Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is very excited to be able to bring to you this special in-depth expedition. This is a product of years of experience leading expeditions to South Georgia and a passion for everything found there. Our expedition itinerary is specifically designed to take advantage of the vibrant early season on South Georgia when snow blankets the mountains and early summer brings special wildlife treats seldom experienced. We will explore vast colonies of King Penguins, Elephant Seals in their peak of breeding activity, and colonies of Wandering, Grey-headed, Light-mantled Sooty and Black-browed Albatross. This expedition allows us many days to explore this truly unique island, the crown jewel of the Antarctic. The landscape filled with expanses of glaciers pouring into the sea provides rare beauty and photogenic impressiveness that words cannot convey. We will voyage aboard the M/V Ushuaia beginning in Stanley, Falkland Islands, departing southeastward for fabulous South Georgia. Here we will enjoy 10 to 11 days in the midst of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich island on the planet! Finally, we return to the Falkland Islands to explore its more temperate penguin and albatross breeding colonies before ending in Ushuaia, Argentina. Our priority on this special expedition is to give you the maximum of time possible in the field at a special time on South Georgia, to explore at your own pace, with ample leadership expertise for your enrichment and assistance when you want it. Come explore the great Antarctic with us!
Cost: $8900 to $14550 depending on cabin choice. Review cost details.
Leaders and staff: Ted Cheeseman is our Expedition Leader, along with an Expedition Staff of eleven, including a Ship's Doctor and professional photographers. Plus the M/V Ushuaia officers and hotel staff includes Hotel Manager, Assistant Hotel Manager, Bartender, Head Chef and Sous-chefs, and the hardworking crew of the Ushuaia.
Size: 75 participants, not including our expedition staff. We keep our expeditions to fewer than 100 passengers so that everyone can land at the same time, without taking timed shifts ashore.
Days: 26
Conditions: A non-smoking expedition for people who are very interested in wildlife.
Update: This itinerary was updated in August 2009.
Synopsis:
| October 15 - 16 | Fly to Santiago, Chile. Overnight on October 16 in Santiago. |
| October 17 | Fly to Stanley, Falkland Islands, a quaint English town, and embark on the M/V Ushuaia. |
| October 18 - 19 | Cruise the South Scotia Sea to South Georgia across the Antarctic "Polar Front". |
| October 20 - 30 | South Georgia, ten to eleven days in a wildlife extravaganza. |
| October 31 - November 2 | Cruise to the Falkland Islands. |
| November 3 - 5 | Three days in the Falklands (Malvinas) at private reserves on four islands, including Steeple Jason. |
| November 6 | Cruise to Ushuaia, Argentina. |
| November 7 - 8 | Disembark in Ushuaia, flights home via Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina. |
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October 15 - 16, Thursday - Friday International Flights to Santiago, Chile
Plan to arrive in Santiago, Chile by October 16. Nonstop flights are available to Santiago (SCL) from many international airports, most travel overnight and arrive in the early morning. We will stay in the Santiago Airport Holiday Inn on the night o fthe 16th, very conviently located within walking distance across the street from the airport. Have the remainder of the 16th to explore historic and colorful Santiago.
Lodging: Santiago Airport Holiday Inn
October 17, Saturday Santiago, Chile to Stanley, Falkland Islands, and Embark
There is only one weekly flight from Santiago to the Falkland Islands. Upon arrival in Stanley at 2:15pm, we will be met at Mount Pleasant Airport and transferred to the M/V Ushuaia. You will have time to walk through Stanley and explore this small corner of the English empire that appears as if time has forgotten it. Stanley is an attractive town, and the last center of human population we will see before arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina at the voyage's end. We will enjoy a welcome with our Captain and our fine staff and crew, as well as our first dinner onboard ship before departing for South Georgia!
