Antarctica Cruise: Icebreaker Adventures

"Ross Sea Centennial Voyage: Farewell to the Emperors of Antarctica" Itinerary:

• Day 1 Christchurch, New Zealand

  Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in Christchurch, New Zealand's second-largest urban area. Known as "the garden city," Christchurch was also the departure point for Ernest Shackleton's famed Antarctic expeditions of 1908/09.

• Day 2 Embarkation at Lyttelton, New Zealand

  In the charming port town of Lyttelton, New Zealand, you'll join Khlebnikov and begin your epic Ross Sea expedition.

• Day 3 At Sea

  There's lots to do at sea! Your Expedition Team may include expert ornithologists, marine biologists, historians, geologists and more. When conditions permit, we'll fill these days with onboard presentations, preparing you for the adventures to come.
  
  Special guest Nigel Watson is Executive Director of the Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand), entrusted with caring for the expedition bases left by Scott, Shackleton and Borchgrevink in the Ross Sea region. His presentations are sure to be filled with fascinating stories about these adventurers of Antarctica's heroic age.

• Day 4 The Snares

  Snares Islands, or "the Snares" were so named in 1791 by Captain George Vancouver, who considered them a shipping hazard. They are now part of a group of five islands known as the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Snares are home to up to five million (yes, million!) Sooty Shearwaters, as well as the endemic Snares Crested Penguin. They also provide breeding grounds for three species of Albatross, including the Buller's Mollymawk. Pack your binoculars!

• Days 5-6 Auckland Islandsa

  The Aucklands are also part of the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Island group, and are an important seabird breeding ground. Here you'll see rare Yellow-eyed Penguins, endemic Auckland Shags, White-Capped Mollymawks and an abundance of other penguins, petrels and albatross. You may also see many rare and beautiful plants and wildflowers, as the Aucklands host the richest plant life in the five-island group.

• Day 7 Campbell Island

  Today you'll visit the third and final New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Island on this itinerary – Campbell Island. Much of the island's unique flora and fauna have been successfully re-established over the past 50 years, after being almost destroyed by introduced species of both plants and animals. Today you may even see the rarest duck in the world, the Campbell Island Teal. Penguin fans may also add two species to their field notebooks, the Erect-crested Penguin and the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin.

• Days 8-9 At Sea

  More shipboard presentations prepare you for upcoming shore landings and Zodiac cruises along the Ross Sea coast. You'll know you're in bona fide Antarctic waters when you cross the "Antarctic Convergence" – the biological boundary dividing Antarctic waters from those of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

• Day 10 Cape Adare

  You're here! Cape Adare is where Norwegian explorers Henrik Bull and Carsten Borchgrevink first set foot on the continent of Antarctica, and the huts they erected in 1899 stand to this day. Despite being overrun by a colony of Adelie Penguins, the site is still recognized internationally as a place of historical significance. Special guest Nigel Watson will provide an insider's insight into the site's preservation.

• Days 11-21 The Ross Sea

  Here is where you'll see the awesome power of Khlebnikov's icebreaking capabilities, as she takes you safely into the shifting pack ice of the Ross Sea. Along the way you'll visit Emperor Penguin rookeries, historic exploration bases and modern research stations. When conditions permit, take a farewell flight to the McMurdo Dry Valleys – a spectacular and utterly unique landscape, accessible only by Khlebnikov's onboard helicopters.

• Days 22-23 Balleny Islands

  Beginning your journey homeward, you'll stop to explore these heavily glaciated volcanic islands, which straddle the Antarctic Circle. The Ballenys are uninhabited, but house large breeding colonies of Adelie and Chinstrap Penguins. You'll have time to go ashore, and opportunities to Zodiac-cruise the spectacular icy coastline.

• Day 24 At Sea

  Steaming northward across the southern ocean, keep an eye out for whales, seals and the majestic albatross, soaring high above Khlebnikov's wake. Your Expedition Team keeps things interesting with more onboard presentations and recaps – or you can just laze around your cabin, reflecting on your adventure so far.

