SEASONS

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA & SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS Antarctic wildlife is at its most active during the southern summer. The beauty and solitude of Antarctic seas and mountains conceals the frantic activity of the shoreline colonies of birds and mammals. In this five-month period, from November to March, we operate our expedition cruises aboard the USHUAIA. Summer arrives first in the South Shetland Islands and spreads south along the Antarctic Peninsula. As the Antarctic year progresses, from spring to autumn, the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands change in appearance and character each season offering a different range of spectacular sights and possibilities to the visitor.

November - December (spring – early summer)

After the winter darkness, spring fever hits Antarctica and the sun causes an explosive growth of phytoplankton in areas of mineral upwelling. The phytoplankton provides food to the astronomic swarms of zooplankton, including krill. Krill forms the base of the food chain for squid, fish and ultimately for seabirds, seals and whales, which flock in to fatten themselves and to produce their young.

• Crabeater seals are born between September and November.

• Elephant seals guard their harems aggressively until December. • The first big whales come down to Antarctica to feed, among them humpback, Minke and southern right whale. • Amazing displays of the penguins’ courtship ritual, including nest building, sky pointing and stone stealing. • Penguin, petrel and cormorant eggs are laid in November and December. • Penguin chicks start to hatch at the end of December in the South Shetland Islands. • Wintering scientists at the research stations welcome the first visitors of the season. • Longest days in December create longer daylight hours – photographs can be taken at midnight! • Last winters sea-ice offers sometimes spectacular sailing among the floes with seals everywhere on the ice.

January – February (summer)

In Antarctica’s warmest months wildlife activities are in full swing. Most penguin chicks hatch in January, earliest in the South Shetland Islands and later more to the south at the Peninsula. The frantic activity continues in the colonies in February as the young get older and bolder and are gathering in crèches.

• Fur seal and leopard seal pups are visible. • Whale watching is at its best in February. • Penguin colonies at their busiest, fetching krill and feeding chicks. • In February receding ice allows exploration further south along the Antarctic Peninsula. • Concentration of fur seals increases.

March (autumn)

Nightly darkness returns as the sun sinks farther below the southern horizon, but temperatures are still above zero, though we may experience a touch of Antarctic winter with night frosts, creating beautiful patterns of thin sea ice on the surface. The snow cover is at its minimum allowing for easy and extensive walks in the South Shetland Islands.

• Penguin chicks are in their adolescent state now and quite curious about visitors. • The adult penguins moult and the young go to sea. • Receding ice allows exploration farthest south along the Antarctic Peninsula. • Spectacular green and pink algae blooms on snow-slopes and ice cliffs. • Whale watching is still very good. In Falkland Islands and South Georgia spring and summer arrive earlier than in the South Shetlands & the Antarctic Peninsula and consequently the breeding activities of sea-birds and sea mammals start earlier there. South Georgia is home to several birds with a cycle longer than one year, so eggs and young in King Penguin colonies can always be found from November to March. November is full spring in South Georgia, comparable with December in the South Shetlands, but without sea-ice.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Rates All rates are quoted in US Dollars per person, based on twin or triple occupancy. Two dedicated Premier single cabins are available at a special single rate.

A limited number of twin cabins (except Suites) are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share rate. Suites may be reserved at 2 times the share rate. A third berth in the Suites and Superior #301 may be occupied at 50% of the published twin share rate.

Shared accommodation can be arranged on request.

All rates are subject to change and Antarpply Expeditions reserves the right to modify the published rates without prior notice.

Included in the cruise price:

• Voyage aboard the USHUAIA as indicated in the itinerary.

• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the USHUAIA. • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiac. • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff. • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. • Comprehensive pre-departure material. • Detailed post-expedition log. Not included in the cruise price:

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages (guidelines will be provided).

Reservations and Payments A deposit of 30% of the cruise fare is required per person to confirm reservations with final payment due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellations All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of US$ 500 per person.

From 89 days up to and including the day of departure all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 89 day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately.

For these and other reasons mentioned below, you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance. Antarpply Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any voyage prior to departure in which case payments will be refunded in full without further obligation on our part.

Itineraries The itineraries published are for reference only and are subject to change due to weather and ice conditions, or due to any other reason beyond our control, at the Master’s and Expedition Leader’s discretion without prior notice. Passengers have no right to any refund, any other consideration or claim whatsoever in the event of inevitable itinerary changes.

Insurance Antarpply Expeditions requests their passengers to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation and mandatory medical evacuation and repatriation cover. Antarpply Expeditions shall not be responsible for any injuries to persons (whether or not resulting in death) or damage or loss to property. In case of a medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the passenger and Antarpply Expeditions specifically decline any responsibility whatsoever (also if not covered by travel insurance).

Passenger Contract The passenger must sign a passenger contract which constitutes the sole contract and his/her agreement to all the terms and conditions relative to the cruise. By accepting the cruise ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms & conditions.

Version: September 01, 2015

Ushuaia

SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

Staten Island

Malvinas

SouthGeorgia

Paulet Island

ElephantIslandKing George

IslandLivingston

Island

Petermann Island

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE

SOUTH ATLANTICOCEAN

SOUTH PACIFICOCEAN

SCOTIA SEA

Deception Island

Port LockroyLemaire Channel

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

WEDDELL SEA

DRAKEPASSAGE

South OrkneyIslands