Exclusive South Georgia - M/V Plancius- Ski traverse across South Georgia
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An exclusive adventure to South Georgia on skis or voyaging. Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton on skis across South Georgia, or take the more leisure option of cruising around. This exclusive voyage will circumnavigate the island of South Georgia with numerous opportunities to go ashore to explore the coastline. On this voyage 12 lucky adventures will also have the opportunity to follow in Shackleton footsteps on skis across the island.
Deckplan
Click here to view deck plan for the Plancius
Depart Montevideo
Cross the South Atlantic
Sailing around and skiing across South Georgia
Return across the South Atlantic to Ushuaia
Disembark in Ushuaia.
Countries visited
Places visited
- South Georgia
- Port Stanley
Transportation
M/v Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy, and sailed for the Navy until 2004. She was completely rebuilt as a passenger vessel in 2009. M/v Plancius accommodates 114 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower. All cabins offer comfortable lower berths (except for the 4 quadruple cabins). The vessel has a restaurant/lecture room, a spacious observation lounge (with bar), large open deck space (with full walk-around possibi 2000 lities), and is equipped with 10 zodiacs for off ship and shore excursions. M/v Plancius was built for ice conditions, and has a strengthened bow and stern.Click here to see our vessels in the Antarctic
Included In Price
Services included in cruise price:• Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
• 18 days, 17 nights aboard the expedition ship m/v Plancius
• All cabins with shower and toilet
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
• Free use of rubber boots, snowshoes and expedition equipment
• Guidance and supervision by an international expedition team: ship's expedition leader and guides during the days at sea
• Supervision by a doctor during the days at sea expedition
• All zodiac and shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage
• Program on board: Lectures and shore excursions led by experienced guide lecturers
• All other service and port charges throughout the cruise program
• Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Services included in Ski Expedition:
• Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
• Nights in expedition tents as indicated
• Free use of equipment according to expedition equipment list (sleeping bag, mat, tent, sledges, snowshoes, climbing equipment etc)
• Management and supervision of the ski traverse through land expedition leader and certified IFMGA ski and mountain guide.
• Accompany of at least two mountain guides in a group of 6 to 8, three guides in a group of 9 to 12
• Accompany of a medically qualified person (expedition doctor)
• Full board with expedition rations throughout the expedition
• All excursions and activities throughout the ski traverse
• Vessel Plancius on standby call
• Special transfers with Zodiac craft
• Administrative fees and taxes
Meals Included
This tour includes 44 meals; 15 breakfasts 14 lunches 15 dinners
Not Included In Price
Any airfare (except charter flight from Santiago de Chile), whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Participants
Ski Expedition: Min 6, Max 12 participants on the expedition
Voyage: Min 70 participants on the ship
Important Information
If world fuel prices reach a price of US $ 90 per barrel Brent Crude Oil, Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a non-commissionable fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per passenger per night.
Ninety days before the beginning of our first 2012 Antarctica voyage, the price of a barrel Brent Crude oil was 104 US $ (17 July 2012). We have been prudent about levying these surcharges, and have therefore closely monitored the fuel prices and hoped for a considerable price-decrease (*). Unfortunately the prices remained the same during this Summer and mid Sept 2012, a barrel Brent Crude Oil was still 115 US $. It does not seem likely that for the coming Antarctic season, 2012-13 the fuel price will dip under 90 US $ again. Therefore we regrettably have to inform you that we will levy a non-commissionable fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per person per night for all of our coming Antarctica voyages and a fixed fuel surcharge of US $ 400 per person for the Atlantic Odyssey and Ross Sea voyages.
| Start | End | Quad pp | Twin Private Porthole | Twin Private Window | Twin Private Deluxe | Superior | |
| 17 Oct 2013 | 3 Nov 2013 | AU$ 8300 | AU$ 10300 | AU$ 10850 | AU$ 11450 | AU$ 12250 | |
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Price in US Dollars. Please note: This departure is for 18 days and travels by ship from Montevideo to Ushuaia. NOTE: Prices listed are 1AU$ = 1US$. We honor the US$ price. |
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Day 1: Depart Montevideo
We embark on our expedition vessel m/v Plancius and set sail.
