Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Islands including South Georgia
NOVEMBER 20: Depart from Ushuaia
Embark the USHUAIA in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff.
After you have settled into your cabins we sail along the famous Beagle Channel
on our way to the rugged and beautiful Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).
NOVEMBER 21: At Sea
En route to the Falkland archipelago our expedition team looks forward to
greet you during their first introductory lectures and invites you to join
them on the outer decks for amazing birdwatching.
NOVEMBER 22: West Point Island / Carcass
Island - Western Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
In the morning we hope to reach West Point Island to visit a spectacular colony
of Black-browed Albatross, which nest together with the very energetic Rockhopper
Penguins at the cliffside of the island. A gentle slope leads up to the site
and on our way we can enjoy the beautiful views of the countryside. The afternoon
might take us to Carcass Island. A dense plantation of tussac grass covers
much of the lower ground below Jason Hill to the east of the island. It is
this availability of abundant cover, and the absence of cats, rats and mice
throughout the Island´s history, which made for a spectacularly large
population of small birds. Gentoo and Magellanic
Penguins breed here, Striated Caracaras are seen almost everywhere, Cobb´s
Wrens are also abundant on the island. Peale´s and Commerson´s
dolphins come often close to the shoreline and with a little luck, Rob McGill,
the owner of this delightful island might have the kettle on and invite us
for an islander´s tea with scones and cake.
NOVEMBER 23: Stanley - Eastern Falkland Islands
(Malvinas)
The quaint little town was established in the early 1840s, but over the last
two decades of the 20th century there has been remarkable progress in the
islands, which has caused the town to double its size with the latest growth
concentrated towards the eastern end of the harbor, stretching its boundary
even further. You do not have to go out of the town to enjoy the outstanding
wildlife the Islands have to offer. Southern Giant Petrels often fly close
to the shoreline, keeping up with local residents driving along the front
road. The endemic Falkland Steamer Ducks abound on the shore while Kelp Gulls
can often be seen flying up in the air, dropping mussels on to the roads,
so that the shells crack allowing them to eat the contents. Smaller birds
to be seen include the Falkland Thrush, the Red-breasted long-tailed Meadowlark
and Black-chinned Siskin.
In the afternoon we will leave Stanley and sail East en route to South Georgia.
The island group of South Georgia is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful
and inspiring places on earth with more wildlife than virtually anywhere else
on the planet. Though extremely isolated, South Georgia has amazing scenery
ranging from high mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying
grassland.
NOVEMBER 24 to 26: At Sea
En route to South Georgia.
The open bridge policy on the USHUAIA allows you to join our officers on the
bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. These
waters are also home to countless seabirds, which often ride the currents
created in the wake of the ship. On board, our extensive lecture program will
begin today. Expert naturalists share their knowledge of the wildlife and
unique ecosystems we will encounter throughout our voyage. Our lecture team
will accompany you through every step of the journey, offering insight and
ready knowledge on this amazing region. With favorable conditions you will
experience your first encounter with King Penguins on the afternoon of November
26.
NOVEMBER 27 to 30: South Georgia
Our exact itinerary will be determined by local conditions on sea and land.
The following destinations are among those we hope to explore:
Grytviken
Once a thriving whaling station, the remains of Grytviken stand as a reminder
of an era of exploitation that thankfully grows more distant by the day. Grytviken
has an excellent natural history museum but also offers possibilities for
hikes in the surrounding mountains. A short zodiac ride around King Edward
cove brings us to the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Join the USHUAIA’s staff
for a graveside toast honoring this remarkable explorer and venerated mariner.
Salisbury Plain
Sometimes called the “Serengeti of the South”, Salisbury Plain is a wildlife
site without parallel. Several large glaciers provide a dramatic backdrop
for the tens of thousands of King Penguins that breed in the tussock grass
of this remarkable ecosystem. The wide beach makes for excellent walking as
we visit the colonies, where we are literally surrounded and delightfully
outnumbered by throngs of curious, gentle penguins. In November the beaches
are a haven for fur seals, which will give birth
at this time. Elephant seal weeners will also join into the general concert
and some big elephant seal bulls are lazing a bit further away from the waterfront.
