Quest for the Antarctic Circle (Fly In/ Fly Out) – Vavilov, Dec. 2018

Quest for the Antarctic Circle (Fly In/ Fly Out) – Vavilov, Dec. 2018

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Trip Summary

Dates: Dec 29, 2018 – Jan 9, 2019
Duration: 12 Days
Ship: Vavilov
Adventure Options: Camping, Kayaking, Photography
Starting at $11,195.00View Prices

About the Antarctic Circle Voyage Itinerary

Extend your time in Antarctica and make landings in less frequented sites south of the Antarctic Circle; Incredible icebergs Millions of penguins – Adélie, gentoo, chinstrap 5 species of seals – crabeater, Weddell, leopard, fur and southern elephant Whales – humpback, minke, orca Visit historic research stations in the area of Marguerite Bay

Itinerary Map

Pricing Information

$11,195
On Request - Main Deck Triple
$13,195
On Request - Twin Semi-Private
$14,295
On Request - Twin Private
$14,995
On Request - Superior
$16,495
On Request - Shackleton Suite
$18,095
On Request - One Ocean Suite

About the Antarctic Circle Voyage Itinerary

  • Extend your time in Antarctica and make landings in less frequented sites south of the Antarctic Circle;
  • Incredible icebergs
  • Millions of penguins – Adélie, gentoo, chinstrap
  • 5 species of seals – crabeater, Weddell, leopard, fur and southern elephant
  • Whales – humpback, minke, orca
  • Visit historic research stations in the area of Marguerite Bay

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia


Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by Expedition Team and ships’ officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.


Day 2-3: Drake Passage


Crossing the Drake Passage, there is so much excitement in the air as you get ever closer to the white continent. Guests eagerly soak up the friendly atmosphere on board as our numerous Polar experts prepare you for your adventures with presentations on everything Antarctic, from wildlife to history. Eventually, cross the Antarctic Convergence where you will notice a distinct drop in temperature as you enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. Along the way, witness many spectacular sights from icebergs to an array of seabirds and even several whale species some of which are known on occasion to fully breach from the sea.


Days 4-10: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands


In the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, the goal is to make as much time as possible to explore by inflatable Zodiac boats and marvel up close at nature’s glory. The first goal will be to sail south of the Antarctic Circle and into Matha Strait or Marguerite Bay. Given favorable ice conditions, the captain will push our exploration even further southward, looking for historic and wildlife sites. From the most southerly point (south of the Antarctic Circle), we will make our way north along the Antarctic Peninsula, cruising through the narrow waterways and channels of the Antarctic Peninsula. Spectacular waterways such as Crystal Sound, the Lemaire Channel, the Neumeyer Channel and the Gerlache Strait will all feature in the itinerary. Landing sites might include Neko Harbour, Wilhelmina Bay, Petermann Island and the Yalours, where you will observe Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals, skuas and other seabirds as well as an abundance of penguins including some very large colonies of the comical Adelie penguin.

At Half Moon Island you will visit a breeding colony of chinstrap penguins that share their territory with fur seals and blue-eyed shags. The team also hopes to see the gentle humpback whale dining on krill in its feeding grounds and possibly have an opportunity to spot orcas and Minke whales as the trip goes. The expedition staff plan on walking ashore on the continent of Antarctica at Paradise Harbour or Neko Harbour. Although it will not be your first glimpse of the Antarctic, a walk ashore on the Continent will evoke emotions to carry with you for the rest of your life. The scenery here is amazing. In particular the oddly shaped icebergs looking like sculptures, as well as the colossal ‘tabular’ icebergs that break away from the continent’s ice shelf. Expect to feel transformed as you experience twilight from the very bottom of the planet.


Days 11-12: Drake Passage

As you leave this magical place and make your way north, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn, time will be spent sharing and reflecting on the wonderful experiences of the last few days. Sailing down the Beagle Channel, celebrate the conclusion of the Polar expedition at a special dinner.


Day 13: Ushuaia

In the early morning, arrive back in Ushuaia. It is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travelers. Guests will be transported to their hotels or to the airport for return flights home.


Welcome Aboard the Vavilov


Built in Scandinavia by the Russian Academy of Science for ocean research, the Akademik Vavilov is a comfortable, stable, ice-strengthened vessel. Although capable of carrying 110 passengers, the Vavilov will carry a maximum of only 96 on Antarctic cruises.

The Vavilov has lots of great public spaces, including the bar and lounge with 180 degree views, a library stocked with polar books and a presentation room. Other amenities include a small gym, sauna and swimming pool, as well as a wellness program with trained yoga instructors.

Technical Specs

  • Guests: 96
  • Staff & Crew: 63
  • Length: 117 m
  • Breadth: 18.2 m
  • Draft: 6 m
  • Propulsion: 5,000 KW diesel twin engine
  • Ice Class: KM*L1(1)A2, Canadian Type B
  • Cruising Speed: 13.5 knots in open water / Max Speed: 14.5 knots
  • Registered: Russia

Cabins & Amenities

  • All cabins have exterior views
  • Cabins have either shared, semi-private or private facilities (see deck plan)
  • One dining room with unreserved seating
  • Theater-style presentation room
  • Lounge and bar with 180-degree views, open late afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits
  • Library with excellent outdoor viewing and a collection of polar-themed books
  • Ship-to-shore communications via satellite
  • Clinic with licensed doctor
  • Gym, sauna and swimming pool
  • Wellness centre with registered massage therapist, fitness trainer and yoga instructor (on selected departures)
  • One elevator between passenger deck levels and to the Bridge level

Join us on the Bridge

There is an open-bridge policy and guests are welcome to meet the navigating crew at virtually any time of day; there’s always something to learn from the officers on watch and the bridge is one of the best places on the ship for spotting whales and sea birds.

An expedition gear package is included

An expedition cruise requires a fair bit of planning and some special items of clothing and equipment are needed. You will have use of an expedition wet weather gear package free of charge, which includes a quality waterproof/windproof jacket and bib-pants as well as insulated, comfortable rubber boots designed for extended walking. A set of expedition binoculars and a walking pole are also available for the duration of your voyage. This saves you buying expensive items you may only ever use once and eliminates the need to carry such cumbersome gear all the way to the ship. If you do have your own gear, of course you are welcome to bring it. Make sure it is wind and waterproof. If you have questions about gear, feel free to ask.

Notes

  • Rates are per person, based on twin-share.
  • The Single supplement is 1.5x the published twin rate for twin-semi private, twin private and superior cabins.
  • Single supplement is 2x the published twin rate for suites.
    Single supplement is not available in triple cabins.
    No single supplement applies for passengers willing to share.
  • Voyages commencing/ending in Stanley (Falkland Islands) or King George Island (Antarctica) include flights from Punta Arenas (Chile).
  • Voyages ending in King George Island (Antarctica) include one night hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas at the end of the trip.
  • Mandatory Emergency Evacuation insurance is required on all trips.
  • All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
  • Adventure Options:
  • Photography – Free of charge
  • Photography Symposium (3 Nov 18): Limited Availability – interested participants must pre-register at time of booking.
  • Snowshoeing – Free of charge
  • Camping – Free of charge [Please note – camping is less likely to happen on the longer voyage to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica itinerary or on March voyages. Camping not offered on South Georgia In Depth voyages.]
  • Kayaking (must be pre-booked, maximum 16 participants) – $795.Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience.

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