Best of Both Co-ed adventures is teaming up with Ice Axe – Discover Antarctica 2010
Join the adventure today.
The Ice Axe team, with a decade of Antarctic expedition experience, brings their passion and knowledge of unique landings and first ski descents to your Antarctic voyage.
Sail and Ski the Antarctic Peninsula
Yacht Australis
November & December 2010
Join Ice Axe Expeditions for a ski-driven journey to the Antarctic Peninsula. In November 2010, Ice Axe is offering 10 or 14-day itineraries aboard the Yacht Australis. An exclusive 8 passenger ski-mountaineering experience in the Southern Ocean’s most dramatic amphitheater of snow, ice and wildlife. This intimate adventure is designed to maximize exploration and ski objectives amidst the stunning terrain of the Peninsula’s most attractive peaks.
We keep 4:1 client to guide ratio to maximize safety.
Join Ice Axe Expeditions November 2011 for a unique itinerary to the vast and remote wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula. Our trips and itineraries are customized for those with an adventure-driven spirit; providing our clients with a unique opportunity to trek, ski and snowboard several of the White Continent’s untamed peaks. Journey deep into the rugged landscape of one of earth’s last frontiers while enjoying the convenience, safety and comfort of the Clipper Adventurer expedition ship. Sail past Cape Horn, across the Drake Passage and along the Antarctic Peninsula and join an exclusive group of intrepid travelers inspired by the legacy of Antarctic discovery.
Experience true modern exploration as you travel to a land covered by glaciers, never conquered by man. Travel through alleys of icebergs and study the blue mystery of such extraordinary formations of nature. Explore harbors and bays while surrounded by clouds of seabirds and become enveloped in the raw magnificence. Witness the profound beauty and isolation of a land covered by ice. Listen to glaciers calve and observe with wonder minke whales, black-browed albatross, snow petrels, penguins and seals. Ponder the complexity of the fragile and dynamic ecosystem of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Daily shore landings, lectures and zodiac excursions will cover the history, biology, geology and politics of our Southernmost continent. Actively explore this frontier or contemplate the social structure of a penguin colony-this once-in-a-lifetime trip is for you. Packages start at $6990.
Itinerary– Yacht Australis
November 13th to December 5th 2010
23 days, 22 nights. Sail to and from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula.
November 13. Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Welcome dinner and orientation. Overnight in Ushuaia.
November 14. Day 2: Ski Martial Glacier with team. Overnight in Ushuaia.
November 15. Day 3: Breakfast at hotel. Board the ship and set sail down the Beagle Channel.
November 15-18. Day 3-6: Cross the Drake Passage. Sperm, fin, and humpback whales, along with skies of seabirds will accompany our journey. Arrive at Deception Island’s volcanic crater in the afternoon of Day 6 for a hike.
November 19. Day 7: Ski objectives at Brambant Island.
November 20. Day 8: Ski objectives at Neko Harbor.
November 21. Day 9: Ski and trekking objectives in Paradise Bay. Zodiac Excursions. Visit penguin rookery and Almirante Brown Station.
November 22. Day 10: Lemaire Channel/ Mt. Scott/ Mt. Demaria/Mt. Mill ski descents. Visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky scientific station. Killer whale and leopard seal sightings.
November 23: Day 11: Additional exploration of Lemaire Channel/ Mt. Scott/ Mt. Demaria/Mt. Mill ski descents.
November 24: Day 12 Iceberg Alley and Graham Coastland.
November 25. Day 13: Ski and trekking objectives at Anvers and Wienke Islands. Port Lockroy scientific base and museum. Visit gentoo and adelie penguin habitat.
November 26. Day 14: Wienke and Anvers objectives.
November 27. Day 15: Ski objectives at Crystal Sound.
November 28. Day 16: Ski objectives at Cuverville Island.
November 29 Day 17: Ronge Island/Mt. Britannia. Visit Penguin rookery at Georges Point.
November 30. Day 18: Additional obejectives at Ronge Island/Mt Britannia
December 1. Day 19: Ski objectives at Livingston Island.
December 2. Day 20: Morning ski objectives at King George Island.
December 2-5. Day 20-23: Sail Drake Passage; pass the dramatic cliffs of Cape Horn.
December 5. Day 23: Disembark Yacht Australis in Ushuaia, Argentina.
**Flexibility is a must for all Antarctic travel. This program is subject to change throughout the journey depending on ice, weather, flight availability and local conditions.**
2010 Yacht Australis Pricing and FAQ
Dates
November 13th to December 5th 2010
** These dates are subject to change by one or two days. Contact our office before confirming your flights**
23 days, 22 nights. Sail to and from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula.
How do I reserve my trip?
- Contact The Best of Both Adventures at 787-823-0610 or contact us via email at info@bestofbothadventures.com
- You may place your deposit via check, wire transfer, money order or with a Visa or MasterCard credit card. A 5% service charge applies for credit card processing.
- If you mail a check with your trip application, your place will not be reserved until the check has cleared through our bank.
- Please Note; a 50% deposit is required upon booking to reserve your place. The final balance is payable 95 days prior to your departure date.
Cruise Cost includes:
- 2 nights pre-expedition shared hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, Argentina. Room includes a continental breakfast.
- Group Welcome Dinner in Ushuaia
- Ski guide while in the Antarctic.
- Group transfers from the hotel to the ship on embarkation and from the ship to the airport on disembarkation and all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board the ship.
- Shore landings and Zodiac excursions as permitted by weather and local conditions.
- Expedition certificate.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information package
Not Included:
- Airfares to or from your home city, whether on scheduled or charter flights.* Departure flights should be booked as changeable or you should be aware of what change fees may apply. Travel in the Antarctic can be highly unpredictable and flights returning from the Peninsula can be delayed which may affect your international itinerary. Ice Axe is not responsible for any change fees due to unforeseen weather delays. Ice Axe staff will do our best to assist you in your travel arrangements should delays arise.
- Additional accommodations in Punta Arenas due to weather delays.
- Evacuation insurance.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Any government arrival and departure airport taxes.
- Ski or trekking equipment.
- Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel and the welcome dinner on the evening prior to departure.
- Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory. Ice Axe can help you to arrange this insurance if you need assistance. It is generally around $125.00 per person).
- Excess baggage charges.
- Alcoholic beverages onboard the ship or at the hotel.
- Telecommunications charges or the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for guides and yacht personnel.
Do I need previous sailing experience?
No. The ship has an extremely experienced Captain and first mate who will operate the yacht. You may at times be asked to assist with various operations during the voyage, but you will be instructed before hand by the captain.
Will we be camping?
No. The Australis will be our floating base camp and the team will return to sleep there each night.
What is the weather like?
The weather in Antarctica is extremely unpredictable. Heavy rainfall is unusual; strong winds are relatively common, so it is important to pack accordingly. The average temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula during the summer months range from approximately 23º – 41º F. The weather in Ushuaia is a bit warmer but also has the wind and rain characteristics of the Antarctic weather systems.
You say the weather can be pretty unpredictable. What happens if there are delays?
If any trip must be delayed due to bad weather, cancelled or delayed transportation, sickness or any other situation for which Ice Axe Expeditions cannot make provisions, all costs incurred during such delays must be borne by trip members.
What if I need to cancel?
All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received up to 150 days prior to departure are refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person. If cancellation is received between 149 and 95 days prior to departure, the deposit is forfeited. Please note that for cancellations received within 94 days prior to departure, all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 94-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. Prices quoted are based on group participation and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate.