Shackleton Odyssey
All content by World Expeditions
20 days (Ushuaia)
Destinations visited: Ushuaia, Antarctica, World
from
USD$10,500
A voyage to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula with an optional alpine crossing of South Georgia
The beginnings of our voyage will take us to the Antarctic Peninsula where we will see the final stages of the wildlife cycle as winter approaches. Our innovative itinerary then retraces Shackleton’s voyage from the northern Weddell Sea, past Elephant Island and across the Scotia Sea to the south western side of South Georgia. When Shackleton’s ship Endurance was crushed in the frozen Weddell Sea in 1915, few would have rated his team’s chance of survival. With the help of our expert historian, we will learn more of this epic adventure as the stunning backdrop to the tale unfolds before us. We offer the unique opportunity to cross the island of South Georgia in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton during the land part of his epic journey to save the crew of his ship. A small band of adventurous souls will attempt to repeat the arduous crossing from King Haakon Bay to Stromness in three to four days; an exhilarating conclusion to a voyage dedicated to Shackleton’s heroic Antarctic exploration.
Highlights
- The most wildlife-rich part of Antarctica - penguins, whales, seals, sea birds
- Narrow sheltered waterways and fjords
- Spectacular mountains rising directly out of the sea
- Historic sites, including Shackleton’s last resting place
- Active scientific stations
- South Georgia and Falkland Islands
- Great variety of terrain over short distances
- Icebergs and active glaciers
- Opportunity to cross the mountains of South Georgia in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton (optional)
Itinerary
Day 1 Embark Ushuaia
You will be warmly greeted by the crew and expedition staff as you embark Polar Pioneer in the afternoon. Sailing down the Beagle Channel, we will settle into shipboard life and enjoy our first meal on board, as the crew set our course for Bismark Strait and the Lemaire Channel.
Days 2-3 Drake Passage
Cape Horn, the most southerly point of the American continent, has stimulated the imagination of mankind since Sir Francis Drake inadvertently rounded it back in 1580. Some of us will approach this historic crossing with more than a little trepidation. But despite its reputation, there are many times when the Drake Passage resembles a lake, with lazy Southern Ocean swells rolling under the keel. On the other hand, we sometimes encounter rough crossings with large waves. The size of the waves and the force of the gale will take on gigantic proportions when related around the fire back home. The mood on board is definitely casual. A favourite pastime is to stand at the stern deck watching the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels, following in our wake, skillfully using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum. During our Drake crossing, we will commence our lecture program about the wildlife, geology, history and geography of the Antarctic Peninsula. Our history lectures will largely be focused on Shackleton. Antarctica is a photographers’ paradise, for the professional and amateur alike. There will be discussions about how to protect your equipment from salt water, and tips about taking good pictures. Nearing the tip of the Peninsula towards the end of day three, excitement reaches fever pitch with everyone on the bridge watching for our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you forever.
Days 4-6 Antarctic Peninsula
A peep out of the porthole very early this morning should confirm that we have reached Antarctica. The glaciated mountains of Booth Island may well tower above Polar Pioneer as the captain and crew put us in position to travel down the Lemaire Channel and all going well, sail through and visit Pleneau Island on the other side. At this late stage in the season, the rookeries are practically empty. There will only be a few moulting adult birds standing uncomfortably about, waiting for their new feathers, so they can return to their environment – the sea. There will be a few late chicks, which may or may not make it this season. Winter is fast approaching and unless they can lose their down and get to sea and find food they will die. Leopard seals cruise hopefully up and down, picking off the inexperienced chicks as they awkwardly flop about in the shallows desperately trying to imitate their parents. This time of the season is a lean time for penguins, and sometimes cruel. It is a period that definitely underlines the survival of the fittest. However the whales are possibly in their greatest numbers, certainly the humpbacks. The reason for heading to the Peninsula first is to be able to recreate Shackleton's journey in the correct sequence and also to catch the final stages of the wildlife cycle. Unlike the Sub-Antarctic Islands, where the wildlife remains all year round, the penguins and seals go to sea once the “big freeze” sets in on the Antarctic Peninsula. A host of choices is now open to us and depending on the ice and weather conditions the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. Our experienced leaders, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use this expertise to design our voyage from day to day. This allows us to make best use of the prevailing weather and ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. Although we are well south, we will start to experience some darkness. We will use these daylight hours as vigorously as possible. We are always keen to explore new territory, so if the opportunity arises, we will! To get ashore we will use Zodiacs (inflatable rubber boats). Sometimes we will cruise along spectacular ice cliffs, or follow whales that are feeding near the surface. In these situations we will appreciate the distinct advantage of being on a small vessel, which gives everyone the opportunity to experience these very special close encounters with the wildlife. There are many exciting places we can choose to visit such as Half Moon Island, Deception Island, Paradise Harbour, Robert Point and Lemaire Channel.