October 18-19, Sunday - Monday Sailing to South Georgia
By morning we will be far from the Falklands (Malvinas), southward bound, heading southeast with Albatross at our stern. Familiarization on all aspects of ship life and preparations for what to expect in South Georgia will keep us busy with time in between for viewing from the bridge or stern. If the skies are blue, the weather could be quite balmy, about 15°C, between 50-60°F. Photographers on the stern will have a field day following birds on the wing in their viewfinders. Wandering Albatross should be following us today, plus many Black-browed Albatross, other 'tubenoses', and there is always a chance of a Royal Albatross on the wing. In these waters we cross the Polar Front (aka the Antarctic Convergence) and officially enter Antarctic waters. The birds appearing, although not in great numbers, will be outstanding, especially the large albatrosses. Fishing fur seals and pods of whales show the richness of these waters. There is a chance of sighting Fin Whales and Minkies, Blues and more elusive species as well. Fin Whales are very difficult to approach, as they are the fastest of the rorqual whales and can quickly leave us behind. In these waters we have counted almost a dozen species of petrels, three species of storm-petrels, Common Diving-Petrel, six species of albatross, thousands of Antarctic Prions, Southern Fulmars plus Greater and Sooty shearwaters.
We will find excellent birding habitat at the ever-changing Polar Front. Here, two bodies of water meet and as the salty, cold Antarctic water mixes alongside warmer, fresher water from the north, water temperatures plummet from about 4-6° C down to 0° C in a period of about eight hours cruising. With this change the bird population begins to include more Cape Petrels, Southern Fulmars, and even Snow Petrel as we come around the northeast end of South Georgia. During this time at sea, crossing about 730 nautical miles from the Falklands (Malvinas), we will have slide lectures on wildlife, wildlife photography, ecology, geology, and history of the Scotia Sea and South Georgia. The prevailing current will be in our direction.
October 20 - 30, Tuesday to the following Friday South Georgia Island
Arrival time at South Georgia will depend on weather conditions and could be as early as the morning of the 20th, or as late as the 21st. One of the most remote islands in the world, South Georgia is the heart of this expedition, as we spend eleven days in this wild landscape of penguins, albatross and seals. The mountainous rugged interior, a geologic continuation of the Andes chain, is carved by more than 150 glaciers into spectacular fjords and ringed by islands. South Georgia has incredible possibilities for landings all along the northeastern leeward coastline, the focus of our exploration during these days.
Our timing in this voyage is carefully chosen to experience South Georgia in a seldom seen but extremely vibrant time. We are of course on an expedition cruise where the current weather and conditions will determine our schedule. But, we will fill our days with visiting as many of the potential landing sites as possible. While in South Georgia, we will pay close attention to the changes in breeding seasons particularly of Antarctic Fur Seals and Southern Elephant Seals. The peak of Fur Seal breeding is in November and December, when males stake out territories in the northern reaches of the island at densities so high that travel ashore becomes both dangerous and disruptive. Meanwhile the peak of Southern Elephant Seal breeding is in October, and, during this time, the world's largest seals vie to be 'beachmasters', dominating stretches of beach where females come to pup. We will make it a priority to experience this! We therefore will stop in the northeast of the island for an introduction and a chance at some of the special sites unavailable to us once fur seals are in the height of their breeding, then we will travel south to experience the scale and density of breeding colonies in St. Andrews Bay and Gold Harbour. We will, from there, take our time exploring back northward, absorbing the great richness and variety offered by South Georgia to voyagers so fortunate as ourselves.
Read more about each of our potential landing sites in South Georgia:
October 31 - November 2, Saturday to Monday Sailing to Falkland Islands
Sadly we will bid farewell to magnificent South Georgia as its last islets slip astern. But even as we leave, the wildlife opportunities are far from over. We may find whales and will certainly see many seals in the near-island waters. Now familiar seabirds will make fine companions for our travels far to the northwest. We will pay attention to ocean temperature with interest to see if the polar front has shifted during our stay on South Georgia. And we can take this chance to rest a bit after many long days in the field, catch up on reading, photo editing and learning more about the unique Antarctic environment through a lecture series onboard.
