ANTARCTICA TRIP INFORMATION

After a long flight from Italy to Ushuaia and a short visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park (Land of Fire), a three weeks Antarctica cruise on the russian ship Prof. Molchanov follows, traveling to the Antarctica Peninsula and to the sub-antarctic islands of South Shetland, Elephant island, South Orkney, South Georgia and the Falkland islands, searching for wildlife, birds, elephant seals and for interesting places related to history and exploration. This tour was organized by Quark Expeditions.

For more pictures about pengiuns and Antarctic wildlife, see also my subsequent trips to the Falkland Islands and to the subantarctic islands of Australia and New Zealand.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is the gateway where the ship to Antarctica departs and returns. I take advance of a free morning, to visit "Tierra del Fuego" National Park. GO

Presentation of the ship Prof. Molchanov

Because of her small size and versatility in icing conditions, this ship, with a capacity of just 50 passengers, is ideal to navigate the southern ocean and the Antarctica peninsula. GO

Antarctica: Paradise Bay

The first zodiac cruise and landing in Antarctica is made at Paradise Bay, near the closed Argentinian station of Almirante Brown, where there is also a nice colony of molting Gentoo penguins. GO

Antarctica: Lemaire Channel

This narrow passage separates Antarctica's mainland, with the nearby islands. The severe icing conditions, with a 10/10th pack ice, weren't an obstacle, and the ship passed through beautifully. GO

Antarctica: Port Lockroy

In Port Lockroy there is a British station with a working post office, and a nice colony of Gentoo penguins. GO

Antarctica: Neko Harbour

A place of amazing beauty, with huge glaciers and icebergs, full of Fur seals and Gentoo penguins everywhere. GO

Antarctica: Orne Island

Orne Island is surrounded by nice blue icebergs, and it is the place where I met the Chinstrap penguins for the first time. GO

South Shetland: Deception Island

We disembark at Whaler's Bay, where a Norwegian whaling station was active, until a disruptive volcanic eruption happened. Today is still possible to visit the station's ruins and take a nice hike all around. GO

South Shetland: Half Moon Island

Half Moon Island is so called because of its shape, and it is interesting for the presence of a vast colony of Chinstrap penguins. GO

Elephant Island

We are fortunate enough to set foot at Point Wild, where part of the Shackleton's expedition members camped, waiting for a rescue. GO

South Orkney : Shingle Cove

A nice and welcome short stop during the long way between Antarctica and South Georgia. Here there are many, very colorful icebergs and a lot of Fur and Elephant seals. GO

South Georgia : Royal Bay

Our first landing in South Georgia is close to an enormous colony of King penguins, an absolutely stunning view. GO

South Georgia : St. Andrews Bay

If the yesterday view was stunning, what to say about today's, where about 100.000 couples of King penguins live all togheter in this huge colony? GO

South Georgia : Grytviken and the whaler's ghost towns

During the first half of the past century, several Norwegian whaling stations were operative in South Georgia, and abandoned later. Today is still possible to vsit the ruins, as well as the tomb of the "Boss" Sir Ernest Shackleton, located in Grytviken. GO

South Georgia : Fortuna Bay and Prion Island

They are interesting for the beautiful views, for the presence of penguins, fur seals and, in Prion Island, for the giant albatross. GO

Falkland Islands

The capital Stanley and other points of naturalist interest are our last landings, before heading back to Ushuaia, saying goodbye to the southern ocean. GO

Various pictures from the trip to Ushuaia

Some picture from the long trip to Ushuaia, via Madrid and Buenos Aires. GO

Equipment used on this Antarctica cruise

A brief description of the equipment used to take the pictures, throughout this Antarctica voyage. GO