Ultimate Antarctica, Weddell Sea & Falkland Islands – Ioffe, Jan. 2019

Ultimate Antarctica, Weddell Sea & Falkland Islands – Ioffe, Jan. 2019

Sorry, this trip has already happened.
Click here to view all upcoming trips.

Trip Summary

Dates: Jan 22, 2019 – Feb 2, 2019
Duration: 12 Days
Ship: Ioffe
Adventure Options: Camping, Kayaking, Photography
Starting at $12,095.00View Prices

About the Weddell Sea & Antarctica Peninsula with Charter Flights Itinerary

Fulfil your dreams on this bucket-list cruise aboard our boutique expedition ship and experience epic landscapes and phenomenal wildlife on a life-changing adventure. This voyage takes you across the notorious Drake Passage straight to the frozen Antarctic Peninsula where you discover mesmerising icy scenes of both the Gerlache Strait and exceptionally beautiful Antarctic Sound. You […]

Itinerary Map

Pricing Information

$12,095
On Request - Main Deck Triple
$14,295
On Request - Twin Semi-Private
$15,995
On Request - Twin Private
$16,895
On Request - Superior
$18,695
On Request - Shackleton Suite
$20,295
On Request - One Ocean Suite

About the Weddell Sea & Antarctica Peninsula with Charter Flights Itinerary

Fulfil your dreams on this bucket-list cruise aboard our boutique expedition ship and experience epic landscapes and phenomenal wildlife on a life-changing adventure. This voyage takes you across the notorious Drake Passage straight to the frozen Antarctic Peninsula where you discover mesmerising icy scenes of both the Gerlache Strait and exceptionally beautiful Antarctic Sound. You will step ashore onto beaches crammed with penguins for fabulous photo opportunities before returning via the South Shetland Islands. This unforgettable journey will leave you with remarkable tales of how you achieved your life goal by visiting one of the most remote places on the planet.

Detailed Itinerary

|

Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia 

Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbour and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes – a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.


Days 2-3: At sea - Crossing the Drake

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


Days 4-5: Antarctic sounds & Weddell Sea

As you sail quietly past house-sized, free-floating tabular icebergs and pancake ice, you may be able to hear the sounds of creaking and popping as huge chunks break off and crash into the sea. While Gerlache Strait is filled with ice, the Antarctic Sound takes it up a notch with even more impressive bergs and ice cliffs. Possible landing points where you will meet thousands of breeding Adélie penguins include Brown Bluff and Paulet Island.


Day 6-8: Antarctic Peninsula

Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent will live out their Antarctica dream. The Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible area of the continent, hosts several scientific bases and some of the most interesting wildlife scenery, such as the extremely photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Petermann Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge, lumbering elephant seals haul out.


Days 9: South Shetland Islands

While the South Shetlands’ proximity to Antarctica makes the ice-bound sea impassable during winter (April to October), these are the first islands to see snow melt in spring (November) and the slightly warmer temperature means that the fauna is also different from what you see in Antarctica proper. As we go ashore by Zodiac, notice ferns, grasses, lichens and native flora that have more in common with Patagonia than they do with Antarctica.


Day 10-11: At sea - Crossing the Drake

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


Day 12: Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbour and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes – a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.

 


Welcome Aboard the Ioffe


Built for polar research, the Akademik Ioffe is a modern, comfortable and safe vessel that carries a maximum of 96 passengers. The ship underwent extensive renovation of cabins and the bar in 2011, giving it a new feel.

She has public spaces ideally suited for small group lectures to full ship briefings. The bar or the lounge are great places to have a drink and take in the scenery, and the library provides a spot to relax or catch up on some reading. The Ioffe and her sister ship, the Akademik Vavilov are two of the most stable, advanced vessels in the expedition cruise business.

Technical Specs

  • Guests: 96
  • Staff & Crew: 65
  • Length: 117 m
  • Breadth: 18.2 m
  • Draft: 6 m
  • Propulsion: 5,000 KW diesel twin engine
  • Ice Class: Lloyds 1A
  • Hull Classification: Ice Strengthened
  • Cruising Speed: 13.5 knots in open water/ Max Speed: 14.5 knots
  • Electrical Supply: 220 volts/ European pin
  • Registered: Russia
  • Zodiac boats: 10

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

  • Camping is offered free of charge to all passengers.
  • Photography – Free of Charge
  • Kayaking – $795
  • 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.

Costs for standard adventure options:

  • Photography – Free of charge
  • 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.]
  • Kayaking (must be pre-booked, maximum 16 participants) – $795.

Costs for Off the Beaten Track adventure options (must be pre-booked):

  • Standard Kayaking (maximum 16 participants) – $795
  • Overnight Kayaking – Additional $300 add-on to standard kayaking program (maximum 6, minimum 4 participants)
  • Ski Touring (maximum 16, minimum 6 participants) – $750
  • Expedition Snowshoeing (maximum 12 participants) – free
  • Expedition Field Photography (maximum 18 participants) – $45.
  • Additional options (No pre-booking/no fee): Overnight Camping, Hiking, Classic Snowshoeing.

Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience.

 

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

Search Freestyle

Scan the code