Expedition Antarctica - January/February 2009

Welcome to Fathom Expeditions’ Custom Antarctic Voyages

Spirit of Shackleton
Antarctica Expedition
January 26 – February 06, 2009

TERRA AUSTRALIS INCOGNITA, the Unknown Southern Land, lies at the bottom of the world surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean. It is a place of profound beauty, isolation, and wilderness - a world blanketed with ice at times 15,000 feet thick and 60,000 years old.

Fathom Expeditions 2008 custom Antarctic cruise allows guests a complete and thorough examination of the Antarctic Peninsula’s wonders covering three sides of the Peninsula doing two and three landings per day. Our hand-picked lecture and guide team is made up of 14 experts including highly accomplished Antarctic veteran explorer, Dave Hahn; Expedition Leader, Dave German; and polar historian, Robert Reader and many others. The cruise’s exceptional guide to guest ratio means excellent interpretation on land and at sea along with bonus landings and additional quality time on the Antarctic Continent. Our ice-rated expedition ship, the M/V Ushuaia, carries just 82 guests and is purpose built specifically for the Polar Regions. She has the experience and A1A ice strength to carry us in complete comfort exploring some of the planet’s most majestic scenery.

Each day we will use her fleet of landing boats to their fullest potential landing on isolated beaches and cruising glacier faces and photographing icebergs. Once again, we plan to hike the remotest part of the Peninsula venturing inland on the gravelly beaches and unnamed islands to explore for fossils and hike for stunning views.

The whales have arrived in the far south at this time of year and we look forward to cruising with resident populations along the Danco Coastline. Three species of penguins will be in full chick rearing mode with curious youngsters blanketing beaches and rocky shores. Our comfortable small ship carries just 82 and allows everybody to go ashore at one time where our guides lead smaller groups for custom activities relating to photography, wildlife, hiking, iceberg/whale cruising and historical walks.

Throughout the journey, our team of expert lecturers leads an informal presentation series, engaging us with tales of exploration history, whales, penguins, photography and adventure while providing insight into the surrounding environment. A strong historic Shackleton theme will pervade the trip. Of course, we also have culinary delights and fine wines to ensure warmth and smiles at the end of the day.

Whether your goal is to simply step upon the continent or hike on snowfields and up volcanoes for high point views, this trip is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime journey - an ideal balance of relaxation and exploration, adventure and comfort, education and experience.

Space is limited, so please give us a call for details on this lifetime trip, or to simply chat about your interest in Antarctica or the Arctic. Our field experts are standing by to share their enthusiasm.