Southern Giant Petrels and the occasional wandering Gentoo Penguin will also
make for great photo opportunities. Prepare for an awe-inspiring experience.
Gold Harbour
Gold Harbour offers some of the most spectacular scenery of the voyage with
its alpine landscape and hanging glaciers. We hope to make a landing on the
beach, where we will enjoy naturalist-led nature walks and hikes. The surrounding
cliffs of Gold Harbour provide habitat for nesting Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses,
which can often be seen soaring above the beach. A large colony of King Penguins
offers a fantastic opportunity to photograph these dramatic birds, and the
sandy beach is a favorite haul-out spot for massive Southern elephant seals.
There is also a small colony of Gentoo Penguins nesting in the shelter of
the tussock grass.
Cooper Bay
We hope to explore two sites at Cooper Bay. The first could be a visit to
the main beach, where King Penguins breed in amongst dense tussock grass.
We may have the opportunity to make a landing here, or take part in a zodiac
tour around rugged bays of volcanic origin to a wonderful Macaroni Penguin
colony perched on the rocky cliffs. Southern elephant seals can often be seen
lounging among the large clumps of tussock grass in the area as well.
St. Andrews Bay
The surf beaten coastline at St. Andrews Bay runs north-south in a 1.86 miles
(3 km) long uninterrupted sweep of fine dark sand, covered in penguins and
seals and bounded in the interior by the Cook, Buxton and Heaney Glaciers.
The bay hosts the biggest colony of King Penguins on South Georgia. In November
the beach is also carpeted with fur and elephant seals. Such a large assemblage
of wildlife attracts an entourage of persistent and voracious scavengers.
Sheathbills dart in and around the penguin colony, Cape Petrels nest in a
small number on the cliffs north of St. Andrews Bay. Leopard seals patrol
the rocks at this end of the beach too, hunting penguins along the edge of
kelp beds. A few White-chinned Petrels and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross nest
on the tussock slopes. Brown Skuas and Antarctic Terns breed on the outwash
plain and scree slopes at the north end of the beach, defending their nest
sites with their characteristic noise and vigor.
Stromness
Stromness is situated in the central harbor of Stromness Bay. It was here
that Shackleton finished his epic voyage, walking into the now derelict whaling
station of Stromness which stands at the southern end of a long grey sand
beach at the head of the harbor. This is an excellent site for reindeer. Behind
the station, Shackleton Valley extends inland and westward up to a pass leading
over to Fortuna Bay. A picturesque waterfall situated at the head of the valley
lies on the route and flows into the large swiftly running river that joins
the sea at the northern end of the beach. Mosses, rushes and other mire and
bog plants cloak the valley floor in a patchwork of soft, wet swampy areas.
There is a small Gentoo Penguin colony located among the hills between the
whaling station and the river in breathtaking scenery.
Drygalski Fjord
The 9 miles (14 km) long Drygalski Fjord offers spectacular scenery. Although
Drygalski Fjord´s glaciers have retreated significantly in recent decades,
they remain one of the most striking features of this coastline, particularly
the Risting and Jenkins Glaciers. This is also one of the principal breeding
areas for Snow Petrels in South Georgia. The birds nest on the cliff buttresses
and mountain ridges along the shores and mix with Cape Petrels on the lower
ledges. Both species can be seen flying along the cliffs as they come and
go from their nest sites. Blue-eyed Shags, Wilson´s Storm Petrels and
Antarctic Terns are also a common sight as they feed in the plankton-rich
upwellings in front of the glaciers.
DECEMBER 01: At Sea
For one and a half days we will cross the waters towards the South Orkney
Islands offering excellent opportunities to be out on deck or to catch up
on your reading and reflect on the amazing experience in South Georgia of
the past few days. Lectures and activities will be offered throughout the
passage.
DECEMBER 02: South Orkney Islands – Orcadas
Station
The archipelago comprises four main islands: Coronation, Laurie, Powell and
Signy Island. We will try to approach the second largest one, Laurie Island.
