Tour 701-14 Days, Departing December 31, 1996, Returning January 13, 1997
Tour 702-14 Days, Departing January 10, 1997, Returning, January 23, 1997
Tour 7O5-16Days, Departing February l3,1997, Returning February 28, 1997 (lceCruise)
One of our most popular expeditions to the Deep South, this classic program offers the best of the Antarctic Peninsula: vast colonies of penguins and seabirds courting, nesting or rearing their young; hanging ice cliffs, stately icebergs and calving glaciers; historic reminders of the incredible adventures of Shackleton and Charcot; and all the excitement of our own explorations on sea and land. Tour 705, the "Ice Cruise, " offers two extra days in Antarctica.
The relaxed, unstructured atmosphere on board offers plenty of time to pursue personal interests like photography or birdwatching.
| Day 1 Miami | |
|
Depart on our Lan Chile flight to Santiago, Chile. |
| Day 2 Santiago | |
| We arrive in the morning and transfer to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing with dinner on our own this evening. | |
| The explorer is an ice-strengthened passenger vessel. | |
| Day 3 Santiago/Ushuaia | |
| Fly to Ushuaia for a sightseeing tour of this southernmost city in the world. Here the Explorer waits at dockside; we board this afternoon to settle in for our first night on board. | |
| Days 4-5 Drake Passage | |
| We set sail in the latitudes of Cape Horn toward Antarctica, following in the wake of history-making explorers such as Sir Francis Drake, after whom this passage is named. Our lecturers begin a continuing series of presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of the White Continent, a "buffet" of information from which we can pick and choose as individual interest dictates. Our time on board is relaxed and unstructured; there is time to search for seabirds on deck with our ornithologist, watch for the occasional whale driffing on the horizon and visit the library, sauna or fitness center. | |
| Days 6-10 Antarctica | |
| As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement and expectation fills the ship. Our first Zodiac expedition is swiftly followed by others, each carefully planned by the Captain and Expedition Leader to take full advantage of each day's possibilities. On most days we make two landings, heading out in our swift and versatile Zodiacs, guided by our expert drivers and accompanied by lecturers, to explore islands filled with thousands of penguins, to photograph nesting grounds of seabirds, and to cruise iceberg-strewn passageways of breathtaking beauty. | |
| As conditions permit, we plan to stop on the Peninsula and at a number of islands which may include Livingston, Deception and King George, as well as sail through breathtaking Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel. We may also visit a scientific research station, view the remains of early-century whaling and sealing industries, and perhaps see whale bones on the beach. After each evening's leisurely dinner, there's time to stroll the deck to gaze at the seascapes in the light of the austral summer. | |
| Days 11-12 Drake Passage | |
| As we sail back toward South America, our lecturers recap their presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of the White Continent. As you reflect on the splendor of your Antarctic adventure, there is time to write a post card from the ship, or enjoy the Explorer's many amenities. | |
| Day 13 Usbuaia | |
| After breakfast, we disembark the Explorer, heading out for further exploration of Tierra del Fuego's spectacular wilderness parks. We later proceed to the airport, where we board our flight to Miami via Santiago. | |
| Day 14 Miami | A chinstrap penguin steals a choice rock from a neighhor's nest |
| Arrive in the morning and connect to homebound flights. |