• Days 25-26 Macquarie Island

  Another beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, Macquarie Island is part of the Australian state of Tasmania. An important breeding ground for four species of penguin (Royal, King, Gentoo and Rockhopper), it is also the only place on earth you can find the white chinned Royal Penguin. Watch elephant and fur seals laze about the rocky shores, and enjoy walking the sturdy boardwalks laid down specifically for visitors.

• Days 27-28 At Sea

  Celebrate the closing days of your Antarctic adventure with new friends at the exclusive Captain's Farewell Dinner. This traditional event will be doubly special, as passengers, crew and staff mark Khlebnikov's final tour of the beautiful and mysterious Ross Sea.

• Day 29 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

  After breakfast aboard the ship, we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

"Antarctica's Far East - The Farewell Voyage: Saluting the 100th Anniversary of the Australasia Antarctic Expedition" Itinerary:

• Day 1 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

  The final cruise of the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov as an expedition vessel begins in Hobart, Australia's gateway to Antarctica. Arrive early to visit Douglas Mawson Place, a park dedicated to the explorer, who, a century before, sailed from Hobart into History. You spend the night in a centrally located hotel.

• Day 2 Embarkation Day

  Kapitan Khlebnikov has moored in Hobart many times. This expedition embarkation will be poignant, as all aboard her recall past itineraries.

• Days 3-5 At Sea

  This itinerary will be filled with Quark's hallmark expedition activities – ice hikes, birding, educational presentations, and recap sessions. Special guest Captain Petr Golikov, the first Master of Kapitan Khlebnikov as an expedition vessel, will recall the first - and second - circumnavigation of the Antarctic by the icebreaker. Captain Golikov is the only Master of a passenger vessel to have achieved this feat, ever.

• Days 6-7 Pack Ice

  Once the ship reaches the pack ice the Expedition Team consult with the helicopter pilots and Captain to identify the best conditions for aerial sightseeing. The helicopters create an extraordinary vantage point for witnessing the icebreaker crush southward. This is a not-to-be-missed activity included in the price of the expedition.

• Day 8 Casey Station, Antarctica

  Since 1959, Australia has operated a research station on Vincennes Bay. Tour Casey Station, where scientists study the atmosphere, biology, geosciences, and the impact of humans on the environment.

• Day 9 Remembering Mawson, Ninnis and Mertz

  Over the years, many glasses of champagne have been lifted aboard Kapitan Khlebnikov to mark special occasions. You'll mark the 99th anniversary of a heroic and tragic event.
  
  On December 14, 1912, while exploring George V Land, Lt. Belgrave Ninnis fell down a crevasse to his death. On his lost sled were most of the supplies on which his surviving traveling companions Douglas Mawson and Dr. Xavier Mertz would rely. Mawson and Mertz were 506 km (315 miles) from their base at Cape Denison. With only their dogs for food, the pair began the journey back to safety. Mertz died en route. Alone, Mawson traveled the final 160 km (100 miles) with little food. He survived a fall into a crevasse and a blizzard. His feat has become known as the greatest story of survival in Antarctica by a lone man.

• Day 10 Vincennes Bay, Antarctica

  The bay is named for the first US warship to circumnavigate the globe. You participate in shore landings and presentations about the history and wildlife in the region.

• Days 11-12 Shackleton Ice Shelf

  Mawson named the Shackleton Ice Shelf in honor of his former Expedition Leader. The onboard helicopters will be used for aerial views of the massive glacier (386 km/239 miles) and of the icebreaker navigating the pack ice.

• Day 13 Mirnyy Base

  The Russian research station Mirnyy Base is named for a 19th century exploration ship that sailed with Thaddeus Bellingshausen, the first man to sight the continent of Antarctica. Kapitan Khlebnikov is a contemporary exploration vessel with a reputation equal to that of Mirnyy. Visit an Adelie Penguin rookery and tour the base.

• Day 14 Gaussberg

  89° east of the Greenwich Meridian the extinct volcano called Gaussberg hoves into view. This portion of the Davis Sea is known for massive ice cliffs and tabular icebergs. The Expedition Team will mount an iceberg watch.

