ANTARCTICA

SСHEDULE AND COST:


Dates: January 7, 2023 – January 19, 2023

Duration: 13 days/ 12 nights

The cost of the cabin depends on the deck where the cabin is located.
Description of the cabins you can find below in the end of this page.


EXPEDITION FINISHED


TRAVEL PROGRAM:
tour antarctica
Day 1, January 7, 2023. BUENOS AIRES
The journey begins on January 7, 2023 with a meeting at the Buenos Aires airport by a representative of Swan Hellenic.
Transfer to your hotel.
The first night before the start of the cruise will be at the Alvear Icon 5 * hotel, which is part of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World group.
Located in one of the most prestigious areas of Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero, on the shores of La Plata Bay, within walking distance of the main waterfront restaurant area and within walking distance of the Costanera Sur Natural Reserve, it combines modernity and energy typical of this noisy city.

Accomodation: hotel Alvear Icon 5*
Meals included: -

Day 2, January 8, 2023. USHUAIA
The next morning you will transfer from your hotel to the nearby domestic airport for a comfortable flight to Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city in the world. Located at the very edge of Argentina and surrounded by the majestic Tierra del Fuego Mountains, Ushuaia's incredible landscape will captivate you from the plane window. A Swan Hellenic representative will meet you at the airport. A shuttle will then take you to the port to check into SH Minerva.
At the edge of the world in Ushuaia, you are very far away from everywhere but only 1,000 km from Antarctica. After boarding SH Minerva, become acquainted with your stateroom and the ship's facilities. During welcome cocktails you will become acquainted with the staff and crew. You will then be invited to the upper deck, from here you can take photos of Ushuaia's quaint buildings and surrounding snowy peaks. Then, we are going to set sail – next stop, the White Continent!

Accomodation: cabin in SH Minerva
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 3 — 4. January 9 — 10, 2023. ANTARCTIC CONVERGENCE CROSSING

Days at sea offer the perfect opportunity to observe seabirds and marine mammals from aboard the ship. The observation decks offer stunning views of the ocean. On the way to Antarctica, you cross the Antarctic Convergence where the temperature drops significantly over the course of several hours. As two currents merge, the denser, colder waters plunge beneath the warmer waters. This process creates an abundance of plankton, rising from the depths to the sea surface. This phenomenon attracts many seabirds and animals, including several species of albatross, petrel and skua as well as whales and dolphins.

Our knowledgeable expedition team comprises of specialists in various fields including glaciology, marine biology, history, geology and photography. They will offer lectures and presentations on the history of Antarctic exploration, the origin of glaciers, Antarctica's flora and fauna and more. The expedition team will also brief you on the safety procedures to be used during Zodiac boat landings.

And of course, days at sea are an ideal time to relax and enjoy the onboard facilities. Visit the spa or the gym, socialise with like-minded people, share your travel experiences or head to the library which is well-stocked with various subject and reference books. You can also visit our crew on the bridge - the open-cockpit system allows you to visit the ship's main control post almost any time of the day. Enjoy the opportunity to ask questions or have a quick word with the captain!

In the evening you can enjoy welcome cocktail s with the captain, officers and expedition team.

Accomodation: cabin in SH Minerva
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 5 — 6, January 11 — 12, 2023. ANTARCTIC SOUND & WEDDELL SEA

oday the ship enters the Antarctic Strait, which is about 60 km long and less than 15 km wide at its narrowest point. This region is also known as Iceberg Alley. The Antarctic Passage is a labyrinth of massive, creaking icebergs, some resembling majestic ice cathedrals. Icebergs of various shapes and sizes break away from the Ronne, Larsen and Filchner ice shelves and can often make Weddell Sea passages quite complex to navigate. Although it would be logical to assume that the Antarctic Strait got its name from its location, it was actually named after the ship that Otto Nordenskiöld used during his Swedish Antarctic expedition (1901 to 1904). Hope Bay is home to an Argentine settlement of 80 people, including several families with children, and the Esperanza research station. Interestingly, it was on Esperanza that the first child was born in Antarctica in 1978. This scenic voyage offers an excellent opportunity to capture the tabular icebergs and icy mountain scenery of the Trinity Peninsula, a view unique to the Antarctic Passage!

