 Antarctica including Falklands and South Georgia
4 - 26 January 2010
 
ANTARCTICA including FALKLANDS and SOUTH GEORGIA
Antarctica is perhaps the ultimate destination for any traveller. An uninhabited continentof more than 12 million sq kms, this is the least known and least explored place on earth. Virtually the entire continent is south of the Antarctic Circle, and it forms the coldest, driest, highest and windiest land mass on our planet. With no permanent human residents, and no evidence of any pre-historic indigenous population, Antarctica is an unspoilt gem; a silent, frozen land under clear unpolluted skies. The inhospitable scenery has a grandeur unlike anywhere else; a stark, silent and frozen tableau of towering mountains, ice-bound headlands, vast panoramic landscapes and colossal icebergs. A wilderness which must be seen to be believed.
Our visit to this fabulous place has taken a long time to plan, mainly because of the distances involved, and also because we know that for most people this is a once in a lifetime holiday. We have carefully designed a holiday which gives you as much as possible from one visit, bearing in mind that nothing is guaranteed in this wild and unpredictable environment. We visit all the key places, target all the wildlife, and also enjoy time at the beginning of the journey to relax and find some more special birds.
Our vessel will be the M/v Plancius, an ice-strengthened vessel ideal for this type of voyage. Our friendly and experienced international expedition staff and Russian crew will be anxious to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, and we will navigate safely through pack-ice and narrow waterways. We will be flexible in our itinerary, paying close attention to weather and ice, changing course and using inflatable zodiacs amongst the ice-floes, spending as much time ashore as possible.
THE JOURNEY
Our holiday begins in London, and we fly first to Buenos Aires. We will spend two nights here, planning to visit the Costanera Sur Nature Reserve. This amazing urban haven for wildlife is situated behind the Buenos Aires docks, practically in the city centre on the edge of the River Plate. We should see a good selection of everyday species, marshland, and water birds. Next, we transfer by air to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost large settlement, found on the barren shores of the island of Tierra del Fuego. A short extension here is included to make the most of our time, and we hope to target special birds including Magellanic Woodpecker. You can join us here if you prefer.
Once we board our vessel, we sail out across the southern Atlantic Ocean towards the Falkland Islands. We spend a couple of days exploring the Falklands, where birdlife is abundant and often confiding. We also take a look at the capital Port Stanley, where you can send cards to friends far away. Next we have a long sea journey to South Georgia, and the crossing of the Antarctic Convergence leads us into colder waters where plankton are found in great numbers. The seawatching should be fantastic as birds and cetaceans are seen more frequently, just a preparation for the massive nesting colonies on South Georgia. We spend time here to enjoy the vast King Penguin and Wandering Albatross colonies, undoubtedly two of the key highlights of our visit. There may be the opportunity to do some serious birding on South Georgia, as seabirds wander huge distances and unexpected petrels and albatrosses can turn up either on the islands or at sea. The endemic South Georgia Pipit is also on our ‘must-see’ list! From here we turn south-west, leaving the jagged peaks behind as we head towards the South Shetland islands. The waters are cold and plankton-rich now, so seawatching is absorbing, and huge iceberg islands will increasingly be seen as we head for Elephant Island, where we hope to land. After the penguins, skuas and petrels of the South Shetlands, we begin the approach towards our ultimate goal, and prepare for our first landing on the Antarctic continent itself. With three or four days here to explore, we will visit a number of places which defy description. We may weigh anchor inside an ancient volcano on Deception Island, visit the abandoned whaling station at Whaler’s Bay and walk to see the huge colony of Chinstrap Penguins, pass quietly through the dramatic Lamar Channel, where towering cliffs separate the continental land mass from Booth Island, or hopefully enjoy all of these whilst everywhere enjoying the unbelievable scenery of this most breath-taking place. Icebergs of intense blue have been carved by the elements to leave us spellbound, ice-cliffs and mountains reach to 9000 ft to pierce the sky, distant volcanoes frame the scene, and around us the ice-cold sea sparkles and shines.
