Antartica Packages

The Full Circumnavigation of Antartica
Part I - The Far Side & the Weddell Sea
November 26, 2002 - January 10, 2003
Lyttelton, New Zealand to Deception Island and Ushuaia

"We gazed with feelings of indescribable delight upon a scene of grandeur and magnificence far beyond anything we had before seen or could have conceived."
(Captain James Clark Ross)

November 26, Auckland, New Zealand
Today you meet your fellow adventurers in Auckland, New Zealand. Overnight accommodations are provided but the rest of the day is at your leisure. Air arrangements* are available upon request.

November 27, Lyttelton, New Zealand
This morning after breakfast fly* to Christchurch and transfer by motorcoach to the port of Lyttelton. We embark the Kapitan Khlebnikov and sail in the late afternoon.

November 28-29, At Sea & Auckland Islands
As we cruise these wildlife-rich waters, our expedition staff introduces the various species of birds and marine life that we will encounter on our voyage. Our lecture program begins on the wildlife rich Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand, classified as nature reserves, and protected and managed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Permissions, weather and landing conditions will determine specific landing sites, but we hope to land on Enderby Island.

November 30-December 1, Southern Ocean
We follow in the wake of Scott, Shackleton, Mawson and Amundsen south towards the Antarctic Circle. A dramatic drop in water temperature representing the Antarctic Convergence and our first icebergs herald the frozen splendor of Antarctica ahead of us. Our naturalists will be on deck to help spot and identify seabirds and marine mammals. Our ship's historian will begin recounting the history of the Ross Sea region and Antarctica.

December 2-5, Balleny Islands, Mertz Glacier & Commonwealth Bay
We pass the rugged, remote Balleny Islands, on our way to the remote George V Coast. It is here that we plan to complete our historic circumnavigation on our way back to Hobart. We then approach the 25-mile-long Mertz Glacier Tongue and, weather permitting, hope to land by helicopter. Spectacular Commonwealth Bay has often been referred to as the windiest place on earth. We will need some good luck to land on the shore fronting Sir Douglas Mawson's wind-eroded hut. Our exact landings vary to take best advantage of local conditions.

December 6, South Magnetic Pole
The South Magnetic Pole is a wandering location on the Earth's surface, where conventional lines of magnetic force enter. The south seeking end of a compass needle points to this pole. It was first attained during Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition in 1909 when it was well inland beyond the Transantarctic Mountains. Subsequently it has migrated northwards into the Southern Ocean, and is located now at approximately 64ƒ40'S and 138ƒ10'E. We will carefully mark the position on our charts and proceed westward towards the little explored Banzare Coast and Wilkes Land.

December 7-9, Wilkes Land & Casey Station
Continuing along the ice edge, our naturalists will be on deck to help spot and identify seabirds and marine mammals that are indigenous to these waters. En route to the Australian Casey Base, we traverse the spectacular Petersen Bank, a region where large concentrations of tabular icebergs lay grounded on the shoals below. Should conditions permit, you will board the helicopter for a thrilling view of the Kapitan Khlebnikov sailing through this fairyland of ice. Adelie Penguins and South Polar Skuas nest on nearby islands.

December 10-14, Shackleton Ice Shelf & Queen Mary Coast
Depending on the often challenging ice we plan to skirt the massive Shackleton Ice Shelf searching for the rare Ross seal. Orcas and Minke whales patrol the edge of the permanent fast ice in search for food. We will also try to duplicate sightings of large numbers of blue whales made here in earlier years and plan to sail south to Mirny, the first Russian base on the continent. We continue cruising west along the King Leopold and Queen Astrid Coast.

December 15-16, Davis Station & Larsemann Hills
Davis Station is often referred to as the "Riviera of the Antarctic" because of its relatively mild climate. We then make for the Larsemann Hills, a bizarre moonscape of rolling hills that is one of the few ice-free oases of Antarctica. The Chinese built their base Zhongshan in this region, and Russia's Progress Station is nearby. Thousands of Emperor Penguins and their chicks congregate in a fairy tale setting of granite islands, glaciers and icebergs at Amanda Bay. Here we also encounter abundant seals and marvel at the lines of penguins trekking over the ice to their colonies.