November 3 - 5, Tuesday to Thursday Falkland Islands
Out of the 300 or more islands in the Falklands (Malvinas), we plan to land on four of the best for wildlife viewing and photography. The Falklands (Malvinas), a British colony approximately 300 miles east of South America and 700 miles north of Antarctica, has a temperate but often overcast climate where we hope to enjoy some of their rare Austral summer sunshine. On Sea Lion Island, Steeple Jason Island and New Island, highlights will be three species of penguins in their colonies, Rockhoppers, Magellanics, and Gentoos. We will walk to seek out the Magellanics and land birds of the Falklands (Malvinas), species that are not to be found on South Georgia. We must pay close attention to staying out of the areas that contain many fragile prion burrows on New Island and Southern Giant Petrels nests on Steeple Jason. Having left the Antarctic conditions of South Georgia for the temperate Falklands (Malvinas), we will find lower abundance but higher diversity of all species. We should see most of the birds of the Falklands (Malvinas), including the fantastic flightless Steamer Ducks, Ruddy-headed Goose, caracaras, shorebirds, and passerines, such as Tussock-bird, Dark-faced Ground Tyrant, Long-tailed Meadowlark, and Black-throated Finch. The Black-browed Albatross will be nesting high in the cliffs where we will have amazing views of them courting atop their conical mud nests. Here South American Fur Seal is a good possibility, although their numbers have been declining. Highlights include the Peale's and Commerson's dolphins that occasionally bow ride on the ship or even alongside the Zodiacs going from ship to shore and back.
These islands are privately owned and open to ecotourism on a very limited basis. Sea Lion Island has the best species diversity of the islands we will visit. The owners of these islands are keenly working to protect the resident wildlife. The owner of New Island, Ian Strange is an artist and has designed many of the wonderful Falkland postal stamps, excellent collector's items. Ian Strange is also author of the excellent field guide to the natural history of the Falklands (Malvinas), though now a bit dated and replaced by a guide written by Robin and Anne Woods (printed in the UK but available through us).
On Wednesday we hope to land on the outermost northwest island, Steeple Jason, a reserve now owned by the NY Zoological Society, where more Black-browed Albatross nest than anywhere else on earth! The vast colony of albatross is mind-boggling. We are in this way saving an indisputable wildlife highlight of the world for one of our very last full days of landings. Many other Falkland specialties are here also and, to add excitement, gangs of Striated Caracara or 'Johnny Rook' patrol the slopes looking for something to scavenge or maybe your hat to steal. Landings are always subject to weather conditions, so we will hope for calm weather characteristic of this season.
November 6, Friday Sailing to Ushuaia, Argentina
One last short ocean crossing remains where avid seafarers will be on the bridge and stern to spot whales, dolphins and seabirds. Sheltered from the circumpolar current by the bulk of South America, this passage is usually calm. We will celebrate a farewell captain's dinner this evening, and recap the magnificent experiences of the voyage with a group show of images.
November 7 - 8, Saturday to Sunday Disembark in Ushuaia, and flights homeward
By early morning on Saturday, we will dock at Ushuaia where we will be reluctant to say good-by to our spirited shipmates! Disembark the ship after breakfast and connect with our flight back to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santiago, Chile or to other points. Our outfitters in Ushuaia, Rumbo Sur, will collect the checked luggage in their luggage van to be checked at the Ushuaia Airport. For homeward flights, fly by early afternoon from Ushuaia, arriving at the international airport in Buenos Aires or Santiago to connect in the evening to Miami, Dallas, New York, Europe and other points with night flight connections. If you wish to stay for a time in South America, we can help you with arrangements. By January, the very descriptive trip log with daily sightings throughout this incredible journey will be in the mail to you.
