Fathom Expeditions

Nov 2012 - Manta rays and marine iguanas. Endangered tortoises and blue-footed boobies. Sea turtles, whales and penguins. Galapagos Island chain is the home to astounding wildlife and scenery, enchanting visitors with its natural beauty...

Join Fathom Expeditions as we return to the Galapagos and the optional Amazon jungle add-on for an astounding wildlife safari into the very heart of Nature.

Expedition Ship Eclipse

We first ventured to the Galapagos in 1998 as expedition leaders and we have been enjoying this marvelous destination ever since. Our journey for November of 2012 promises to be the best yet as we have chartered the luxurious 48-guest ship, MV Eclipse, our favourite Galapagos vessel by far.

Affectionately called “Eclipse”, She has achieved numerous expedition firsts throughout the Galapagos. Her modern navigation and safety equipment allow us to venture safely into remote bays and sensitive areas without disruption. Eclipse has been refurbished to accommodate a maximum of 48 passengers for our trip in 25 comfortable twin cabins, single cabins and suites. Eclipse is a luxury vessel that is very well appointed and provides loads of deck space for relaxing and an open bridge policy. The fleet of inflatable Zodiac boats ensures superb landings and wildlife viewing opportunities at every turn.

All cabins include a desk and ample storage space. Public areas feature a lovely dining room (one sitting), an outdoor dining room for al fresco meals, a lounge and bar, jacuzzi, a conference room with modern multimedia equipment, a well-stocked library, a changing room and a small infirmary. Our expert captain, officers and crew are highly experienced in the Galapagos and have a great love and passion for this wildlife-filled world. Expert guides and lecturers lead talks onboard and walks and hikes on land. They are all extremely experienced, enthusiastic, helpful and dedicated. Onboard chefs prepare excellent cuisine including many local specialties and the bar is well-stocked with carefully selected wines and spirits.

There is no better way to relax on vacation than to sail the Galapagos on the MV Eclipse. We hope you will consider joining us on this very special journey to the enchanted islands.

Download M/V Eclipse Brochure

Please give us a call for more details or e-mail: info@fathomexpeditions.com

Vessel - the acclaimed 48-passenger MV Eclipse

Nowhere else in the world can you enjoy the supreme comforts of the MV Eclipse while venturing into the very heart of Nature. The Galapagos Islands hold tremendous wildlife and scenery.

Swim with Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, black-tipped sharks and more. Watch as sea lions frolic in the waves along pristine white beaches. Immerse yourself in incredible history and legends of these enchanted islands. Hike mountains and volcanoes for breath-taking views, relax in the evening warmth as we sail from landing to landing. Photograph blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and rare species in their native habitats. Share ponds with rays and rocks with iguanas.

A trip to the Galapagos is travelling into the past. We are exploring at a great time of year and we are offering a wide range of programs, suitable for the entire family. Reserve your cabin today on this incredible, luxury expedition to the wildlife haven of the Galapagos Islands.

Call for full details or a brochure 1 (800) 621-0176.

Feb 16-Feb 28, 2012 / 2013 - Iceberg art galleries, valleys filled with penguins – Antarctica brings astounding wildlife, ice, history and scenery together in grand proportions to inspire the curious  traveller in a thousand ways.

David German - Founder and Expedition Leader

David German is founder and managing director of Fathom Expeditions Inc.
He leads the Fathom Expeditions'  guide teams, he is a CANON professional photographer and takes a person hand in designing every itinerary.

His extensive knowledge of Antarctica and the entire European and North American Arctics extends over 16 years and 75 small ship expeditions Pole to Pole. He maintains an intimate knowledge of the global small ship fleet with a focus on ice-rated and polar vessels. He has personally led trips to both ends of the earth on numerous ice-vessels varying in size from 12-200 passengers.  Read More

Dave Hahn - Guest Lecturer and Guide

Dave Hahn is a mountain-climbing-guide, lecturer and journalist from Taos, New Mexico in the Southwestern United States.

He is best known for reaching the summit of Mt. Everest nine times (a record for non-Sherpa climbers) and for participating in several improbable high altitude rescues. Hahn was instrumental in three expeditions to Everest’s North Side; searching for clues as to the fate of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, lost on the mountain in 1924. He documented the 1999 discovery of Mallory’s body at 27,000 ft.

