Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
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Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
Skip the four days of Drake Passage crossings and optimize your Antarctica experience by flying!
A short three-hour flight takes you between Punta Arenas, Chile and King George Island. Once in
Antarctica, the penguins, seals and whales will keep you and your camera busy, as will the massive
icebergs, mountains and glaciers, which create other-worldly landscapes on the white continent.
Within hours of your departure you’ll be greeted by our team of experts on the ship and be
heading out on your first Zodiac experience in search of wildlife.
EXPEDITION IN BRIEF:
• The fastest, most direct way to Antarctica;
• Fly over Drake Passage;
• All the Antarctic Peninsula highlights;
• Photography instruction included;
• Optional polar camping along the Peninsula; and
• Enjoy on board lecturers and educational presentations
from Polar specialists.
DID YOU KNOW? The first fixed-wing flight in the Antarctic was in
1928 by Australian polar explorer, Sir Hubert Wilkins. He took flight
from Deception Island in the South Shetlands. The next year, in 1929,
American Richard E. Byrd was the first to fly over the South Pole.
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 1Adventure Options You have a couple of special Adventure Options to choose from on your Antarctic Express expedition. These options are all subject to availability and fill up quickly, so be sure to book yours early. CAMPING Treat yourself to an overnight camping adventure in Antarctica! Our popular camping options are limited to 30 people on our expeditions. Dress warmly and eat a hearty meal before you head out as no meals are allowed on land. You will need to complete a waiver form before being considered for this adventure option. SEA-KAYAKING Imagine gliding along the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers! Our sea-kayaking adventures are the best way to feel at one with the sea. Taken in small groups of 10-16 people, multiple times per voyage, sea-kayaking adventures are only done during calm weather conditions. We require you to have some prior sea-kayaking experience, including the capability to do a wet exit. More information about your Adventure Options, including physical requirements and cost of each option is available by contacting your Polar Travel Adviser. INCLUDED OPTIONS SNOWSHOEING A novel way to experience the beauty of the Polar landscape, and discover remote alcoves and hidden valleys. The rewards of walking atop the snow are well worth the effort, as we’ll be able to visit new places that are inaccessible on foot. This traditional means of transport across the deep snow comes from the indigenous people of North America. While you can appreciate a connection with the past, the snowshoes we use today are much lighter and more forgiving than the old wood-weave snowshoes used during the days of the North American fur trade. ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 2
Fly
Itinerary Cruise
DAY 1 Punta Arenas, Chile
Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas,
Chile, the most populated city in
Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are
many museums, restaurants and shops
to keep you busy. By early afternoon, a
Quark Expeditions representative will
Deception
meet everyone at the starting hotel, Island
where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner Paulet
and be briefed about preparing for your Lemaire
Island
Channel Paradise
embarkation day. Harbour
DAY 2 Embarkation Day
Your flight from Punta Arenas to
Antarctica will have you smoothly
crossing the legendary Drake Passage in
only a few hours. Way below, the ship
is also approaching King George Island,
after having spent a couple of days of
cruising the Drake. With clear skies,
you’ll be rewarded with a rare sight – Actual itinerary may vary based on conditions and voyage length
seeing the Antarctic from the air! After
landing, stretch your legs and spend
some time exploring the island before
being transferred by Zodiac to your nearly impossible to put into words Even more exciting are your daily
ship. Meet the rest of your shipmates the size and scale of everything in the excursions to land. Your first Zodiac
and set sail to explore the Antarctic. Antarctic, you’ll be intimidated and landing is something you’ll never
mesmerized at the same time. forget! Walking up to a beach that is
DAYS 3 TO 6 Antarctic Peninsula & South dotted with penguins and seals is the
Shetland Islands As the Captain and Expedition Team most intimate way to experience the
keep their eyes out for whales and unique wildlife of Antarctica.
There are few places in the world seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new
as evocative as Antarctica. As we sightings. Our team of expert lecturers Each landing is different and is
approach the white continent, don’t will also provide in-depth explanations dependent on weather, but every day
be surprised if you are overcome by of the geology, history and wildlife of presents new sightings and photo
feelings of excitement and awe. It is the region. opportunities. You may take a Zodiac
WANT TO STAY LONGER, OR ARRIVE EARLIER?
Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone
(1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 3cruise in search of whales and icebergs
in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a
hike to a chinstrap penguin rookery the
next day.
From the booming shot of a calving
glacier at Petermann Island to the
thrill of watching a leopard seal hunt a
penguin, you’ll wake early and welcome
each day with sense of excitement
and desire to explore that is unrivaled
by any other travel experience. Our
Expedition Team will be with you all
along, providing insights into the places
you visit and wildlife you see.
