In Shackleton's Footsteps

Why Join This Cruise

• Focusing on Antarctica and South Georgia only, this one-off voyage offers in-depth exploration of both with the rare option to join a multi-day hike across South Georgia in Shackleton footsteps
• This trip combines the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula with an extended 6 day exploration of little-visited South Georgia, visiting remote coves, vast penguin colonies and old whaling stations
• An extraordinary voyage of great variety and adventure aboard the newly re-fitted and very comfortable 100 passenger ice strengthened ship, Clelia II, ensuring a very personalised and memorable expedition

Trip Overview
Travel in the wake of the world's greatest explorers to Antarctica and South Georgia, the undisputed jewels of the Southern Ocean. Beginning with a rare extended visit to South Georgia, with its dramatic storm-ravaged vistas and overwhelming abundance of wildlife, you then call-in at historic Elephant Island and the bird-rich South Orkneys on your way to Antarctica. The Antarctic Peninsula offers some of the Continent's most striking scenery, as well as a rich variety of wildlife, and is a fitting end to this extraordinary voyage.

For the intrepid traveller, this expedition also includes the rare opportunity to join a small group on a multi-day hike led by Peter Hillary across the mountains of South Georgia in Shackleton's footsteps in his 1916 epic rescue mission.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 London Heathrow/Buenos Aires
Depart London Heathrow for Buenos Aires, flying overnight.

Day 2 Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires early morning where you will be met by a local guide. Rest of day to explore independently or simply relax.

Day 3 Buenos Aires/ Ushuaia
Early transfer to the domestic airport for the flight down to Ushuaia on Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), the southernmost city in the world. Upon arrival, transfer to
the ship.

Days 4 to 6 At Sea
Attend lectures by naturalists and study leaders as Clelia II sails to South Georgia. Albatross and cape petrels are among the birds that accompany the ship on its passage.

Days 7 to 11 South Georgia
Spend six days exploring the rugged, ice-bound islands of South Georgia. Once ravaged by the South Atlantic whaling industry, the waters of South Georgia are
now strictly protected and harbor abundant numbers of elephant seals, fur seals,
and king penguins.

Those undertaking the historic crossing trip will be dropped off and then picked up on the other side at the former whaling station of Grytviken.

Visit the Bay of Isles, home to a massive rookery of king penguins; Albatross Island,
a paradise for gray-headed, black-browed, light-mantled sooty, and wandering albatross and the town of Grytviken, where Sir Ernest Shackleton lies buried beyond the abandoned whaling station.

Day 12 Sailing the Scotia Sea
Attend on-board lectures and watch for whales and seabirds as Clelia II cruises the Scotia Sea.

Day 13 South Orkney Islands
A vista of enormous grounded icebergs is visible as you approach the South Orkney Islands to call at Coronation Island. In the company of British scientists from Signy Station, visit the rookeries of penguins and snow and cape petrels that populate the island.

Day 14 Elephant Island
Today you explore Elephant Island, the location where in 1916 Shackleton's
Endurance became stranded, forcing him along with five of his men to undertake a gruelling thousand-mile rescue mission in a mere 20-foot whaleboat to secure help.
**Please note that landings here can be notoriously tricky due to the topography and powerful waves.

Days 15-20 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetlands
Enjoy five days exploring the pristine wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula, a
narrow finger of land that separates the ice-choked waters of the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas, and offers some of Antarctica's most spell-binding and intimate scenery.

As you sail through scenic waterways, witness a breathtaking panorama of icebergs, blue glaciers, and jagged, snowcapped mountains. Aboard the ship's fleet of
Zodiacs, cruise among ice floes, land at penguin rookeries, and visit scientists
at research stations.

Although the itinerary varies according to local ice and wind conditions, we hope to land at some of the Peninsula's most well-known and popular landing sites,
Including:

Petermann Island - where humpback and minke whales are often sighted offshore Paradise Bay - the habitat of gentoo and chinstrap penguins & Weddell seal
Deception Island - whose waters are often warm enough for swimming!

King George Island - home to several research stations
Lemaire & Neumeyer channels

Days 21-22 The Drake Passage
As you sail northward back towards Ushuaia across the Antarctic Convergence,
enjoy these days at sea attending lectures, relaxing aboard ship and editing your countless photos!

Day 23 Disembark the boat/ Buenos Aires
Disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Buenos Aires.
Final night in the capital.

Day 24 Buenos Aires/ London
Final airport transfer to depart Buenos Aires on the flight back to London, flying overnight.

Day 25 London
Arrive back into the UK

Please be aware that all expeditions carried out in the Antarctic territory are absolutely subject to weather conditions. Antarctic weather is highly unpredictable, with swift changes occurring from one minute to another and bears directly on travel in the Continent, despite the advantages of modern technology and advanced forecasting systems. As such, with your safety in mind, please be aware that schedules may have to be suddenly altered and without notice. A large part of the astonishing mystique of Antarctica lies in the very fact that it is fascinating and never the same, from one instant to the next.


South Georgia Expedition (optional)
This is only the second time that the demanding crossing on foot of South Georgia Island, following the route pioneered by Ernest Shackleton and his two companions in 1916 has been possible for private clients.

The small vetted optional group of trekkers will be led by nine-time Everest summiter Dave Hahn and Peter Hillary, the well-travelled son of the late Sir Edmund and renowned mountaineer.

While Shackleton made the crossing in just 36 hours he was lucky in terms of weather. South Georgia's infamous and rapidly changing weather systems make this a serious undertaking and a 5-day crossing is being factored in. Upon completion you will join up with the boat in the old whaling station of Grytviken.

Numbers will be strictly limited to a small group and anyone potentially interested in undertaking this historic trek should contact us as soon as possible.



The Boat
The following boat is available for this cruise, please refer to 'The Boats' section for full details:

Clelia II,

Cruise date for 2008/09

21st Nov - 15th Dec

Guide Price
(based on trips from UK to UK)

	Prices from:
Deluxe Suite on Ariadne and Leto Decks (*partially obscured view)	£9,530pp*
Deluxe Suite on Ariadne and Leto Decks	£10,590pp*
Deluxe Suite on Athena Deck	£11,120pp*
Deluxe Suite (large) on Ariadne Deck	£11,915pp*
Deluxe Suite on Leto Deck	£12,450pp*
Deluxe Suite on Leto Deck with forward and side windows	£12,970pp*
Deluxe Veranda Suite on Cleo Deck	£14,295pp*
Deluxe Penthouse Suite on Phoebe Deck	£14,850pp*

Single Supplements on board
Single supplements are typically 1.5 times the cost of twin berth. Please ring for a quote.

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.