Antarctica is a continent of superlatives. It is the world’s highest continent; it is the coldest, windiest and driest place on Earth. During the summer months of November to March, It is also one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world, where it’s jaw-dropping scenery is only matched by the unique wildlife encounters. True once in a lifetime experiences. There is not a single moment wasted on our trips, our ships average about 100-110 passengers, which guarantees quick and efficient landings and allows you an opportunity to get to know all passengers on your trip.

If you have limited time, the Antarctic Peninsula trip is perfect for you, a 12-day trip with 6 full days cruising the peninsula and South Shetland Islands.

Deckplan
Click here to view deck plan for the Plancius

Countries visited

• Antarctic Peninsula

Places visited

• Ushuaia
• South Shetland Islands
• The Antarctic Peninsula

Transportation

M/v Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy, and sailed for the Navy until 2004. She was completely rebuilt as a passenger vessel in 2009. M/v Plancius accommodates 114 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower. All cabins offer comfortable lower berths (except for the 4 quadruple cabins). The vessel has a restaurant/lecture room, a spacious observation lounge (with bar), large open deck space (with full walk-around possibilities), and is equipped with 10 zodiacs for off ship and shore excursions. M/v Plancius was built for ice conditions, and has a strengthened bow and stern.

Click here to see our vessels in the Antarctic

Included In Price

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.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes on Plancius
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
IAATO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Meals Included

This tour includes 31 meals; 10 breakfasts 10 lunches 11 dinners

Not Included In Price

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to 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).

It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US Dollar 25 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.

Important Information

Please note that Scuba Diving is offered as an additional option of Scuba Diving (AUD $400 per person).

Divers must be advanced and experienced in dry suit and cold water diving. The aim is to provide 1-2 different dives per day parallel to all other activities. Diving depends on local ice and weather conditions. Dive masters and dive guides are responsible for safety during operation. Basic equipment is onboard (scuba tanks, compressors, weights and diving essentials. Divers bring their personal gear.

2011/2012 Departures: Ninety days before the beginning of our first voyage (01 November 2011), the price of a barrel Brent Crude oil was 116 US $ (01 August 2011). We have been prudent about levying these surcharges, and have therefore closely monitored the fuel prices and hoped for a considerable price-decrease (*). Unfortunately the prices remained the same during this Summer and yesterday a barrel Brent Crude Oil was still 111 US $. It does not seem likely that for the coming Antarctic season, 2011-12 the fuel price will dip under 80 US $ again. Therefore we regrettably have to inform you that we will levy a non-commissionable fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per person per night for all of our coming Antarctica voyages.

Day 1: Start Ushuaia

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Upon arrival at Ushuaia airport catch a 10-minute taxi to the port and go for a wander in the ‘city at the end of the earth’ before departing late afternoon, sailing through the Beagle Channel.

Accommodation

m/v Plancius

Meals Included

1 x Dinners

Day 2 & 3: Sail across the Drake's Passage

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During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. If the winds are favourable we might do our first landing in Antarctic waters in the evening of the third day at Aitcho Island or Penguin Island at the South Shetlands.These volcanic islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and southern Giant Petrels.

Accommodation

m/v Plancius

Meals Included

2 x Breakfasts
2 x Lunches
2 x Dinners

Day 4 & 5: Land at Hannah Point and Deception Islands

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We may start our first day in Antarctica with a landing at Hannah Point, where we will find a nice variety of Gentoo Penguins, Chinstraps and southern Giant Petrels, as well as Elephant Seals hauling out on the beach. At Deception Island, we will try to land. 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. On our way further South we will sail to Orne Islands with large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait or to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We shall have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords.

Accommodation

m/v Plancius

Meals Included

2 x Breakfasts
2 x Lunches
2 x Dinners

Day 6 to 9: Sail through the Spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island

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We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island offering Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. We also try to land at Pleneau Island with Elephant Seals and fair chances to encounter Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales. We head south along the Argentine Islands to Crystal Sound, south of the polar circle. The landscape is very impressive with very high mountains and huge glaciers. At the Fish Islands we land at one of the southernmost Adelie Penguin and Blue-eyed Shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. A base visit will also be provided, to give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. At Detaille Island, south of the Polar Circle, in Crystal Sound we reach probably our farthest south. Sailing north again through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait, we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.

Accommodation

m/v Plancius

Meals Included

4 x Breakfasts
4 x Lunches
4 x Dinners

Day 10 & 11: Sail back through the Drake's Passage

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During your return, you will enjoy more interesting presentations by the crew on-board and this is also a chance to swap photos/addresses with your fellow passengers. If you had kayakers, divers or passengers that camped a night on your trip (perhaps you were one of those!), they will usually share some of their sights and experiences with everyone.

Accommodation

m/v Plancius

Meals Included

2 x Breakfasts
2 x Lunches
2 x Dinners

Day 12: Disembark in Ushuaia

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We arrive in the morning and disembark in Ushuaia.

Accommodation

m/v Plancius

Meals Included

none