Weddell Sea - In Search of the Emperor Penguin (incl. Helicopter)

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Dive into an extraordinary adventure in the Weddell Sea that offers you the opportunity to experience the majestic emperor penguins up close. This exclusive expedition with the MS Ortelius takes you to the most remote places in Antarctica, where you may, with some luck, visit the impressive emperor penguin colony on Snow Hill Island. The journey promises impressive moments as you fly over the fascinating icy landscape by helicopter and discover the diverse wildlife of the region. Flexibility and a sense of adventure are your companions on this unique journey, showing you the wonders of Antarctica from a completely new perspective.
 

Travel Itinerary: Weddell Sea - In Search of the Emperor Penguin (including Helicopter)

 
Day 1: The End of the World, Beginning of a Journey
Your journey begins at the end of the world, namely in Ushuaia (Argentina) - also known as the southernmost city on the planet. This fascinating city is located at the extreme southern tip of South America and offers a unique mix of rugged nature and cultural charm. In the afternoon, you start your exploration tour in this small but significant place in Tierra del Fuego, which is itself referred to as the 'End of the World.' Here, where landscapes appear wild and untouched, your adventure begins. You sail for the rest of the evening through the picturesque Beagle Channel, flanked by majestic mountains. This waterway offers impressive views and a peaceful atmosphere, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty and seclusion of this remote region.
 
Days 2 - 3: The Path of Polar Explorers
During the next two days in the Drake Passage, you gain a fascinating insight into life from the perspective of polar explorers who were the first to explore these remote regions and defy the forces of nature. The cool salt breezes sweeping across the deck and the rushing seas surrounding the ship create an authentic atmosphere that awakens a sense of adventure in you. You may even be lucky enough to spot a majestic fin whale, gracefully surfacing between the waves and diving again. Once you have crossed the Antarctic Convergence, regarded as the natural boundary of Antarctica, you enter the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. This unique zone occurs when cold northward-flowing water meets the warmer subantarctic water masses. This encounter leads to a remarkable change not only in marine life but also in birdlife. The diversity of bird species you can observe here is impressive: wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, sooty albatrosses, cape petrels, southern fulmars, storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are just a few of the majestic birds native to this region that you may witness in their natural habitat with a bit of luck.
 
Day 4 – 7: Arrival in Antarctica
Via the Antarctic Sound, we reach the Weddell Sea. Here, massive tabular icebergs announce our arrival at the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Emperor penguins reside in this area, and we want to find them. The search takes place both with the ship and the helicopters on board - giving us a good chance to find these animals. During the helicopter flights, the beautiful landscape can be enjoyed from a different perspective. If conditions allow, helicopter landings can take place at sites otherwise unreachable at this time of year. Helicopter flights greatly enrich the journey and can take you to the following places: The west flank of the Antarctic Sound - The western side of this area is rarely seen from the air, but this landscape is truly worth a flight: layered sandstones, lava flows, glaciers, icebergs, and pack ice stretch as far as the eye can see. The ice floes often host individual emperor and Adélie penguins, as well as Dominican gulls, skuas, and various petrel species. Jagged mountain peaks peer through the snow and massive ice walls lie on the slopes below. Duse Bay - A helicopter can drop you on a rocky hill near an old shelter overlooking the bay. There is still much snow and ice, but much of the path leads over eroded rock, covered with lichens in all shapes and colors. Seymour Island - The Swedish Antarctic expedition from 1901 - 1904 overwintered here under harrowing circumstances. Sedimentary rocks, fossils, and great views characterize this location. If conditions allow an entry deeper into the Weddell Sea, Zodiac excursions can be conducted to the following areas: Devil Island - Home to a large colony of Adélie penguins, where hikes can also be taken to the summit of this island, offering a magnificent view. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall on the cliffs near Cape Well-met. Brown Bluff - Perhaps the most scenic location on the entire northern tip of the Antarctic continent: gigantic stone walls, boulders, beautiful formations of volcanic origin covered with ice. Here is a large colony of Adélie penguins, where gentoo penguins and snow petrels can also be found. Gourdin Island – Chinstrap, gentoo, and Adélie penguins can be found here - another opportunity for a further adventure in Antarctica. Esperanza Base - This Argentine research station, operated year-round and one of only two civilian settlements in Antarctica, could serve as an alternative landing site.
 
