Wednesday, February 7, 2024

About Mawson's Huts

IMG_4625

Mawson's Huts at Cape Denison, East Antarctica, are rare as just one of six surviving sites of the heroic era of Antarctic exploration. They were the main base of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) of 1911-14 for nearly two years and in reality a cluster of fragile wooden buildings consisting of the accommodation area, workshop and three shelters used for scientific studies, two of which are now classified as standing ruins.

Saturday, March 25, 2023

A story of exploration in Antarctica

Terra Nova Expedition by Herbet Ponting

 The wind howled like a pack of hungry wolves as the group of Antarctic explorers trudged through the snow. Their faces were frozen, their beards caked with ice, and their eyes squinted against the blinding whiteness.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

New brochure: Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic 2020-21 Antarctica

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has launched its 2020-21 Antarctica brochure inviting adventurers to visit one of the most exhilarating places on Earth.

New for 2020, travellers will have their choice in experiencing the world's foremost polar vessel, National Geographic Endurance, making her Antarctic debut in October 2020. Slated for delivery in January 2020, the new 126-guest vessel is the first new polar build in the line's history and uniquely equipped to facilitate unparalleled bases for discovery whilst providing state of the art features for an excellent experience. Travellers may choose from several itineraries: the 12-day Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent, 17-day South Georgia and the Falklands and 22-day Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. Guests visit the penguin rookeries, seeing Adelies, chinstraps and gentoos in Antarctica; king penguins in South Georgia, and macaroni penguins in the Falklands, plus whales, leopard seals, albatross and more.  National Geographic Endurance will also depart on Epic Antarctica, a new and unique itinerary that explores the seventh continent with two departures only. The 34-day expedition, departing on 27 December 2020 and 26 January 2021, and will explore from the Antarctic Peninsula to West Antarctica and the Ross Sea.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Heritage Expeditions 2019-20 Expedition Cruising Brochure




Explore Antarctica, the Subantarctic, South Pacific and Russian Far East with wildlife adventure company Heritage Expeditions
. Travel aboard expedition ships 'Spirit of Enderby', a 50-berth former Russian research vessel and legendary Russian icebreaker 'Kapitan Khlebnikov' (100-berth) to the world's most remote wildlife hotspots.

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Antarctica 2019: A New Ship, New Experiences


In 2019 Scott Portelli running several new photography adventures in Antarctica onboard the brand new vessel, Greg Mortimer. This purpose built expedition ship is designed for this kind of adventure - with viewing platforms, an activity platform (for diving & kayaking) and a unique X-Bow structure to make the journey down to Antarctica as comfortable as possible.










The Antarctica voyages will be focused on making the most of our time in this amazing location, with opportunities to do a range of activities including skiing, kayaking, and even camping out on the ice. And of course there will be on-going photo workshops with me, to help you get the shots you've dreamed of. I hope you can join us for these exciting new trips on this epic new ship!

Monday, March 26, 2018

Antarctic cruising with Peregrine

#expeditioncruising .

Small ship expedition voyages: Antarctic Peninsula • South Georgia • Falkland Islands

click to get this brochure now

The far icy reaches of our planet are no longer out of reach. You can visit the rugged wilderness areas of Antarctica, The Falklands and South Georgia where sightings of seals, penguins and whales are daily occurrences, and majestic icebergs often form the backdrop for your adventure.

The Antarctic is an immense wilderness region, where we are at the mercy of the wind, the ocean and the ice – conditions that can change rapidly and dramatically. We cannot survive alone in these icy extremes, but Peregrine's state-of-the-art expedition ships and experienced captains will take you deep into the polar regions in comfort and safety.

Peregrine's expedition ships unlock a miraculous, forbidden world where animals have no fear of man; where the din of a hundred thousand penguins drowns conversation; and where whales show as much curiosity in the behaviour of humans as we do in theirs.

On all voyages your time off the ship will be optimised, as once in a lifetime experiences ensure you have the very best opportunities to explore and to get excellent value. Peregrine takes the time to get under the skin of a destination. Seeing the famous landmarks and wildlife is a must, but exploring it with a passionate expert on foot or finding a quiet spot on the ship to enjoy the majesty of the surrounds in solitude are moments that will leave a lasting impression.

All Peregrine polar adventures have world-leading expedition staff, ship captains and crew who draw on their experience from hundreds of voyages.

Peregrine aims to set the industry benchmarks for minimum environmental impact and the most stringent safety practices. Operating within these guidelines, Peregrine will guide your polar experience while, at the same time, allowing you the choice and flexibility to see the polar regions in your own style.

Using the expedition ships as floating bases, you can choose the style of voyage that suits you.

