Antarctica with South Georgia, The Falklands & Argentina

The Great White Continent – Escorted Wildlife & Photography Tour

2 February to 25 February 2011

Leader: Simon Boyes

The confiding nature of the wildlife and the stunning scenery of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands provide some of the best photographic opportunities for the natural history photographer in the world. We visit in the austral summer when there is at least 18 hours of daylight - a real bonus for taking those atmospheric pictures. On this cruise we visit both Antarctica and the Falkland Islands, with visits to the superb penguin and albatross colonies of South Georgia. The sight of thousands of King Penguins on Salisbury Plain is a truly awesome experience and the photographer can take literally hundreds of photos. We cruise in luxury amidst ice floes, towering snow-capped mountains, and past deep-blue icebergs. Penguins, albatrosses, shearwaters, prions, skuas, petrels, seals, whales and dolphins will be constant companions throughout the voyage. For the photographer the endless procession of birds, mammals, scenery and sights is relentless. Visits will be made to various islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, using a fleet of zodiacs, navigated by skilled operators, which enable us to explore some of the more inaccessible areas.

For this cruise we have chosen to use the Marina Svetaeva for our cruise to Antarctica. She is a powerful vessel, with an ice-strengthened hull, yet is very quiet and manoeuvrable - ideal for cruising in polar regions. She will take a maximum of 89 people and has a fleet of zodiacs which make it easy to explore the more inaccessible areas of this Great White Continent. She has a superb expeditionary staff and a team of on-board lecturers, who will impart their knowledge of the natural history and geographical features of the region.

We also have some time for birding in Argentina with the Costanera Sur, Ceibas and the Tierra del Fuego National Park being the main sites visited. In our short time here we should see well over 150 species of bird, including Andean Condor and Magellanic Woodpecker.

Throughout the tour you will have the services of Simon Boyes to help you identify the wildlife and to take care of you. Simon is well known as one of our most travelled leaders and has visited Antarctica on more than eight occasions.