Travel in state-of-the-art comfort aboard MV ‘Le Boreal’ in the company of expert naturalists and guides. Visit a working scientific research station and other historical sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. Navigate safely and confidently with ‘Le
Boreal’s’ environmentally sound practices and technology. Go ashore in Zodiacs for a closer view of the land and wildlife
Day 1: USA or Canada/Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 2: Buenos Aires
Day 3: Buenos Aires / Ushuaia, Argentina
Days 4 - 5: Cruising the Drake Passage
Days 11 - 12: Drake Passage
Day 13: Ushuaia, Argentina / Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 14: USA or Canada
Due to the nature of expedition cruising, this itinerary is subject to change based on weather, ice, wildlife and other conditions beyond A&K's control.
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina, "the Paris of South America."
Arrive this morning and transfer to your hotel (where immediate check-in has been arranged), with time to relax before this afternoon's city tour. As complex as it is energetic and seductive, this port city has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries, bringing many porteños (as its multi-national people are known) into its boundaries. Although it is reminiscent of Paris, the true spirit of the city is evident in its diverse neighborhoods — each with a character as varied as the porteños themselves. Meet your fellow adventurers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception.
Caesar Park Hotel Buenos Aires: B
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Upon arrival, enjoy sightseeing and a traditional Patagonian barbecue lunch. Later, arrive at your ship and settle in for your first night on board. 'Le Boreal' is a comfortable, stylish ship, both spacious and passenger-friendly. Wander the decks, relax in the lounge and mingle with fellow travellers in anticipation of your voyage.
MV 'Le Boreal': B, L, D
TheThe southward journey toward Antarctica is an exciting one. Fast-flowing southern ocean currents squeezing between land masses give the Drake Passage, the small strip of sea between the tip of South America and Antarctica, some of the world's roughest waters. An important trade route in the 19th and early 20th centuries, its stormy waters and icy conditions often made the journey around Cape Horn a difficult one, though the stabilizer-equipped 'Le Boreal' handles it easily. The krill-rich waters are a particular favorite with marine mammals and seabirds. Join 'Le Boreal's' naturalists on the deck to look for various species of whale and abundant seabirds.
MV 'Le Boreal': B, L, D
Days 6 - 10: Antarctica
As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement and expectation begins to build. Shore excursions are carefully planned by the captain and expedition leader to take full advantage of each day's possibilities. On most days, two landings are scheduled. Head out in swift and versatile Zodiacs, guided by expert drivers and accompanied by lecturers, to a number of penguin-filled islands in the South Shetlands, which may include Half Moon, Penguin and Deception. Other possible island visits just off the continental coastline may include Cuverville, Paulet or Goudier. Weather permitting, the ship calls on the Antarctic Peninsula. 'Le Boreal' also plans to sail through stunning Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, referred to as "Kodak Alley," with other possibilities for exploration, including a scientific research station and the remains of turn-of-the-century whaling and sealing stations.
MV 'Le Boreal': B, L, D
The ship's return through the Drake Passage is an interlude for recap and reflection, with time to compare notes with your lecturers on the wildlife, history and geology of the White Continent. While cruising through this historic passage, named in honor of Sir Francis Drake's voyage in the 16th century, you may be able to spot whale and seabirds such as albatross.
'Le Boreal': B, L, D
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport to board your flight home via Buenos Aires.
In flight: B
Arrive this morning and connect to homebound flights.
B
| Date | Category 1 Standard |
Category 2 Classic |
Category 3 Superior |
Category 4 Prestige Suite |
Category 5 Deluxe Suite |
Category 6 Premium Suite |
Category 7 Owner's Suite |
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| December 7 - 20, 2010 | $ 9,995 $ 3,060* |
$10,795 $ 3,300* |
$11,875 $ 5,840* |
$13,695 $ 9,970* |
$16,395 $11,995* |
$18,995 $13,765* |
$23,795 $23,295* |
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| *Single Supplement | ||||||||
Travel with expert naturalists and guides and enjoy state-of-the-art comfort aboard MV 'Minerva'. Visit a working scientific station. Experience a smoother crossing of the Drake Passage due to 'Minerva's' stabilizers; Zodiac boats take you ashore for up close views of wildlife and appreciation of this remote, spectacular land.
About the Climate Change Challenge
As part of the Climate Change Challenge, Abercrombie & Kent is organizing a mission trip to Antarctica. Dr. James B. McClintock, professor, scientist and award-winning author will lead the expedition. Dr. McClintock will share with travellers how climate change is rapidly influencing marine life on the Antarctic Peninsula, tales of what life is like at an Antarctic research station, his research diving adventures, his marine ecological studies, and his drug discovery program that recently found an anti-cancer compound in an Antarctic marine invertebrate.
Join this mission and make a direct contribution to the fight against global warming, presenting Palmer scientific research station on Anvers Island with the new Hyperspectral Irradiance Sensor to support Antarctic climate change research. This instrument gathers data critical to better understand the impacts of climate warming along the Antarctic Peninsula and its impacts on major types of phytoplankton (the small plant cells in the ocean). The sensor will be used for on-going research projects and your contribution is included in the price of your cruise.
Your Climate Change Challenge Leader, Dr. James B. McClintock
Jim is the author of over 175 research publications and two books. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation for over two decades. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association of Sciences, has won an international prize for an outstanding research publication, university teaching and research awards, and has been awarded the US Antarctic medal for his service in Antarctica. To honor his research accomplishments in 1998 the US Board of Geographic Names dedicated a point of land "McClintock Point" on the west side of McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica in his name.
Itineraries:
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Antarctica is currently the fastest warming area on the planet with temperatures and related ice-melt increasing at an even faster rate than had been predicted. The effects of global warming will have an impact on marine, animal and human life around the planet.
An Endowed University Professor of Polar and Marine Biology, Jim's research primarily focuses on the chemical ecology of Antarctic marine invertebrates. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, he has led twelve expeditions to Antarctica including one to the subantarctic Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean, seven to McMurdo Sound on the Ross Sea, and four to Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. Diving below the sea ice and from open water Zodiacs, his research team collects sponges, corals, and other marine invertebrates from depths of up to 130 feet to study how toxic chemicals they produce are employed in their own defense against predators, fouling organisms and competitors. Chemicals that are discovered during Jim's research are sent to the National Cancer Institute and other disease screening programs to test them against cancer, cystic fibrosis, and infectious diseases.
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