Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica 2011 An epic 24 day journey to the sub Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula Tuesday, January 4th - Thursday, January 27th, 2011 This is the ultimate experience for anyone interested is experiencing everything that the Antarctic Peninsula and islands have to offer. The Falklands - Penguins are perhaps the most striking feature of bird life in the Falklands, with five breeding species (Rockhopper, Magellan, Gentoo, King and Macaroni). The Islands have what is the world's largest breeding population of Black-Browed Albatross. Several species of Petrel nest on offshore islands. Three species of seal breed on the Islands, elephant seal, sea lion and fur seal. South Georgia - South Georgia has an astonishing concentration of wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery ranging from 7,000-foot Mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying grassland. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on earth and certainly has more wildlife than virtually anywhere else on the planet. Thousands of King Penguins, Wandering Albatrosses nest, southern elephant seals, and thousands of fur seals breed. The Antarctic Peninsula - Antarctica, one of the most pristine wilderness areas on earth. Icebergs in all shapes and sizes. Ten thousand foot peaks rising out of the sea. Glaciers. Long summer days that end with brilliant colours as dusk finally turns back into daylight. Abundant wildlife. Penguin colonies with tens of thousands of breeding pairs. Albatross with 10-13 foot wingspans. Elephant, Weddell, crabeater, leopard, and fur seals. Humpback, minke, and Orca whales. This trip combines amazing wildlife encounters with spectacular land and seascapes as well as an introduction to the history of exploration and whaling that made these locations both famous and infamous. Expert expedition staff are at hand throughout the voyages to pass on their knowledge to you. Would you like to join a trip from Ireland to Antarctica in January 2011?  There are a limited number of places available on a special voyage. So who can go? The expedition is suitable for all ages, fitness levels and interests. All you need is a sense of adventure and a desire to see some of the most remarkable locations on the planet. Cabins are available to share so no need for single supplements and extra costs! The trip will depart from Dublin on 4th January flying to Buenos Aires.  From there it's on down to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost city in the world and the embarkation point for our adventure to the Falklands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. Returning from Antarctica we will make our way back to Buenos Aires before making the return journey to Dublin arriving on 27th of January having just had an unforgettable experience. This very special trip offer includes flights, accommodation in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia and an 19 day Antarctic voyage on board the M/V Plancius. Price includes:     International return flights  - Dublin - Buenos Aires.     Domestic return flights - Buenos Aires - Ushuaia.     A 18 night/19 days expedition voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula on board the M/V Plancius including:         All meals throughout the voyage.         All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.         Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.         All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the voyage programme.         Comprehensive pre-departure material.     3 nights accommodation at 4* hotels in Buenos Aires & Ushuaia.     City tour of Buenos Aires with lunch.     A special night out in Buenos Aires!     Guided visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park with lunch.        All meals as detailed in itinerary     All transfers airport/hotel/port with guide.

SPECIAL BONUS Book NOW and receive a beautiful top quality North Face Expedition Parka absolutely FREE*. RRP. €260 This offer is only available on a first come/first served basis on a limited number of cabin spaces so book your space now and receive your free expedition parka. CALL +353 (0)1 2883385 or complete this form to register your interest. Full pricing details: Prices are cabin only & all-inclusive per person sharing Cabin type Cabin only All inclusive price per person Cabin description Quad Private cabin €8890 €11159 Triple cabin with two bunks and one single bed. These cabins have private shower and toilet facilities. (ca. 17 square metres) Twin Private Cabin €10990 €13059 Twin cabin with two single beds. These cabins have private shower and toilet facilities. (ca. 15 square metres) Superior Private Cabin €12790 €14859 Superior cabin with double bed. These cabins have private shower and toilet facilities. (ca. 21 square metres) For more details about the vessel click here   If you want to see Antarctica and take advantage of an incredible price then contact us as soon as possible to reserve your space.   CALL +353 (0)1 2883385 or complete this form to register your interest.  There are a limited number of places available.