DAY 7
Disembarkation & Fly to Punta Arenas
After so many awe inspiring visuals and
memorable days of wildlife encounters,
you’ll finally be able to stop and take
a breath again. Say goodbye to the
Expedition Team and disembark at
King George Island for your three-hour
flight across the Drake Passage to Punta
Arenas, Chile. After we transfer you
from the airport to the hotel, you can
enjoy one final dinner to reminisce
about all the sights and sounds of
Antarctica.
DAY 8
Depart for Home
WANT TO STAY LONGER, OR ARRIVE EARLIER?
Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone
(1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 4Inclusions
THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES • All flights to or from Antarctica as specified in
• Shipboard accommodation with daily the itinerary.
housekeeping. • Pre-night hotel in Punta Arenas with
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board breakfast included.
throughout your voyage. • Group transfers between the hotel and airport
• All shore landings per the daily program. in conjunction with the charter flight.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our • Group transfer to hotel upon arrival in
experienced Expedition Leader. Punta Arenas.
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the • A briefing dinner on arrival day to prepare you
daily program. for your trip.
• Formal and informal presentations by • One night post-expedition hotel
our Expedition Team and guest speakers accommodation in Punta Arenas with
as scheduled. breakfast included.
• Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting
the voyage. THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan • Any airfare unless otherwise specified in
for shore landings. the itinerary.
• An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep. • Passport and visa expenses.
• Coffee, tea and cocoa available around • Government arrival and departure taxes.
the clock. • Any meals ashore unless otherwise specified.
• Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin. • Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials, • Excess baggage charges.
including a map and an informative • Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges
Antarctic Reader. unless specified.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges • Telecommunications charges.
throughout the program. • The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for
• All luggage handling aboard ship. shipboard staff and crew.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all
passengers to a maximum benefit of
US$100,000 per person.
PLEASE NOTE
You must book flight interruption insurance for all
Quark voyages due to possible weather delays.
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 5Dates & Rates
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS Fly the Drake
Expedition Aboard the Adventure Ship SEA ADVENTURER
Dates Days Emb/Disemb Triple Lower Deck Main Deck Superior Deluxe Suite
Dec 17 - Dec 24, 2013 8 Punta Arenas $7,995 $9,895 $10,395 Porthole $11,995 $12,895 $14,595 • • •
$10,995 Window
HOW TO BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION & ADVENTURE OPTIONS
To book your cabin or inquire about the availabilty of adventure options,
contact a Polar Travel Advisor 1.888.892.0073 (+1.203.803.2666).
1-888-892-0073
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 6Antarctic Peninsula
POSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Stepping foot on Antarctica is a moment of pleasure that affects each traveler differently. Your possible landing on
Antarctica will take place in the Peninsula, which is an extension of the Transantarctic Mountain chain and is the
most northern stretch of Antarctic land. Formed from uplifted submarine troughs that were filled with sediment
about 220 million years ago, this is a dynamic land of both desolation and diversity. To the east, is the frozen, wild
Weddell Sea. To the west, howling winds and warming seas from the Southern Ocean create perfect conditions for
whale sightings.
BROWN BLUFF LEMAIRE CHANNEL
A possible exposed volcano, Brown bluff towers 745 meters This strait runs between Booth Island and the Antarctic
(2,225 feet) over the home of adélie and gentoo penguin Peninsula, you’ll see that this is one of the most scenic
rookeries, which number in the thousands. These penguins locations on the western coast, especially during sunrise and
will create a symphony of background noise while you sunset. The 11 km (6.8 miles) may become impassable when
explore the bluff. ice fills the narrow passageway, so hope for clear waters.
CUVERVILLE ISLAND MELCHIOR ISLANDS
A gentoo penguin rookery is situated on the north end A group of low islands in Dallmann Bay, on which you may
of the island on a rocky beach. Depending on the time of see male fur seals haul out at the end of the breeding season
season that you arrive, you may see them building nests or to recuperate from their battles of supremacy.
attending to their chicks. Giant petrels and kelp gulls breed
on the island. NEKO HARBOUR
DAMOY POINT Little evidence remains that this bay was once used by the
floating whale factory ship Neko. You might see some whale
If you are lucky enough to mail a postcard in Antarctica, vertebrae used by the resident gentoo penguins as shelter
you’ll likely pass through here, as Damoy Point is the from the wind. There is an unmanned refuge hut here,
northern entrance to the harbor on which Port Lockroy is erected by Argentina. You can climb past the hut and up a
located, on the west side of Wiencke Island. steep slope for spectacular views of the glacier-
rimmed harbour.
DANCO ISLAND
PAULET ISLAND
A small island 1.6 km (one mile) in length that is easy to
explore and home to gentoo penguins. You can visit the Located in the northwestern Weddell Sea, the island is home
marker of a former British Antarctic Survey hut and watch to a large adélie penguin rookery. With a volcanic cone 352
for a variety of seabirds such as snowy sheathbills, kelp gulls meters (1158 feet) high, Paulet Island reminds you that this
and blue-eyed shags. was once a very active landscape. In addition to penguins,
you may be interested in visiting a historic hut built by
ENTERPRISE ISLAND members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition 1901-04. A
cross marks the grave site of Ole Wennersgaard, a member
Located in Wilhelmina Bay, the island was used by whalers. of that team who died on the island.
