Peru
Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Ecuador
Venezuela
Bolivia
Costa Rica
Panama
Guatemala
Africa
Australia
New Zealand

Activities in Other Countries

800-232-5658
1-512-443-5393
email

Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

Antarctic Dream

The Antarctic Dream is an ice-reinforced vessel completely conditioned and remodelled in 2004. We have a helicopter on-board for safety reasons and also to fulfill our expeditionary requirements.

Deck Layout

Facilities
• Main Dining Room (capacity for 100 passengers)
• Bar
• Library
• Auditorium / Projection Lounge
• Heliport
• Wet Room
• Gym / Sauna (upon reservation)
• Sick bay / First Aid (doctor on board)
• Boutique
• Internet available at the library
* Command bridge open to passengers
* Zodiacs, each one with capacity for 15 passengers.

39 Double cabins on 4 Decks

Shackleton Deck - 16 superior staterooms 13.1 ft. x 9.8 ft., shower, 1 window	Cape Horn Deck - 2 suites 11.5 ft. x 13.1 ft, bathtub, 7 windows
Piloto Pardo Deck - 2 suites 13.1 ft. x 9.8 ft., bathtub, 3 windows	Amundsen Deck - 19 staterooms 9.8 ft. x 10.8 ft., shower, porthole

EACH CABIN FEATURES:
- in double cabins, Queen or Twin beds
Private bathroom with shower or tub
Closed TV Circuit
(movies upon request)
Music
Individual/central heater
Satellite and/or mobile telephone connection
Wardrobe

Frequently Asked Questions

Antarctic Dream Expedition - 11 days / 10 nights

Ideal trip to the White Continent, starting and ending in Punta Arenas, includes visits to the most spectacular attractions in Patagonia, Cape Horn, Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 1 : Ushuaia – Argentina
Passengers board the "Antarctic Dream” where you will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Our departure is scheduled for 7:00 pm

Days 2 to 3 : Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith
described the South Shetland Islands as "barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance". Yet, mosses and lichens thrive during the short summer at the low-lying peninsulas of these rugged islands located directly adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 04 : King George Island
King George Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. It was discovered by the British adventurer William Smith in 1819 and is the biggest island of the South Shetlands; nearly 90% of it is covered by the Collins glacier. Prior to departing, and if the weather is good, we will offer passengers a short helicopter over-flight to admire the immensity and beauty of the landscape*. If conditions do not allow us to fly we will disembark in Potter Bay and visit the Argentine scientific base, Jubany. Here there will be great chances of finding marine elephants. In the afternoon we will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert Islands and is part of the South Shetlands. We should be able to see Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins as well as Weddell Sea seals and sea elephants before continuing with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.

Day 5 : Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife, including thousands of nests of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adelie penguins. Other birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely to see include Weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals while Orcas, humpback and mink whales may be spotted at close range. This area is also of substantial historical interest and was extensively explored by several expeditions during the 19th century. Passengers should feel the same sense of excitement as the early explorers as you keep a lookout from the Bridge or other vantage points while your vessel threads her way through this dramatic and pristine region. The program includes your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island). Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de Gerlache, a Belgian explorer between 1897 and 1899 and it is called Neko after the Norwegian whale ship which operated in this area from 1911 to 1912 and from 1923 to 1924. Port Lockroy is close to Wiencke Island in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin Operation - the scientific research included the Antarctic’s first ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric whistle.

Day 6 : Pleneau - Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel whose high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit
impressive ice formations.

Day 7 : Paradise Bay – Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that “if weather permits”, we will disembark or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. This is one of the most striking places of the whole Antarctic Peninsula. Here glaciers tumble into the sea; icebergs break off and are later carved into wonderful shapes by the wind and the sea. In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to one of the largest colony of Gentoo penguins and skuas. This rocky island is on the north side of the Errera Channel, between Ronge Island and the Arctowski Peninsula. It has been noted that reproduction of Papua penguins, giant petrels, Wilson petrels, skuas, and shags take place on Cuverville Island. Most visitors find the viewing of such abundant wildlife is every bit as rewarding as the magnificent Antarctic scenery, and you will be enchanted by these waterways. Navigating and exploring these channels is certainly one of the highlights of a visit to the Peninsula. Unfortunately on some trips they may be choked with icebergs and pack ice.

Day 8 : Deception Island – Whaler’s Bay – Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is at the northwest side of the Peninsula. Deception Island is the largest active volcano in the area and one of the main sources of seismic and volcanic activity in the Antarctic. Sailing through the narrow passage into its huge flooded crater is a thrilling experience. Do not forget to bring your bathing suite as swimming in this water is a unique experience.
During the morning we will try to disembark in Whaler’s Bay and Pendulum Cove. In the afternoon and depending on weather conditions we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, giant petrels, Wilson petrels, skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck we should also see sea elephants.

