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| Ushuaia to Ushuaia aboard the Minerva
A 14-Day tour starting from $10,880
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The award-winning Minerva (formerly Explorer II) is home base for your exploration, a comfortable retreat from the stark natural beauty of the area. Specifically designed and built for cruising the ice floes and Antarctic seas, this class vessel makes a pleasurable journey of one of the last unexplored destinations in the world. Excursions by Zodiac around the waters and shores of the continent will begin and end with Minerva's warm atmosphere and an elegant simplicity. |
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Rates for the 2009 season include
*Complimentary Economy Class air to & from Santiago from over 86 gateways. *Complimentary overnight hotel stay in Santiago, Chile - in addition to the 11 nights onboard. *Included charter flight to/from Ushuaia, Atgentina, transfers and city tour with lunch en route to ship *All onboard gratuities *Expedition team of the highest caliber *All Zodiac excursions *Complimentary backpack and parka *Boots and binoculars available on board for use during expedition
Day 1 Depart US gateway for overnight flight to Santiago
Day 2 Arrive Santiago Transfer to hotel for complmentary overnight stay. The Chilean Capital offers history-rich sightseeing and dozens of other attractions. If your flight arrives early enough, you'll have time for an optional city tour Day 3 Fly to Ushuai A sightseeing tour along the steep streets of the southernmost city in the world. Here you board Minerva and settle in for the first night at sea. Take advantage of the austral summer daylight to toast a bon voyage out on deck as you set sail past the cormorant and seal colonies of the magnificent Beagle Channel Day 4 At Sea As you cruise east towards the Falklands, a team of experts begin their informal discussions on the fauna, flora & history of Antarctic exploration. Tonight is the Captain's Welcome Dinner. This evening and our last aboard ship are the only two nights where informal attire is suggested. All other evenings will be country club casual. Day 5 Port Stanley, Falkland Islands Enjoy a taste of Victorian England in the South Atlantic. Take a walk through the streets of the Falklands' quaint frontier capital with its colorful houses and friendly residents. A choice of optional excursions is available. Day 6-7 At Sea A virtual parade of natural wonders fill the landscape during the days at sea and throughout the rose-colored nights. Amid the spectacular scenery and ice-filled channels, you'll look for whales and seals, giant albatross and blu-eyed shag. After each evening's leisurely dinner, there is time to stroll the deck and gaze at the seascapes in the lingering light of an Antarctic summer twilight. Day 8-11 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands Plan to land on the Antarctic Peninsual and also visit a number of islands in the South Shetlands. ON most days you will make two landings, heading out in swift and versitile Zodiacs, accompanied by lecturers. In the sunken caldera at Deception Island, some may dare to take a dip in the thermal springs of Pendulum Cove. Ashore, thousands of penguins strut like miniature Charlie Chaplins. Crabeater, Weddell and leopard seals laze in the sun. Transit the Lemaire and Neumayer Channels, filled with some of the most dramatic and humbling landscapes of unimaginable beauty, and sail through "Iceberg Alley" passing mountains of ice sculpted like giant mounds of whipped cream. If weather permits, we may also try Zodiac cruising for a fiew of the various seals and penguins resting on ice floes. Invariably every outing reveals another wonder. Day 12-13 Cruise the Drake Passage This remote 600-mile stretch teems with wildlife at this time of year, when the warm waters of the north converge with the icy waters of Antarctica, creating a nutrient-rich feeding ground of krill and plakton for multitudes of seabirds and whales. Now is the time to compare notes and exchange addreses with your fellow shipmates while the guides recap the highlights of your voyage. Day 14 Ushuaia, Argentina Today you disembark for the complimentary charter flights to Santiago to catch connecting flights home. If you've added an optional hotel or land extension, your transfers are included.
Even aboard one of the world's foremost expedition ships, it is clear that this is a much different experience than a typical cruise. Shores teaming with wildlife, birds soad overhead, gigantic fish swirl beneath the ocean's surface - you'll wonder if the tales of Antarctica's unforgiving habitat were only myths to keep it from being over-explored.
Plan up to two Zodiac landings per day while in the Antarctic Peninsula. Minerva offers a degree of comfort unmatched in Antarctic cruising: all oceanview staterooms, choice of restaurants, plenty of deck space for viewing the nature splendor of the "White Continent," and the best crew and service in the world.
Minerva is built for 400 passengers, but to Antarctica we carry only 200 privileged guests to maximize this enriching experience. Minerva is well-equipped to handle the open-water cruising and icy channels of Antarctica. Her power, stability and agility ensure a safe, smooth passage for all on board. Call for Early Bookings Savings fares for as much as 10% off the prices listed below. Prices from $13,995 pp for Category SA Prices from $14,895 pp for Category B Prices from $16,595 pp for Category A Prices from $18,795 pp for Superior SP Prices from $21,795 pp for Deluxe D Prices from $25,295 pp for Suite S Prices from $31,595 for Owner's Suite OS *Fares are per person on double occupany. Port, handling and security charge is $285. *Fuel surcharges are additional. *Economy airfare is available for 86 gateways and the free air promotion is capacity controlled. Air program includes transfers between airport and pier, as applicable. *Air is subject to availability. Scheduled air may be substituted. Air routing, scheduling and carrier are at the discretion of RSSC. $1,200 credit for those that book their own airfare *Every landing depends on weather conditions and no landing can be guaranteed. *Chilean tax: The Chilean government charges a reciprocity fee to travelers entering Chile through Santiago's International airport. Payment of this fee is the sole responsibility of each guest. Payments must be made in US Dollars. The immigration office will NOT accept credit cards of traveler's checks. Cash is the ONLY acceptable form of payment. Fees are subject to change without notice. American citizens: $100 USD per person Canaidan citizens: $132 USD per person For nationalities not listed above, please contact your consulate for applicable reciprocity fees. |
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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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
