Antarctica

January 15 - February 4, 2019

Antarctica expedition

Antarctica. The most remote and hard-to-reach place on Earth, the biggest dream of travellers, divers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Our team takes you to the edge of the world! Sail through the Drake Passage on a sailing yacht, dive among icebergs, swim with whales, observe penguins and much more. We will make a "classic" Antarctic route, visit the most famous and spectacular points around Antarctic Peninsula

We start our expedition from Ushuaia, the southernmost harbour of Argentina. A comfortable and safe marine sailing yacht Aurora and its experienced crew takes us across the Drake passage. The vessel is equipped with the everything necessary for a long expedition: from large fresh water tanks to modern communication and safety equipment. After four days we arrive at the Antarctic peninsula, where we spend over 2 weeks enjoying the beauty of the pristine nature, diving with icebergs, snorkeling with whales and seals, observing penguins and visiting abandoned polar stations of pioneer explorers, whaler's stations, southernmost church and bar, penguin colonies and much more. We will become pioneers ourselves.

In addition to helping you experience breathtaking adventures, we provide lectures and educational programmes. Participants learn a lot about seals and whales, iceberg formation, ocean biology and meteorology, polar pioneers and much more.

After spending two weeks in the Antarctic peninsula we cross the Drake Passage back to Ushuaia.

Small group and flexible schedule
We go in a small group of 7 guests on our sailing yacht. This allows us to control the route and to be able to change it whenever necessary. All the participants will have plenty of time to spend with wildlife, enough photo opportunities, no one will hurry you up.

What animals are there to meet?
There will be opportunities to see plenty of unique species, including:

Whales: minke, humpback, fin whale, orca, southern right whale;
Seals: leopard seal, crabeater seal, Weddell seal, Ross seal, southern elephant seal, southern sea lion;
Penguins: adelie, chinstrap, gentoo;
Plenty of other marine birds

Itinerary

23 days, 20 days at sea

Day 1

Arrival to Ushuaia. Meeting at the airport.

Day 2

Reserve day for flight delays.

Day 3-7

Drake Passage.

Day 8-9

South Shetland Islands. "Gateway" to Antarctica. Here is the place where we will begin our acquaintance with these unexplored lands. There are many polar stations on the islands.

Day 10

Bellingshausen polar station. The famous Russian Antarctic station. The Church of the Holy Trinity which is the most southern Orthodox church in the world.

Day 11

Abandoned whaler's stations and Deception islands.

Day 12

Trinity island. Penguin colonies and sea bird's colonies.

Day 13

Abandoned whaler's stations at Enterprise island.

Day 14

Neko harbour. Spectacular mountains, glaciers and icebergs.

Day 15

Lemaire Channel and Petermann island. Adeile and gentoo penguin colonies, seals, leopard seals, whales and orcas. Port Lacroy - a spectacular harbour, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Antarctica.

Days 16

Vernadsky base. Southernmost pub in the world. Popular tourist location, also great for leopard seal diving.

Days 17-18

Melchior islands within Dallman bay is a small ice-covered archipelago. A good place to meet feeding humpback whales.

Days 19-21.

We head back home. Drake passage

Day 22.

Arrival to Ushuaia.

Day 23

Flights back home.

The schedule may have to be adjusted in accordance with the weather conditions.

Prices.

Triple cabin 8 500 euro per person (3 spaces)
Double cabin 9 800 euro per person (4 spaces)
Single accommodation 19 000 euro per person

Dates: January 15th - February 4th, 2019

Included:

Accommodation and meals on the yacht
Polar snorkeling
Weight belts
Airport transfer

Not included:

Flights
Accommodation in Ushuaia
Additional expenditures in Ushuai
Personal snorkeling equipment

Additional information

Equipment recommendations

During summer in Antarctica the surface temperature is expected to vary from +5C to -5C. However, due to winds and humidity the air feels colder.

Personal equipment

Warm (very warm!) clothing
Several pairs of warm socks
Rubber boots
Shoes for wearing onboard the yacht
Waterproof clothes and gloves
Swimwear for in case the hot springs are in action
Sunglasses
Personal hygiene items
Suncream
Waterproof bags and cases for photography equipment
Personal medicine
Seasick pills
Snorkeling equipment: fins, mask, snorkel, drysuit, hood, gloves, spare set

What the difference between two Antarctic trips with WWR

This is our first expedition, which we also call "short" and "easy". This is a "classic" Antarctic route for everyone, short and comfortable. We will visit the most famous points of Antarctic peninsula.

Our second expedition, also known as "long" and "diving", is longer and a bit more extereme, focused on scuba diving with leopard seals and snorkeling with whales. We will visit the places with the best chances to see as much wildlife as possible. Learn more about our second route here:
http://whale-expeditions.com/antarctica_diving2018

Weather

Drake Passage is know for it's hard and unpredictable weather, which can affect the lenght of expedition. As far as we can not change the weather, we are not responsible for any schedule changes caused be the weather.

Tour Leaders

Mike Korostelev

It's easy to book with us!

The process of booking becomes easy with Whale Watching Russia.

However you like: phone or WhatsApp +79163114469, email info@whale-expeditions.com, using Facebook or fill the application form below

We will call you back

Or write a message. We will answer all your questions, explain all the details and discuss your personal wishes

Deposit payment

When you are ready to book expedition, we would ask you to pay the deposit, usually it's 50% of the price. You can pay the rest later, the last payment day is 60 days before expedition start.

Done!

You got your space on the trip, it's time to buy plane tickets! By the way, we can help you with tickets and visas if needed.

Book expedition!