Days 7-8 Elephant Island / At Sea
Today we set course for Elephant Island, a half-submerged mountain cloaked with an ice sheet at the outer limits of the South Shetlands. En route, our recaps and lectures will resume and there will be time to gather strength for the busy days ahead. After their ship the ‘Endurance’ was crushed in pack ice in the Weddell Sea, Ernest Shackleton and his men climbed into three open boats and finally, on 14 April 1916, made landfall on this tiny toe of rock and ice in the vastness of the Southern Ocean. We may sail past Cape Valentine to see the beach where the men first put ashore. Weather permitting; we hope to follow the coastline six miles west to Point Wild. We will attempt to make a landing where the men eventually set up camp under two of their upturned open boats and some old tents, while Sir Ernest, Worsley and four other crew members sailed to South Georgia for help. Conditions are often unsuitable for landing due to the large swells surging around hidden rocks, but it is always worth a try! Just to set eyes on this hallowed site sends shivers down the spine. Leaving Elephant Island, we will head across the Scotia Sea in a southwesterly direction towards the South Orkney Islands, a stunning group of islands, remote and alone jutting out of the sea.
Day 9 South Orkney Islands
Today we hope to make landings on and around the South Orkney Islands. We may visit beautiful Shingle Cove on Coronation Island, where we will have our first view of Adelie penguins. Or we may visit the Argentinean station of Orcardas, where the remains of the 1904 Bruce Expedition hut can still be seen.
Day 10 Cruise to South Georgia
Our lecture program will continue, and we can share our experiences from visiting Elephant Island and the South Orkneys.
Day 11 Arrive at Cape Rosa, South Georgia
Initially we will head towards King Haakon Bay on the southern side of the island, where we plan to drop off the “crossing party”. We hope to enter King Haakon Bay and to make a ceremonial landing at Cave Cove the site where 'The Boss' made his first landfall after the epic open boat voyage. The small stream still flows, that slaked the thirst of the men as they crawled from their boat onto the shingles. Listen for the mournful calls of light-mantled sooty albatross whose nests are tucked into ledges on the steep sides of the cove. It is worth wending a path through the fur seals, that sit like kings on their tussock grass thrones, to reach the small tarns surrounded by nesting giant petrels and where South Georgia pintails swim calmly with their ducklings. The fabulous view is another reason to make the climb. Later in the day we'll move down the bay to Peggotty camp and make a landing to drop off the mountaineers. There will be an opportunity to walk with them up onto the glacier towards the Shackleton Gap if the weather cooperates. Others will find joy in just wandering along the black sandy beaches admiring the scenery and visiting wildlife.
Days 12-15 Explore South Georgia, while crossing party traverses the island
South Georgia is one of the most beautiful places in the world. South Georgia is a tiny speck in the South Atlantic Ocean, located in one of the most desolate parts of our planet. A 3,000-metre mountain range traces the spine of this long, narrow island. Between the mountains, shattered glaciers carve their way through tussock grass to the deeply indented coastline. Some glorious destinations we plan to visit in South Georgia include Grytviken, St Andrews Bay, Stromness Bay and Prion Island; where we will see the world’s largest king penguin rookeries, wandering albatrosses on nests, beaches of elephant seals, plus Sir Ernest Shackleton’s final resting place.
Days 16-17 Cruising to the Falkland Islands
We will leave South Georgia on the afternoon of day 15 to begin cruising towards the Falklands. On this leg we are usually travelling into the prevailing weather so it is difficult to estimate our arrival time in the Falklands. We will continue our lecture program. While at sea there is ample opportunity to observe the sea birds that follow the ship, join the whale watchers on the bridge, or just relax and read a favourite book.
Day 18 The Falkland Islands
We will be aiming to land at Sea Lion Island which is a low-lying island that appears dull and uninteresting as we approach. But don't be fooled! The mud flats, beaches and tussock grass are teeming with creatures including, of course, the sea lions that breed here. A resident pod of orcas live in the waters around the island. If we land on Sea Lion Island we will spend as much of the day as possible here, and take a walk to a cliff top where rock-hopper penguins nest beside blue-eyed shags. Sea Lion Island is one of nature's gems.
Day 19 At Sea
Time to head back to Tierra del Fuego, with lectures and videos to complete our Antarctic education. This is a time for reflection and discussion about our many experiences with shipboard friends.
Day 20 Beagle Channel. Disembark in Ushuaia, where trip concludes
During the early morning we will cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia. It is a busy time, with people saying farewell to our crew and to fellow passengers, who have shared the intensity of exploring this magnificent white wilderness. We will head off in our different directions, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
Additional Information
Inclusions
- 19 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 19 dinners
- Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
- Specialist expedition staff
- All sightseeing and shore excursions from the ship including the use of Zodiacs
- Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services
- Medical services (there is a resident medical officer and infirmary on board)
- Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities
- Pre-departure information
Summary
- Cruising
- 19 nights aboard Polar Pioneer
Trip Main Activities
- Cruising
- Wildlife Viewing
- Walks
- Optional Alpine Crossing
Group Size Min
50
Group Size Max
N/A
Accommodation Summary
Equipment Required
A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking.
What You Carry
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from
USD$10,500
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