Explorers' Quest via the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falklands (Malvinas) and South Georgia

Rates Include/Inclusions for departures between November 2010 and March 2011:

Hotel accommodation: one night pre-expedition with breakfast.

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage.

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 Journal on DVD.

Polar Arts program with interactive workshops.

A pair of expedition boots on loan for shore landings.

A Quark Expeditions parka to keep on Clipper Adventurer

Coffee, tea, and cocoa available around the clock.

Comprehensive pre-departure materials.

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.

Inclusions for departures between November 2010 and March 2011:

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 for guests on Clipper Adventurer only.

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
Begin your Antarctic adventure with an overnight stay in Ushuaia – capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, and southernmost city in the world.

Day 2 Embarkation Day
Today you join your ship and begin your tour by cruising through the beautiful Beagle Channel. Named for the British ship HMS Beagle, the channel is particularly rich with birdlife, and you may sight penguins, cormorants, petrels, and Black-browed Albatross.

Day 3 At Sea
There’s lots to do at sea! Your Expedition Team may include expert ornithologists, marine biologists, historians, geologists and more. When conditions permit, we’ll fill these days with onboard presentations, preparing you for the adventures to come.

Day 4-5 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
The Falklands, known as les Islas Malvinas in Spanish-speaking Argentina, are a treasure-trove of bird life, particularly Kelp Geese and both Rockhopper and Magellanic Penguins. Shore landings allow you to hike the rocky beachheads, and socialize with friendly local residents.

Day 6-7 At Sea
More shipboard presentations prepare you for upcoming shore landings and Zodiac cruises along the coast of South Georgia. You’ll know you’re in bona fide Antarctic waters when you cross the “Antarctic Convergence” – the biological boundary dividing Antarctica from the rest of the Southern seas

Day 8-11 South Georgia
Your first sight of this remote snow-capped wonderland may leave you breathless. Jagged mountains erupt from the sea, reaching straight for the clouds. Once ashore, you’ll marvel at the strange music of barking seals and squawking penguins.
Planned activities include a series of landings at King Penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the lonely gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton. (Don’t know Shackleton’s story? Watch our South Georgia video guide.) Here’s a sample of other potential activities:

Zodiac cruising along beaches densely packed with fur seals

Visits to a tiny but excellent whaling museum

Hiking rocky beaches, sometimes home to 1,000-lb elephant seals

Optional kayaking in romantic bays

Keep your eye out for Wandering Albatross and Giant Petrels, and don’t be surprised if you spot the odd reindeer. Although Antarctica has no native land mammals, reindeer were introduced here early in the 20th century by Norwegian whalers.

Day 12-13 At Sea
Heading south again, spend a few more education-filled days at sea en route for the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula

Day 14-17 The Antarctic Peninsula
Changing conditions mean each expedition is different, and your Expedition Team will make sure you have an unforgettable visit. Here are just a few of the things you might find yourself doing:

Sitting quietly on a pebbled-beach, waiting for a curious penguin chick to approach

Taking a "polar plunge" in the icy waters of Paradise Bay

Listening to the boom and crack of a calving glacier near Danco Island

Optional kayaking withp ods of whales or sleek fur seals

Choose the mountaineering option to scale icy inclines

Zodiac cruising among majestic icebergs

Scrambling to the top of a craggy hill for an unforgettable view of Port Lockroy

Day 18-19 The Drake Passage
Prepare for rough seas as you begin your homeward journey, but don’t be disappointed if you experience smooth sailing across this legendary waterway. The 500-mile-wide passage separates the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the bottom of South America, and was named for famed English explorer (or pirate, depending on who’s telling the story) Sir Frances Drake

Day 20 Ushuaia, Argentina
After a shipboard breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

Extend Your Stay
Ask if you would like to stay longer, or even arive earlier.

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.
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
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.

An in-depth education program and an average of 2 landings or Zodiac sightseeing sailings per day while exploring. The balance keeps you busy, while providing plenty of time for relaxing in the lounge with new-found friends during this 20-day expedition.

You'll sail about 3500 nautical miles from Ushuaia to Ushuaia. Some departures may be operated in the reverse direction.

This expedition features a relaxed pace with shore landings in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, an in-depth education program, and on selected departures an interactive Polar Arts program.

Day 1Ushuaia
Day 2Embarkation
Day 3At Sea
Day 4-5Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Day 6-7At Sea
Day 8-11Southern Ocean and South Georgia
Day 12-13At Sea
Day 14-17South Shetland Islands and Peninsula
Day 18-19Drake Passage
Day 20 Ushuaia

Aboard Lyubov Orlova
In the fall of 2006, the spacious, ice-strengthened Lyubov Orlova underwent extensive renovations to the forward lounge, dining room and cabins. 110 Guests Destinations: Antarctica 2008-09 - Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). All prices are per person.

Aboard Clipper Adventurer 2009
This sister-ship of Lyubov Orlova, built in 1975, underwent a $13 million conversion in 1998. She has a proud reputation as a well-appointed, elegant expedition ship for softer adventures. The ship is equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings and ocean level, cruising, yet offers fine dining, and a cabins with exterior views and facilities en suite. 122 Guests. All prices are person.

Aboard Clipper Adventurer
This sister-ship of Lyubov Orlova, built in 1975, underwent a $13 million conversion in 1998. She has a proud reputation as a well-appointed, elegant expedition ship for softer adventures. The ship is equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings and ocean level, cruising, yet offers fine dining, and a cabins with exterior views and facilities en suite. 122 Guests. All prices per person.

Various prices quoted for each departure date, due to different cabin categories on the ship. Prices subject to availbility at the time of booking. Please call 800-924-3301 for the latest pricing and reservations.

If I book this expedition, what additional major expenses will I incur?
1. All Expeditions passengers are required to obtain and verify travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation. Please note that in many instances medical evacuation insurance can be obtained separately from trip cancellation coverage.
2. Transportation to and from the embarkation point is not included in the cost of the expedition.
3. Wearing the right clothes is essential. Mean coastal temperatures are seldom far below freezing. However sunny conditions can swiftly shift to storms with very cold winds and snow flurries. A parka, gloves, hat and scarf are essential. Once you have booked, we will provide you with a complete list of what to pack.

What is the average age and nationalities of travelers on this expedition?
Expedition Ship travelers range in age from 20 to 80 with the majority between 30 and 75. Our expedition members are independent-minded travelers from around the world with a strong interest in exploring remote regions.

Must I understand English to participate?
Our voyages appeal to an international audience. About 40% of the travelers who join our voyages come from countries where English is not the first language. English is the language used for all documents, communications, shipboard announcements and education program presentations. While most of our travelers have a working knowledge of English, their level of proficiency with the language varies greatly. If you have questions on how your knowledge of English may impact your experience, please contact our office and one of our Sales Representatives will be happy to discuss this with you.

Do I have to be fit to join one of these expeditions?
In general you do not, as this expedition is by ship with shore excursions that are not physically demanding. However travelers on Lyubov Orlova must be able to make their way down a steep, narrow gangway on the side of the ship to the Zodiac for shore excursions. Travelers on Ocean Nova, please note that although the gangway to the Zodiacs is less steep, you still must negotiate stairs throughout the ship. None of our ships is equipped with handicap facilities.

May my children accompany me on the expedition?
On this expedition we welcome children that are at least 8 years of age. All children must be accompanied by at least one adult willing to supervise them at all times. Note that the shipboard education programs are designed for adults.

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