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Join Spirit of Sydney in Ushuaia, Argentina for a 26day trip to the Antarctic Peninsula AND THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME! (Feb6th - March 3rd 2009)
This is your chance to experience Antarctica as one of just 6-7 guests aboard a thoroughbred sailing yacht, where you will be wowed by the spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife of one of the last wildernesses on earth. As a small flexible group we can tailor-make our adventures and adapt itineraries to satisfy even the most seasoned adventure traveller. A cruise to Antarctica to see its dazzling landscapes and plentiful wildlife should be on everyone's "to-do" list, but this adventure simply beats them all!
Day 1- Board Spirit in Ushuaia, stow your gear and take in the briefings before sailing down the spectacular mountain lined Beagle Channel, to the tiny Chilean Naval outpost of Puerto Williams, where the yacht club bar in a sunken ship has fascinating memorabilia from many 'larger than life' southern ocean sailors who’ve called there in the past. Perhaps you’ll add your own!
Day 2- We make an early start for Cape Horn, sailing the length of the Beagle Channel, and subject to weather conditions, may land and visit the legendary Cape where an impressive monument stands mute testament to sailors through the ages, who have struggled rounding the notorious landmark.
Days 3-6 - Depending on weather windows, we head out into the Drake Passage to commence our 550nm ocean passage, where landfall will be the snow, rock and ice of the Antarctic Peninsula. We are sailing the "furious fifties" with landfall in the "screaming sixties", but thankfully the ‘state of the art’ weather systems aboard Spirit of Sydney enable us to negotiate the deep lows the Drake Passage is legendary for. Often we are able to choose weather windows that provide a safe comfortable and fast passage across - and you’ll find that with the routine of watches at sea, the time passes quickly.
Spirit of Sydney is an ocean greyhound and her origins as a southern ocean 'round the world' racing yacht reflect in her thoroughbred handling and the chance to steer a real racing yacht in the southern ocean is an exhilarating experience in itself, an exhilaration matched by the soaring flight of wandering albatrosses as they lift off the wave tops and soar above the yacht. Adventurous guests of all abilities are catered for, (you don’t need to be an experienced sailor to lend a hand) as the yacht is easily shorthanded, and even non-sailors have returned as seasoned veterans of southern ocean sailing.
Our arrival in Antarctic waters is heralded by porpoising penguins and the fantastical shapes of weird and wonderful icebergs, with anchorage perhaps at Whaler’s Bay in the sunken caldera of volcanic Deception Island - home to 300,000 pairs of bustling noisy chinstrap penguins. Perhaps we’ll wash off the last few days at sea with a dip in the volcanic hot springs at Pendulum Cove where steam rises eerily from the shore obscuring the dark brooding volcanic landscape.
Days 6-21 Our next days merge into each other as we cruise the relatively sheltered waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, exploring the wild and beautiful landscape and fascinating plethora of animal life.
Now’s your chance to take to the kayaks and slip along the side of an iceberg as lazy crab-eater seals plop into the water beside you, or perhaps to just drift along, -wondering at the sheer immensity of the glacier wrapped mountains that loom over you.
Perhaps you’d like to take the snow-shoes and hike up a snow hill to take in the view that literally extends for 50 miles or more in the clear crisp Antarctic air.
Paradise Harbour, Lemaire Channel, Neumayer Channel, all offer dramatic scenery, but we will have the chance cruise these and many other less visited places, in depth. The chance to see this "Last Paradise" as part of a small and flexible group offers opportunities for adventures that are beyond the realms of travel by any other means.
As an independent yacht we are able to visit tiny coves and shallow anchorages where one can enjoy the magnificent solitude of one of the remotest places on earth, while watching close-up the antics of the local inhabitants, curious leopard seals, playful humpback whales, or frenetically busy penguins. You are part of the landscape! - and we have the time and flexibility to stop and enjoy it. This is an expedition and you are a participant. As we sail through spectacular islands and straits you may take the helm or climb the mast to look for leads in the ice. Imagine yourself as one of the first visitors, early explorer or whaler, pushing into new territory, dwarfed by the awesome majesty of the landscape, and astonished by the amazing wealth of animal life.
This Expedition would not be complete without an overnight camp at ‘Jonathan Island’,…. An ultimate spectacular destination for an overnight kayak trip. The snow hill islet is set in an amphitheatre of jagged glacier clad mountains and sheltered by Leif Bay within the magical Paradise Harbour.
Spirit of Sydney is equipped with snow shoes and toboggans. Imagine tobogganing down virgin snow slopes, where surprised penguins gawk at ungainly humans!
Days 21- 26 After a couple of exciting cruising….exploring….kayaking… weeks, we begin to watch for a weather window to sail back across the Drake and make a sailor's 'Rounding of the Horn'. Weather permitting, we may shelter behind the Cape and drop the kayaks in for the ultimate ‘tick of the box’…. A chance to paddle around the notorious landmark. Its also possible to land and visit the Monument.