After three or four days in this dramatic paradise, we head north across the Drake Passage towards Cape Horn, before returning to Ushuaia. We return to London via Buenos Aires once more.
South American pre-voyage extension
This short pre-voyage itinerary has been included to help you relax after a long journey whilst watching birds which will almost certainly be new to your list. If you would rather fly direct to our departure point and miss this short extension a price reduction will be made, please ask for details. Please also consider that travel delays can occur during a long transfer, and our vessel can be expected to depart at the appointed time – we don’t want to be late! Comfortable en-suite accommodation is included on this short extension.
DAY 1 Monday 4 January
Our holiday begins in London, and we fly first to Buenos Aires. This early morning flight is due to arrive in the early evening. The city lies on the shores of the Rio del Plata, on the edge of the Argentine pampas, a vast open region of fertile grasslands where cattle ranching is the main activity. Overnight Buenos Aires.
DAY 2 Tuesday 5 January
We take a full day in Buenos Aires to visit the Costanera Sur Nature Reserve. This amazing urban haven for wildlife is situated behind the Buenos Aires docks, practically in the city centre on the edge of the river. This is an excellent introduction for those new to the birdlife of this southern region. We have time to explore the marshes and reedbeds, and the diverse habitats hold a rich variety of birds. These could include White-tufted Grebe, Coscoroba and Black-necked Swans, 3 species of Coot, Black-headed Duck, Rosy-billed Pochard, Lake Duck, Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Wattled Jacana, Monk Parakeet, Sulphur-bearded Spinetail, Freckle-breasted Thornbird, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Spectacled Tyrant, Great Pampas-Finch, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Black-and-Rufous Warbling-Finch, Warbling Doradito, Masked Yellowthroat and Masked Gnatcatcher amongst many others. Overnight Buenos Aires.
DAY 3 & DAY 4 Wed 6 & Thurs 7 January
Today we transfer by air to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost large settlement, found on the barren shores of the island of Tierra del Fuego. This is a wild, windswept place, and whilst bird numbers are lower at this southern latitude, the quality is undeniable. We visit the spectacular Tierra del Fuego National Park, where we target the imposing Magellanic Woodpecker, and also White-throated Treerunner, two sought after species. Other birds we might see include Great Grebe, Black-faced Ibis, White-throated Caracara, Patagonian Sierra-Finch, Yellow-bridled Finch, and perhaps even the key prize of a wonderful Andean Condor. Overnight for two nights in Ushuaia.
Day 5 Friday 8 January
In the morning we should have some time for birding at a comfortable pace, before boarding our vessel in the afternoon. You can join us here if you prefer, though as mentioned above, unforeseen delays on the long flight from London might occur, so we don’t recommend a tight schedule.
Day 5 Friday 8 January (cont..)
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the picturesque southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Day 6 Saturday 9 January
At sea, in the westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.
Day 7 Sunday 10 January
In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) we plan to spend the whole day on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. On New Island we’ll witness how heavy Black-browed Albatrosses try to land and take off in a colony they share with the sturdy Rockhopper Penguins. A hike along the shore of Carcass Island will give us instead views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl and Night herons.
Day 8 Monday 11 January
In Port Stanley , the capital of the Falklands, we can experience Falkland culture, which has some South-American characteristics. In Port Stanley and surrounding area we can see a quite important number of stranded clippers from a century ago.
Day 9 & 10 Tues 12 & Wed 13 January
At sea, on our way to South Georgia we will cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop as much as 10 degrees C in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence we will see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas.
