South Georgia in Depth: Photography Symposium (Fly In/Fly Out)- Vavilov, Nov. 2018

South Georgia in Depth: Photography Symposium (Fly In/Fly Out)- Vavilov, Nov. 2018

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Trip Summary

Dates: Nov 3, 2018 – Nov 17, 2018
Duration: 15 Days
Ship: Vavilov
Adventure Options: Kayaking, Photography
Starting at $9,895.00View Prices

About the South Georgia Explorer Itinerary

South Georgia has been called ‘the most staggering wildlife show on earth’. After our in-depth exploration, we are certain you will agree. This seldom-visited corner of the planet is a place we know intimately and cherish sharing with our guests every season. Each season offers amazing opportunities for encountering South Georgia’s wildlife. Our later season […]

Itinerary Map

Pricing Information

$9,895
Limited - Main Deck Triple
$11,995
Limited - Twin Semi-Private
$13,195
Limited - Twin Private
$14,095
On Request - Superior
$15,995
On Request - Shackleton Suite
$17,695
On Request - One Ocean Suite

About the South Georgia Explorer Itinerary

South Georgia has been called ‘the most staggering wildlife show on earth’. After our in-depth exploration, we are certain you will agree. This seldom-visited corner of the planet is a place we know intimately and cherish sharing with our guests every season.

Each season offers amazing opportunities for encountering South Georgia’s wildlife. Our later season voyage offers a wondrous spectacle of nature that is ideal or photographers and wildlife lovers looking to see the newly born animals.

Expect an abundance of baby fur seals which cover South Georgia’s beaches at this time of year which makes an excellent photographic subject that you will not find during other months.

February offers the unique opportunity to land on Prion Island, which is closed to visitors for most of the season and off limits to larger ships year round, to witness the spectacle of Wandering Albatross’s feeding their newborn chicks at their nests.

Young king penguins are starting to test the cold waters for the first time at the rookeries in Saint Andrews Bay and Salisbury plain. Gentoo, Macaroni and Chinstrap penguins gather in large creches as they start to fledge.

This season is the most active for marine life and offers the best opportunities for whale watching in South Georgia and species such as minke, humpback, fin and orcas are at their most numerous.

For lovers of remote, small-ship expedition cruising, this voyage ticks every box you could possibly imagine.

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Embarkation in Port Stanley

LATAM flight landing at Mount Pleasant Airport, Falkland Islands (flight not included). Transfer bus to the harbour for embarkation at 16:00 Local Time.


Days 2-3: At sea

En route to South Georgia, you cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.


Day 4: Shag Rocks

This small group of 6 islands on the South Georgia Ridge in shallower waters. The nutrient-rich waters in this area offers a lot of food for birds and whales. The islands are named after the South Georgian Shags, known for their bright blue eyes and yellow patch on their beak.


Day 5 – 10: South Georgia journey


Majestic snow-covered mountains greet us on arrival in South Georgia. We hope to navigate the ship into the historic location of King Haakon Bay. It was here that, 100 years ago, Shackleton and his men made landfall in their small lifeboat, the James Caird, after completing the perilous ocean crossing from Elephant Island. This dramatic location is visited by just a handful of ships each season. One of the most anticipated sites in South Georgia is Salisbury Plain. The black sand beaches and tussock covered dunes are home to a staggering 100,000 ing penguin adults and their young. This is just one of several such king penguin rookeries on South Georgia. Fur seals can also be seen poking their heads above the water; the elephant seals will enjoy lazing about the beach, while the skuas and giant petrels fill the skies above. Meanwhile, the albatross – our constant companion on this journey – is never far away.


Day 11 – 14: At sea


There may be sea ice on this route, south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds such as albatrosses and petrels trailing the vessel. Eventually we reach the Drake Passage and you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south.


Day 15: Disembarkation in Port Stanley


Arrive Port Stanley, disembarkation set at 09:00 Local Time. Transfer bus to Mount Pleasant Airport (flight not included).


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.

Book now for early bird discounts on the 2024-25 season

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