As we sail up the Beagle Channel, the verdant green magic of Patagonia with its lush Antarctic beech forests and cascades will delight senses accustomed to sea ice and snow. Our first night in 'Civilisation' will be a debrief at Puerto Williams, where a 'pisco sour' or two will help provide a fitting ambience to celebrate the end of a fabulous adventure. Our return to Ushuaia the next day is an easy 24 nm.
 Approaching Cape Horn from the South
This is a real ‘hands on’ expedition and everyone will need to be active in making the trip work. While there is a lot of planning and preparation put into these trips, we will be visiting places where the unexpected and unplanned will be part of the fun and excitement. Our aim is to take like-minded people on an experience of a lifetime. The trip will work best if everyone is prepared to lend a hand and be a part of the crew.
When you steer the yacht around Cape Horn and return to South America, you will have a real sense of achievement knowing you have been a part of a small team that has not just ‘been to Antarctica’, but you actually did it with your own hands! You get out of the expedition as much as you put in.
About Spirit of Sydney
Spirit of Sydney, an icon of Australian yachting, was originally designed and built for the 1986 BOC single handed around the world race by America’s Cup winner Ben Lexcen. Spirit is an ocean greyhound with real sailing ability and thoroughbred performance, and has been sailing the Southern Ocean and plying Antarctic waters every summer since 1994. Spirit of Sydney regularly supports expeditions in all parts of Antarctica with groups such as scientists from Australian Antarctic Division, (albatross research) Oregon State University Marine mammals Institute (tagging humpback Whales ) ,University of British Columbia, (Orca study), as well as television documentaries, like Animal Planets Steve Irwin The Croc Hunter, or “2 Below Zero” where Spirit of Sydney delivered 4.5 tons of equipment from Hobart to Commonwealth Bay for a 12 month winter-over near Mawson’s Hut. Other expeditions have included, National Geographic photographers, mountaineers, dry suit divers and kayaking expeditions including Andrew Mc Cauley’s epic “John Rymill Memorial Expedition”, the longest unsupported sea kayaking expedition in Antarctica. Spirit of Sydney has also sailed to Macquarie Island, Ross Sea, Weddell Sea, South Georgia Island and to the Magnetic South Pole.
Spirit has been meticulously maintained and refitted, so that she has evolved on a yearly basis. For example, in 2002 Spirit had a major refit which included a new engine, new mainsail, installation of a Plexiglas cockpit dodger and other work. In 2004, Spirit sailed to Buenos-Aires for another full refit, gaining at that time a new saloon and navigation area. More recently, central heating, a full hot water system and a custom water maker designed specifically for Antarctic waters have been installed to add greatly to high latitude voyage comfort levels. During this austral winter Spirit is once again visiting Buenos Aires for maintenance and refit.
Spirit of Sydney has 'state of the art' weather and communications systems. Individual email accounts are provided for guests and daily uploads are possible via the Iridium sat phone network. She is also equipped with Xaxero’s Sky-Eye System for real time satellite image downloads of weather systems which can be cross referenced with weather information from Global Marine Network.
Fitness levels
These trips are designed for fit, agile and active people who have adventurous and positive outlooks. Participation is the key to enjoyment.
No sailing experience is required.
There is no age limit as we have had fit and active people of all ages, even a 77year old sea kayaker who was out paddling almost every day!
All expeditioners will need to have a medical before departure as we are operating in a remote area, and its best for all concerned to have no surprises.
What’s included:
Once you step aboard ‘Spirit of Sydney’ all food, drinks including local beer and wine, port fees and permits are supplied. You need only bring some US dollars for buying souvenirs at Antarctic bases we may visit and for gratuities. You may also wish to bring a bottle of whiskey etc for nightcaps.
What’s not included:
Personal clothing and equipment, Travel insurance, Entry visa for Argentina, Hotel and meals in Ushuaia, Travel to and from Ushuaia. Iridium communications while on board. Cost of Medicals.
Sea kayaking option US$500.US Drysuit US$100.00
Sea Kayaking option
What’s included:
Current Designs ‘Storm’ kayaks ,paddles with pogies , spray deck, pump, lifejacket.
We also have 4 hand held VHFs, 2 hand held GPS, Personal EPIRBs and flare kits.
Drysuits – you may bring your own, or hire from us for $100US for the duration of the trip.
 Antarctic Hitch- hiker
Spirit of Sydney owns 6 Current Designs ‘Storms’ making it possible for you to not only cruise the Antarctic Peninsula but drop your kayak in the water and paddle it. This is a popular activity as there is no better way to see this place than from a kayak. It has a power over everyone who paddles in this area. You may want to paddle for a few hours, or a few days,- may be camping over on an Island for the night .Spirit of Sydney Expeditions is the only company working in Antarctica that can offer the equipment, the time and flexibility for extended paddling that is not possible on a ship based trip. Sea kayaking is highly recommended as the ultimate way to experience Antarctica ‘up close and personal’.
GETTING THERE
Lan Chile and Aerolineas Argentinas has regular flights to Buenos Aires with connection to Ushuaia. Hotel accommodation in Ushuaia is relatively inexpensive at around 150 pesos per night,
Click Here to contact us for more booking information and costs
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