The Antarctic Strait's wildlife is as rich as the landscape. The Antarctic Sound is home to one of the largest Adelie penguin colonies in Antarctica, located in Hope Bay. Whales and other marine mammals such as the Weddell seal and sea leopard are often seen in this region. Hope Bay is recognised as an important bird area. Antarctic penguins, Antarctic skua, Antarctic tern, Wilson's tern, Dominican gull, and white plover can be found in the area. During the Zodiac landings you can observe marine mammals and birds at close range.

The ship will then journey further south toward the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Along the way, look out for seabirds, seals and whales. Every turn is a new adventure.


Accomodation: cabin in SH Minerva
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 7 — 9, January 13 — 15, 2023. ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Enchanting glaciers, majestic icebergs and snow-covered islands await. This is where your Antarctic dreams come true. You will be struck by the jaw-dropping landscape of the so-called 'resort area' of Antarctica, the most accessible part of the continent. This is where most of the scientific research stations are based. The coastal rocks here are covered with moss and few plants, and the fauna is unusually diverse.

Once you reach the continental region of Antarctica and the nearby islands, the real exploration begins. Twice a day you will land on the shores of the Sixth Continent and the Antarctic islands. This is true wilderness and landings will take place using our special Zodiac expedition boats. Curious penguins will likely be the first residents to greet us. You will have the opportunity to hike to scenic viewpoints and admire the panorama of glistening glaciers and icebergs. The thundering sound of icebergs calving is a regular occurrence. You will also have the chance to visit the scientists who live year-round at the polar stations. The average duration of a landing is 1-2 hours.

Your expedition takes place on a small expedition ship, with a small number of passengers. This means that your day-to-day itinerary will be bespoke with lots of options. The embarkation and disembarkation process are quick and seamless, allowing more time for your expedition activities. Due to restrictions set by the Antarctic Treaty, only a limited number of people come ashore at one time. To accommodate this, expedition participants will be divided into groups. Some will participate in a sea walk and the rest will visit the coast, and then the groups will switch around. The Zodiac boats will take you to the most remote and unexplored bays.

As we travel along the Antarctic Peninsula, shore excursions may include Peterman Island, a key bird area. There is a colony of penguins with a population of more than 3,000 here. Adelie penguins, south polar skua, Wilson's puffin, Antarctic cormorant are also commonly sighted in this region.

The largest colony of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula with more than 6,500 individuals is located on Cooverville Island. Portal Point is a famous resting place for Weddell seals, while penguins are not so common here because of the abundant snow cover.

During landings and expedition boat rides, you may encounter seals and sea leopards among the icebergs , and occasionally even whales .

How do you feel about having a swim in these sub-Antarctic waters? Yes, you will even have the opportunity to take part in the traditional 'polar dip'. Or perhaps you'd rather get close to the water, rather than in it? In that case polar kayaking is for you. Paddle your kayak through a maze of icebergs, looking out for penguins and whales.

Accomodation: cabin in SH Minerva
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10, January 16, 2023. SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

Finally, you will visit the South Shetland Islands where the snow melts in the southern spring in November. Temperatures are higher here, which means the fauna is different from what you'll see in Antarctica. Mosses and colourful lichens are abundant here. The local flora seems to have more reminiscent of Patagonia than Antarctica. On the South Shetland Islands, you'll find Kerguelen seals, sea leopards, Weddell seals, crab seals, sea elephants, diverse species of penguins lounging on the beaches. The southern giant petrel, Antarctic tern, and Antarctic cormorant are permanent residents of the islands. Most of the South Shetland Islands were discovered by seal hunting expeditions in the early 19th century. Zodiac boat trips allow you to get up close and personal with these amazing places. On Half Moon Island, located in the central part of the archipelago, there is a small population of seals and penguins. The abundance of seaweed on the island has attracted large populations of nesting gulls. Fin whales and humpback whales also feed near the island. The diverse range of species here is thanks to the fact that the waters of the Southern Ocean contain the largest number of plankton on Earth.

Whalers Cove on the volcanic Deception Island is one of the quietest and safest harbours in Antarctica. Since the 19th century it has been a favourite anchorage for sealers and whalers. Today, passenger ships often call here to observe Antarctic penguins, harbour seals and Weddell seals in the wild. To gain access to the island, the ship will enter the caldera of an active volcano. The surrounding wilderness is truly sublime.

