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Does not include the Government Landing fees of US$700pp
Single room supplement is charged at 1.8 times the published fare on all cabins except the suite which will be charged at 2.0 times the published fare.

Maximum 48

Itinerary

The ultimate Antarctic Voyage. Journey to the very heart of Antarctica. The Ross Sea is one of the most remote regions and is only accessible for two months each year when the ice thaws. It is the historic gateway, discovered by Sir James Clark Ross in 1842. It was to the Ross Sea region that many of the most famous explorers and adventurers came.

Day 1.

Arrive at the city Invercargill,(V1271) New Zealand's southern most city, with a population of 54,000. Invercargill is also one of New Zealand's most hospitable cities and you will enjoy your time here. On arrival please transfer to the Kelvin Hotel, in the central city. (Dinner, bed and breakfast are included). During dinner at the hotel tonight you will meet other expedition members and some of the staff.

Day 2.

Breakfast at your leisure in the dining room at the hotel. You will be transferred by coach to the Port of Bluff (27 km south of Invercargill) to board the Spirit of Enderby. Depart for Snares Island.

Day 3.

The Snares Islands is the first of the Sub Antarctic Islands that you will be visiting. It is an amazing island - more birds nest on this small island than there are seabirds around the entire British Isles. You will arrive early morning, landings are not permitted so you will zodiac cruise the sheltered eastern side. Cruising in the sheltered bays you should see the endemic Snares crested penguins, tomtit and fernbird. Cape pigeons, Antarctic terns, white-fronted terns and red-billed gulls are around the coastline. There is an estimated 6 million Sooty shearwaters nesting on the Snares Islands (Buller's albatross nest here later in the season).

Days 4 - 5.

The Auckland Islands, one of the largest Sub Antarctic Islands also has a most colourful history of discovery and attempted settlement. During your stay you will visit Carnley Harbour and spend a day ashore on Enderby Island. Enderby Island is perhaps the most beautiful of all the Sub Antarctic Islands. Forested by gnarled and windswept rata, it has a low plateau of scrubland and cushion bog. You will enjoy the extensive Bulbinella rossii fields, the regenerating patches of Anisotome latifolia and the red and white gentians. The island enjoys a much milder climate than most Sub Antarctic Islands because of its location. It is home to the rare Hooker's sea lion which breed each year on Sandy Bay beach. In the forest behind the beach you will find bellbirds, red-crowned parakeets and the friendly tomtits. Yellow-eyed penguins also nest in the forest and under the tangled divaricate shrub Myrsine divaricata. They can be seen as they travel backwards and forwards across the beach to their nests, especially in the evenings. On the more open country beyond the rata forest you will find royal albatross nesting and the endemic Auckland Island dotterel. There is a good chance that you will see the endemic flightless teal at Derrycastle Reef as you explore this island. It is a day with fabulous photographic opportunities. In Carnley Harbour you will offer the energetic the opportunity to climb up to the South-West Cape shy mollymawk or albatross colony. It is a reasonably difficult scramble but worth the effort - the views are spectacular and the colony is readily accessible allowing great photo opportunities. Wandering albatross can sometimes be seen nesting in the tussock beyond the mollymawk colony. For those who don't climb, there will be a zodiac excursion to explore parts of this magnificent harbour. Depart the Auckland Islands in the mid afternoon and head south west to Macquarie Island.

Day 6.

At sea you will have a series of lectures supported by videos of the biology and history of the Sub Antarctic Islands and the Southern Ocean. The Sub Antarctic Convergence Zone is traditionally very close to the area you will sail through so you should expect the birdlife to reflect this as you get closer to Macquarie Island. You will be at sea all day, another opportunity to see pelagic species, including wandering albatross, royal albatross, shy (white capped) albatross, light-mantled sooty albatross, grey headed albatross, black browed albatross, white chinned petrel, mottled petrel, white headed petrel, Cape petrel, diving petrel, grey backed and black bellied storm petrel.

Days 7 & 8.

Macquarie Island, Australia's prized Sub Antarctic possession, is a small but impressive sliver of land supporting one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the southern hemisphere. Millions of penguins of four different species - King, rockhopper, gentoo and the endemic royal breed here. The plan is to spend two days observing the best wildlife areas on the island and visit the Australian scientific base where Tasmanian Park Rangers take you on a tour of the station and nearby areas. The King penguin rookery at Lusitania Bay is spectacular. A welcoming committee porpoises around our zodiacs as a quarter of a million King Penguins stand at attention on shore. In the centre of the rookery, rusting condensers are grim reminders of a time when many penguins were slaughtered for their oil. Now, their forgiving offspring have reclaimed this territory.

At Sandy Bay, a Royal penguin rookery teems with feisty little birds trotting back and forth, golden head plumes bobbing as they march to and from the shore. All 3 million Royal Penguins in the world breed on Macquarie Island. Large groups of elephant seals slumber on the sandy beaches and in the tussock grass further inland. These giant, blubbery creatures barely acknowledge our presence, lying in groups of intertwined bodies undergoing their annual moult. Younger bulls spar in the shallow water preparing for their mature years when they will look after their own harem. Other wildlife includes fur seals, four species of nesting albatross - wandering, black browed, grey headed and light-mantled sooty as well as many other species of birds. Macquarie Island is certainly the richest single wildlife area on your voyage and your crew will aim to fit in as much as possible. It will be a superb experience.

Days 9 - 12.

