Grand expedition Antarctica

Day 1: Charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia/Argentina

Charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia/Argentina, departure 18.00 hrs

Day 2: Relaxation at sea

Relaxation at sea

Day 3 and 4: Falkland Islands

A dream destination for birdwatchers. The British Overseas Territory is home to over 60 bird species such as the endemic Falkland pipit as well as striated caracaras, Cape petrels and king cormorants. Black-browed albatrosses and wandering albatrosses make skilful use of the wind to sail through the air without flapping their wings. Aside from the birdlife, there are also impressive traces of an eventful history to see. The small island capital Stanley will welcome you with Victorian houses and British charm.

Day 5 and 6: Relaxation at sea

Relaxation at sea

Day 7 to 9: South Georgia

As soon as this subantarctic animal paradise comes into view, mighty glaciers and fjords will captivate you. Bustling colonies of king penguins carpet the coasts and steep slopes. Hundreds of thousands of animals share the island with elephant seals and fur seals, which you can observe from a respectful distance after landing on one of the black shores. You’ll keep returning to the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton, who found his final resting place on South Georgia in 1922.

Day 10: Relaxation at sea

Relaxation at sea

Day 11 to 16: South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula

SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS
The South Orkney Islands are a lonely, glaciated world of icy wilderness in the Scotia Sea. They are home to chinstrap and Adelie penguins, which can be spotted here. With luck, you’ll also see icebergs drifting off the rugged coast. Find out how the polar researchers at the Argentinian Orcadas Station live when you visit by Zodiac, weather permitting (subject to authorisation).

SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
The South Shetland Islands form a long chain in the ocean. The legendary Elephant Island is where Shackleton’s team held out for months. Jagged crags loom fiercely on the horizon and the evening sun casts a delicate pink glow over the snowfields. Only small ships like the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition class are able to sail into the flooded caldera of Deception Island. Accompanied by the creaking of the ice, venture onwards to the Antarctic Peninsula. Majestic glaciers and gigantic icebergs glint in Paradise Bay. Another impressive sight awaits in the Lemaire Channel, where mountains up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) high line the spectacular shipping passage. Look forward to some thrilling moments.

WEDDELL SEA
A mystical icy world lies in the Antarctic Sound and at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. There are new scenes to feast your eyes on and catch on camera every day from the deck and Zodiacs. The numerous tabular icebergs are particularly spectacular and will astound you with their size, shape and colour. In one of the world’s most remote and most challenging expedition areas, the tuya volcano (flat-topped volcano) Brown Bluff makes an amazing sight in clear weather, for example. Its brown tuff cliffs towering over 700 m (2,297 ft) tall are a formidable sight rising between two mighty glaciers.

Day 17 and 18: Sailing through the Drake Passage

Sailing through the Drake Passage

Day 19: Ushuaia/Argentina

Ushuaia/Argentina, arrival 6.00 hrs
Charter flight to Buenos Aires

• All landings and rides in the ship’s own Zodiacs (Use of the Zodiacs depends on the destination and on official permits)
• Experienced experts from various disciplines accompany every cruise, give presentations and multimedia lectures, provide well-informed answers to questions about the cruising area and take part in the Zodiac landings/rides
• Use of the interactive Ocean Academy with individual knowledge formats
• Comprehensive information before the cruise – for example about the Arctic, Antarctic, the South Seas and the Amazon, as well as expedition maps
• International gourmet cuisine – full board: early-bird breakfast, breakfast, bouillon, afternoon coffee/tea time, lunch and dinner (three restaurants to choose from in the evening with flexible opening hours)
• Extensive sports programme: fitness area with ocean view, course programme, additional sports activities on shore depending on the destination (Personal training for an additional charge)
• OCEAN SPA with Finnish sauna with an ocean view, steam sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation area (spa treatments and hairdresser at a surcharge)
• In every cabin: champagne to welcome you, mini bar restocked daily with non-alcoholic beverages (additional selection in Grand Suites and Junior Suites), coffee machine (tea on request), 24-hour cabin service
• Equipment for loan: one pair of binoculars and two sets of Nordic Walking poles in the cabin itself, furthermore warm parkas, rubber boots, snorkelling equipment
• Flat-screen TV with information and entertainment programme, personal email account and Internet access via Wi-Fi (free of charge for one hour per guest and day, satellite-dependent especially in polar areas)
• Information about harbours and destinations (where available) in the cabin
• German- and English-speaking ship and expedition management as well as mostly German- and English-speaking service crew
• Harbour and airport fees
• Cancellation fee insurance
• Charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia/Argentina

• International Airfares
• Internal airfares
• Airport entrance/departure taxes
• Passport, visa, and immigration fees
• Additional hotel nights
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Travel Protection Plan
• Gratuities
• Any items not mentioned as included