Argentina Tours and cruises

2009-2010 Antarctica cruise Departures below on the "Professor Molchanov"

Code	Voyage	Nights	Start Dates	End Dates	Triple non-private	twin non-private	twin private	superior	suite
MOL30 D	Polar Circle - Antarctic Peninsula	11	March 12	March 23	6490	7690	8790	9990	10990

2009-2010 Antarctica cruise Departures below on the "Professor Multanovskiy"

Code	Voyage	Nights	Start Dates	End Dates	Triple non-private	twin non-private	twin private	superior	suite
MLT30 D	Polar Circle - Antarctic Peninsula	11	March 6	March 17	6490	7690	8790	9990	10990

2010 Antarctica cruise Departures below on the "Plancius"

Visit to Palmer Station on March 9 announcement:

This is a real opportunity: Plancius has been scheduled for an official visit to US Palmer Station on Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula in March 2010 on the March 5-15 departure.We hope that you can take advantage of this great opportunity of visiting the only American base in Antarctica .

Palmer Station is located at 64°46' S, 64°03' W, on a protected harbor on the southwestern coast of Anvers Island off the Antarctica Peninsula. Palmer is the only U.S. Antarctic station north of the Antarctic Circle. The temperature is mild, with monthly averages ranging from minus 10°C in July and August to 2°C in January and February. The annual mean is minus 3°C. The extreme range is minus 31°C to 9°C.

The station, built on solid rock, consists of two major buildings and three small ones, plus two large fuel tanks, a helicopter pad, and a dock. Construction was completed in 1968, replacing a prefabricated wood structure ("Old Palmer," established in 1965) two kilometers away across Arthur Harbor. Old Palmer has been disassembled and removed from Antarctica. Somewhat over 40 people can occupy Palmer in the summer. Wintering population is about 10, although Palmer does not have a long period of winter isolation as do McMurdo and South Pole.

Palmer Station is superbly located for biological studies of birds, seals, and other components of the marine ecosystem. It has a large and extensively equipped laboratory and sea water aquaria. In 1990 it was designated by the National Science Foundation as a long term ecological research (LTER) site. Ocean and climate systems, aeronomy and astrophysics, glaciology also have been pursued at and around Palmer. The station operates in conjunction , with a research ship, the R/V Laurence M.Gould.

Palmer Station is named for Nathaniel B. Palmer, a Connecticut sealer who, on 17 November 1820, during an exploratory voyage ranging southward from the South Shetland Islands, may have been the first person to see Antarctica. (British and Russian ships were in the area at about the same time.) A small group from the station will come out to the ship to give a brief overview of the US Antarctic Program to our passengers. Following the presentation, we can begin sending passengers ashore. The Palmer Station area has two sites typically visited by tour groups: Palmer Station itself and Torgersen Island. 40 people at each of these sites are allowed to visit at one time. There are numerous scientific study sites in the area, and we ask passengers to avoid these due to the risks to the wildlife under study. When our passengers visit the station, they will be divided into groups of 10-12 people to be given a tour. A tour guide from Palmer Station will walk them through the route, which includes a look around the outside of the station, a view of some local sea creatures in an outdoor aquarium, and an opportunity to purchase souvenirs. After the tour, passengers are invited to come to the dining room where they can meet some of our staff, enjoy refreshments, pick up literature, and sign our guest book. Each group will spend approximately 60 to 90 minutes on station.

Passengers' passports can be stamped with the dated Palmer Station stamp. Palmer Station does not have a post office, therefore no stamps or postal services.

Code	Voyage	Nights	Start Dates	End Dates	Triple private	twin private	superior
PLA29 C	Antarctic Peninsula	10	March 5	March 15	6990	7990	9190
PLA30 C	Polar Circle - Antarctic Peninsula	11	March 15	March 26	7690	8790	9990

C = with field camping option. Supplement is US$100 per person per night. Max. of 15 campers per night
W = With hiking possibilities, incl. free use of snowshoes.Daily long hikes of approx. 4-6 hours
K = with kayak option for US$750 supplement, including a dry suit
D = with diving option for US$1190 supplement

All rates are quoted per person in US Dollar, based on twin occupancy.
Single occupancy: All cabins on Plancius 1.5 times the share price. All cabins on Prof. Molchanov & Multanovskiy 1.7 times the share price..
5% discount will be granted for bookings for one or more consecutive voyages.

BOOKING REQUEST

Fares include:
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
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 programm
Comprehensive pre-departure material

Not included:
*Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
*Pre- and post land arrangements
*Transfers to / from the vessel
*Passport and visa expenses
*Government arrival and departure taxes
*Meals ashore
*Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance ( which is strongly recommended)
*Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
And the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard ( guidelines will be provided)

Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants on the Prof. Molchanov and Prof. Multanovskiy and 70 participants on the Plancius (the Prof. Molchanov and Prof. Multanovskiy carry a maximum of 53 passengers, the Plancius carries a maximum or 112 passengers).