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica 2011 - detailed itinerary

January 4th

Depart Dublin and fly to Buenos Aires.

January 5th

On arrival, transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon we will take a guided tour of Buenos Aires to see some of the sites of this beautiful city and have lunch at one of the cities many restaurants.

January 6th

Today, fly down to Ushuaia. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel. You'll have time to take a look around Ushuaia and that evening we'll have dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

January 7th

Today is the big day when we board ship to make our way to Antarctica. In the morning we'll take a guided tour of the Tierra del Fuego National Park followed by lunch. Boarding will not be until 4pm so there'll be some time to have a look around Ushuaia and maybe pick up the last few items before sailing. After boarding you'll be assigned your cabin and then the adventure begins as we set sail onto the Beagle Channel and out into the South Atlantic towards the Falklands Islands. (B,L,D)

January 8th
At sea, in the westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.

January 9th
A typical itinerary in the Falklands - South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.

In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) we plan to spend the whole day on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. A hike along the shore of Carcass Island will give us instead views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl and Night herons. In addition, on Saunders we will be able to observe Rockhopper Penguins, Black-browed Albatrosses and King Cormorants.

January 10th
In Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, we can experience Falkland culture, which has some South- American characteristics as well as Victorian charm.
In Stanley and surrounding area we can see a quite important number of stranded clippers from a century ago.

January 11th & 12th
At sea, on our way to South Georgia we will cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop as much as 10 degrees C in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence we will see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of Albatrosses, Shearwaters, Petrels, Prions and Skuas.

January 13th - 16th
In South Georgia we shall visit the bay of Elsehul, with it´s very active fur seal breeding beach, and then take course to Right Whale Bay, Salisbury Plain, Gold Harbour and Cooper Bay to give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the introduced Reindeer, Elephant seals, King and Macaroni Penguins. At Fortuna Bay we might try to follow in the footsteps of the great British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and hike over to Strømness Bay. There and at Grytviken we'll see and abandoned whaling village, where King Penguins now walk in the streets and seals have taken over the buildings. At Grytviken we'll also offer a visit to the Whaling History Museum as well as to Shackleton´s grave near by. One of the highlights might be our visit to Prion Island, where we will witness the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering Albatross and enjoy watching their displays.

January 17th
At sea, where the ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds. At some point we might encounter sea-ice, and it is at the ice-edge where we might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the McCormick's Skua, Snow Petrel and the elusive Emperor Penguin.

January 18th
We are aiming for a visit at Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel will show us their facilities and we can enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers.

January 19th
At sea.

January 20th - 22nd
We will sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We plan to visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of Adelie Penguins and the remains of the Nordenskiöld  expedition. At Brown Bluff we can put our feet on the continent.

At Deception Island, we will try to land at Baily Head home to a colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Penguins. Deception itself is a sub ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson's Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while our ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune's Bellow into the ring of Deception Island. In the afternoon we may  land at Half Moon Island, where we can observe Elephant, Weddell and Fur Seals as well as Chinstrap Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Kelp Gulls, Snowy Sheathbills, Antarctic Terns and Antarctic Brown Skuas.

On our way West, we sail to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. Time and conditions allowing we hope to be able to sail further South to Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay and through Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, while having chances of seeing large Whales. We will have opportunities for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords.

January 23rd - 24th
On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

January 25th
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. Transfer to airport and fly back to Buenos Aires for overnight. (B,D)

January 26th

Today we make the return flight to Dublin flying overnight. (B)

January 27th

Arrive Dublin Airport. You are now one of the lucky people to have been to Antarctica. All that's left now is to try and describe to family and friends the amazing sights and sounds you have encountered on your voyage to Antarctica.

Note:

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife.

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So would you like to be a part of this very special trip?

To reserve your space now call +353 (0)1 2883385or complete this form and take advantage of the early booking offers. There are a limited number of cabin spaces available.

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