Soaring albatrosses and petrels circle the vessel as you move ever southward through the Southern Ocean. The lecture programme will continue. Sea water temperatures will be monitored, so you know when you cross the Antarctic Convergence into the cold but extremely productive Antarctic waters. Drifting icebergs are sighted, with vivid colours and extraordinary shapes. Each is an unique example of natural sculpture. The Captain will manoeuvre the ship close in for your first ice photography. There will be special celebrations as you pass the Antarctic Circle and into Antarctica's realm of 24-hour daylight.

Days 13 - 22.

Antarctica's Ross Sea region is historically significant. Due to the unpredictible nature of weather and ice conditions, a day to day itinerary is not possible. The Captain and Expedition Leader will assess daily conditions and take advantage of every opportunity to make landings or zodiac sightseeing tours. Wildlife viewing, historic sights and scientific bases will feature, as will the spectacular scenery of the coastline, icebergs and glaciers. Specific landings cannot be guaranteed, but we hope to visit the following sites, along with new unexplored areas.

Cape Adare
This is the site of the largest Adelie penguin rookery in Antarctica. Numbering up to one million birds, they carpet the flat spit that forms the cape and offer a staggering sight. These birds have no reason to show fear of humans so if you have the patience to sit quietly amongst the active mobs you may be rewarded with some superb close up encounters. Our naturalists are on hand to point out specific behaviours of the often comical penguins.
We also make a trip to Borchgrevink's Hut, the oldest in Antarctida. It was an overwintering shelter for the first expedition to ANtarctica in 1899 and still contains artifacts of the early explorers.

Terra Nova Bay
Baia Terra Nova is an Italian summer research station. They claim to make the best 'caffe espresso' on the continent, and are ready and willing to show us around their modern facilities

Cape Hallett
The wild and rugged scenery here is evident upon our arrival when we see the 4000 metre mountains and giant glaciers. We land next to an abandoned American-New Zealand base and explore wildlife including Adelie Penguins and Weddell Seals.

Franklin Island
We attempt to land here, and those feeling fit are able to climb to the summit of the island. The glacial landscape is home to multiple species of nesting seabirds as well as to a large Adelie Penguin population.

Ross Ice Shelf
The Ross Ice Shelf is the worlds largest body of floating ice. At just 800 mils from the South Pole, this natural ice barrier can create hazardous weather conditions and prevented many early explorers from getting further south. Katabatic winds coming off the polar ice cap can at times blow sheets of snow at gale force and make for dramatic scenes. 30 metre ice cliffs along the eastern side will amaze as we cruise along the Shelf front.

Ross Island- Mt Erebus, Cape Bird, Shackleton's Hut and Scott's Hutt
Ross Island is dominated by the 13,000 foot high volcano Mt Erebus. The New Zealand Antarctica Programme maintains a field station at Cape Bird and we may be lucky enough to catch the scientists there when we visit. At Cape Royds we visit Sir Ernest Shackleton's hut, built during the Nimrod polar attempt of 1907. As one of the areas most famous and intrepid explorers, Shackleton's amazing expeditions are explained in lectures. Cape Evans is home to Scott's second hut erected in 1911 and beautifully preserved by the staff at New Zealand's Scott Base. The huts interior shows what the harsh reality of what life was like for the early explorers here.

Days 23 - 26.

At Sea enroute to Campbell Island take part in a series of lectures. Above all take time to rest and enjoy life aboard the ship.

Day 27.

Campbell Island is a wildlife haven. Its rugged scenery, unique flora and abundant wildlife are dramatic. At the harbour tellingly called Perseverance Harbour, we find a now abandonded New Zealand meteorological station as well as Campbell Island Shags, penguins and Fur Seals. Sightings of the rare Hooker's Sealion will also impress. The Southern Albatross breeds here and a walk to the hilltop breeding sites is a highlight. These magnificent birds have the largest wingspan in the world and are very approachable, making great photographic subjects.

Day 28.

At sea we relax and reflect on what will have been an amazing experience. Enroute to Bluff we take the opportunity to recap the highlights of the experience and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 29.

After breakfast and customs formalities we disembark at the Port of Bluff and transfer to Invercargill City, or airport. Please make onward travel bookings for after midday.

Grading & Fitness

Grade A
General good health necessary.
No specific fitness requirements.

Clients must be in good general health to join our expeditions. The expedition is ship-based, and physically not very demanding. Although you spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join the voyage, you must be able to get up and down steps between the different ship levels and up and down the gangway to board the zodiacs for the excursions ashore.

Guides & Safety

Rodney Russ - Expedition Leader
Rodney trained with and worked for the New Zealand Wildlife Service (now Department of Conservation) as a "Protected Species Officer" - responsible for the management and conservation of rare and endangered bird species. His work took him the length and breadth of New Zealand and to the Sub Antarctic Islands. He left the department to further his studies at the University of Otago - where he completed a double degree in New Zealand and Pacific History and theology. He became more passionate about the need to share the natural world with people, emphasising the need for advocacy in a successful conservation strategy.

In addition to New Zealand Expeditions Rodney has led expeditions to the Pacific and Asia and more recently to South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula. His goal in everything that he does is to provide opportunities which enhance travellers' experience and understanding of the natural world.

The Expeditions are also led by some of the most experienced Southern Ocean naturalists, who have devoted a lifetime to research in this region.

What to take

On board the ship:

The ship is heated throughout with the normal temperature 17-25C. In keeping with the expedition's atmosphere, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing. Keep in mind that much of the spectacular scenery can be appreciated from deck, which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles and make sure a jacket is never far away in case of the call, "Whales" comes over the load speaker and you have to dash outside. Wear layers since it is comfortably warm on board the ship - and cold out on deck. There may be an occasion, i.e. Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or a spontaneously Posh Night where you may require clothing that is a little more formal.

Tips to stay comfortable & warm in cold weather: