Crossing the Antarctic Circle

One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.)

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)

All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program.

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.

Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.

Photographic Album on DVD

A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings

Hair dryer in every cabin

A Quark Expeditions parka

Coffee, tea, cocoa and bottled water available around the clock

Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.

Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship.

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum of $100,000 per person.

Day 1 Overnight in Ushuaia, Argentina
Begin your Antarctic Circle cruise with an overnight stay in Ushuaia – capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, and southernmost city in the world.

Day 2 Embarkation Day
Today you join your ship and begin heading south immediately. Keep your eye out for penguins, cormorants, petrels and Black-browed Albatross as you pass through the scenic Beagle Channel.

Day 3-4 Crossing the Drake Passage
Prepare for rough seas, but don’t be disappointed if you experience smooth sailing across this legendary waterway. When conditions permit, we’ll fill these two days with onboard presentations, preparing you for wildlife viewing, Zodiac boardings, shore landings and – if you dare – polar dips. (Come on – are you really going to come all this way and not take a dip in the Antarctic seas?)

Day 5-8 Exploring the Antarctica Peninsula
Changing conditions mean each expedition is different, and your Expedition Team will make the most of whatever weather, ice or wildlife conditions present themselves to make sure you have an unforgettable visit. Here are just a few of the things you might find yourself doing:

Sitting quietly on a pebbled beach, waiting for a curious penguin chick to approach

Taking a “polar plunge” in the icy waters of Neko Harbour

Listening to the boom and crack of a calving glacier near Petermann Island

Kayaking with pods of whales and sleek fur seals

Camping overnight beneath the midnight sun

Zodiac-cruising among majestic icebergs in Pleneau Bay

Scrambling to the top of a craggy hill for an unforgettable view of Port Lockroy

Day 9-10 The Antarctic Circle
Celebrate your arrival within Antarctica’s “inner circle” with a well-deserved glass of champagne, toasting the intrepid explorers of yore. Continue exploring the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula, as you sail south as far as Adelaide Island.

Day 11-12 Northbound Along the Peninsula
As we swing north to begin our homeward journey, you’ll have many more opportunities to enjoy Antarctica’s stunning scenery, and to observe its abundant wildlife. If weather has hampered our ability to go ashore on the southbound journey, we will try to provide alternate landing sights northbound.

Day 13-14 Recrossing the Drake Passage
Wind down your Antarctic Circle cruise with another trip across the legendary Drake Passage.

Day 15 Disembark in Ushuaia, Argentina
After a shipboard breakfast, we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight home

Extend Your Stay Want to stay longer, or possibly arrive earlier? Please call and ask if you are interested in possible trip extensions.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
2/12/2012 - 2/26/2012	$8,790
2/13/2012 - 2/27/2012	$9,490
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

This 15-day expedition is for people who enjoy active adventures and hanker to travel south of the Antarctic Circle. It offers an average of three activites off the ship per day while in the Antarctic Peninsula. There is a shipboard education program. Optional adventures - camping and kayaking - are available on selected departures.

Sail aboard Aboard Akademik Ioffe
Scandinavian built for the Russian Academy of Science, this ship was designed to travel quietly, during hydro-acoustic research. The ship is exceptionally stable, yet maneuverable. External stabilizers and a built-in trimming system provide exceptional stability. Akademik Ioffe has an ice-strengthened hull and a cruising speed in open water of 14.5 knots. 110 Guests
Or the February 11 departure sails Aboard Ocean Nova This ship delivers clean, crisp Scandinavian styling and a reputation as an excellent ship in the Antarctic. Built to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, Ocean Nova's ice-strengthened hull has enabled the ship to park in the ice of the Weddell Sea!

Expedition Summary
Day 1 Ushuaia
Day 2 Embarkation
Day 3-4 The Drake Passage
Day 5-8 Exploring the Peninsula
Day 9-10 The Antarctica Circle
Day 11-12 Northbound along the Peninsula
Day 13-15 Drake Passage to Ushuaia

Various prices quoted for each departure date, due to different cabin categories on the ship. Prices subject to availbility at the time of booking. Please call 800-924-3301 for the latest pricing and reservations.

Aboard Akademik Sergey Vavilov 2011
Dates for Jan 21, 2011, Feb 13, 2011 and Feb 26, 2011 start at $6,490

Aboard Akademik Ioffe
Departures: Jan 26, 2011 prices start at $8,490

Aboard Ocean Nova
Departure dates: Feb 11, 2011 prices start at $9,190

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