• Day 15 West Ice Shelf

  The Ice Shelf with the ordinary name is spectacular. You'll participate in helicopter flights to view the 290 km (180 mile) long ice shelf.

• Day 16 Wyatt Earp Islands

  From the name of the islands that you will visit today, you would think that Antarctica's Far East commemorates American's Wild West. They are named for HMAS Wyatt Earp, the vessel used by Lincoln Ellsworth during many of his expeditions to Antarctica. You commune with Adelie Penguins at a rookery and admire Weddell seals as they bask in the midnight sun on ice floes.

• Day 17 Davis Research Station

  There is a story behind every name on the maps and charts of Antarctica. The Australian research facility you visit today was named for Captain John King Davis, an Irish Australian navigator, who was Mawson's second-in-command 100 years ago. The scientists of Davis Station study glaciology, the atmosphere and medicine.

• Day 18 Larsemann Hills

  The Antarctic expedition history of Kapitan Khlebnikov is synonymous with Emperor Penguins. So it is fitting that on this voyage we attempt to visit a rookery of the largest species of penguin. The Amanda Bay rookery is located on the sea ice of the bay therefore a visit will be subject to local conditions. The Larsemann Hills are a series of rolling hills that were completely unknown 100 years ago.

• Day 19 Amery Ice Shelf

  The third largest ice shelf system in Antarctica was named by Douglas Mawson for politician William B. Amery. The ice shelf covers 1.5 million sq. km. (579,150 square miles). That's 11% of Antarctica's ice. We plan to fly you to the top of the shelf for a photo opportunity befitting a farewell voyage.

• Days 20-22 At Sea

  Antarctica is left behind when the cruise itinerary crosses the Antarctic Convergence aka the Antarctic Polar Front. This biological boundary is unique. Encircling the continent, it is an irregular, invisible curve where the cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. The zone is about 32 to 48 km (20 to 30 miles) wide, somewhere between 48° and 26° S. While at sea, learn about the distinctive marine life and climates that are associated with the Polar Front and the area just to the north of it. Go on deck to watch for seabirds and other wildlife that can be seen near the Convergence.

• Days 23-24 Heard Island, Australia

  Heard Island lies south of the Antarctic Convergence. Since the first recorded visit in 1855, only about 240 shore landings have been made there. The island is notorious for bad weather. Douglas Mawson went ashore in the early 1930s and could not return to his ship for three days due to a gale that arose. The Expedition Leader will consult with the Captain and helicopter pilots as the icebreaker nears the island. If conditions are optimal, a landing will be attempted. Will you be able to claim that you have been ashore to see the Gentoo Penguins on Heard Island? Only time will tell.

• Day 25 Kerguelen Islands, France

  When the vessel reaches the Kerguelen Islands you could have crossed the Antarctic Convergence - or - you could not! The islands lie on the Convergence. However as the Polar Front is not fixed, when you visit the archipelago, the Convergence could easily be south of the islands. Visit a Macaroni Penguin rookery at Cap de Chartres. Watch for Northern Giant Petrels, these islands are the farthest south the big bird is known to nest. Transfer to Cape Digby for a hike to a long strip of beach where elephant seals and King Penguins are often found.

• Day 26 At Sea - New Year's Eve

  Celebrate the End of an Era and the end of 2011 in the Southern Ocean. Antarctica will be behind you. As you count down the minutes to the New Year, raise a glass to the venerable Kapitan Khlebnikov, and the icebreaker's farewell voyage.

• Day 27 St. Paul Island

  The Expedition Team will be relating four and a half centuries of shipwrecks, scientific research and human folly, as they prepare for a shore landing. A visit to a Rockhopper Penguin rookery could mean that you will have added a sixth species of penguin to your birding list – during this expedition itinerary. Yellow-nosed albatross also nest on the tiny island that is governed by the French.

• Days 28-30 At Sea

  The sense that the End of an Era is fast approaching will be apparent as guests trade stories, photographs and contact information. Be part of an exclusive, international club to which no more members will ever be admitted. Don't miss your chance to belong.

