ATLANTIC ODYSSEY - EXPEDITION IS THEIR PASSION

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Plancius, Atlantic Odyssey ex Ushuaia to Ascension

[Ship: Plancius]

Cruise Departure Date:

Friday 29th March 2013

Duration & Cruise Type:

31 days Cruise Only

Package Departs:

Ushuaia, Argentina

ATLANTIC ODYSSEY - EXPEDITION IS THEIR PASSION

31 night expedition cruise aboard Plancius Atlantic Odyssey - Truly Unique!

INCLUSIONS:

Oceanwide Expeditions offers unique, small-group expedition cruises that allow passengers to enjoy the natural wildlife and scenery of some of the world`s most spectacular and pristine shorelines, above and below the oceans. The size, capacity and capability of our ice-strengthened vessels have proven to be a successful formula for many years.

Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is part of the Antarctic Continent and is the southern continuation of the mountain chain that runs from North America through South America into the Scotia Sea. Here it continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge, the Scotia Ridge, until it comes above sea-level at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The peninsula consists of an 800 kilometres long mountain chain, the highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres, and numerous off-lying islands. The Peninsula offers the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Visitors are easily overcome by sensory overload by the huge amount of ice-bergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.

South Georgia
The island of South Georgia is one of the remotest and wildest places of the United Kingdom`s Overseas Territories. Huge numbers of seabirds and marine mammals breed along South Georgia`s Tussock Grass fringed shores. Save for the rusting remnants of the old whaling stations, the island is virtually unspoilt by man and so offers unique opportunities to observe the unparalleled wildlife and spectacular scenery of this most beautiful part of the Southern Ocean, a true Antarctic oasis.

Tristan da Cunha
Tristan de Cunha is a very special place:an active volcano on which people live, located in the middle of the ocean. And even more, Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in the world!

St. Helena
Similar to Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena is the peak of an enormous volcano; most of the volcano being below the water surface.
The island is famous because of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exiled here from 1815 until his death in 1821. All the early visitors, and indeed all visitors up to the present, with the exception of Napoleon, seem to have been impressed with the island. Because of its situation, offering a convenient refreshment station, there were continual efforts made by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English to secure it. Eventually it was occupied by the English East India Company in 1659 and apart from a brief occupation by the Dutch in 1672/3, it has been British ever since. The population of St. Helena is about 4,250.

Ascension Island
Ascension Island is also a volcano in the middle of the ocean, about 1,280 kilometres to the north-west of St. Helena. It is a dry island with a moist and richly vegetated peak named Green Mountain (859 metres).
For more than 300 years after its discovery, in 1501, the island was uninhabited. The few visitors were deterred from settling due to the aridity. It was eventually occupied in 1815 by the British who wished to prevent any possible use by the French for an attempt to release Napoleon from St. Helena.

Cape Verde
Cape Verde is a volcanic archipelago consisting of 10 major islands. The archipelago is located about 570 kilometres west of Senegal. The islands are all very different in landscape and some even in climate. The island of Fogo is volcanically the most active of all the islands. Mount Fogo, 2829 metres high, is the highest peak of Cape Verde. The volcano is still active: it last erupted in 1675. Near its peak is a caldera, inside of which is a village. The capital of Cape Verde is the city of Praia, on the island of Sao Tiago (Santiago).

Fares include:
- Voyage aboard the designated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes aboard `Plancius`.
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Note: It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 90 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.

Not included:
Any airfare whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

*Conditions Apply: Please note that the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. While we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ from the live prices in our booking system.

QUAD SHARE PRICING: Passengers can just be booked on an individual basis, so it is not necessary that you have to fill-up a complete quad cabin

Offer subject to availability at time of booking. Prices are shown in US$ per person share quad/twin based on best available cruise fare, inclusive of all discounts unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise stated, gratuities are NOT included. Some prices are subject to currency fluctuations. All prices based on cash or cheque payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. Provided by Seven Oceans Cruising. Agents only reservations: 1300 137 330.

31 Night Cruise sailing from Ushuaia to Ascension aboard Plancius.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Ushuaia (March 29) - Ushuaia - In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Days 2 & 3: At sea - During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.

Day 4: Deception Island - At Deception Island, we will try to land at Baily Head home to a colony of ten thousands Chinstrap Penguins (please note this landing is not always guaranteed and is only possible in good weather conditions). Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while our ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune's Bellow into the ring of Deception Island. Deception itself is a sub-ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, many Dominican Gulls, Brown Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson's Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

Day 5: Antarctica - continental landing - If the sea ice conditions allow we will try and reach Hope Bay or Brown Bluff at the Northern tip of the Antarctic Continent. In this area chances are good for encounters with Adelie Penguins, Weddell Seals, Leopard Seals and Orcas.

Day 6: Paulet Island - If ice conditions allow, we will sail to Paulet Island where we will observe the last individuals of a large Adelie Penguin colony near the ruins of the Nordenskjöld Expedition from the beginning of the 20th century. Depending on the sea ice we sail east or west of the Danger Islands to the north.

Day 7: At sea - We will sail towards the South Orkney Islands. Our exact navigational course will be determined by the prevailing ice conditions, in terms of both extent of sea ice and density of icebergs, which vary from year to year.

Day 8: South Orkney Islands - We are planning on a visit to Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel will show us their facilities and we can enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers.
Day 9: At sea - On our way to South Georgia, we witness a multitude of Albatrosses, Petrels and Fulmars.

Days 10 - 12: South Georgia - In South Georgia we begin our visit with zodiac excursions in the magnificent Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour. In Cooper Bay we will observe Chinstrap Penguins and Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses. On Salisbury Plain, we will see a huge King Penguin colony, elephant seals and fur seals. On Prion Island in the Bay of Isles we can see breeding Wandering Albatrosses. At the end of our time in South Georgia we will visit the abandoned whaling settlement in Grytviken, where now the penguins walk through the streets, and King Edwards Point where the grave of Shackleton lies.

Days 13 - 17: At sea - In the Westerlies we have a pleasant tailwind. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.

Day 18: Gough Island - Today we plan to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as always weather permitting. In previous years we managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island in the ship, saw spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife. We felt very privileged to be among the few visitors who have been able to experience Gough and in particular, to see it at such close quarters and in such favorable conditions. We hope to be lucky to repeat this unique experience with you.

Days 19 - 21: Tristan da Cunha - In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago we plan to call on the settlement at the west side of the main island. We will also try to make landings at Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island with millions of seabirds ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatrosses to Brown Noddies. We allow one day in reserve for bad weather. Please note that we will try and approach for landings, however due to the weather conditions this is not always possible.
Since we began our Atlantic Odyssey's (1998) we failed during 30% of the voyages to make landings in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, due to adverse weather.

Day 22 - 25: At sea - We now enter sub-tropical waters with their own species of seabirds and dolphins.

Day 26 - 28: St. Helena - St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, we will have ample opportunities to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. We will visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to explore the Island on your own and for snorkelling; in the shallow surf where we can find a lot of fishes.

Day 29 - 30: At sea

Day 31 -32: Ascension Island ( April 28 - 29 ) - Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. We will try to climb the moist summit of Ascension Island and make a zodiac-cruise around Boatswain Bird Island offering also great opportunities for snorkelling. We may witness egg-laying sea turtles coming ashore at night.

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ATLANTIC ODYSSEY - EXPEDITION IS THEIR PASSION

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