Meals Included
1 x DinnersDay 2 -6: Cross the South Atlantic
Across the Southern Atlantic Ocean, in the Westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels. At sea, on our way to South Georgia we will cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop by as much as 10 degrees C in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence we will see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of Albatrosses, Shearwaters, Petrels, Prions and Skuas. Depending on progress (weather) we might have South Georgia in sight on day 6, which might also allow us to do our first landing.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
5 x Breakfasts5 x Lunches5 x DinnersDay 7 to 13: Sailing around and skiing across South Georgia
An exciting expedition with two adventure options: the normal sea voyage for “sea explorers” (with zodiac excursions and hiking options) and a land expedition for “ski explorers”. The sea explorers will circumnavigate the Island, while at the same time the ski explorers will attempt to traverse the Island on a self supplied ski trek from the South coast (King Haakon Bay) to the North coast (Fortuna Bay).
Ski trek across South Georgia: a group of up to 12 ski explorers and 2-3 mountain guides will attempt to traverse on an unsupported and self supplied trek across the island with skis (or snowshoes) hauling pulkas (sledges). The skiers will cover a total distance of 40 – 50 km retracing sections of the historic Shackleton route, which he covered in 36 hours.
On arrival day at King Haakon Bay, the expedition members will spend a night 1f0d close to the shore preparing for the crossing. The expedition will then embark on their trek across alpine passes and glaciers aiming for reunion with the ship at Fortuna or Stromness Bay. After both expeditions have rejoined, all passengers will then continue to enjoy the latter part of the South Georgia cruise itinerary.
Sea voyage around South Georgia: The sea explorers who remain on board will say their goodbyes to the skiers at Pegotty Bluff, the historic camp site. It was from there on the 19th May 1916 that Shackleton, Crean and Worsley set off across the Island to Stromness in a 36 hours marathon trek. The same day, Plancius, will stop over at Cape Rosa, where we intend to make a landing. Shackleton’s James Caird landed at Cape Rosa after an epic 16 days voyage from Elephant Island. Truly a historic day!
During the night at sea we will pass Cape Disappointment (discovered by James Cook in 1775) and the expedition will reach the South East corner of South Georgia. Drygalski Fjord is a great scenic place for zodiac cruising, we hope to land at Cooper Bay. During the next few days the expedition will explore the beaches of Gold Harbour, Royal and St. Andrews Bay. The sites that we visit give us a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like King and Macaroni Penguins, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Elephant Seals and the introduced reindeer.
There will be opportunities for walkers in the group to hike at Godthul, Maiviken, Gold Harbour and Stromness, the abandoned whaling village. Hikes will be guided and vary in length with approx 2 – 4 hours, 5 – 10 km. All hiking excursions are subject to weather and landing site availability.
At Grytviken we will also see an abandoned whaling village, where King Penguins now walk in the streets and seals have taken over the buildings. At Grytviken we’ll also offer a visit to the Whaling History Museum as well as to Shackleton’s grave near by.
In Fortuna Bay, the ship will most likely re-unite with the ski explorers. The beaches are inhabited by King Penguins and seals. We might even see reindeer! Both, sea explorers and ski explorers can follow the final section of Shackleton’s route to Stromness.
One of the final highlights might be our visit to Prion Island, where we will witness the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering Albatross and enjoy watching their displays. At Salisbury Plain, the second largest King Penguin colony in South Georgia, we will also see elephant seals. The voyage around South Georgia ends here and the ship will take course to the Falkland Islands around midday. Additional landing can take place on Ocean Harbour and Royal bay.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
6 x Breakfasts6 x Lunches6 x DinnersDay 14 to 17: Return across the South Atlantic to Ushuaia
On our way back we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Southern Atlantic.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
3 x Breakfasts3 x Lunches3 x DinnersDay 18: Disembark in Ushuaia.
In the morning we reach Port Stanley. Disembarkation and transfer onwards.