Circumnavigation
of South Georgia
November 30 - December 20, 2006
November 30
Miami, USA / Santiago, Chile
Gather this evening at the Miami International Airport for our flight to Santiago.
December 1
Santiago
Upon arrival in Santiago, transfer to our hotel. Spend the rest of the day
relaxing or join an optional sightseeing excursion in Chile’s cosmopolitan
capital city. Enjoy lunch at the hotel restaurant. Dinner and overnight at
our hotel.
December 2
Santiago / Stanley, Falkland Islands
After breakfast, board our flight to Stanley, Falkland Islands, and embark
the Clipper Adventurer. Before sailing this evening, we have time to explore
the charming town of Stanley, whose streets are seemingly transported from
Victorian England.
December 3–4
Cruising the South Scotia Sea
Our lecture series commences with presentations and informal discussions with
our naturalists as they give us an in-depth introduction to South Georgia.
Join our captain and his officers on the open bridge to learn about navigation
and follow the ship’s progress eastward on the nautical chart.
December
5–12
South Georgia
Flexibility on this expedition is a must. If the weather is in our favor,
we may want to make a landing before breakfast or even after dinner. As our
ship circumnavigates the island, we call at some of the many islands, bays,
and coves where outstanding birdlife, seals, and sea lions can be glimpsed
close-at-hand—a photographer’s paradise. The expeditionary nature
of this voyage prevents us publishing a day-by day itinerary, but the following
is a list of places we plan to visit. Some of them are pending final government
approval.
King Haakon Bay
Our eight-day circumnavigation of South Georgia follows in the grand tradition
of the legendary voyager Sir Ernest Shackleton. King Haakon Bay is where he
beached his lifeboat, the James Caird, after his grueling voyage from Elephant
Island in 1916. This bay’s historical significance is revealed as our
Zodiacs enter the small cove just east of Cape Rosa, where Shackleton made
landfall. Then we move in farther to Peggotty Bluff, where he camped and then
began his remarkable crossing of the island, over its mountainous terrain
and glaciers, to the then-active whaling station at Stromness Bay on the north
coast.
Elsehul Bay
This beautiful bay on the north end is home to thousands of fur seals. Listen
for the high-pitched trumpeting of the king penguins amid the magnificent
sounds of marine mammals that echo throughout this bay.
Right Whale Bay
We land on a volcanic black-sand beach in search of southern fur seals, elephant
seals, and king penguins and the other bird species known to inhabit the area.
Salisbury
Plain
Thousands upon thousands of king penguins greet us, in every conceivable plumage.
Lush and dense tussock grass provides habitats for the birds. Two glaciers
and rugged snowcapped ridges form a spectacular background for the huge king
penguin rookery.
Prion Island
Prion is a nesting ground for wandering albatross. A hike up the ridge takes
us closer to view these magnificent birds, whose 11-foot wingspans permit
effortless soaring. We should find skuas and giant petrels nesting or wheeling
overhead in great numbers. Fur seals are everywhere.
Stromness Bay
Site of Shackleton’s arrival after a harrowing crossing of the island’s
glaciers on foot, Stromness offers views of cliffs and a glacier, which the
adventurer and his companions descended. We explore by Zodiac and nature walks,
which take us along a pebble beach full of king and gentoo penguins.
Grytviken
With our ship in the bay we explore on foot, discovering old ruins of buildings
of this once-active whaling station. The cemetery holds a special fascination,
as it is here, at the scene of his greatest triumph, that Shackle ton is buried
on this island he loved. We can see penguins and other seabirds, as well as
marine mammals, while we hike along the beaches.
Royal Bay
The 1882 German transit of Venus expedition conducted its research at this
large bay, and remains of the party’s buildings still stand on shore.
Ross Glacier forms a dramatic backdrop to the wild scenery, where 50,000 king
penguins are waiting for you.
Gold
Harbour
Gold Harbour, at the foot of the Bertrab Glacier, is home to a colony of king
penguins. Tussock grass and mini-meadows of soft mosses cling to the low mountains
and cliff edges. We are likely to see elephant seals, thousands of fur seals,
light-mantled sooty albatross, and tens of thousands of king penguins. Photographic
opportunities should be superb.
Hercules Bay
At this rocky bay we have the opportunity to view macaroni penguins, the most
numerous of all penguin species. A steep hike gives the adventurous peeks
of light-mantled sooty albatross on their cliff-side nests.
Cooper Bay
This small bay lies within Cooper Sound, where whalers once sought shelter.
Spectacular rock headlands, with sharp cleavages of metamorphosed sandstone,
present intriguing geological perspectives. Here, we are likely to encounter
light-mantled sooty albatross; king, gentoo, and macaroni penguins; prions,
petrels, and terns; in addition to elephant, fur, and Weddell seals.
Drygalski Fjord
One of the long sinuous arms inside this protected fjord, Larsen Harbour offers
our vessel a protected anchorage from all the forces of wind and sea. Elephant
seals frequent the bay, and we may hear the rumbling roars of mature bulls.
December 13–14
Cruising the South Scotia Sea
Our lecturers recap our experiences at South Georgia. Join our naturalists
on deck in search of the marine mammals and seabirds that flourish in these
nutrient-rich waters.
December 15
Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands
Off the south coast of East Falkland Island, Sea Lion Island provides one
of the highlights of our Falklands visit. Today we walk with our naturalists
along the coast of Sea Lion Island to a gentoo penguin colony and a large
freshwater pond holding an excellent variety of Falklands waterfowl.
December 16
Steeple Jason
Today we land at Steeple Jason Island and have an opportunity to visit one
of the largest albatross colonies in the world. Looking like finely painted
porcelain figures, thousands of black-browed albatross sit atop their nests
as the first chicks of the season begin to hatch. Known locally as "Johnny
Rooks," striated caracaras sit posted like sentries on the fringe of
the colony, and like the skuas circling overhead, they are ever watchful for
the opportunity to steal their next meal. Also ashore are rookeries of gentoo
penguins and South American sea lions. Photographic opportunities abound.
December 17
Carcass Island
On Carcass Island we explore gentoo and Magellanic penguin rookeries and walk
the beautiful beaches, which are rich with seabirds. We have an opportunity
to visit with the few residents of Carcass Island settlement and see the unique
colony of night herons that lives in the trees nearby.
December 18
At Sea
As our expedition draws to a close, our lecturers sum up our travels and offer
final insights into all that we have experienced along the way.
December 19
Ushuaia, Argentina
Disembark the ship in the world’s southernmost town. Transfer to the
airport for the flight to Santiago, connecting to Miami.
December 20
Miami, USA
Early-morning arrival in Miami and connect with homeward flights.
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