The Ultimate Antarctica Experience - Quest for the Circle (13D)

DISCOVERING KAYAKING

In this program, guests will have the opportunity to kayak once during the entire voyage. The groups consist of 14 participants. Advanced booking is recommended*. Additional outings can be purchased on board, subject to availability.

IMMERSIVE KAYAKING

This new program is designed for guests who want to kayak as much as possible during their voyage on most excursions and landings. Immersive Kayaking is limited to 10 participants. Advanced booking is highly recommended.

Outing frequency by voyage type: immersive Kayakers may paddle during most landings and excursions, weather permitting. Discover Kayaking participants go out once per voyage, with available spots varying by itinerary.

Requirements: participants must be 14+, have prior kayaking experience, and attend a mandatory safety briefing with the Kayak Maste

Weather condition: weather, sea, and ice conditions will dictate the when and where to ensure your safety and improve your experience. The expedition leader will do their best to ensure the kayaking activity takes place.

Booking: you can book kayaking on board during your stay.

Booking method: if there are more sign-ups than available spots, a lottery system will be used to allocate spaces fairly.

Switching programs: guests can switch between Discover and Immersive Kayaking on board, space permitting. Price differences apply when upgrading to Immersive. No refunds are offered when downgrading from Immersive to Discover.

Price

Discover Kayaking: $350

Immersive Kayaking: $1195

Excursion duration: most kayaking excursions last between 1–3 hours.

Equipment provided: we supply HDPE tandem kayaks, paddles, dry suits, PFDs, and neoprene gloves (pogies). Guests should bring warm layers and follow the preparation guidelines sent before departure.

The Photography Program is a unique opportunity for photographers to capture the beauty of Antarctica and its wildlife while cruising on an expedition ship. The program is designed to provide photographers with the skills, knowledge, and assistance with guidance from our appointed polar photography experts.

Our dedicated onboard professional Photographer Guide (1 per 10 guests) will lead workshops and provide instructions to help participants develop their technical skills and artistic vision for the duration of the voyage.

The program will focus on capturing images of the landscape and wildlife of Antarctica. Participants will have the opportunity to photograph icebergs, glaciers, penguins, seals, whales, and other wildlife with the guidance of the dedicated photography guide to capture the best possible shot of their subject (however, please note, no specific wildlife is guaranteed as per any landing and zodiac cruise activity).

Participants will have the chance to move in smaller groups and to disembark for zodiac cruises and landing as a first group to maximize the chance of capturing the best possible shots.

The Photography Program in Antarctica onboard our expedition ship is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for photographers. It provides the opportunity to capture stunning imagery of one of the most beautiful and remote places on earth while developing technical skills.

Booking: You need to prebook the excursion before the voyage.

Requirements: You need a basic understanding of camera functionalities (e.g. shutter speed, aperture, etc.) and a camera (can be any from compact, mirrorless or DLSR).

Equipment needed:
– Your own camera
– Your own lenses (wide and telephoto)
– Batteries
– Memory cards
– Cables, rechargers
– Editing equipment and software
– Waterproof bag
– Editing equipment

Where does it take place?
It takes place on our private, photography dedicated Zodiacs, onshore and on the Outer Decks of our vessel.

Is there time for individual exploration?
In addition to group workshops and lectures, participants will have plenty of time for their own individual photography and exploration.

Snowshoeing is an activity that allows you to hike across soft, powdery snow up gentle slopes to reach to unique vantage points without the hassle of sinking into deep snow. Snowshoeing is as basic as hiking and you do not need to have previous experience.

The snowshoe program is not intended to take place during all landing activities, but rather when the weather, terrain and snow conditions are appropriate. The Snowshoe Master will present an introduction to the snowshoe program and the equipment for all guests with interest, on a workshop before introduction of this activity. This adventure activity will run separate from, though simultaneous to, Zodiac cruising and landing activities. This activity is dependent on suitable snow conditions and appropriate terrain as agreed upon by our expedition team.

The snowshoe program is conducted and supervised by  experienced mountain guides who dictate the route based on site guidelines and conditions at the time of each outing.

Snowshoeing is offered on all ships and all trips during the early season departures (Antarctica; November to December) if conditions allow.

