Tours

For many years, people speculated about the shape of the earth. One missing piece was the weight that kept the earth from tipping over. Aristole already speculated about a region bearing the same relation to the south pole as the one in the north. Antarktike would be the female form of Antarktikos. Meaning as much as across from Arctic. Much later this missing continent even had a name, Terra Australis. The British explorer Mattew Flinders, mapped great parts of the continent now known as Australia. He claimed there was “no probability” of finding any land mass further south than “his” Australia. Claims like these didn’t stop brave men from venturing further and further south. By 1820 the continent surrounding the South Pole was found. It stayed well hidden in the Antarctic mist and was the object of many great expeditions. Some in search of its supposed natural resources, some in search of the whales and their blubber, some in search of fame!

When starting the crossing of the infamous Drake passage, we hope that Elephant Island will be our first land fall. Following this chain of Islands we will come to the South Shetland Islands. Its highlights the imploded Deception Island. From there our journey continues to take in the sights of the great white continent. Possible places to visit are Half-moon bay, Paradise harbour, Port Lockroy, al depending on the weather conditions of course. During our stay on the peninsula it would be very possible to be in company of Humpback whales and Fin Whales.

The most Southern continent also has its own kind of fauna like the many penguins, but also a great variety of seals among whom we can hopefully find the fearsome looking Leopard Seal. If the ice allows us we will try to transit the Le Maire channel with it awesome views! 

When it’s time to leave again, we get ready for our second Drake Passage. Weather and wind depending this may be a day earlier then scheduled, to be able to choose the best weather window. If arrival in Puerto Williams is early, the last days can be spend exploring Navarino Island as there are many beautiful secluded anchorages!