Antarctic Peninsula – Basecamp Plancius Expedition
12 Days - 11 Nights
- Based on Double Occupancy
Activities include: overnight camping, kayaking, mountaineering, snowshoeing, hiking, and photo workshops for 12D/11N starting at $9,650.00 per person.
The 12-day Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Plancius cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region.
This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.
M/V Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named HR. Ms. Tydeman. M/V Plancius can accommodate 110 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower: 26 twin cabins with window, 2 twin deluxe cabins, 10 superior cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 4 quadruple porthole cabins.
All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (2 bunk beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed).
The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room and a spacious observation lounge with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/V Plancius has large open deck spaces, giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V Zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines.
Voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible.
Special interest activities are available for everyone: field camping*, diving** kayaking***, mountaineering, photo workshop, snowshoeing, and zodiac cruising.
Plancius is equipped with all specialist gear needed to enjoy the outdoor activities: tents, sleeping bags, snowshoes, kayaks, rubber boots with grip sole, outdoor jackets etc.
The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.
M/V Plancius is manned by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards / cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
All meals during the cruise are included.
*Group size: minimum 8, maximum 30 campers.
**Diving available at extra charge.
** Group size: minimum 4, maximum 14 kayakers.
Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.
Day 1 : Ushuaia
In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the picturesque southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Days 2 – 3 : Drake Passage
During today and tomorrow 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 meet 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 glimpse at the first icebergs.
Days 4 – 9 : Antarctic Peninsula
We will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island.
We will sail to the Neumayer Channel, where we position our ship for the multi activity basecamp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, per zodiac and during kayak trips.
Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shore lines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and viewpoints further inland. All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions.We plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days.
We will visit the old British research station, now working museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags.
We look out for leopard seals, Crabeater seals and whales.In good conditions and time allowing we sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pléneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adélie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.
We choose another camp site which is suitable and close to next day’s activity. The opportunities for kayaking, glacier walks or more ambitious mountaineering are excellent in this area. At Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of a huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises, walks and kayak excursions.
A small group of glacier walkers may climb up on higher grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night in Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore.
We will leave early morning after breaking our last camp.
Days 10 – 11 : Drake Passage
Return voyage across the Drake Passage where we again have a chance of seeing many seabirds.
Day 12 : Ushuaia
Morning arrival in Ushuaia. Disembark.
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