Embrace the Spirit of Adventure on a journey to the end of the earth



Thursday, March 22, 2018

PONANT Antarctic voyages 2019 - 2020 released today

#expeditioncruising




PONANT, has opened bookings for more than 22 departures to the Antarctic for the 2019-2020 season.

A selection of five itineraries to discover the White Continent, including 1 that is all new.

Between November 2019 and March 2020, PONANT has 22 cruises aboard 4 of its modern luxurious expedition ships: L'Austral, Le Boréal, Le Lyrial and Le Soléal; each voyage offering just 200 guests on each ship the opportunity to discover extraordinary landscapes and experience a unique adventure, sailing in the wake of the great explorers of these uninhabited lands.

A new season with several new offerings
In addition to established emblematic itineraries, PONANT is drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the polar regions to introduce wonderful new offerings for this new season:

  • On The Antarctic Odyssey, a brand-new itinerary, Le Lyrial will be sailing to the South Orkney Islands, an extension of the Andean Cordillera. These islands, more than 85% glaciated, are home to leopard seals and numerous penguin species.
  • For this new season it is not just one but three expeditions that will be taking PONANT guests beyond the polar circle, at latitude 66° 33' 39'' South.
  • For increased convenience and peace of mind, a new premium package is available for all cruises departing from Ushuaia. It includes an overnight stay in the luxurious Arakur Resort, as well as an excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. 


Responsible luxury expeditions
Aboard superb limited-capacity vessels specially designed for expeditions, PONANT guests access the most remote parts of the globe in conditions offering unrivalled standards of comfort and service. These expedition cruises to the polar regions provide many opportunities for landings ashore from Zodiac® dinghies in the company of expert naturalist-guides, in order to get as close as possible to the unspoiled natural surroundings, always with the utmost respect for this precious environment.

 Photo credits: © PONANT Studio – Nathalie Michel © PONANT Studio – Lorraine Turci*

With more than 20 years' experience in these remote regions, PONANT considers environment protection to be one of its highest priorities. The cruise line carefully considers its itineraries, educates passengers and crew, and is an executive member of the IAATO (the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). The mission of the IAATO is to promote responsible tourism in the Antarctic.




5 reasons to sail to the Antarctic aboard a PONANT ship

  • Experience a unique adventure in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great explorers of these uninhabited lands.
  • Discover exceptional landscapes in an incredible setting: glaciers, icebergs, ice floes, mountain chains ... And encounter exceptional wildlife: whales, seals, penguins, fur seals, albatrosses and other seabirds.
  • Travel in the total comfort that is PONANT's hallmark: staterooms facing the sea, most equipped with a private balcony; gastronomic dinners elaborated by Ducasse Conseil and paired with a selection of wines...
  • Set off with total peace of mind thanks to the experience of the global leader in Antarctic cruises: a fleet of 4 ships designed and certified for extreme regions, 20 years of experience in the polar regions, and more than 100 expert naturalist-guides. 
  • Benefit from charter flights from/to Buenos Aires to/from Ushuaia, transfers, full board, open bar and minibar on board, all lectures and Zodiac® landings with an experienced team of naturalist- guides.

 
EMBLEMATIC AND BRAND-NEW ITINERARIES IN THE ANTARCTIC
VOYAGE EXAMPLES:

The Antarctic Peninsula
Emblematic Antarctica, from Ushuaia to Ushuaia
11 days/10 nights, 12 departures possible starting from 24 November 2019. Prices from $13,150* in a Superior Stateroom

The Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
The Great Austral Loop, from Ushuaia to Ushuaia
16 days/15 nights, 2 departures possible starting from 15 November 2019. Prices from $19,460* in a Prestige Suite on Deck 4
Beyond the Polar Circle, from Ushuaia to Ushuaia
17 days/16 nights, 3 departures possible starting from 15 January 2020. Prices from $21,944* in a Superior Stateroom




NEW  The Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Odyssey, from Montevideo to Ushuaia
21 days/22 nights, from 19 November to 9 December 2019. Prices from $19,410* in a Superior Stateroom

The Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the British Overseas Territories
From Antarctica to Africa, from Montevideo to Cape Town 22 days/21 nights, from 25 February to 17 March 2020. Prices from $11,304* in a Superior Stateroom
 
*Starting price, per person, based on double occupancy, port taxes included. This is a promotional price - the Ponant Bonus, varies according to the number of places sold for each cruise. The Bonus is likely to reduce over time, and even diappear, according to availability, without prior notice.

Details available at https://au.ponant.com/explore-antarctic
 

INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS

Details of all PONANT expeditions including itineraries, pricing and shore excursion highlights are available at au.ponant.com
 
Contact your travel agent, or PONANT on Australia: 1300 737 178 or + 612 8459 5000 / New Zealand: 0800 44 32 62, or email reservations.aus@ponant.com for bookings.