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Elsehul Our first landings in South Georgia will be at beaches that will become prohibitively dense with fur seals later in the season. Elsehul is a perfect example, where the sublimely beautiful Grey-headed Albatross nest on steep tussock grass slopes. Here Grey-headed Albatross are the first to lay eggs, so we are sure find them sitting on nests looking out over the dramatic cove of Elsehul. They sit above a prime fur seal breeding beach, and, at this date, the Antarctic Fur Seals should not be so territorial as to refuse our passage. The opportunity to see Grey-headed Albatross on their nests up close is one that few can hope for in a lifetime of travel. Black-browed Albatross also nest here, along with Macaroni, Gentoo and King Penguins; we can expect to see Gentoos on nests in the saddle between Elsehul and south-facing Undine Harbour. This little sheltered cove sits on the northwestern extremity of South Georgia on the eastern side of the rugged Paryadin Peninsula, blocking southern ocean westerly winds with 400m walls built of ancient sedimentary rocks folded and stacked during the formation of the Andes.
Right Whale Bay Fur seals are beginning to set up territories in Right Whale Bay at this time, a beach that in the height of the breeding season looks to be alive with a constant frenetic movement of seals. At the east end of this dramatic walled cove a colony of king penguins resides, many loafing in front of a waterfall pouring out of the interior of the island.
Salisbury Plain 60,000 pairs of King Penguins call this glacial plain home, making it a beloved site for all and any who explore South Georgia. Salisbury is located in the Bay of Isles, looking out on the Wandering Albatross breeding islands of Prion and Albatross. If you sit down quietly, you may find yourself the subject of King Penguin curiosity as one brave individual might try to see if your shoelaces will detach with a tug. Kings have a split breeding season, where each adult's activities are dependent upon what they did the season before. Those who had no chick or an early fledging chick the previous season will now be found courting and mating. These birds have the best chances of a successful chick this year. Hopefully snow will still be on the ground around the colony, a canvas of white upon which the penguins walk. The Kings share the beach with fur seals and elephant seals, and many a Giant Petrel will be patrolling the shores for the penguins that did not make it through the winter.
Prion Island An unforgettable experience will be on Prion Island in the Bay of Isles. Each pair of Wandering Albatross has a private estate with at least 30 meters square of open space around the nest site for courtship and take-offs and landings, a real contrast with the King Penguin's territory of less than one meter square. Here also nest the Southern Giant Petrels, quietly incubating as long as you keep your distance. Tragically the Wandering Albatross are declining rapidly in number, disappearing at sea due to illegal pirate fishing vessels mining 'white gold', as the Chilean Seabass or Patagonia Toothfish is sometimes called. We will tread very lightly during our visit to Prion Island in respect for the albatross and petrels and for the sake of all the burrow nesting birds who make their homes on this rat-free island. The charming South Georgia Pipit, world's southernmost passerine (perching bird), will look upon us curiously, singing a rare songbird's tune. Our visit to Prion comes just before the young overwintering albatross fledge, to start years of seafaring life before finally returning here as young adults with hopes of breeding.
Fortuna Bay At this beautiful site in the lee of the central rib of South Georgia's impressive mountains, we have good chances for clear skies and calm conditions. Fortuna Bay ends in an extended glacial alluvial plain covered with a fine grass upon which a beautifully photogenic King Penguin colony resides. If King Penguins spread across what appears to be a lawn isn't an unusual enough sight, a heard of reindeer trotting through will surely make for a surprising juxtaposition. Norwegian whalers introduced reindeer to South Georgia during the whaling period, two herds of which thrive with no predators or competition from other herbivores. They do some damage to burrow-nesting seabirds but, here at Fortuna, we can hope to see nesting Light-mantled Sooty Albatross on steep tussock slopes where the reindeer do not roam.
Shackleton Walk to Stromness Shackleton, Crean and Worsley were very near the end of their dramatic and perilous self-rescue when they stumbled down into Fortuna Bay from the interior of the island. They had just one short hike remaining, a westward walk of about three miles over to Stromness Harbour to reunite with civilization after over 17 months in the Antarctic. This very enjoyable historic walk will take us over a 300m ridge with a stunning view across the König Glacier and down to the now rusting inactive whaling station at Stromness to reunite with our ship.
