HIGHLIGHTS
- Follow
in the footsteps of the great Antarctic explorers and visit sites that
Byrd, Charcot, Fiennes, de Gerlache, Shackleton, and Weddell explored.
- Visit
one of South America’s most important paleontological museums
and explore South America’s first paleontological park
looking for ancient fossils.
- Visit
the Valdes Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Hike
across New Island and West Point Island to see Black-browed Albatross.
- See
snow-covered mountains, mighty glaciers and spectacular icebergs.
- Encounter
Rockhopper, Gentoo, Macaroni, Adelie, Magellanic and Chinstrap
Penguins, and with some luck also King Penguins.
- Watch
for Commerson’s and Peale dolphins in the Falkland Islands
and Southern right whales close to the Valdes Peninsula.
- Identify
different species of albatross, shearwaters and petrels.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Vista Suite | Veranda Suite | Deluxe Veranda Suite | Medallion Suite | Silver Suite | Royal Suite | Grand Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Vista Suite | (Mid-range)
Silver Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1 — Buenos Aires, Argentina
Embark
Silver Cloud in Buenos Aires and meet some of your fellow explorers as
you become acquainted with the luxurious amenities found on board.
During
the afternoon you will be introduced to your expedition team and
important members of the crew.
At
sail-away, say goodbye to the Capital of Tango – Tango is
recognized as an Intangible Heritage by UNESCO.
Days
2 & 3 — At Sea
Take
the opportunity to relax after your long flight to join Silver Cloud in
Buenos Aires and have a leisurely breakfast before you join one of the
talks by our expedition team members. These talks will cover a wide
range of subjects – from geology to history, biology and even
botany (to be seen in the Falkland Islands).
You
will also be invited to attend a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party
hosted by the captain, who will introduce his senior officers and
various members of the Silver Cloud crew.
Day
4 — Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Puerto
Madryn is the starting point for two different excursions: a full-day
tour to the Valdes Peninsula (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to see
Southern right whales, penguins and seals or an extended half-day tour
to see one of the most accessible fossil sites in Argentina.
To
reach the Valdes Peninsula and its attractions one has to travel close
to 100 kilometres by bus. Sea lions, fur seals and elephant seals are
found along the shore of the peninsula, as well as orcas. Southern
right whales can be found in the two bays adjacent to the peninsula. A
museum and interpretive centre will introduce you to the terrestrial
and aquatic fauna of Patagonia and permits a view of both gulfs (Golfo
Nuevo and Golfo San Jose) from a watchtower at the narrowest part of
the isthmus connecting Valdes Peninsula with the mainland. A site of
global significance for the conservation of marine mammals the
peninsula will be one of the highlights of this voyage.
If
you are more interested in the evolution of animals and fossils, the
Museo Paleontologico Egidio Feruglio and the Paleontological Park Bryn
Gwyn (some 70 kilometres south of Puerto Madryn) will be to your
liking. Both the museum and the park have an outstanding collection of
fossils from the last 40 million years and will show the evolution of
life in this part of Patagonia.
Day
5 — At Sea
Taking
advantage of the day at sea, the expedition team will present talks
about the Falkland Islands (Malvinas - as the Spanish-speaking world
calls them) that will prepare you for the exciting adventures
ahead. Birders out on deck want to keep an eye out for
Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels and Cape Petrels.
Day
6 — New Island and West Point Island, Falkland Islands
Today
you have two opportunities to enjoy the remarkable beauty of the remote
Falkland Islands.
During
the morning we will visit New Island, a wildlife and nature reserve.
The New Island Conservation Trust, a private environmental conservation
group, protects its many birds and animals. Our Zodiacs will take us
ashore near the island’s small settlement at Coffin Harbor.
From there we will hike past the Barnard Memorial Museum crossing the
island from east to west to reach the rocky cliffs and a rookery where
Rockhopper Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags share the same nesting area. We
will also observe Black-browed Albatross going about their daily
routines and may even spot Upland Geese on our hike.
Our
on-board historian might tell us about ‘Barnard’s
barn’ — a stone structure once belonging to an
early settler and now a museum, as well as the wreck of Protector III
— an old minesweeper used for seal hunting, now grounded just
off the shore not too far from our landing site.