Booking: You can book Snowshoeing on board during your stay.

Weather conditions: Weather and ice conditions will dictate the when and where to ensure your safety and improve your experience. The expedition leader will do their best to ensure the snowshoeing activity takes place.

Duration: The duration is approximately 2 – 3 hours.

Experienced level: All guests are welcome to participate, and no previous experience is necessary. However, physical fitness levels should be average.

Cuddled up in a warm, snug and weatherproof sleeping bag, listening to the sounds of distant whale blows, penguins’ squeaks and shifting icebergs, Antarctic Open Air Camping  is truly a memorable experience.

After dinner onboard the ship, our expedition team will take you to shore, where you will be a part of preparing your camp for the night. Once you decide on the location within the set perimeter, you will level out your own spot in the snow, fix the base cover, insulated pad, and warm sleeping bag – and get ready for a night like no other.

Camping in Antarctica is limited to 30 participants, who all need to participate in the briefing prior to the camp activity. Albatros Expeditions provides all the special camping and bivouac gear for this outing, allowing you to stay warm, dry, and protected for all weather types while you enjoy the beauty of the Antarctic wilderness. For the ultimate camping experience, we use a wind and waterproof yet still breathable bivy bag, offering you the possibility to watch the amazing Antarctic night skies.

Our experienced expedition guides stay in constant radio contact with the ship and ensure that you have a safe and unforgettable night.

Please note – Open Air Camping is not offered during our South Georgia Voyages (any itinerary that has South Georgia included). Camping can only be offered whilst snow covers the ground, in effect this means we can only offer camping on regular Antarctic departures from October- 15. December, and select longer itineraries from 16. December – 31. January.

Booking: Open Air Camping can be pre-booked and bought on board. However, due to limited availability, it is advised you secure your spot in advance.
Duration: Normally we sail ashore ca. 21:00 and return ca. 6:00 the next morning. We offer near-shore camping on the continent or nearby islands depending on the itinerary, weather, and ice conditions. Camping groups stay a maximum of 10 hours on shore.

Weather conditions: The expedition leader will do their best to ensure the camping activity takes place. But if local circumstances prevent us from camping on shore, we may attempt to camp on the open decks of the ship.

Around the coasts of Antarctica, temperatures are generally close to freezing in the summer (December – February). At night slightly below, and at day some degrees above (-5 to +5°C). Warm clothing, a flexible attitude, and a sense of adventure are the best ways to overcome these sometimes-harsh conditions.

Gear that we are providing: Bivy sack with large hood for clothing, Mummy-style expedition sleeping bag, comfortable until -20°C, Sleeping bag inner liner, Insulated sleeping pad, Waterproof base tarpaulin, Portable field toilet (one per group)

Gear that you should bring: Parka (can double as a pillow), Thermal base layer and mid-layer clothing, Warm socks, hat, and gloves, Scarf or neck gaiter, Hand and foot warmers, Backpack, Camera and accessories, Eye mask if you need complete darkness, Essential medication, UV-protectant sunglasses, sun cream, Flashlight or lightweight headlamp, Water bottle.

Experience level: Prior camping experience is not necessary. There are no physical requirements except helping the guides set up and clean the campsite. Please note, however, that we are not camping in a campground: There can be rocks, snow, mud, and frozen surfaces. We expect our campers to help, prepare the campsite and break camp the next morning. All equipment must be cleaned thoroughly after use. The weather can sometimes make these tasks difficult.

Food: As per the Antarctic Treaty and IAATO regulations, eating food and snacks on shore is not allowed. This is to prevent the spread of outside plants or contaminants.

Sleeping in tents: Sleeping in your warm bivy bag makes you feel like a true Antarctic explorer. It makes you experience and sense Antarctica the optimal way, and wake-up with one of most incredible views you have ever seen. We don’t believe staying in a closed tiny tight tent would give you anything close to this incredible experience.

Toilet: Toilet visits should be avoided on land, as per the Antarctic Treaty and IAATO regulations, and campers are encouraged to use toilet facilities on board prior to camping. In case of urgency during the stay in camp, a portable toilet will be available on shore and all waste must be returned to the ship. Note also that it is not possible to brush teeth ashore. This should be done on board prior to camping or when coming back the next morning.