Grytviken and King Edward Point Grytviken was one of the single most active whaling stations in all of the history of whaling. But the flensing plan is now empty, the boilers silent. Over 60 years of whaling history is now well told in the excellent exhibits of the South Georgia Museum. Our staff members Tim and Pauline Carr are largely responsible for what we see in the museum today, the product of 14 years of a labor of love for them both. The natural history exhibits are enriching as well, and when you have finished browsing and perhaps doing a little museum store shopping, the whaler's graveyard where Shackleton lies can be explored after a short walk around the bay. The history of Antarctic exploration comes alive as we listen to tales of the adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton. This famous explorer crossed the rugged backbone of South Georgia from the west to arrive at the Stromness seeking help for his men stranded on Elephant Island. The crew of the Endurance, hand picked by Sir Ernest Shackleton in England for his 1914-1917 expedition, survived on the nutritious, though unappetizing, meat of penguins and seals while waiting for rescue on Elephant Island. Their ship, the Endurance, was crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea. Shackleton and his men had set off in small boats and landed at Elephant Island with hardly any landing room below the steep cliffs along the shore. From here, Shackleton and a handful of men continued in a small boat to South Georgia, returning to Elephant Island 105 days later to rescue the men. In the graveyard where Shackleton is buried, many young Southern Elephant Seals now snooze atop the whalers who no longer threaten them.
Godhul Gentoo penguins are now the principle resident of this site where whaling once dominated. Beginning in 1908, whaling vessels anchored here leaving remains now of wooden platform boats called jolles and a beach thick with whalebones. Two small lakes sit on the gentle shoreline before jagged peaks rising into the island's interior, waterfall fed and frequented by reindeer. We can expect the sky to ring with the reedy beautiful Light-mantled Sooty Albatross courtship calls as they sail in synchronized flight overhead. These subtly beautiful torpedo shaped birds favor nests in the steep tussock slopes above the inlet.
St. Andrews Bay There are places in the world so far beyond description that any attempt rings hollow. St. Andrews Bay is such, with upwards of 150,000 pairs of King Penguins forming not a colony, but a landscape. You will think you are among many penguins walking along the beach from the landing site, the air filled with calls and life all around you. But as you walk over the glacial moraine bordering the north end of the colony, the mass of penguin calls hit you, all blended together into one vast wave. Here you will see the bounty of the rich, vast southern ocean. It must be seen, heard, and experienced to be believed.
At this time of year, King Penguins will be far from the only attraction at St. Andrews. The world's largest seal, the Southern Elephant Seal, gathers here by the thousands creating one of the densest concentrations of life on the planet. We can expect to see thousands of females with young pups nursing. Many large male 'beachmasters' seek to own a stretch of beach and are willing to fight in great tonnages of seal jousting, because here lie their best hopes for breeding. The male elephant seal puts so much into his territorial defense that his life expectancy is less than half that of the female. But, if he is a successful beachmaster, this short life is one of great glory! We are very fortunate to be able to experience the elephant seal breeding season, usually long past when most travelers to South Georgia have the chance to visit. St. Andrews Bay also has a reputation for volatile weather as it lies at the foot of three glaciers. Cold air can pour off these glaciers turning a calm quiet morning into a howling harrowing landscape of katabatic winds in an astonishingly short time. So while here, do pay attention to our expedition leaders!
Gold Harbour Simply, Gold Harbour is a glorious place, with something, indeed many things, for everybody who enjoys nature. This is one of the most protected sites in South Georgia, with great chances for clear blue skies. Fair or foul, under these skies we will find a beach at least as densely packed with Southern Elephant Seals as St. Andrews Bay (though a smaller beach, so less numbers overall), about 25,000 pairs of King Penguins, many of whom line a glacial meltwater river winding behind the beach, a Gentoo Penguin colony, steep but hikeable slopes with Light-mantled Sooty Albatross nesting on their flanks, and a tumbling icefall bordering the back of the Harbour making for stunning landscapes and the occasional explosion of glacial blocks tumbling down to the coast. More than a few will likely elect to skip lunch, unable to leave this wildlife rich scene.
