Antarctic exploration. Evening screening of Happy Feet.
Day 8: Wilkins Ice Shelf and Wilkins Sound
Reached the Wilkins Ice Shelf at 71°19′S. Zodiac cruise among icebergs. Observed an Emperor penguin on an iceberg, Minke whales, crabeater seals, and a leopard seal. Champagne celebration.
Day 9: A day at sea – Lazarev Bay
Lectures on geology and Emperor penguin life cycle. Scenic ship cruise in Lazarev Bay, surrounded by enormous icebergs and seals. Hot chocolate with rum on deck.
Day 10: Lazarev Bay and sailing North
Zodiac cruise in Lazarev Bay with thick snow and fog. Crabeater seals spy-hopping. Lectures on Europa Clipper spacecraft and the Lost Men (Shackleton's side expedition). Humpback whales lunge feeding around the ship.
Day 11: Sailing North
Lectures on Women in Antarctica, camera editing, and whale ecology. Humpback whale encounters. Afternoon lecture on Admiral Byrd's Snow Cruiser. Sunset viewing.
Day 12: Petermann Island and Port Charcot
Landing at Petermann Island, observing Gentoo penguins and snowy sheathbills. Transit to Port Charcot, carving through grease ice. Visited historic remains of French Antarctic Expedition. BBQ dinner on helideck.
Day 13: Danco Island and The Melchior Islands
Landing at Danco Island, observing juvenile Gentoo penguins and an elephant seal. Scenic views from the hilltop. Afternoon Zodiac cruise with whale encounters (breaching, spy hopping). Sunset.
Day 14: The Drake Passage
Lectures on planetary science and feeding whales. Return of rented gear. Gary's talk on overwintering at an Australian Antarctic station. Recap on disembarkation logistics.
Day 15: The Drake Passage
Account settlement. Lectures, sighting of pilot whales and Peale's dolphins. Q&A with Captain. Approached Cape Horn, seeing the lighthouse and Albatross sculpture. Captain's Farewell Cocktails and slideshow.
Day 16: Ushuaia, Disembarkation
Disembarked the M/V Ortelius in Ushuaia. Said goodbyes to crew and staff.

Inclusions et Exclusions

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Faits rapides

16 Jours

Sail

Départ de Ushuaia

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