ANTARCTICA, SOUTH GEORGIA & THE FALKLANDS

1st to 24th JANUARY 2006

Visiting Antarctica and South Georgia is considered to be a once in a lifetime trip and the ultimate in wildlife experiences. It is rated by most visitors as their best ever tour and never forgotten.

Although fewer people follow in Shackleton's footsteps, South Georgia differs in many ways but is just as spectacular as the White Continent It must be included by anyone desiring the ultimate Antarctic experience.

Antarctica teams with life in summer due to the seasonal abundance of krill, however in winter the harshest of conditions prevail and little can survive. Millions of birds and animals concentrate to breed along the Antarctic Peninsula, regarded as the most scenic part of the continent. Here, glaciers mountains and wedding-cake shaped icebergs form a backdrop to millions of Penguins, amazingly hardy creatures. By making frequent landings, we are able to soak up the romantic notions of early explorers without enduring the same hardship that saw few return. Some historic buildings and whaling stations still remain as a reminder of their courage.

We cruise to famous sites such as Elephant and Deception Islands and through the Lamaire Channel in search of Penguins; up to eight species may be seen on this trip! We will witness the battle for survival between Chinstrap Penguin and South Polar Skua, Adelie Penguin and Leopard Seal; all in the company of Snowy Sheathbills, 'Stinkers', Antarctic Terns and Blue-eyed Shags. There are other birds here as well as whales and seals, while the geology and social history of this magical place cannot be ignored.

First we must visit the Falklands Islands and South Georgia. Home to nesting Wandering, Black-browed and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross's. Thousands of King Penguins breed along with hundreds of burrowing Magellanic Penguins and the Rockhopper which is now worryingly in sharp decline. Endemic birds include the Falkland Steamer Duck and South Georgia Pipit which can be very approachable like many creatures in this region.

Most people only visit Antarctica once and the ultimate experience must include both the Antarctic Peninsula and the awesome South Georgia. This is no longer the realm of the Amundsens, Scotts and Attenboroughs of this world, it is ours.

Compare Bird Holidays special rate for this tour which at current rates is currently advertised as being £500 cheaper than other British Bird Tour company prices and £1000 cheaper for en suite cabins!

However we expect this to be a one-off price which we are unlikely repeat on any subsequent tour to the region.

ITINERARY Arriving in Buenos Aires, we relax in a hotel for the night before journeying to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego the next day. There should be time for sightseeing or visiting a local nature reserve in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. Departing Ushuaia we board ship to cruise the Beagle Channel where we may spot Chilean Skuas, Diving Petrels, Flightless Steamer Ducks, Dolphin Gulls, Kelp, Ashy and Ruddy-headed Geese. The Andes Mountains end here and with luck it is possible to encounter Condors soaring over the hillsides near the town. This is one trip where travelling becomes a joy rather than a chore. The attendant seabirds are both close, photogenic and extraordinarily numerous. Most enjoy following ships and provide excellent views. Prions, Antarctic Fulmars, Black-bellied Storm Petrels, Pintado and Blue Petrels, Southern and Northern Giant Petrels all play second fiddle to the large Grey-headed and Black Browed Albatross. Being in a birding group allows many eyes to spot the best birds.

FALKLAND ISLANDS

By visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, we have the best possible itinerary for the region. We get the chance to search for endemic land birds as well as numerous waders, wildfowl and seabirds. On the first afternoon here we visit Bleaker Island in South Falkland to start our Penguin list by finding Magellanic, Rockhopper and Gentoo, all protecting their eggs or young from attendant Sub Antarctic Skuas. Magellanic and Black Oystercatchers feed alongside Kelp and Upland Geese, while Tussock Birds scurry trough the long grass.

The following day we visit Stanley, the capital of the islands where there is chance to savour the Victorian charm of the town or seek out more birds like the Steamer Duck along the shoreline.

SOUTH GEORGIA

As we approach South Georgia on the first of four days in the area, we are joined by the world's largest flying bird, the Wandering Albatross. The jumbo jet of the bird world, this unbelievable creature dwarfs its smaller cousins. As well as enjoying their majestic flight at close range while on board ship, we plan to visit its nesting grounds to see the youngsters or displaying adults among the tussock grass.

We will also seek out the Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, possibly the most gorgeous of all tubenoses which also nest here.

An incredible sight is the thousands of King Penguins gathered at Salisbury Plain where we hope to make a landing. Everyone's favourite and full of character, the Kings also walk the streets of the older settlements and we have chance to visit Grytviken and Shackleton´s grave.

