ANTARCTIC MARINE MAMMALS – WORLD OF WHALES AND SEALS
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ANTARCTIC MARINE MAMMALS – WORLD OF WHALES AND SEALS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Vibrant culture, European architecture, overnight in a hotel |
| Day 2 | Buenos Aires to Ushuaia | Fly to Ushuaia before embarking the ship |
| Days 3 - 4 | At Sea | Crossing the Drake Passage |
| Days 5 - 8 | Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands | Icebergs, stunning scenery, penguins, seals, whales |
| Days 9 - 10 | At Sea | Reflect on your journey, attend presentations |
| Day 11 | Ushuaia to Buenos Aires | Disembark and fly back to Buenos Aires |
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
World Voyager
Launched in 2021, the World Voyager is a modern expedition ship. Taking 168 guests every cabin has a balcony. There are plenty of public areas to relax after a day filled with excursions including the presentation theater and Science Hub, embody the spirit of discovery. The health and wellness facilities include spa, sauna, swimming pool, Jacuzzis and outdoor running track.
Two Rolls-Royce hybrid-electric engines provide comfortable, fuel-efficient sailing experience as World Voyager navigates the Antarctic waters.
Day 1 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Upon arriving in this fascinating South American city, known for its vibrant Argentinian culture, European architecture and cosmopolitan vibe, you will independently transfer to your pre- expedition hotel night, included in the Charter Flight and Hotel Package.
Day 2 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board a private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the designated meeting spot near the pier, where you will be transferred to the ship for embarkation. After a late afternoon embarkation, you will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land, you’ll be in the remote Antarctic wilderness.
Days 3 – 4 At Sea
Crossing the 800-km Drake is considered a rite of passage for many travelers. Traversing this legendary waterway means you’ll experience the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold, northward- flowing Antarctic waters meet the warmer, southward-flowing water of the sub-Antarctic. The mixing of cold and warm waters creates a nutrient-rich feeding ground, especially for whales and other marine mammals. Guests are encouraged to keep binoculars close at hand—and to be prepared for Expedition Team members to announce any whale sightings. The team of guest scientists will be introduced early in the voyage. Ari Friedlaender, who co-developed this itinerary, and members of his team from the Friedlaender Lab, are global authorities on the underwater behavior and ecology of marine mammals, particularly whales. Guests will also meet a research associate with the Happywhale platform, which enables citizens to upload their whale photos to help identify species and, possibly, individual whales.
The second day of your Drake Passage crossing is an ideal time to attend scheduled polar presentations that will enhance your Antarctic experience. It’s also an excellent opportunity to visit the Science Hub on Deck 4, an instrumental part of your voyage. Spend time on deck watching for whales, which increase in number as you approach the Peninsula.
Days 5 – 8 Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
The timing of this voyage maximizes opportunities to observe various whale species along the Antarctic Peninsula. After the ice recedes in October and November, the food chain begins to reestablish itself. Whales, seals and other marine mammals are drawn to these rich feeding grounds—especially for the krill. By February and March, these creatures, which have been intensely feeding, are satiated and relaxed, making them more easier to spot. In addition to the Zodiac and paddling excursions, plan to spend a lot of time on the outer decks and other vantage points on the ship to spot—and photograph—wildlife. Spend your days in key marine mammal habitats of the Gerlache Strait and remote inner glacial bays. Over the next three days, explore whale hotspots such as Charlotte Bay, Portal Point, Graham Passage, Errera Channel, Cuverville Island, Andvord Bay, Fournier Bay and Dallmann Bay. Past whale sightings in these areas have included minke, humpback, fin, orca and the elusive, deep-diving Arnoux’s beaked whale. You will have opportunities to accompany Friedlaender Lab scientists as they deploy hydrophones to monitor and study marine mammal behaviour, such as the vocalizations of whales. In addition to the citizen science programming, this itinerary will also feature the wonders of Antarctica: penguins, seals, immense glaciers, snowcapped mountains, icebergs, shore landings, and the polar plunge.
Rounding out your marine mammal experiences, witness southern elephant seals in the rugged and fabled South Shetland Islands. Keep your fingers crossed for sightings of fin whales. Explore this geological and historic archipelago while prioritizing shore landings, which offer further opportunities for wildlife sightings. Arriving in March allows us the rare opportunity to potentially explore key excursion sites such as Hannah Point, which is deemed a Restricted Area from early to mid-season. Massive populations of elephant seals and southern giant petrels make for awe-inspiring experiences. As with any expedition, shore landings along the coast are dependent on favorable weather.
Days 9 – 10 At Sea
Journey back across the Drake Passage. This is an excellent opportunity to spend more time engaging with the Friedlaender Lab scientists, or attend one of the scheduled polar presentations. This is your last opportunity to visit Quark Expeditions’ new Science Hub and contribute to citizen science that will support marine mammal conservation efforts. In the words of Sir David Attenborough: “No one will protect what they don’t care about. And no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
Day 11 Ushuaia to Buenos Aires
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Guests will be transferred to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP TO PATAGONIA
To make the most of your time in South America we can tailor a holiday to Patagonia to suit your voyage dates. If you have a bit more time we can create a tailor-made itinerary to some of the highlights of South America. Take a look at some sample Patagonia itineraries below and contact us to begin creating your perfect holiday.