Royal Bay Several landing sites attract us to Royal Bay, though the exposed bay is very weather dependent. A growing King Penguin colony has topped 30,000 pairs at Brisbane Point in recent counts, with constant activity bouncing in upon the cobblestone beach boulders through what can be heavy surf. A fjord-like glacially carved valley empties into Moltke Harbour, a backdrop to as many as 1,000 elephant seals. If calm conditions prevail, we will enjoy landings here, but Royal Bay has a reputation for strong winds so we may find ourselves retreating for a return to Gold Harbour, a mighty fine compensation during rough conditions!
Cooper Bay At Cooper Bay we will strive to get close to the marvelous Macaroni Penguins, the more southerly equivalent of the Rockhoppers, which nest at this accessible landing. A hike up through tussock slopes will reward us with Macaronis in a frenzy of early breeding season activity. Cooper Bay is also home to South Georgia's only colony of Chinstrap Penguins. We are sure to see them traveling through the surf and will likely meet some on the beach or loafing on an iceberg. However, the Government of South Georgia has restricted access to the colony due to a 2004 outbreak of avian cholera, and it is uncertain whether by 2009 all will be once again clear. Cooper Bay sits just inside from Cooper Island, a rat-free island that is extremely important breeding habitat for burrow-nesting seabirds.
Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour Southern South Georgia differs strikingly in geology from the remainder of the island, and in the sheer walled Drygalski Fjord we can really see this difference. As we cruise up the fjord we can see granite, gabbro and metamorphic rocks to starboard (ship's right), remnant of the Gondwana continental margin. To port (ship's left), the mountains are built of the 'Larsen Harbour Complex', uplifted ocean floor basalt and granite that rose in the formation of the Andes then was ripped and rafted east to its present location over the last 40 million years. The Risting Glacier calves frequently into the waters of the fjord, stirring up marine life that is quickly snapped up by Antarctic Terns and maybe a few pure white Snow Petrels. We may take a short zodiac trip up Larsen Harbour to check in on a small colony of Weddell Seals who are likely to have pups ashore with them.
Cape Disappointment Captain Cook was the first to lay eyes on South Georgia, and his great hope was that he had found the tip of a great southern continent. The name Cape Disappointment reflects his feelings when he found that South Georgia was no continent at all. He was none too impressed with South Georgia without apparent exploitable resources, but the Black-browed Albatross that breed in great numbers on the sheer slopes here never did mind his departure. They are less numerous now due to the impact of long-line fishing, but still impressive in number. If weather is favorable we may ship cruise to this southern extreme for a good look and a thorough exploration of this crown jewel of the great Southern Ocean.
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Ted Cheeseman (Ecologist, Expedition Leader, Lecturer, Zodiac Driver and Photographer) found his heart stolen by South Georgia after his first visit in 1994, and has been back many times since. Ted has traveled with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris since the early 80's and has led and organized expeditions since finishing his graduate degree in conservation biology at Duke University in 2000. Ted's great passion is making expeditions possible for travelers to spend the maximum time possible with wildlife, believing that by coming to know wildlife and wilderness intimately, travelers will come to respect the value of wild places in their pristine state.
Monika Schillat (Assistant Expedition Leader) has traveled as Expedition Leader to the Antarctic for the past eight years. Originally from Germany, Monika is now a resident of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, where she lectures on Latin American History at the Patagonian National University. She is a published historian, her works include several books on the history of Tierra del Fuego and the South Atlantic Islands. She is also author of travel guides, two essay books - one on Antarctica and the other one on the Arctic, plus an Antarctic Bestiary with her personal watercolour sketches.