Day 11 - 14 Thurs 14 - Sun 17 January SOUTH GEORGIA
In South Georgia we shall visit Grytviken with the abandoned whaling village, where King Penguins now walk in the streets, and King Edwards Point with a British garrison and the grave of Shackleton. Fortuna Bay and Bay of Isles with breeding Wandering Albatrosses on Albatross Island, and Salisbury Plain with a large colony of King Penguins are other highlights of the South Georgia program. We may also visit Elsehul, Right Whale Bay, Possession Bay, Gold Harbour and Drygalski Fjord to give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the introduced Reindeer, Fur Seals, Elephant Seals, Gentoo Penguins, Macaroni Penguins, Grey-headed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Northern and Southern Giant Petrels, White-chinned Petrels, several species of prions and storm petrels, Brown Skuas, Dominican Gulls, Antarctic Terns, sheathbills and the endemic South Georgia Pintail.
Day 15 Mon 18 January
At sea, where the ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds.
Day 16 Tuesday 19 January
In the South Orkneys we plan to call at Laurie Island and may visit the friendly Argentine base, in which vicinity we can see breeding Southern Giant Petrels. With permission of the base personnel we may also visit Punta Cormoran which has an Adelie Penguin colony.
Day 17 Wednesday 20 January
At sea when we approach the sea-ice, we may have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like MacCormick Skua, Snow Petrel and the elusive juvenile Emperor Penguin. Chances to encounter Minke Whales are also increasing when we approach the ice.
Day 18 - 20 Thurs 21—Sat 23 January
Our landings in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula may include Paulet Island featuring the remains of polar expeditions from the beginning of the 20th century, and a colony of hundreds of thousands of Adelie Penguins. Here at the tip of the Weddell Sea we see the magnificent table icebergs. At Brown Bluff we may set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a beautiful volcanic area. At Mikkelsen Harbour at the south end of Trinity Island we can observe a Gentoo Penguin colony and Weddell and
Fur Seals hauled out on the beach.
In the beautiful Charlotte Bay we may again set foot on the Antarctic Continent at Portal Point, where Crabeater Seals have often been seen. Here in the Gerlache Strait we often see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. We try to land at Baily Head (Deception Island), where we are surrounded by 100.000 Chinstrap Penguins like in an amphitheatre. From here good walkers can walk to Whalers Bay. In Whalers Bay, we can observe the remains of the Hektor whaling station from the beginning of the 20th century. We intend to visit Hannah Point, one of the best wildlife spots in the South Shetlands, with Giant Petrels, Cape Pigeons, Blue-eyed Shag, Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, a few Macaroni Penguins and Elephant Seals.
Day 21 & 22 Sun 24 & Mon 25 January
On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 23 Tuesday 26 January
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark at the end of this fantastic voyage. We fly home to London via Buenos Aires once more.
Field Notes
Please note that many of the landings we visit may be hard to reach, and weather may prevent us going – the discretion of our Captain is the key factor at all times. Group size on the boat will be up to 112 participants, with up to four Heatherlea guides.
We will go ashore in zodiac boats (these are rugged rubber inflatable boats), crewed by the M/v Plancius’s experienced team, who will assist you on and off boats. It is important you are able to get up and down the gangway from the ship to the sea level in order to board the zodiac. If you need any further information, or would like to discuss the above, please contact the Heatherlea office on 01479 821248 and ask for Kevin or Emma.
Prices:
Superior twin ensuite £13750pp
Twin ensuite £12500pp
Triple ensuite £11000pp
For single occupancy, please contact us directly for a quotation.
Cabins are for twin or triple occupation, though several twin ensuite cabins will be reserved so we can match singles with appropriate cabin-mates!
Price includes; voyage including accommodation, meals, lectures and the services of Heatherlea and Oceanwide Leaders. Pre-voyage extension will be priced separately; please allow £1000 for this. Flights to and from London are not included at this stage; expect perhaps £1000 pp.
Price excludes; insurance, gratuities, drinks and other personal expenses. Fuel surcharges as levied by vessel operator.
Photo credits: F Banfi, G Ehlme, Rinie Van Meurs, Dylan Walker
Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual
holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and
elements beyond our control (eg weather).
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