Antarctica
The Adventure Travel Company are one of the few true specialists in New Zealand in arranging trips to ‘The Ice’. Many of our team have been fortunate enough to experience "the ultimate travel destination" for themselves - all in the name of research you understand!
Antarctica has been described as the 'last great place on earth'. The stunning scenery, the incredibly abundant and inquisitive wildlife and the pristine nature of the vast ice-covered plateaus are simply indescribable. You will spend your days whale and seabird watching from the bridge or deck of your ice strengthened ship, ‘zodiac’ cruising amongst spectacular natural ice sculptures and walking ashore to within a few metres of penguins and seals.
Today, there are numerous opportunities to explore the ‘Frozen South’, aboard a variety of comfortable ice-strengthened ships carrying anything from 45 to 350 passengers. Many visitors each year travel from South America across the short sea crossing of the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands and the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is jokingly dubbed the ‘banana belt’ of Antarctica because of its relatively mild weather! These cruises are typically 8-12 nights in duration, with some 13 nights travelling further south in an attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle itself. The longer 18-19 night cruises extend the experience to also include the history and tremendous concentration of wildlife in the Sub-Antarctic – the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. On all these trips you will have the opportunity to see Weddell & Elephant Seals, skuas, wandering albatrosses, giant petrels and rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. Whales seem to be everywhere!
Please note: Booking enquiries for the Antarctic should start 18months prior to travel
Recommended
Explorers Quest - Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands and South Georgia
This voyage is the most complete and varied Antarctic adventure. It promises an in-depth and unforgettable experience to the 'bottom of the world'. First stop is the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. This far-flung group of islands lies north of the Antarctic Convergence and enjoys a relatively warmer climate than our other destinations. As a result the mainly uninhabited Falklands support unique wildlife not found further south, including sixty species of migratory birds as well as the rare rockhopper penguin. Your journey continues south-east, crossing the Antarctic Convergence to the remote and hauntingly beautiful island of South Georgia. Here, amongst the soaring snow-clad mountains and massive glaciers, you will find huge king penguin rookeries, thousands of sub-Antarctic fur seals, the comical macaroni penguins and spectacular wilderness that is perhaps unequalled on earth. Then its onto the Antarctic Peninsula boasting a profusion of wildlife including five species of seal, massive penguin rookeries with gentoos, Adélies and chinstraps as well as a variety of whale species and seabirds, including albatross, petrels, shearwaters and skuas. Extraordinary scenery and this somewhat forbidding landscape awaits you.
- 20 days from USD $8,990pp (triple) or $10,690 (twin)
- Cruising
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- Telephone 0800 269 000
Antarctic Explorer
After making shore visits on our way through the South Shetland Islands we arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula, on the continent of Antarctica, to be immediately dazzled by perhaps the most dramatic scenery to be found anywhere on earth. Sailing aboard our well-appointed expedition vessel, we witness Antarctic nature in all its glory. These areas boast an extraordinary abundance of wildlife, including five species of seals and massive rookeries of gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins as well as a profusion of seabirds ranging from albatross to skuas. Another wildlife highlight may well be observing a variety of magnificent whales in close proximity as they crest the surface of the waves.
- 12 days from USD $4,990pp (triple-share) or $5,990 (twin-share)
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- Telephone 0800 269 000
Something Different
The End of an Era
1911 was a remarkable year in Antarctic exploration. In January, Robert Falcon Scott and the members of his expedition anchored off Ross Island in the Ross Sea. His intention was to be the first person to reach the South Pole. By December, the single most important goal of Antarctic exploration had been achieved by Roald Amundsen from his base camp in the Bay of Whales. The Norwegian reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911, just one month ahead of Scott. This End of an Era expedition is Kapitan Khlebnikov’s penultimate voyage as an expedition vessel and the final time the icebreaker will sail the Ross Sea. Departing from Christchurch in 2011 this 29 day adventure has many highlights including, amazing wildlife, emperor penguins, helicopter sightseeing and icebreaking. This Expedition Voyage involves voyages on board a sailboat, cruise boats or expedition ships and ventures into fantastic marine or river environments. With a particular emphasis on wildlife and the environment, these adventures visit some of the world’s greatest game reserves and wildlife regions.
- 29 days from USD $35,390pp (triple-share) or $45,890 (twin-share)
- 09 Nov to 07 Dec 2011
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- Telephone 0800 269 000