The heart of what is known as the Heroic Age' of Antarctic exploration, The Ross Sea features still-intact huts from explorers such as Scott and Shackleton set in dramatic landscapes of Mt Erebus and the Transantarctic Mountains. Many highlights include abundant wildlife: penguins, seabirds, seals and whales, vast glacial ice tongues and ice shelves, visits to modern scientific bases. Breaking the long journey to the Antarctica are the Subantarctic Islands: The Snares, Auckland's, Macquarie and Campbell Island, replete with their own amazing flora and fauna
Day 1: Queenstown
Arrive at Queenstown, New Zealand’s world famous alpine resort town.
Guests should make their way to the designated hotel where we will
spend the first night of the expedition. This evening there will be an
informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent
opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our
expedition team.
Day 2: Port of Bluff
Today we enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant and have the morning
free to explore Queenstown before returning to the hotel for lunch and
departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. You will have
time to settle into your cabin and familarise yourself with the ship;
we will also take the opportunity to conduct a number of safety
briefings. You are invited to join the expedition team in the
Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as we set our course
to The Snares and our adventure begins.
Day 3: The Snares - North East Island
The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, they were
appropriately called The Snares as they were once considered a hazard
for sailing ships. Comprising of two main islands and a group of five
islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the
highest protection as Nature Reserves. It is claimed by some that
these islands are home to more nesting seabirds than all of the
British Isles together. We plan to arrive in the morning, and as
landings are not permitted, we will Zodiac cruise along the sheltered
eastern side of the main island if the weather and sea conditions are
suitable. In the sheltered bays, we should see the endemic Snares
Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and Fernbirds. There are
hundreds of thousands of Sooty Shearwaters nesting on The Snares; the
actual number is much debated. Buller’s Albatross breed here from
early January onwards. There will be opportunities to view the forests
of large tree daisy Olearia lyallii which forms a canopy over much of
the island group.
Day 4: Auckland Islands - Enderby Island
The Auckland Islands group was formed by two volcanoes which erupted
some 10-25 million years ago. They have subsequently been eroded and
dissected by glaciation creating the archipelago as we know it today.
Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group and
is named after the same distinguished shipping family as one of our
own vessels. This northern most island in the archipelago is an
outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to
land on and walk around. The island was cleared of all introduced
animals (pests) in 1994 and both birds and the vegetation, especially
the herbaceous plants, are recovering both in numbers and diversity.
Our plan is to land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the
Auckland Islands for the Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion, a rare
member of the seal family. Beachmaster bulls gather on the beach,
defending their harems from younger (ambitious) males, to mate with
the cows shortly after they have given birth to a single pup. Hooker’s
or New Zealand Sea Lion numbers are in a slow decline, for reasons
which are not obvious but most probably connected with a nearby squid
fishery. During our day ashore there will be several options, some
longer walks, some shorter walks and time to spend just sitting and
enjoying the wildlife. The walking is relatively easy. A boardwalk
traverses the island to the dramatic western cliffs, from there we
follow the coast and circumnavigate the island. Birds that we are
likely to encounter include the following species: Southern Royal
Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland
Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Banded Dotterel, Auckland
Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed
Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. There is also a very good
chance of seeing the Subantarctic Snipe.
Day 5: At Sea
At sea, learn more about the biology and history of the Subantarctic
Islands and the Southern Ocean through a series of lectures and
presentations. We will be at sea all day, so it is another opportunity
to spot pelagic species including (but not limited to) the Wandering
Albatross, Royal Albatross, Shy and White-capped Albatross,
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross and Black-browed
Albatross, Whitechinned Petrel, Mottled Petrel, White-headed Petrel,
Cape Petrel, diving-petrel, Grey-backed and Black-bellied
Storm-petrels. This is potentially some of the best pelagic ‘birding’
on the expedition.
Days 6 to 7: Maquarie Island
Described by one Australian explorer as “One of the wonder spots of
the world” this is the only place in the world where the beautiful
Royal Penguin breeds. Three other species of penguins, the King,
Gentoo and Rockhopper also breed here. You will never forget your
first experience of a noisy ‘penguin city’, where the dapper
inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors and where you will
be immersed in a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks; territorial
disputes; petty pilfering and courtship displays. This all happens
amongst the hundreds of Southern Elephant Seals lolling on the beaches
and dunes. On arrival we meet with scientists and Park Rangers based
here who will accompany us on all our landings.
Day 8 to 10: At Sea
Soaring albatross and petrels circle the vessel as we steam south
through the Southern Ocean. Lectures now concentrate on the Ross Sea
region and beyond the bow of the ship; drifting icebergs of
extraordinary shapes begin to appear. Manoeuvring in close for your
first ice photographs we pass the Antarctic Circle and into the
continent’s realm of 24-hour daylight.
Days 11 to 22: Antarctica’s Ross Sea Region
During our time in the Ross Sea region, we will visit the highlights
of Antarctica’s most historic region. Due to the unpredictable nature
of ice and weather conditions, a day-by-day itinerary is not possible.