You can take a Zodiac cruise around the island, which passes
a wrecked whaling ship.
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 7PETERMANN ISLAND
IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected is
Near the Lemaire Channel, you can stand ashore here and part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel.
see the southernmost breeding colony of gentoo penguins. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we
The dome of the island rises 200 meters (650 feet) above the set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something
sea, offering you a challenging hike for panoramic views. all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200
Adélie penguins, shags and south polar skuas also inhabit recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South
the island. Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed
to others equally as interesting.
PORT LOCKROY
A ‘fun’ destination of sorts, we always strive to make it to
Port Lockroy if weather permits. The harbor is on the west
side of Wiencke Island. A secret base was built on the harbor
during the Second World War as part of Operation Tabarin.
It is now designated as a historic site, where Port Lockroy
is a museum and post office. Proceeds from your purchases
here support the preservation of historic sites from the
Heroic Age of Exploration.
WATERBOAT POINT
Of historic interest, you may venture to this unique point,
which, at low tide, is connected to the Antarctic mainland.
Zodiacs are used to explore the area when the tide is in. Two
scientists studying penguin behavior lived in a water boat on
the Point from 1921-22. The remains of their camp has been
designated an Antarctic historical site.
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 8South Shetland Islands
POSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
These islands will be your first sighting of land after Ushuaia, as they stretch for 540 km (335 miles) from northeast
to southwest off the coast of Antarctica. The Bransfield Strait separates this archipelago from the Antarctic
Peninsula. Nearly 200 years ago the islands were wiped clear of seals. Today, you’ll see that the seal populations
have recovered and the islands once again support an abundance of wildlife.
AITCHO ISLANDS PENGUIN ISLAND
This is a group of small islands, some still unnamed, situated Antarctica has two flowering plants, both of which you
in the northern entrance of English Strait. You can often can find on Penguin Island: Deschampsia Antarctica and
spot a great mix of wildlife here, with gentoo and chinstrap Colobanthus quitensis. Chinstrap penguins, fur seals and
penguins having established rookeries. Southern elephant southern elephant seals use the island for breeding purposes.
and fur seals are frequently hauled out here too.
ROBERT POINT
BAILY HEAD
A nice spot for Zodiac-cruising, this point was known to
Also known as Rancho Point, this area is a rocky headland sealers as early as 1820. Chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls
on the southeastern shore of Deception Island. Chinstrap and pintado breed and whales may be seen in the
penguins build nests on slopes leading to a high ridge that surrounding waters.
dominates the natural amphitheater and provides you with a
superb setting for landscape photography. TELEFON BAY
HALF MOON ISLAND Your Expedition Team will be happy to point out that it is
here where the most recent evidence of volcanic eruption on
This crescent-shaped island was known to sealers as early Deception Island can be seen.
as 1821. Unlike sealers who liked to keep their best locations
secret, we’re happy to bring you ashore on this impressive TURRET POINT
island. Many Antarctic birds breed here including chinstrap
penguins, shags, Wilson’s storm-petrels, kelp gulls, snowy Chinstrap and adélie penguin rookeries are found on this
sheathbills, Antarctic terns and skua. point, situated on the south coast of King George Island.
You’ll find the beaches here can get crowded with fur,
HANNAH POINT southern elephant and Weddell seals hauled out on the rocks.
Macaroni, chinstrap and gentoo penguin rookeries are WHALER’S BAY
located on the point, which is on the south coast of
Livingston Island. Due to the rather congested area available To reach Whaler’s Bay it is necessary to sail through a narrow
to the nesting penguins, you can only visit here from January passage called Neptune’s Bellows. The bay was used by
10 onwards. whalers from 1906 to 1931 and it is part of a protected harbor
created by a circular flooded caldera, known as Deception
PENDULUM COVE Island. Along with waddling penguins and lounging seals,
you’ll see rusting remains of whaling operations on the beach.
Hot geothermal waters are found along the shoreline of Watch for steam that may rise from geothermal heated water
this cove, named for observations made in 1829 by a British springs along the shoreline.
expedition. You may see yellow algae and boiled krill
floating on the surface of the water, because of the scalding
hot water!
ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 9YANKEE HARBOUR Gentoo penguins have established a rookery on this harbor, which is situated on the southwest side of Greenwich Island. Here you can see an abandoned Argentine refuge hut and a large glacier that stretches along the east and north sides of the bay. An abandoned sealing try pot is all that remains of the activity that brought men thousands of miles in tall ships to seek their fortune. ANTARCTIC EXPRESS EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 10
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