Spirit of Shackleton Itinerary
Spirit of Shackleton – the ultimate Antarctica cruise:
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11 January UshuaiaArrive in Ushuaia at any time. Arrival transfer included. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world’s most southerly city. There will be a welcome desk in the lobby of the start hotel that will provide more specific information on the ship and your upcoming adventure. Included arrival transfer. Accommodation Albatros Hotel (or similar) 12 January Ushuaia/Beagle ChannelEnjoy a free morning in Ushuaia. Do any last minute shopping or explore the town or the surrounding countryside. Embarkation on the G Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia. Enjoy the evening sailing through the Beagle Channel. In the afternoon, join your fellow passengers to take your group transfer and begin your journey on the G Expedition. Please refer to your welcome letter or the joining nstructions posted in the lobby of the start hotel. Make sure you have your passport handy as you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Meals Included: Breakfast | Dinner 13 January Beagle Channel/Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)On the passage east visit the common areas that include the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall and meet the guides, ship’s crew and lecturers. Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The G Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every ten guests there is always someone on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure. Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 14-15 January Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)/Southern OceanThe Falkland Islands provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity and extraordinary scenery of the southern islands. Penguins and albatross are abundant here, and the Falklands have the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. Stop at Port Stanley for an opportunity to meet the hardy local inhabitants whose colourful houses provide contrast to the long dark winters. The town is the capital of the Falkland Islands, most locals head to Stanley to do their shopping, visit the post office, or go golfing. The bomb disposal unit from the Falklands War in 1982 is also in the town as well as several war museums. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 16-17 January Southern Ocean/South GeorgiaSailing east, set course for South Georgia. Days at sea are filled with lectures to prepare for landings. Watch for the many whales that inhabit these waters. Daily lectures and educational program Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 18-21 January South Georgia/Scotia SeaSpend three days exploring South Georgia Island if weather permits. Observe a large colony of King penguins, the second largest species of penguin that stand almost 100cm (3 ft) tall. Nearby islands are the nesting grounds for Wandering albatross, a species of albatross that only stays on land to breed and eat. Hopefully in the three days in the area the group will get a chance to spot one of these majestic sea birds during the small amount of time it spends on land. Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 22-23 January Scotia Sea/Tierra de O’Higgins, PenínsulaSail for two days, retracing Shackleton’s route backwards on course towards Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. These waters are rich with nutrients and the long summer days provide the ingredient that is missing most of the year. The result is a complex food chain topped by several species of whales, seals, and seabirds. Daily lectures and educational program Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 24–28 January Tierra de O’Higgins, Península/Drake PassageExperience some of the most unique wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery in the world while setting foot on the Antarctic continent. Attempt two shore landings per day (weather permitting), and encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie penguin rookeries; Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals; and orca, humpback, and minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters. The peninsula also has a remarkable human history. Finally a chance to step foot on the Great White Continent! Over the next four days, the Expedition will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula. Our goal is to attempt two excursions per day while we navigate through the area but our itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter. The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands abound with wildlife activity. Take a chance to visit scientists working in modern research bases, with plenty of time to enjoy the sheer beauty and the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains. The Peninsula also has a remarkable history and, during the voyage, opt to learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world. Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 29- 30 January Drake Passage/UshuaiaHeading north across the Drake Passage, spend two days enjoying the beauty of the sea while sailing for Ushuaia. In between bird watching, whale watching, and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia. Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 31 January UshuaiaDisembark in the morning. |
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