December 17-18, Amery Ice Shelf & Fram Bank
Depending on ice conditions we plan to approach the Amery Ice Shelf, a massive glacier system that drains 20-30 percent of the East Antarctica ice sheet, one of the world's largest. The heavily crevassed face of the shelf extends 200 miles from the coast. Using the awesome power of the Kapitan Khlebnikov we cut our way through thick pack ice along the edge of the continent. Enormous icebergs lie stranded in the shallow coastal waters of the Fram Bank. Weather permitting we board the helicopters for exciting views from the air, and even land on top of an iceberg for a celebration! We also plan to visit the Flutter Rookery, where up to 5,000 Emperor Penguins nest in some years.

December 19-21, Mawson Coast
These days should be exciting, although the exact route depends on the often challenging ice. It was the Kapitan Khlebnikov which first explored this area during its pioneering 1992 Far Side voyage. Scullin and Murray Monoliths are impressive rocky towers, which are a magnet for seabirds. Clouds of Antarctic Petrels, southern fulmars, Snow Petrels and Storm Petrels darken the skies. We also plan to explore Mawson Station, the oldest continually operating base in East Antarctica, and call at either Auster or Kloa Point Rookery, where towering icebergs provide shelter for thousands of breeding Emperor Penguins.

December 22-28, Enderby Land & Queen Maud Land
We plan a landing at Proclamation Island, not discovered until 1930 by Sir Douglas Mawson. From its summit, a vast area of the continent was claimed for Australia. Continuing anticlockwise around Antarctica, we enter a rarely explored sector of the continent. Syowa Station has been Japan's headquarters for Antarctic science since 1957. Further to the west substantial numbers of Emperor Penguins are supposed to breed in the area of the Lazarev Ice Shelf, which we hope to explore for the first time ever.

December 29-31, Cape Norvegia & Neumayer Station
During these days we enter a sector of Antarctica claimed by Norway. Great Britain, Germany, South Africa and India maintain active research stations that are built directly on or beneath the ice in this region. Depending on conditions we hope to land atop the towering coastal glacier at Cape Norvegia. The scenery and the soft golden light in the early morning or late evening hours can be magical. We also plan to visit the Emperor colonies at Atka Bay or Riiser-Larsen Ice Shelf. Here again these amazing birds congregate in a stunning setting of deep blue icebergs. Nearby we hope to explore Neumayer Station, a remarkably modern and well-organized German base which is built under the surface, beneath about 15 feet of ice. It consists of a series of tunnels with containers installed and fitted end to end.

January 1-January 4, Weddell Sea
Venturing through the dense ice pack of the Weddell Sea, we recount the epic voyage of the Endurance, Shackleton's ship which was caught in the ice and drifted helplessly until it was crushed and sank in November 1915. Shackleton and his men finally reached Elephant Island and were eventually rescued. Much of the Weddell Sea remains permanently frozen. No other passenger vessel can dare to safely penetrate this great ocean. Sometime during these days, our captain and expedition leader will search for a large ice floe suitable to moor along the ice edge for a unique party. If conditions are in our favor, we may even plan a barbecue on the ice.

January 5, South Orkney Islands
Great Britain and Argentina maintain research stations in the South Orkney Islands, an archipelago with abundant wildlife and magnificent glaciers that was discovered by Nathaniel Palmer and George Powell in 1821. We may have the opportunity to visit Coronation Island, home to large numbers of Chinstrap and Adelie Penguins.

January 6, Elephant Island
Approaching the rugged South Shetland Islands we also hope to land at Elephant Island, where Shackleton and his men sought refuge after their years in the ice. Weather conditions are a factor here so our schedule for this day will remain flexible.

January 7, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
We sail into the flooded caldera at Deception Island, an active volcano called &one of the most remarkable crater islands in the world." Steam rises from the black sand beaches along its shores.

Passenger Transfer at Deception Island
Here we will meet our transfer vessel carrying new expedition members that will join us for the second leg of our journey. Those expeditioners departing will be transferred as they take with them great memories of their adventure aboard the icebreaker. Their journey will continue through the Drake Passage enroute to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival on January 10 they disembark and will transfer independently to the airport for flights bound for home.

*** End Of Our Services ***

Airfare is not included in the program. Some group flights are available on request.
Please note: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

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