Day 1: Friday, Dec 08, 2023
Airport Transfer
Meal
Accomodation
Based on previous photography expeditions to Antarctica in
December we plan to use the travel route as illustrated on the map over page.
However, our final itinerary may change due to ice, weather and other
environmental conditions.
Day 0 We recommend you plan to arrive at least one day early in
Ushuaia, Argentina in case of lost luggage or other delays. There are many good
hotels in Ushuaia and we can recommend one for you.
Day 1 Departure from Ushuaia, sailing out the Beagle channel and into
the Drake Passage. We begin our welcome to Antarctica lectures.
Day 2 At sea. We cross the Drake Passage and begin our journey toward
Antarctica. Our photography begins almost immediately with Albatross, Petrels,
and many other sea birds that follow our ship as we traverse the Drake. We will
have a number of briefings and lectures during the voyage in order to help you
prepare for our first photography session in Antarctica.
Day 3 First landing at the South Shetland islands. Our landing site
will be chosen based on the prevailing weather conditions. We also expect to
encounter and photograph our first icebe gs.
Day 4-12 We will be visiting some of the best areas for wildlife and
landscape photography during our time in Antarctica. Areas we plan to visit
include Antarctic Sound (home of gigantic tabular icebergs), the surreal
Deception Island in Whalers Bay (home of rusty whalers remnants), Astrolab and
south toward the spectacular Lemaire channel. If conditions permit we will
traverse the Lemaire channel in first light and land at Petermann Island. At
this time of the year we expect areas like the Weddel sea to be mostly closed
with ice, but there will be many other areas for us to explore and photograph
including an attempt at the Lemaire Channel. We will take advantage of weather
and light to maximize our photographic opportunities at all times.
Day 13 At sea heading toward South America, Argentina.
Day 14 Return back to Ushuaia. Disembark. End of Service.
YOUR EXPEDITION INVESTMENT
The expedition fee is per person based upon cabin selection:
Main Triple, shared facilities USD $12,990
Main Twin, shared facilities USD $14,790
Upper/Captain’s Twin, private facilities USD $15,990
Captain’s Mini Suite, private facilities USD $17,990
Captain’s Full Suite, private facilities USD $19,990
Prices quoted are per person in $USD, based on twin-share. If you
wish to have your own private cabin there is a single occupancy of 1.8 times
the twin share price. No single travel fees apply if you are willing to share
your cabin (triple & twin cabins only). Fuel surcharge may apply in the
event of significant fuel price increases. Participants will be notified in
writing in this event.
Payment Terms
The trip needs meticulous planning. You will need to pay 100%
towards booking the trip.
Trip Insurance Please note that travel and evacuation insurance is
mandatory.
Your leader / team / crew
This expedition to Antarctica is Led by Joshua Holko (Wild Nature
Photo Travel). The expedition is for a strictly limited number of 52
participants plus five photography guides and expedition leader. We have
chartered the full ship - the ice hardened expedition ship M/S Polar Pioneer
with a highly experienced crew so that we can get as close as possible to giant
icebergs for the best photographs. Our expedition ship the ‘Polar Pioneer’ is
equipped with sufficient zodiacs and crew for all photographers to be shooting
simultaneously with plenty of room to spare for camera equipment. So bring what
you need!
ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION FOCUS
The main focus of this expedition will be Antarctic wildlife
including penguins, seabirds, seals, and possibly even whales. We also plan to
photograph snow and ice covered landscapes and icebergs. Our expedition has
been timed early in the season so we expect fantastic icebergs and a
breathtaking winter landscape. Experience has shown us that this will give you
the best possible photo opportunities whilst giving us ample opportunity for a
landing at Deception Island and a cruise through the Lemaire channel.
Antarctica is one of the hot-spots for photographing penguins, seals and icebergs
in a great landscape. We will be landing early in the morning and late in the
evening to get the best possible light conditions, which you will miss out on
an ordinary tourist trip. We will schedule much longer stops than usual when
going ashore in order to provide participants with enough time to get excellent
pictures. We will be using five zodiac boats to get ashore or when searching
for the wildlife at sea. With 9-10 full days near the Antarctic Peninsula, this
expedition is for nature photographers who want more quality time with the
Antarctic wildlife and landscape.
WHY TRAVEL TO ANTARCTICA WITH US?
Our program is 100% tailored towards photography.
IATTO restrictions enforce the number of visitors to Antarctica rigorously. With only 52 photographers you will not miss any opportunity or suffer any landing restrictions due to large passenger numbers.
Timed as one of the first in the season in order to provide the very best opportunities for great light and fantastic icebergs.
Photography on our expedition is our primary focus and concern (after safety). Our catering staff understand our requirement to be working when the light is at its best. As such our meal times are flexible and not regimented to ensure we maximize all opportunities.
Photography guide leaders: Joshua Holko and his team are all full time professional Nature photographers who specialize in Polar Photography and who have a combined total of well over twelve seasons of experience and more than twenty four expeditions to Antarctica.
Our expanded photographic guide team is quite simply the best in the business. With a combined total of well over sixty expeditions to Antarctica our guides know and understand what you are looking for in your photography and are dedicated to ensuring you capture the best possible images
during the expedition.
*If you cancel when your spot is confirmed and outside of 60 days until departure, you can receive a trip credit for your down payment minus the $100 cancellation fee.
