Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent in the
world, almost twice the size of Australia, yet
historically its isolation and extreme climate
have restricted access to all but the most
intrepid explorers and scientists.

Nowadays this privilege is extended to expedition
cruise ships, affording visitors a unique
opportunity to visit this mysterious region of
land and ice and share this extraordinary
experience.


The Itinerary
(Choose from a range of 8, 9, or 10 nights
itineraries on a variety of different ships; from
Ice-breakers to research ships).

Explore the Antarctic Peninsula
up close in Zodiacs and see whales breaching and
seals sunbathing on translucent blue icebergs.
Visits typically include Half Moon Island, Port Lockroy, Deception Island, Cuverville Island, Gerlache Strait, Neumeyer Channel and Paradise Bay.

The South Shetland Islands
This rugged island chain hugs the Antarctic
Peninsula, providing a narrow but exceptionally
sheltered sea passage: on either side, towers of
black rock filigreed with grey webs; the valleys
between them smothered in a stratified white
mantle hundreds of metres thick. One of these
islands is the active volcano of Deception
Island, whose flooded caldera formed a perfect
harbour for the whaling station which flourished
here in the 1930’s. There may be time for a dip
in the geothermally heated waters: not warm -
ice-cold but with hot spots.

The Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is the most readily
accessible area of the continent and hosts some
of the most awe-inspiring scenery and wildlife.
It has the mildest climate of the continent (in
the summer, the temperature usually hovers around
freezing point) and is home to many of the
scientific bases in Antarctica, including Port
Lockroy, the first permanent British station.
Gentoo, chinstrap and adelie penguins abound, and
there’s always a good chance of sightings of
humpback and minke whales, and orcas. Ships edge
their way south through the slush and abstract
patterns formed by the fractured sea ice; place
names recall the early explorers: Neumeyer
Channel, Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island.


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