During
lunch Silver Cloud will sail in a northeasterly direction to West Point
Island. Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s
dolphins with their distinctive black and white markings can often be
spotted as one approaches West Point Island.
Our
Zodiacs will take us to a jetty from where we will walk slightly less
than 2 miles to Devil’s Nose. Walking across rolling moorland
and past gorse we will be observed by Grass Wrens, Long-tailed
Meadowlarks, Falkland Thrushes, Striated Caracaras and Turkey Vultures,
but our goal is to reach colonies of Black-browed Albatross that nest
side-by-side with Rockhopper Penguins. The winds at Devil’s
Nose are usually so strong that the albatross only have to spread their
wings to take off, while the penguins (as their name implies) have to
hop from rock to rock to reach either the shore or their nests.
Once
back at the farm, the hospitable island owners will invite you to have
tea, coffee and home-made cakes and cookies and are always happy to
answer your questions and share their stories.
Day
7 — Stanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley
is the capital of the remote Falkland Islands, and – although
Argentine authorities have repeatedly claimed the islands as part of
their country - has a distinct British ambience. A reminder of the 1982
Falkland War between Britain and Argentina is the War Memorial.
Opt
to take a ‘city tour’ by bus with a local guide or
stroll through the charming streets of this colorful little town, lined
with quaint cottages and a variety of traditional pubs. Visit the
19th-century Anglican cathedral (the southernmost Anglican cathedral in
the world) and wander through the Falkland Islands Dockyard Museum. For
stamp collectors a visit to the Philatelic Bureau is a must.
Depending
on local conditions there might be the chance to see Gentoo, Magellanic
or King Penguins at Bluff Cove or Volunteer Point.
Day
8 — At Sea
Leaving
the Falkland Islands behind, Silver Cloud will head for the South
Shetland Islands and Antarctica.
The
day at sea will be used to present further lectures. As we are heading
for Elephant Island, our on-board historian might talk about
Shackleton’s Endurance expedition and the crew members
awaiting their rescue at Point Wild, while our marine biologist and
ornithologist will cover the wildlife to be seen.
Participate
in other on-board activities or peruse an array of titles and topics in
the well-stocked Library. Take a stroll on deck and enjoy the solitude
and splendor of the vast sea and sky.
Day
9 — Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands
Awesome
glaciers and steep cliffs greet us as we approach Elephant Island
— so named for its former abundance of elephant seals. The
island is home to several Chinstrap Penguin rookeries, Antarctic fur
seals and elephant seals as well as old moss colonies. Weddell seals
and Macaroni Penguins can also be found here.
When
Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was crushed in pack
ice in the Weddell Sea in late 1915, the crew was eventually stranded
on the island for 135 days. A solitary bronze bust can be seen at Point
Wild, honoring the Chilean pilot Luis Pardo, who took the cutter Yelcho
across the Drake Passage to rescue Shackleton’s men.
Days
10 to 14 — Antarctic Peninsula
While
sailing along the Antarctic Peninsula, every turn can reveal a new and
breath-taking adventure. The pack ice becomes thicker the closer we are
moving into Antarctica’s vast white wilderness. Remote and
otherworldly, Antarctica is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg
sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of close
encounters with marine mammals. As late spring is the beginning of the
Antarctic season, Silver Cloud will take you to seemingly untouched and
never before visited sites.
Watch
for seals sunbathing on slow-moving ice floes and for humpback, Minke,
and orca whales to surface from below the frigid waters. Each day we
will attempt Zodiac departures, and, if conditions permit, we will
cruise amidst colorful icebergs or step ashore to visit a variety of
penguin rookeries and perhaps scientific research stations on
complimentary excursions led by our team of natural history experts.
A
flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable sea and
weather conditions. In the true spirit of expedition cruising, each day
the expedition leader and captain will determine our best course
depending on weather, ice conditions and wildlife we may encounter.
Here are some of the places we may visit:
Antarctic
Sound
Named
after Nordenskjöld’s ship, this 30 mile long stretch
of water at the north end of the Antarctic Peninsula offers some of the
best tabular iceberg observations.
Brown
Bluff, Tabarin Peninsula (a 2,440-foot bluff on the Antarctic continent)
Brown
Bluff is an ice-capped, 2,440-foot, flat-topped mountain with a
prominent cliff of reddish-brown volcanic rock. Adelie and Gentoo
Penguins, Kelp Gulls, and Cape Petrels use this as a breeding area.