Days 9 to 10 : Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.

Day 11 : Ushuaia, Argentina
After and early breakfast we will land at 9:00 am and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition.

Please note that you should regard this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to the weather conditions we encounter. Flexibility is the key to success for all expedition of the M/V Antarctic Dream. The vagaries of conditions in the south compel us to draw to your attention that helicopter services are provided by an external company. The flights are dependent on weather conditions on King George Island (day 4 of the program). The flight will be approximately 10 minutes and it will have no extra cost for those passengers who have paid full fare. We. will use reasonable efforts to provide passengers with this service but is not responsible if the service is not fulfilled for any reason. We highly recommend scheduling your arrival in Ushuaia with at least one day in advance in order to avoid any flight delays

Departure Dates: 2008 - Oct. 25, Nov. 9, Nov. 19, Nov. 29, Dec. 9, Dec. 19, Dec. 29.
2009 - Jan. 8, Jan. 18, Jan. 28, Feb. 7, Feb. 17, Feb. 27, March 9
(dates in blue are high season)

2008-2009 Price per person double occupancy in US$:

Deposit = US$1500 per person. Final payment due 90 days before departure
Single Occupancy = 50% surcharge . Children under 14 not recommended

All programs include:
• Accommodation in cabin of choice.
• Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and welcome cocktail
• Use of the library.
• Use of gym and sauna.
• On board lectures and exhibits.
• Information on the region.
• Expedition in zodiac boats.
* passenger insurance
• Transfers airport / hotel / port.
• Emergency medical attention on board.

Programs do not include
• Flights to boarding ports
• Passports or visas
• Taxes or boarding taxes at airport/ports
• Transfers not specified in the program
• Laundry
• Telephone calls
• Use of the internet
• Meals or beverages not included in the menu
• Fines or Flight Cancellation Assistance
• Travel or Health Insurance
• Medical attention off board
• Tips

Rates
• Rates in US dollars, at valid exchange rate.
• Rates per person based on double cabin occupancy.
• Cabin rates vary depending on deck.
• Single occupancy rates carry 50% surcharge on published rates.
• Rates may vary without prior notice.
• 15 persons will be considered a group, one free or Tour Conductor applicable (Antarctica Programs).
• Children under 14 not recommended.

Procedures
• Full rate paid before boarding.
• Antarctic Program, please indicate date and mean of transport to Punta Arenas, transfers included to Hotel.
• Special dietary requirements must be requested upon booking, in writing and with all the necessary information.
• Mail sent from the ship must be coordinated with crew members and passengers must pay the stamps.
• Safety rules for disembarking must be abided by passengers.

Clothing
• We suggest you bring appropriate clothing for the region’s temperatures.
• For disembarking, crew members will give passengers special clothing which must be worn (jackets and boots).
• Casual clothing on the ship.
• Thermal clothing, not synthetic is recommended. Comfortable walking shoes.
• Physical fitnessis recomended for our expeditions.

LECTURERS

Roger Benedict, Geologist
He acquired his love of the outdoors from his father David, a legacy of their trips together skiing and hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. His work as a guide and naturalist is an extension of this early avocation. Roger began working in the expedition cruise industry in 2003, and has travelled to Alaska, New Zealand, Russia and the Aleutian Islands, and the Caribbean. Roger earned a degree in Geology from Humboldt State University in Arcata California.

John Arthur Harrison, Historian
Born in Liverpool, John is an award-winning travel writer and the author of more than six books, including Where the Earth Ends, A Journey Beyond Patagonia reflecting the extensively sailed experience in the Chilean Fjords, Falklands and southwards. A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he has worked for twenty years on environmental matters in local government. He continually lectures at national and international conferences. Zodiac driver.

Julio Preller, Expedition Leader
This Chilean and British leader began his career twenty five years ago. Due to his experience, he is skilled in challenging situations with limited resources in remote locations giving us a plus over security measures. Fluent in Spanish and English speaking. His first voyage to Antarctic was in 1980 and since then, He has travelled extensivily around the world, and has specialized himself in Polar areas .

René Preller, Naturalist and Zodiac Driver
Three years of residence in Falkland Island and twenty six years of experience doing trips and excursions in Antarctic and the Islands give René a position in the history of the area. He has completed 150 voyages to Antarctic what give him a vast acknowledge about flora, fauna and history of the total area including South Georgia Islands and Chilean Fjords.