Tim and Pauline Carr (Naturalists and Historians, Lecturers and Zodiac Drivers) spent fourteen years on South Georgia working for the South Georgia Museum, first as Custodians and then as Curators. Before becoming the sole resident human population on South Georgia, they spent 25 years circumnavigating the globe in Curlew, a 28-foot, engineless wooden sailboat, built in 1898. Arriving at South Georgia in 1992, the Carrs were inspired by this incredible island and wrote the book Antarctic Oasis in 1998. In addition to their sailing exploits around the island, they have explored inland extensively whilst camping in tents, bivouacs and snow holes. Tim and Pauline are delightful personalities, and they bring to our voyage an unparalleled intimate knowledge of this very special and remote island.
Tim Davis (Professional Photographer, Lecturer and Zodiac Driver) has lectured on all our previous Antarctica charters and taught photo sessions onshore. He is a very accomplished professional photographer and has written, with his wife, Renee Lynn, excellent articles on nature photography and now lectures on digital photography and the use of Photoshop. Read more about his work on his website.
Tom Murphy (Professional Photographer, Lecturer and Zodiac Driver) founded Wilderness Photography Expeditions in 1986, and teaches a well-known and respected photography seminar series primarily in Yellowstone National Park. Tom will teach photography sessions on ship and ashore to help you bring your wildlife photography to new levels of excellence. He is the author of several books including The Light of Spring: The Seasons of Yellowstone. He has also been featured in a PBS Nature series program, Chistmas in Yellowstone. Read more about his work on his website.
Rod and Marlene Planck (Professional Photographers, Lecturers and Naturalists on Watch at Sea). Rod's book, Nature's Places, is a masterpiece of superb photography. On shore Rod will teach photography sessions and at sea, Marlene and Rod, both excellent naturalists, spend every moment possible on watch. Rod and Marlene lead superb nature photo workshops and seminars. Read more about their work on their website.
Christian Savigny (Ornithologist, Lecturer, and Zodiac Driver) works with Wildlife Conservation Society, Birdlife and others on seabird conservation programs. An Argentine with a lot of energy, spirit, and true pizzazz, he is considered a "pelagic bird guru" and works as a fisheries observer and Antarctic guide. He has published many articles and is an excellent writer and bird artist, now working on two books, including his forthcoming Birds of the SW Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica.
Ali Liddle (Naturalist and Zodiac Driver) has spent fourteen years living in the Falkland Islands where she currently shares her working hours between teaching at the Infant and Junior school in Stanley and working as Educational Officer with Falklands Conservation. In 1997 she spent nine months on South Georgia where she ran the small Post Office and took every opportunity to explore the local area around Grytviken and King Edward Point. She has published three books to date one entitled Plants of the Falkland Islands and two art and craft books for children which use penguins and albatross as a source of inspiration. Ali is a keen runner, having completed three Falkland marathons in the last four years. She enjoys camping trips around the Falkland Islands in the summer months and is an enthusiastic photographer and artist.
Maria Honig (Naturalist and Zodiac Driver) has exihibited a passion for the sea during her long involvement in recreational and vocational maritime activities. She studied both Marine Biology and the Environmental and Geographical Sciences at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and has frequented the coasts of South Africa and Namibia by sailboat and fishing vessel. More recently, her interests have been focused on the impacts of fishing on the ecosystem while working for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Responsible Fisheries Programme and the Albatross Task Force. She sailed both South Geogia and the Antarctic Peninsula last season and is excited to share her experiences with you.
Photography Workshops: Our professional photographer staff will conduct a series of photography workshops and seminars onboard and in the field, making this expedition an unparalleled opportunity to improve your photographic techniques and capture the best images of your life.
M/V Ushuaia: Originally built for the United States agency NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration), the M/V Ushuaia has been refurbished to accommodate a maximum of 75 passengers in comfortable twin cabins and suites. The ice-strengthened polar vessel Ushuaia is well appointed and provides ample deck space and an open bridge policy. The full complement of inflatable landing craft ensures superb landings and wildlife viewing opportunities on the otherwise inaccessible coastline. The Ushuaia will carry sufficient landing craft (mostly mark V zodiacs with clean-burning 4-stroke engines) to have all passengers in zodiacs at once, allowing fast access to landings - more time ashore! See the deckplan, photos and more ship details.