Birds such as the all-white Snow Petrel and skuas may be seen from a
distance.
As
you explore the area, Weddell seals may be seen basking in the
sunlight. If conditions permit, a hike onto a nearby glacier might be
possible.
Cuverville
Island, Errera Channel
The
island was discovered during de Gerlache’s Belgica expedition
of 1897–99, and was named for a vice-admiral in the French
navy. The large, bare rock areas near the shore provide nesting sites
for Gentoo Penguins, but the penguins also look for exposed rocks on
the slopes. Snow Petrels and Pintado Petrels may be seen, and
Wilson’s Storm Petrels nest in the higher scree of the island.
Depending
on conditions a hike towards the top of the island for stunning
panoramic views might be offered. During Zodiac tours, we hope to see
hauled-out Weddell seals.
Paradise
Bay (on the Antarctic Peninsula)
The
bay is well named for its spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers
and icebergs. From the ship, observe Argentina’s
“Base Almirante Brown”, one of many Antarctic
research stations. Here, you can actually set foot on the continent of
Antarctica. Close to the station, Gentoo Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags,
Antarctic Terns, Kelp Gulls and skuas have all been seen nesting.
Depending
on the conditions we can view the wildlife from sea level while
cruising in our Zodiacs or cruise the bay with Silver Cloud.
There’s a good chance you’ll come across a
crabeater seal relaxing on a nearby ice floe, or, if you’re
very lucky, your Zodiac driver may locate a Minke whale.
Neko
Harbor
The
site is named after a whale factory ship, which often used this bay
– and Neko Harbor still today offers good chances to see
whales. A landing will provide an opportunity to see Gentoo Penguin
rookeries and quite possibly Weddell seals and crabeater seals hauled
out on the cobble beach. A hike to a lookout point will be a good
exercise and will be rewarded with panoramic views of the glacier,
Andvord Bay and the Gerlache Strait.
Port
Lockroy, Goudier Island
The
British built a listening station on Goudier Island during WWII, which
was then used as a research station in the 1950s. Bransfield House was
restored in 1996 and since then has acted as a museum and gift shop.
The Antarctic Heritage Trust operates a post-office at the station,
which is open during summer.
Snowy
Sheathbills and Gentoo Penguins roam outside the museum and leopard
seals often patrol the sea.
Port
Foster, Whalers Bay (Deception Island)
Deception
Island is an excellent example of a caldera where it is believed that
the volcano’s summit collapsed with one section sinking far
enough to allow the sea to flood the interior. We plan to sail into the
caldera through a narrow entrance called Neptune’s Bellows
and anchor in sight of the former whaling station and the former
British Antarctic Survey station.
Our
resident geologist will take the opportunity to explain the unique
volcanic features of the area and their importance for science, while
our historian might introduce you to the whaling history of Deception
Island. Still visible on the island are the boilers used to make whale
oil in the early 1900s.
Conditions
permitting, we might hike to Neptune’s Window for spectacular
panoramic views.
Days
15 & 16 — Drake Passage
The
Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas due to
the funneling effect of the mountain ridges and seafloor pushing winds
and water eastwards. When Silver Cloud reaches the Antarctic
Convergence, a fluid and fluctuating natural boundary where cold polar
waters from the south meet warmer water moving southward, there is
another good chance to see whales and seabirds as nutrients are pushed
to the surface by the different currents.
Spend
some time on deck watching Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant
Petrels, Southern Fulmars, Cape Petrels and other seabirds gliding in
the air currents of Silver Cloud’s wake.
There
will be opportunities to attend additional presentations offered by the
expedition team, to edit the countless photos taken and to socialize
with new friends as we travel north towards Ushuaia.
Day
17 — Ushuaia, Argentina
After
breakfast, disembark Silver Cloud.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Fares
include charter air and cruise only. International Air is NOT
included.
- There
is no Twinshare rate available on this ship and single supplement is
1.75x the Twin Price listed above in Vista & Veranda Suites and
2x the Twin Price listed above for all other Suites.
- Complimentary
kayaking depending on weather and ice conditions. Available on a
first-come basis prior to each kayaking departure.
- All
trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