Day 8: Drake Passage via Deception Island
In the morning, we embark on a fascinating adventure to Deception Island, a place rich in history and natural beauty. Here, we will make our last landing of the journey, choosing between Pendulum Cove and Whalers Bay. Both locations offer unique insights into the geological and historical significance of the island. The decision on which of these impressive places to visit depends on the current conditions in the Drake Passage, which also determines the exact departure time. This passage is known for its changeable weather conditions, requiring careful planning to ensure a safe and pleasant crossing.
 
Days 9 - 10: Familiar Sea, Familiar Friends
Our return journey is anything but lonely. As we cross the Drake Passage, we are greeted once more by a variety of seabirds reminding us of the passage southwards. But this time they seem somewhat more familiar to us. The majestic albatrosses and the elegant petrels accompanying us seem like old acquaintances guiding us back to civilization. Their graceful flights and constant circling over the waves provide a comforting spectacle that presents the vastness of the ocean in a new light. It is as if nature itself accompanies us on this final leg of our journey, enveloping us with a sense of familiarity and welcome. The memories of the adventures and discoveries of the past days become even more vivid through these encounters with the wildlife, and we feel deeply connected to the rugged but fascinating beauty of Antarctica.
 
Day 11: There and Back Again
Every adventure - no matter how great - must come to an end sometime. Today marks the end of your impressive journey, and it's time to disembark in Ushuaia. Yet as you bid farewell to this fascinating place, you carry a wealth of memories that will accompany you wherever you go. These memories are like little treasures you keep in your heart as you set off for your next adventure. No matter where your journey takes you next, the experiences and impressions of this trip will always bring a smile to your face and remind you that the world is full of wonders and discoveries.
 
Days 5 – 6: Alternative Program if the Route to Snow-Hill-Island is Free of Multi-Year Pack Ice – the Probability is Less Than 50%
Helicopters are advantageous to reach the emperor penguin colony, but whether we can use them depends entirely on ice, sea, and weather conditions. If conditions are favorable, we will visit the colony. If conditions are exceptionally favorable, we will attempt to visit the colony more than once. Helicopter deployments last an entire day, and the flight duration depends on local conditions. Each helicopter accommodates 4 to 5 passengers per flight. The landing site is carefully chosen so as not to disturb the penguins. After arriving at the landing site, we will walk to the colony. This path can take up to 45 minutes and may be challenging in some areas. Please remember that you are in the most remote region of the world, and therefore there are no guarantees: Conditions can change quickly, impacting helicopter operations. It is important that you understand and respect this fact. Safety is our highest concern, so we cannot compromise on this. Our aim is for all groups to spend an equal amount of time at the colony. However, the time spent at the colony (and the time to reach the colony from the landing site) varies due to local conditions and flight times.
 
Accommodation: On board the MS Ortelius, you will find a comfortable and well-equipped cabin that provides you with a restful retreat during your expedition to Antarctica. Choose from different cabin categories, all of which have private bathrooms, modern amenities, and ample storage space. Enjoy views through portholes or windows and relax after an exciting day in the impressive nature. The prices are based on double occupancy in a cabin, with the option to share a space.
 
Further Information: The provided itinerary is intended as a guide and may vary based on ice, weather, and wildlife observation conditions. Landings are subject to availability and permits, with the expedition leader determining the final schedule. Helicopter transfers to Snow Hill Island are only possible under favorable conditions, and safety takes top priority. The time at the emperor penguin colony can vary depending on local conditions.
 
Discover the untouched beauty of the Weddell Sea and experience the majestic emperor penguins up close – an adventure you will never forget. Spaces for this exclusive expedition are limited, so we recommend that you inquire now without obligation and secure your place!
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