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Costs and Payments: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send complete trip materials. No single cabins are available. Double occupancy cabins may be booked on a single basis at 1.9 times the published rate. If you are willing to have a roommate, there will be no single supplement charge. All costs below are per person, double occupancy.
| Payment Schedule | |
| Deposit - to reserve your space | $1000 |
| October 1, 2008 - second payment | $2000 |
| March 1, 2009 - third payment | $2000 |
| July 15, 2009 - final payment | remaining balance |
| Cabin Choice | Tour Cost1 |
|---|---|
| Twin semi-private bath cabins (category C) - Twin inside cabins on the lower deck (Lower Deck D) with semi-private facilities2, two berths (upper/lower). | $8,900 |
| Twin semi-private bath cabins (category B) - Twin outside cabins with portholes on the main deck (Deck E) and semi-private facilities2, two berths (upper/lower) | $10,800 |
| Twin private bath cabins (cagtegory A) - Twin outside cabins with portholes on the upper deck (Upper Deck G), private facilities, upper/lower berths. | $13,200 |
| Superior twin private bath cabins (category AA) - Twin outside cabins with portholes on the upper deck (Upper Deck G), private facilities, two lower berths. | $13,700 |
| Suites - Outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (Upper Deck G), private facilities, two lower berths, lounge, TV video, VHS, DVD, fridge. Suites 204 and 207 have a third berth. | $14,550 |
1Per person, double occupancy.
2Semi-private bath cabins share one bathroom between two cabins, all upper and lower berths.
3Inside cabins have no window, outside cabins have a porthole or window.
Fuel Surcharge: Please note that the cost of this expedition is set to reflect current fuel prices. Fuel prices have fluctuated dramatically in recent years, and as fuel is a major portion of the cost of this expedition, we cannot possibly account for this fluctuation completely. If fuel prices are substantially lower at the time of our departure, we may be able to pass on this savings to expedition participants. If fuel prices are substantially higher, we may have to collect a fuel surcharge.
Cancellations: Refunds are given depending on the time left before departure according to the following schedule. You can purchase trip cancellation insurance that would refund your trip costs in the event of your cancellation. Please take a moment to learn if this insurance would be in your best interest. We have had good experience with Access America. Please let us know if you would like a brochure.
| Refund Schedule | |
| Days until Departure | Refund Amount |
|---|---|
| 180 or more | $300 withheld |
| 179 - 150 | 10% of tour cost withheld |
| 149 - 120 | 40% of tour cost withheld |
| 119 or less | no refund possible |
Included:
Not Included:
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Reservations: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, fill out our reservation form, and mail it to us with your deposit :
Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070
Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com
Travel Insurance: Due to the remote location of this destination, we require all our passengers to purchase emergency medical evacuation insurance for the duration of this expedition. We have had good experience with Access America. Visit their website for complete details and we will also send you their brochure with your trip materials. You can purchase a policy via their website, phone or by mail. If you choose, separate trip cancellation insurance to cover trip costs is also available. Whatever insurance you purchase, be sure to review the terms of all available policies carefully in order to buy the policy that you need.
Health: Travel to remote places like South Georgia is exciting, but understanding and accepting the risks, both medical and logistical, are important. There is a small infirmary on board the ship and minor medical problems can be treated, but due to the remoteness of most of our itinerary, there can be no expectation for rapid medical evacuation by air or ship, even in cases of trauma. If this fact concerns you too much, do not choose this trip for your vacation. Anyone with health problems needing close medical supervision should not consider going on this trip. Bring enough medication for the duration of the trip for any chronic medical needs, including medication or patches for seasickness. When you send your tour deposit and signed reservation form, you certify to us that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions that would create a risk for yourself or for other trip participants. If you use corrective lenses, it is a good idea to bring an extra pair.
Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or send us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!
Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.
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