Accomodation: cabin in SH Minerva
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 11 — 12, January 17 — 18, 2023. AT SEA

You will begin your return course to Ushuaia. You will pass once again through the notorious Drake Passage, the widest and deepest strait on Earth. Dating back to the 17th century, there is an old seafaring tradition of bestowing those who have crossed the Drake Passage with a copper earring. By order of Queen Victoria, English sailors who successfully passed the strait was awarded with a glass of whiskey in any English port tavern at Her Majesty's expense, and a brass earring was proof of that right. Swan Hellenic is honoured to carry this tradition on. You will be given a copper earring as proof of your achievement. Although it may not earn you a complimentary drink in a port tavern (you are welcome to try!), the all-inclusive drinks included on your SH Minerva cruise offer the perfect opportunity to celebrate your successful crossing of the Drake Passage.

Accomodation: cabin in SH Minerva
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13, January 19, 2023. USHUAIA

The cruise ends and the ship returns via the Beagle Strait to Ushuaia, the starting point of your unforgettable Antarctic voyage. We return once again to the edge of the South American continent in the Argentine part of Tierra del Fuego. Admire the mountains as they rise majestically above Ushuaia Harbour.

After breakfast, you will say goodbye to the ship's staff and crew and disembark. Guests who have opted for the excursion will be given a sightseeing tour of Ushuaia and its surroundings, at the end of which they will be taken to Ushuaia Airport for their flight to Buenos Aires.

There will be a pleasant surprise on its way to you once your cruise has concluded. The Swan Hellenic team will send each guest a link to a commemorative photobook and video of your cruise. This has been curated and edited by our team and is unique to the expedition cruise that you sailed on.

Accomodation: -
Meals included: breakfast

* Please don't purchase tickets without our prior approval.

** Warning! Please keep in mind that this is a long-distance cruise to a remote region. All cruise activities depend on the ice and weather conditions and are decided by the expedition leader and the captain on the spot. The actual cruise itinerary can vary. Animal encounters are likely but not guaranteed.

Cost includes:

• Return regional flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia (chosen by Swan Hellenic);
• Group return transfers in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia on the day prior to embarkation, on the day of embarkation and the day of disembarkation;
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Alvear Icon 5* in Buenos Aires;
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category;
• All meals onboard;
• 24-hour room service;
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day;
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers;
• All land excursions, hiking and cruising by Zodiacs;
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions;
• Onboard gratuities and port taxes;
• Standard WiFi.

Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):

• International flight to Buenos Aires and back;
• Compulsory health insurance;
• Travel insurance;
• Private Zodiac Boat Tours & Kayaking During the Cruise
• Alcoholic beverages of premium brands,
• Spa and beauty services, laundry services, shopping at retail stores on board

To take with:
!The temperature ranges from -2 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius. The Ross Sea can be significantly colder, with temperatures dropping to -20 degrees Celsius.
Get ready for temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius, but cold winds will make the weather feel cooler.

• Shoes and clothing for arrival and departure cities;
• Waterproof (necessarily!);
• A wool jumper or fleece jacket;
• A bodywarmer or sweatshirt;
• Two sets of thermal underwear;
• A turtleneck jumper and a shirt;
• One or two t-shirts;
• Jeans or other comfortable trousers;
• Sports clothing for the onboard fitness centre;
• Swimwear for visiting the spa and pool;
• Two pairs of mittens, gloves, and glove liners;
• A warm windproof hat;
• A warm shawl or scarf;
• A balaclava;
• Warm socks (several pairs);
• Comfortable, moisture-resistant boots with ribbed soles (hiking boots);
• Trainers or comfortable shoes that make you feel comfortable on board;
• Waterproof backpack for shore drop-offs;
• A waterproof, airtight case for your camera and other electronic gear;
• UV-protective sunglasses;
• Sunscreen for face and lips, and hand cream;
• Camera, extra memory cards and flash drives, removable batteries, and lenses;
• Laptop or tablet for uploading photos;
• Charges for electronics, adapters, and power banks as required;
• An extra pair of eyeglasses;
• Medical supplies prescribed by your doctor, with a few extra days to spare
• Documents

For shore excursions and landings on the Zodiacs, you have been provided with:

• Swan Hellenic Expeditions warm waterpoof and windproof parka (you can take it home as a souvenir)
• Water bottle
• Life vest
• Muck Boot Rainboots