The Polar Travel Company

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Duration: 14 days
Starts: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ends: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Language: English speaking voyage

Included

Optional

Imagine sitting in a Zodiac or kayak in the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula in the company of marine mammal scientists, listening to whale sounds�sometimes haunting, sometimes melodic�from deep beneath the ocean surface. You, the guest, aren�t merely an observer; you�re a participant in citizen science. With the deployment of portable hydrophone units�just one aspect of the 11-day hands-on Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales & Seals�you�ll have access to an audio portal into the underwater world of the Antarctic Peninsula. In that moment, as you assist experts who are collecting data on various aspects of whale behavior, you are helping to protect one of the most majestic marine mammals to grace the Antarctic.

Throughout this unique expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, guests will explore alongside Ari Friedlaender, founder of the Friedlaender Lab, a highly respected marine mammal research group at the University of California. Friedlaender co-developed this 11-day itinerary that will maximize migratory whale sightings, primarily minke, humpback and fin whales. Throughout the voyage, guests will learn from Friedlaender and his team, who focus on new biotelemetry technology to better understand the underwater behavior and ecology of whales. You will also have access to a research associate from Happywhale, the educational platform that engages citizen scientists to identify individual whale species for research and conservation purposes.

A special component of this trip is the Science Hub, where you can engage with whale experts, contribute to citizen science projects, and ultimately play a vital role in conserving this pristine polar habitat for all marine mammals.

Highlights
Engage with globally-respected scientists who are actively collecting data on Antarctic marine mammals, especially whales

Participate in hands-on marine mammal identification workshops

Explore highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula

Learn about Antarctic wildlife, history, geology and glaciology from onboard polar experts

In addition observing whales, witness penguins, seals and birds

Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic with an optional paddling excursion.

Science & Discovery
In addition to daily presentations by polar experts, this itinerary also features hands-on educational opportunities as part of our new Science & Discovery program.

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Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Upon arriving in this cosmopolitan city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer package).

Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia and Embark
After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location for free time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the pier.
As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the historic Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds. Eventually the channel opens up to the Southern Ocean, and onwards to Antarctica.

Day 3 & 4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. You can also spend time on deck looking for wildlife, or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.

Day 5 to 7: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic Peninsula is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other�creating a unique, personal experience. Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the elusive leopard seal. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Ad�lie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of seals. Zodiac cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs and glaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, while heli flightseeing, sea kayaking or paddle excursions are optional activities available on select voyages (at an extra cost).

Day 8 & 9: Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is both a memorable experience and impressive achievement, as few travelers reach so far south. If conditions allow us to cross this famed latitude of 66�33 ́ S, we�ll toast the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing you�ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances of encountering sea ice�the very foundations of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.

Day 10 & 11: Northbound Along the Peninsula
By now, your knowledge of Ad�lie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, crabeater and Weddell seal. Terms like �bergy bits� and �pancake ice� will become part of your vocabulary, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will continue looking out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have eluded you on your journey south.

Day 12 & 13: Crossing the Drake Passage
As you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of presentations as well, with a slideshow of the adventures you�ve shared and wildlife you�ve witnessed over the course of your voyage. Be sure to take some time to reflect on everything you�ve experienced so far.

Day 14: Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos Aires
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. You will then make your way towards your included group charter flight to Buenos Aires.