Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition

Inclusions for departures between November 2009 and March 2010:

One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.)

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)

All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program.

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.

Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.

Photographic Album on DVD

A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings

Hair dryer in every cabin

A Quark Expeditions parka

Coffee, tea, cocoa and bottled water available around the clock

Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.

Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship.

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum of $100,000 per person.

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica is everything south of the Antarctic convergence, a biological boundary that fluctuates between 50 and 60 degrees South. For some, an expedition to the Southern Continent is not complete unless the Antarctic Circle is crossed. South of that invisible boundary daylight lasts for 24 hours from mid-December to late February. Overnight in Ushuaia.

Day 2 Embarkation Day
Crossing the Circle is the goal of this expedition. So, on some departures, the ship will push south rapidly, from Ushuaia.

Day 3-4 The Drake Passage
The Drake is legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, but you may be lucky and get calm weather. If so, we'll keep you busy on deck, on the Bridge and in the presentation room. We prepare you for boarding Zodiacs, shore landings and, if you dare, polar dips.

Day 5-8 Exploring the Peninsula
The Expedition Team launch the Zodiacs to skim across the water to go ashore, or drift silently while you watch whales fed or penguins jump aboard ice floes.
Kayaking and Camping
Every kayaker or camper seeks that one perfect moment that they will relive for the rest of their lives. Perhaps you'll find that moment in Antarctica.

Day 9-10 The Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66 degrees 33'S. Celebrate with a well-earned glass of champagne. Toast to the intrepid explorers who have gone before.

Day 11-12 Northbound Along the Peninsula
There's a story behind every name on the map of Antarctica. Many of the French names that appear are the legacy of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, physician, yachtsman, and explorer. He, like you, lived for adventure.

Day 13-15 Drake Passage to Ushuaia
As you cross the Drake once again, you'll have time to adjust to a world where day and night are distinct.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
No Departure Date Information was found for this Tour. This could be due to our website undergoing an update. Please call a tour specialist at 1-800-942-3301 for personalized assistance.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

This 15-day expedition is for people who enjoy active adventures and hanker to travel south of the Antarctic Circle. It offers an average of three activites off the ship per day while in the Antarctic Peninsula. There is a shipboard education program. Optional adventures - camping and kayaking - are available on selected departures.

Sail aboard Aboard Akademik Ioffe
Scandinavian built for the Russian Academy of Science, this ship was designed to travel quietly, during hydro-acoustic research. The ship is exceptionally stable, yet maneuverable. External stabilizers and a built-in trimming system provide exceptional stability. Akademik Ioffe has an ice-strengthened hull and a cruising speed in open water of 14.5 knots. 110 Guests
Or the February 9 departure sails Aboard Ocean Nova This ship delivers clean, crisp Scandinavian styling and a reputation as an excellent ship in the Antarctic. Built to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, Ocean Nova's ice-strengthened hull has enabled the ship to park in the ice of the Weddell Sea!

Expedition Summary
Day 1 Ushuaia
Day 2 Embarkation
Day 3-4 The Drake Passage
Day 5-12 Antarctica
Day 13-14 The Drake Passage
Day 15 Disembarkation, Ushuaia

Departures: January 2, 2009 to February 16, 2010 Rate Range: $7,500 to $18,290

Aboard Akademik Sergey Vavilov 2009
Dates for Jan 6, 2010 and Feb 16, 2010 start at $10,190

Aboard Akademik Ioffe
Departures: Jan 2, 2009 and Feb 2, 2009; prices start at $9,100

Aboard Akademik Shokalskiy
Dec 29, 2009 prices start $10,990

Aboard Ocean Nova
Departure dates: Feb 9, 2009, Jan 9, 2010, Feb 9, 2010 prices start at $11,500.

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