The Captain and Expedition Leader will assess daily conditions and
take advantage of every opportunity to make landings or send you out
in the Zodiacs. Our programme emphasises wildlife viewing, key
scientific bases and historic sites, as well as the spectacular
scenery of the coastal terrain, the glaciers and icebergs of the Ross
Sea. Whilst specific landings cannot be guaranteed, we hope to visit
the following: Cape Adare: A large flat spit of land, teeming with the
staggering sight of Antarctica’s largest Adelie Penguin rookery: a
tumult of chattering, feeding chicks, territorial disputes, petty
pilfering and courtship displays. Curious penguins often come very
close, offering superb photographic opportunities. Among the shifting
mass of penguins we will find Carsten Borchgrevink’s Hut, the oldest
in Antarctica, an overwintering shelter for the first expedition to
the continent in 1899. Cape Hallett: The enormous Admiralty Range
heralds our arrival; wild and extraordinary, the mountains rear up
towering out of the sea to over 4,000-metres high and are bounded by
colossal glaciers. We make our landing at an abandoned base site, now
home to large numbers of Adelie Penguins and Weddell Seals. Franklin
Island: Desolately beautiful and rugged, this is home to a large
Adelie Penguin population and other nesting seabirds. We attempt a
landing and explore the coastline. Possession Islands: Rarely-visited,
small and rugged, these rocks support tens of thousands of penguins.
Observe the birds’ busy and humorous activity, with the Admiralty
Mountains forming a superb backdrop across the water. Ross Ice Shelf:
The world’s largest body of floating ice and a natural barrier, at
times creating hazardous weather, with sheets of snow blown at gale
force by winds off the polar ice cap. Just 800 miles from the South
Pole, this daunting spectacle prevented many early explorers from
venturing further south. We cruise along its dizzying 30-metre high
ice cliffs, perhaps lucky enough to see icebergs ‘calving’. Ross
Island: Mount Erebus/Cape Bird/Shackleton’s Hut/Scott’s Hut(s) and
visits to a scientific field station (Scott and McMurdo Stations are
high on our wish list but ice, weather and station operational
requirements often make them inaccessible). Ross Island was, and is,
the ‘hub of activity’ in the Ross Sea, dominated by Mt Erebus, a
monstrous active volcano named after the ancient Greek God of
Darkness. The carefully preserved huts of the ‘Heroic Era’ help make
the history come alive. If we can reach the bases, we will get a
modern perspective on Antarctic Research. Terra Nova Bay: An Italian
research station where the scientists are always hospitable and enjoy
showing us around their lonely but beautiful home. They share with us
their scientific research and also, perhaps, the best ‘espresso’ in
Antarctica! Nearby is the German base, Gondwana Station, which is used
occasionally and the South Korean station, Jang Bogo and on
Inexpressible Island, China is building its fifth Antarctic base.
Days 23 to 25: At Sea
En route to Campbell Island, take part in a series of lectures
designed to prepare you for our visit tomorrow. Pelagic species abound
here as they did en route to Macquarie Island earlier in our voyage.
Above all, take the time to rest and enjoy shipboard life after the
excitement of the Antarctic.
Day 26: Campbell Island - Perseverance Harbour
New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory, the Campbell
Island group lies approximately 660-kilometres south of Bluff. We
visit Campbell Island, the main island in the group, and spend the day
exploring the island on foot from Perseverance Harbour, a long inlet
cutting into the undulating landscape. Campbell Island is a truly
magnificent place of rugged scenery, unique flora and abundant
wildlife. Perseverance Harbour where we drop anchor is an occasional
refuge for Southern Right Whales who come here to calve. Here we will
find a now abandoned New Zealand meteorological station as well as
Campbell Island Shags, penguins, fur seals and rare Hooker’s Sea
Lions. The highlight of our visit is a walk to the hilltop breeding
sites of Southern Royal Albatross, over six thousand pairs of which
breed on Campbell Island. These magnificent birds, close relations to,
and the same size as, the Wandering Albatross, have the largest
wingspan in the world and are very approachable, making superb
photographic subjects.
Day 27: At Sea
At sea en route to the Port of Bluff, take the opportunity to relax
and reflect on an amazing experience. This is a good opportunity to
download and edit any remaining photos while they are fresh in your
mind and you have the experience of our expedition team on board for
questions. We will recap the highlights of our expedition and enjoy a
farewell dinner tonight as we sail to our final port.
Day 28: Invercargill/Queenstown
Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final
breakfast we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a
complimentary coach transfer to either Invercargill or Queenstown
Airports. In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port
operations we ask you not to book any onward travel until after midday
from Invercargill and after 3pm from Queenstown.
Note:
During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or
desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include
poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your
Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. Landings at the
Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are by permit only as
administered by the Government of New Zealand. No landings are
permitted at The Snares.