Being so remote and costly, many opt to exclude South Georgia from their Antarctic tour. This is always regretted later as previous travellers including our leader will testify!

ANTARCTICA

Crossing the Antarctic Convergence, seabird species change as we enter colder Antarctic waters. Soon we see our first icebergs, some the size of an English shire. Reaching the South Shetland Island group our ship will begin to move south along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Elephant Island is the first place we reach and if conditions allow we will land on the island where Shackleton's crew waited for him to return with help from South Georgia. From here, expedition staff will decide where they should visit based on their experience, wildlife knowledge and ice conditions. We may even go where no-one has trod before!

Deception Island is a favourite. A ring-shaped island once a huge volcano of which the crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. We can warm our feet in the hot springs, and visit an abandoned whaling station. Cape Pigeons, many Kelp Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson's Storm Petrels and Black- bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

Further South lays the Orne Islands with large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait. Passing Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula we can reach Danco Island which contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. From there we may sail to Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay and through Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, while having chances of seeing large whales.

We will have opportunities for zodiac cruising where Wilson's, Antarctic and the ghostly Snow Petrel search for food among blue-veined icebergs. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales. A base visit will also be provided, to give you an insight about the life of modern scientists working on the White Continent. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a beautiful landscape and more possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter the deadly Leopard Seal, Crabeater Seals and whales.

The guano of millions of penguins accumulates late in the season so by visiting at this time, sites are less dirty and smelly but the breeding should be well underway. The numbers of whale encounters are rising now and weather becomes more stable. Finally, we cross Drake's passage where we can look for the Royal Albatross, equal in size to the Wanderers' and savour our last pelagic birds as we return to Ushuaia and our flight home.

Each day at sea brings new surprises so we must not lower our guard. After disembarking we fly to Buenos Aires breaking the journey with an overnight stop before continuing to London.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

This is an expedition cruise and as such, means we will use our flexibility to take advantage of landing and weather conditions. We aim to provide the best trip we can in safety and comfort with minimum impact on this fragile environment. Full-board accommodation is provided with two nights at Buenos Aires and one night at Ushuaia, and eighteen nights full board on board Aleksey Maryshev

Our ship is part of a fleet of modern Finnish-built research vessels recently acquired by Oceanwide, a Dutch company with a very professional Russian crew. All cabins are twins, most have one upper and one lower berth, but there are a few with two lower berths but these will probably be booked up first. There is a supplement for en suite cabins.More details are available if you wish.

Landings will be made by Zodiacs which are manoeuvrable, safe and the best means of transportation in this region.

Phil Palmer will be your Bird Holidays leader. He has taken part on many tours and expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic so is able to assist with bird identification, photographic tips, etc. The ship's expedition leaders will decide the daily routine and day-to-day running of the cruise. Bird Holidays has no influence over this.

The ship has a library and bar. Optional lectures are usually provided during any quiet periods, but the emphasis is on seeing the real thing!

Day 1: Depart London.

Day 2: arrive Buenos Aires, transfer to hotel. Afternoon at a local nature reserve or sightseeing.

Day 3: Fly to Ushuaia, overnight in hotel.

Day 4: Birdwatching before boarding Aleksey Maryshev in the afternoon.

Day 5: at sea.

Days 6 & 7: Falkland Islands.

Days 8 & 9: At sea.

Days 10-13: South Georgia.

Days 14 & 15: At sea.

Day 16 at sea & Elephant Island.

Days 17 - 19: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands.

Days 20 & 21: At sea.

Day 22: Disembark Ushuaia; fly to Buenos Aires ant transfer to hotel.

Day 23: Fly to London.

Day 24: arrive London.

PRICE INCLUDES ….. Full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, birdwatching excursions with expedition staff or expert leader, transport, return flights to London and airport taxes.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips, visas, etc.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flights from London Gatwick to Buenos Aries, internal return flight to Ushuaia. Outbound flight departs London in the evening, return flight arrives back early morning. 22 nights plus two overnight flights:

1st to 24th January 2006

Principal leader: Phil Palmer

Cost with discount (if you book before 30th February): £6495 per person sharing in a twin cabin.

Full Cost: £6975 per person sharing in a twin cabin

En suite supp: £845 per person sharing

Superior cabin, £573

en suite supp: £185

Deposit: £1100

HOME