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| Great Antarctic Explorers
A 26-Day tour starting from $25,500
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This 26-day journey through history sails from Lyttelton, New Zealand to Hobart, Australia via the Historic Huts of the Ross Sea. You will sail in the company of special guest Adrian Raeside, author, cartoonist and explorer’s grandson. Adrian is writing a book about his grandfather, a member of Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole, to commemorate its 100th anniversary. En route, he will read excerpts from his grandfather’s journals and show pictures of the expedition that haven’t been seen in a century! |
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Rates for the 2008-09 season include:
*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. *All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s 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 speaker, Adrian Raeside 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. *Coffee, tea, cocoa, and bottled water 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.
Day 1: Christchurch, New Zealand
You’ll spend the night on New Zealand’s South Island in our host hotel before boarding the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. Day 2: Embarkation Day: We’ll transfer our guests from the host hotel in Christchurch to the port of Lyttelton, where you will embark. This is the same port from which Scott sailed to Antarctica at the commencement of his final expedition to the White Continent Day 3-5: Exploring Campbell & Anderby Islands Anonymous whalers and sealers were often the first to visit subantarctic islands, such as Enderby and Campbell. Now protected habitats, the islands are nesting grounds for Royal Albatross, while Enderby is home to the rare Yellow-eyed Penguin. We plan to go ashore, if conditions permit. Day 6-9: Sailing to the Ice Edge As we sail southward a full program of onboard activities will be underway. In addition to presentations by Adrian Raeside, author, cartoonist and explorer’s grandson, our Expedition Team will provide insight into the natural history of the southern polar region. On deck there will be photo opportunities as we sail the ice edge, searching for Antarctic wildlife. The Expedition Leader may deploy the onboard helicopters to provide spectacular aerial views of glaciers and mountains. Day 10: Drygalski Ice Tongue This extension of the David Glacier is named for Erich von Drygalski, a German geophysicist who pioneered the study of ice formations. He used a balloon to take aerial photographs. We’ll be using helicopters for aerial photography Day 11-12: Dry Valleys & the Ross Ice Shelf Although each voyage is painstakingly planned, it is impossible to provide prior to departure a definitive summary of the journey you will actually experience. The Expedition Leader in cooperation with the ship’s Captain adjusts the route as the expedition unfolds to take advantage of the best weather and ice conditions. For this reason, no itinerary provided in advance of the voyage should be considered exact. As you approach in helicopters from the sea, the expanse of fast ice stops abruptly, revealing a parched land with no vegetation other than lichen that grow inside rocks. It is a surreal experience to explore the Dry Valleys on foot, surrounded by odd granite formations sculpted by powerful winds. Day 15-16 The Bay of Whales This indentation in the Ross Ice Shelf was a significant location in the story that Adrian will relate about his grandfather’s journey with Robert Falcon Scott. It was from the Bay of Whales that Raold Amundsen launched his successful attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole, besting Scott by a month. Day 17-21: The Ross Sea While we sail the Ross Sea, you will hear more about the many discoveries of James Ross, after whom the sea and the ice shelf were named. We expect to land at Cape Adare, a breeding ground for over half a million Adelie Penguins. The Cape is also the location of another of Antarctica’s historic huts. It was constructed in 1899 by Carsten Borchgrevink, the first person to winter over in Antarctica. Day 22-23: MacQuarie Island Three million Royal Penguins, virtually the entire world population, live on Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. King Penguins and elephant seals share the islands with the Royals. We plan shore landings if conditions permit. The island is subject to inclement weather many days of the year. Day 24-26: North to Hobart, Australia Our final days at sea include presentations summing up the legacy of the great explorers. Adrian has graciously agreed to donate sketches he will make during this voyage to a charity auction to raise funds for the preservation of the Historic Huts of the Antarctic Heroic Age of Exploration. The auction will occur on the final leg of this journey, prior to disembarking in Hobart.
Aboard Kapitan Khlebnikov
A polar-class icebreaker, combining power and technology with creature comforts. Originally designed for the rigors of northern Siberia, Kapitan Khlebnikov is one of a few vessels of its kind in the world. Prices are based Twin Standard Cabins.
Prices are based on Double Occupancy, US Dollars. Other Cabin types are available For Triple Occupancy - in the lowest cabin - prices from $18,500 Suite cabin, dbl. occupancy is $33,500 pp Corner Suite cabin dbl. occupancy is $35,500 pp If I book this expedition, what additional major expenses will I incur? 1. All Quark 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 12 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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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||