Imagine a comfortable hotel with almost as many staff as guests, spectacular views from every window, superb international cuisine, and a range of facilities including a well-stocked library. Then imagine the hotel in a new, wild and remote location every day. Add a team of international experts on everything from polar exploration to birds and marine mammals. Then throw in once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as a whale breaching alongside your Zodiac.

An icebreaker is a ship that is used to break a passage through frozen waters. The steel hull of the Kapitan Khlebnikov is exceptionally strong and thick (typically over double the thickness of a cargo ship) and literally rides up onto the ice and crushes it with its weight. Extra powerful for its size with six propellers, the ship can twist and turn to pass through thick pack ice.

The icebreaker carries helicopters for flight seeing and a fleet of Zodiacs for cruising. Both are also used to transfer you, your fellow travellers, and the expedition staff quickly and safely to otherwise inaccessible sites.

On these extraordinary voyages you are one of the privileged few to visit an Emperor Penguin rookery. Emperors are the largest of the penguins and the only birds to breed on frozen sea. At this time of year, large numbers of appealing gray chicks in different stages of development still huddle on the ice. Their hardworking parents trek miles over the ice to bring food to their fast-growing young. Sail past stunning tabular icebergs en route to the fast ice where the chicks await.

You will witness the majestic snow-capped volcano of Mount Erebus, and visit the world-renowned McMurdo Station and Scott Base as well as enormous Adélie Penguin rookeries. Explore by helicopter the Dry Valleys, an amazing landscape of wind-eroded rocks and desert scenery more reminiscent of Mars than Earth. Look for orcas and Minke whales as they feed along the edge of the permanent fast ice.

Choose from three fantastic adventures:

Lords of Antarctica - reaches the rookeries of Emperor Penguins encamped on the fast ice, accessible only by icebreaker and helicopter.

Wonders of The Ross Sea - encompasses the biodiversity of the region

The Great Antarctica Explorers - follow in the path of the great explorers. Visit historic sites and encounter the same wonders witnessed during the Heroic Age of exploration.

These unique expeditions depart from either New Zealand or Hobart in Tazmania.

To discuss this trip, for further details or to check boat availability, please either:

Call 01285 880981
Email voyages@steppestravel.co.uk

Steppes Travel cruise destinations include: Alaska, Amazon, Antarctica, Arctic, Baja Mexico, Galapagos.