• Day 31 Fremantle, Australia and the End of an Era

  After breakfast aboard, bid adieu to Kapitan Khlebnikov. The Expedition Team will arrange a group transfer to the airport for homeward flights.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

1 night pre-expedition hotel accommodations, all meals on board, helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing, shore landings and Zodiac excursions, presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers, Polar Arts Program with onboard artist presentations and workshops, CD chronicle of the voyage in narrative, photography and video, a specially designed expedition parka that is yours to keep, a pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings, comprehensive pre-departure information package, transfer from the hotel to the ship on embarkation and from the ship to the airport on disembarkation and all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.

Airfares to or from the gateway city, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel and our traditional Argentine asado lunch before embarking from Ushuaia; baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (please note that emergency medical insurance is mandatory when traveling with our partner, Quark Expeditions); excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel (guidelines will be provided). On icebreaker expeditions, any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced on board.

The weather in Antarctica is notorious for extreme variability. Although heavy rainfall is unusual, strong winds are fairly common and can greatly affect your comfort during shore landings. Average temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula during the summer months range from approximately 23º - 41º F. Ushuaia will be slightly warmer but equally unpredictable with regard to sunshine, wind and rain.

Your expedition fee includes a trip handbook with detailed information about your trip. It includes the history and politics of the Antarctica region, the explorers, a section on land, water and ice, and of course birds of the region. It's an invaluable tool and serves as a wonderful souvenir of your expedition. This will be sent in your final packet and is designed for you to carry with you on the cruise.

To confirm reservations on Clipper Adventurer, Lyubov Orlova, Ocean Nova, Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Shokalskiy, and Akademik Sergey Vavilov, a deposit of $1,000 per person is required for all trips under $10,000 per person. If the trip is over $10,000 the deposit will be 10% of the cost of the cruise. Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure. Prices and payments are in U.S. dollars. Deposits and payments for pre-expedition and post-expedition services are specific to each item, and are explained and communicated at time of purchase.

All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received up to 180 days prior to departure are refunded less an administrative fee of $750 per person. If cancellation is received between 179 and 121 days prior to departure, the deposit is forfeited. Please note that for cancellations received within 120 days prior to departure, all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 120-day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately. For these and other reasons mentioned below, you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance. Prices quoted are based on group participation and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate, including any helicopter flying time (if applicable and which, at the discretion of the Captain and Expedition Leader, may or may not be utilized). It is understood that refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the services for any reason whatsoever.

If any trip must be delayed due to bad weather, cancelled or delayed transportation, sickness or any other situation for which REI Adventures catalog information cannot make provisions, all costs incurred during such delays must be borne by trip members.

A complete equipment list is sent to all trip members when they sign up. No special gear is required for this trip and you probably own most of it already. The dress code on-board is casual and comfortable. On deck, you need to have a warm polar fleece jacket with a rain shell that fits over it. Layering works best. Pull-on rubber boots (calf to knee high) are a must for landings and are available to borrow on all ships.

The trip is rated easy to moderate [2]. During most shore landings, trip participants will have the opportunity to walk for short distances (less than 1 mile) while visiting penguin rookeries and exploring the landscape. Dependent on location, walks may involve crossing snowfields or bare, rocky terrain. Individuals prone to motion sickness should carry appropriate remedies as high seas may be encountered while crossing the Drake Passage.

A valid passport is required for travel to South America. A visa is not required for travel to Antarctica. Extensions may require visas when traveling to additional South American countries.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Weather

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Wind chill can be a significant feature of this trip. When the wind is constant, you can be robbed of body heat quickly. Adequate wind/raingear is vital!
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• The dress code on board the ship is strictly casual, in the expedition spirit. There is no need to dress formally for meals.
• Try Eagle Creek's Pack-It-Cubes for easy to find items.
• A few large zip-lock bags are useful to keep camera equipment dry while riding in the Zodiac and during wet shore landings.
• Bring more film/memory cards than you think you will need. Certain film types will be difficult to purchase or unavailable once the trip begins.
• Feel free to give us a call at (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staffs at our stores or Direct Sales (800-426-4840) are happy to help you with gear questions. Or visit REI's website at www.rei.com. The Expert Advice section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.