The seas around these glaciated islands are often ice-covered and surrounded
by huge tabular icebergs. But we might get lucky and step ashore to visit
the Argentine Station Orcadas, where seals haul out on the beach and we might
get a tour through the facilities of the station.
DECEMBER 03: At Sea
For another day we will be at sea heading further South towards the Weddell
Sea, always on a lookout for wildlife and beautiful icebergs.
DECEMBER 04 to 06: Weddell Sea, Antarctic
Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
Our exact itinerary will be determined by local conditions on sea and land.
The following destinations are among those we hope to explore:
King George Island, South Shetland Islands
King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands. Russia, China,
Korea, Poland, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina have all built research stations
here. We may have an opportunity to visit one of these stations, where researchers
welcome us with descriptions of their projects and a firsthand look at life
in the Antarctic. King George Island features colonies of nesting Adélie
and Chinstrap Penguins, as well as Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic
Terns and Southern Giant Petrels. Southern elephant seals can often be found
in muddy wallows close to the shoreline. The island is also known for its
flora, including luxuriant moss beds, two species of grass which grows in
sheltered areas and beautiful brightly-colored orange and green lichens found
on coastal rocks. Invertebrates can also be found in tide pools along the
shore.
Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
Long ago, volcanic pressure on Deception Island resulted in a tremendous eruption
that caused the island’s peak to explode. The resulting caldera flooded with
seawater, creating the unique landmass we may visit today. Our Captain will
expertly pilot the ship through a narrow gateway in the icy cliffs of the
island, taking the USHUAIA into the caldera itself. Hundreds of thousands
of Chinstrap Penguins inhabit the outer volcanic slopes of the island at Baily
Head, along with nesting Pintado Petrels and Antarctic Terns. Brave souls
may don their bathing suits for the unusual opportunity of a swim in the Antarctic,
since the waters around Deception Island are usually geo-thermally heated!
Antarctic Sound
The passage to the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula traverses Antarctic
Sound, which is 30 miles (48 km) long and 7-12 miles (11-19 km) wide and runs
northwest-to-southeast. This is where huge tabular icebergs roam. All-white,
Black-pupiled, and Blackbilled Snow Petrels are likely to be coursing over
the scenery, often joined by
Pintado Petrels and early in the spring, by Antarctic Petrels streaming south
to nesting territories on slopes fringing the Weddell Sea.
Brown Bluff
The spectacular rust-colored promontory on the Tabarin Peninsula, Brown Bluff,
is located south of Hope Bay. On its long beach more than 20,000 Adélie
penguins and a smaller group of Gentoo Penguins have found their home. There
is also a potpourri of Kelp Gulls, Snow Petrels, and Pintado Petrels swirling
above.
Esperanza Station – Hope Bay
At the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula the mighty ice-tongue of the
Depot glacier has cut a broad valley into the continent. In the meantime the
glacier has retreated and left a large bay, Hope Bay. It is here, where the
biggest station of the entire Antarctic Peninsula is situated, the Argentine
Station Esperanza. The friendly base personal might give us a tour of their
installations, including the little church and the school they maintain open
for their children.
Astrolabe Island
Chinstrap Penguins, Antarctic Fulmars, and Antarctic Brown Skuas are confirmed
breeders on the island lying in the Bransfield Strait. Blue-eyed Shags nest
on offshore islands. Wilson´s Storm Petrels may be seen. Weddell and
leopard seals haul out regularly.
DECEMBER 07 and 08: At Sea crossing the Drake
Passage, northbound
We leave Antarctica the evening before and head north across the Drake Passage.
Named after the renowned explorer, Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters
in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological
barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This
creates a great upwelling of nutrients, which sustains the biodiversity of
this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic
seabirds. As we sail across the passage, Antarpply Expeditions’ lecturers
will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of whales and an
amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our
wake. Join our lecturers for some final lectures and take the chance to relax
and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back
to Ushuaia.
DECEMBER 09: Arrival in Ushuaia
We arrive at the port of Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the USHUAIA
after breakfast.
Please note: The above itinerary is a
guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of
local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes
will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best
results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued
on board. Flexibility is the key to success.