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Categories Winter & Spring Cruises Small Ship Cruises Antarctica Cruises Adventure & Eco Travel Cruises

Explore the deep bays and fjords of the Antarctic Peninsula where massive glaciers flank a rugged spine of snowy mountains. You will witness penguin rookeries, basking seals and reminders of early explorers. The Falkland Islands is a rare mix of wildlife hotspots and a delightful inhabited outpost. Literally millions of petrels, albatrosses, penguins, gulls and cormorants populate the Islands. You will share this voyage with scientists from Arctowski (Polish station) and Vernadsky (Ukrainian station), offering you a unique opportunity to learn about life as a scientist or base member in Antarctica.

COMPLIMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Antarctica is a photographers dream. Whether it be sitting quietly in the middle of a penguin rookery, visiting quaint historic sites or enjoying the thrill of whale and leopard seal encounters amongst the icebergs, there are an overwhelming number of opportunities to snap to your heart’s content. Catering to both amateurs and the more serious photographer, our on board professional will pass on tips to get the most out of your equipment and the unique Antarctic conditions.

Join Moab Master Photographer Joshua Holko and Pro Wildlife and Nature Photographer Daniel Bergmann who will be conducting outdoor photography workshops on this voyage. Accredited by Canon, the photography workshops are open to all levels of photographer and will provide passengers with the chance to develop their skills out in the field alongside two of photography’s rising stars.

Itinerary

A friendly welcome aboard Polar Pioneer precedes our sail down the Beagle Channel. Scientists from Ukraine and Poland, who will summer in Antarctica at Vernadsky and Arctowski Stations, join us.

Cape petrels mesmerize us, but majestic wandering albatross take our breath away as we cross Drake Passage. Our naturalists reveal Antarctica’s natural history while environmental and safety briefings prepare us. Our photography education program commences, as we prepare ourselves for the adventure ahead.

We drop anchor in front of Poland’s Arctowski Station, we are greeted by fur and elephant seals lounging on the shoreline, inquisitive Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins welcome us to their playground.

With rugged coastline from Gerlache Strait to the Lemaire Channel, we make our way South across the Peninsula.

We drop anchor at Vernadsky Station; our southernmost point on this expedition; as our scientist shipmates disembark and prepare for a summer in Antarctica, we board Zodiacs and explore this historic and wildlife rich area. We make full use of daylight hours, taking every opportunity to explore the Peninsula’s wonders.

Bidding farewell to Antarctica, we sail north towards the Falkland Islands, it’s a time of reflection, entertaining talks and a party or two.

Our days in the Falklands will be spent exploring the outer most islands rarely visited; the spectacular cliffs of the islands are home to an abundance breeding birds; endemic Cobb’s Wren, dark faced ground tyrants and tussac birds, striated cara-caras, southern giant petrels, ruddy headed geese, speckled teal and crested ducks abound. Making the most of our Zodiacs we will explore by sea and land the rich natural history of this remote archipelago.

Stanley, the Falklands undeniably British capital, features an excellent war museum, welcoming shops and pubs. Disembark here and travel by air (not included).

Notes