March of the Emperor Penguins
8th October to 21st October 2008
20th October to 2nd November 2008
1st November to 14th November 2008
Prices from £8,050 per person
All inclusive UK to UK international and domestic flights,accomodation (sharing triple cabin), cruise and transfers. See “Details” on right for more information.
An unique opportunity to view these remarkable birds in their natural habitat.
Explore seldom visited and pristine wilderness regions in a small expeditionary vessel and not a large cruise ship.
Thrill at the sight of abundant wildlife: penguin rookeries, seals basking in the sun, or even some of the great whales spotted at close range.
Enjoy travelling in safe, convenient ‘go anywhere’ Zodiac landing craft that make it possible for you to land at remote beaches in otherwise inaccessible areas.
Learn more about the Antarctic with an outstanding team of naturalists leading your expedition.
Tiny downy chicks huddle lovingly between the feet of the parent – a delightful image against a stark, inhospitable but magnificent snow covered landscape.
Antarctica, this immense continental wilderness, is still virtually unexplored and unknown, with its fabulous and pristine wildlife haven set in an awe inspiring scenery of mountains, snow and sculptured and twisted ice.
The opportunity to view an Emperor penguin up close and personal is a truly rare wildlife encounter. Discovery Initiatives have teamed up with the most ground breaking small boat operators in the Southern Seas, to create a magnificent and unforgettable expedition to see these splendid animals in their natural habitat. The expedition will access the legendary Emperor rookery at Snow Hill Island. Our expedition occurs earlier than usual in the Antarctic season to ensure travellers encounter tiny downy chicks and chicks in the early fledge phase. In order to maximise this amazing opportunity, the cruise may be able to spend up to 4 days at the rookery.
The Kapitan Khlebnikov carries up to 100 passengers, and is capable of withstanding the changing and often harsh conditions of polar exploration. Although this is a larger boat than we would normally cruise, we need to bear in mind that without her ability to crush through pack ice, and carry helicopters, these safaris would not be possible.
On the return voyage from the Weddell Sea stops will be made in the Antarctic Peninsula to visit Adélie and Gentoo penguin colonies. The onboard naturalists will compare the adaptations of these birds to the much larger Emperors. Shore transfers will be enabled by the fleet of Zodiac landing craft carried by the icebreaker. Expedition members will be able to add a visit to the Antarctic continent to their list of exceptional accomplishments on this voyage.
Make an Enquiry & learn more
Dates & Prices
Including the South Shetland Islands,and Antarctic Peninsula
On Kapitan Khlebnikov
8th October to 21st October 2008
20th October to 2nd November 2008
1st November to 14th November 2008
Prices in 2008 from:
Sharing triple cabin without private facilities….......£8,050pp
Sharing twin cabin with private facilities….............£10,950pp
Sharing superior cabin with private facilities….......£12,795pp
Sharing corner suite with private facilities….......£13,550pp
Single supplements are available. Please ask for details
What’s Included
International return economy flights based on Lufthansa airlines and internal flights to Ushuaia on Aerolineas Argentinas, accommodation in Buenos Aires on a bed and breakfast basis, all transfers, city tour, accommodation in Ushuaia on twin share basis, cruise with full board and berths, lectures and guide services on vessel and on shore based excursions and a contribution to a marine conservation project. On all our cruises you are supplied with a high visibility waterproof parka. Included in the trip cost is a contribution and membership to the Scott Polar Research Institute.
What’s Excluded
Travel insurance, vaccinations and visas, gratuities, items of a personal nature including laundry and drinks, meals not shown, and hire/purchase of special clothing (or equipment)
This Trip Supports..
Scott Polar Research Institute
The cruise boats are all members of the IAATO, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, and as such operate under strict Environmental standards with the least possible harm to this pristine continent and the greatest possible safety to you as the passengers.
Each passenger with us on our Polar Cruises receives a year’s ‘Friends membership’ of the Scott Polar Research Institute, Britain’s foremost Polar Research and Preservation organisation based in Cambridge.
Furthermore a contribution to Birdlife International’s ‘Save the Albatross Campaign’ is also made, with monies being used to protect the rapidly declining Albatross species – due in part to long line fishing in the Polar regions.
Field Expertise
Antarctica experts
To appreciate this extraordinary continent one needs the finest naturalists and ecologists to guide you and give lectures and insight into the wildlife and geography of this continent, on land and sea. To this end every cruise has a number of experts to guide you on land and to communicate to you at sea.
They include well known experts including scientists like Robert Headland, natural history presenters, nature writers, together with a host of skills and experience covers history, ornithology, geography, geology, oceanography, marine biology and glaciology.
All are enthusiastic communicators with a wealth of experience in their subject matters and will add greatly to your enjoyment and understanding of this last continent.
Our Feedback
This is an exciting new trip with great feedback from the first trip this year
Fantastic trip. We spent 2 wonderful days, up close and personal with the Emperor Penguins. On a 1-10 “cuteness scale”, the penguin chicks are an 11! Also saw lots of other penguins (Adelies, Gentoos, Chinstraps), as well as seals, whales and many amazing icebergs. A Russian Icebreaker is definitely the way to travel, in Antarctica during the Spring. It will probably take me months to sort out all the photos I took!
John Dohner Oct 2007