Dave Hahn has also guided extensively in Antarctica, having reached its highest point, the Vinson Massif, a record 25 times. He has made a specialty of leading the “Shackleton Traverse” in the course of numerous expeditions by ship and boat to South Georgia and has been a regular field-guide and lecturer for Fathom Expeditions on trips to the Antarctic Peninsula. Read More

Rob Reader - Polar Historian

Robert Reader is a larger-than-life veteran of over 65 Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. His six-foot-two frame, coupled with his enthusiastic story-telling expertise brings Antarctic history alive as we travel in the realm of the great explorers. Robert is intimately familiar with the heroic Age of Exploration and the pioneers who first ventured to the bottom and top of the world. He will cover the dramatic endeavours of the Endurance, Nordenskjold, Charcot, Scott, Bellinghausen and much more. Read More

Expedition Ship: M/S Polar Pioneer

Over the past 15 years, we have led Arctic and Antarctic voyages on a dozen expedition ships covering the full range of sizes and styles.

After leading 16 amazing trips aboard Polar Pioneer, She has become one of our favourites by far, and we are thrilled to be operating this custom trip on such an accomplished passenger vessel.

Affectionately called "The Pioneer", She has achieved numerous expedition firsts throughout Antarctica. Her A-1A Super ice-rating allows us to venture safely into ice, remote bays and sensitive areas without disruption. Originally built in the famed polar shipyards of Finland, Pioneer has been refurbished to accommodate a maximum of 48 passengers for our trip in 25 comfortable twin cabins and suites. An ice-strengthened polar ship, Pioneer is very well appointed and provides loads of deck space and an open bridge policy. The fleet of inflatable Zodiac boats ensures superb landings and wildlife viewing opportunities on otherwise inaccessible coastlines.

All cabins include a desk and ample storage space. Public areas feature a large dining room (one sitting), a lounge and bar, sauna, conference room with modern multimedia equipment, a well-stocked library and a small infirmary. Our expert captain, officers and crew are highly experienced in Antarctic navigation and have a great love and passion for this ice-covered world. Fathom's specialist team of international expedition leaders and lecturers are all extremely experienced, enthusiastic, helpful and dedicated. Onboard chefs prepare excellent cuisine including many local specialties and the bar is well-stocked with carefully selected wines and spirits for celebrations at the end of each day.

Please give us a call for more details or e-mail: info@fathomexpeditions.com

Trip Overview

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 13,000 feet thick and 60,000 years old.

Fathom is proud to offer this award-winning Antarctic cruise that allows guests a complete and thorough examination of three sides of the Antarctic Peninsula including the surrounding islands. Our hand-picked lecture and guide team is made up of eight veteran experts who have worked in Antarctica for over a decade. Your guides include Shackleton IMAX leader, David German and Antarctic/Everest explorer, Dave Hahn. The cruise’s exceptional guide to guest ratio translates into superb interpretation on land and at sea as we make 2-3 landings per day with loads of time on shore. Our A-1-A Super ice-rated polar ship carries just 48 guests which is a luxury. She is purpose built for polar cruising, built in the famed shipyards of Finland. She has the experience and manoeuvrability to carry us in complete comfort exploring some of the planet’s most majestic scenery. We have sailed on her over a dozen times before and she is our favourite vessel for Antarctica.

Each day, guests and guides will use the fleet of landing boats to their fullest potential stopping on isolated beaches, cruising glacier faces and photographing icebergs. Once again, we offer optional hikes at these remote destinations venturing inland from the beaches to explore for fossils and hike volcanoes to stunning views. An optional night of camping is included for guests, weather permitting.

This time of year, the whales have arrived and the ice has spread out allowing us access to remote shores. Three species of penguins will be in full chick rearing mode with curious youngsters blanketing beaches and rocky shores. Our small group size allows everybody to go ashore at one time with guides leading smaller groups for custom activities relating to all Antarctic interests and some custom goals, as well.

Throughout the journey, expert lecturers lead our presentation series, engaging us with tales of exploration history, geology, wildlife, photography and adventure while providing insight into the surrounding environment and conservation. A strong historic theme of Shackleton and Endurance will pervade the trip. Of course, there are also culinary delights and fine wines to ensure warmth and smiles at the end of each day.

Whether your goal is to simply step upon the Antarctic continent or to relax with penguins or to hike 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 or to simply chat about your interest in Antarctica, the Arctic, Scotland or the Galapagos. Our field experts are standing by to share their passion.

Call for full details or a brochure 1 (800) 621-0176.

May 29-June 08, 2012 - A 11-day journey in the midnight sun through pack ice, down tranquil fjords and past towering peaks where wildlife, bears and walrus abound near 80 degrees North.

High Arctic Spitsbergen is a spectacular, isolated archipelago of sheer cliffs, tumbling glaciers and long, finger fjords. Located 500 miles from the North Pole, Spitsbergen is the perfect home to over 3000 polar bears.  It has lured explorers into its enticing waters for centuries and, in 2009, our ship, Polar Pioneer, will again carry us, in complete comfort, through this glaciated world. Our goal will be to locate polar bears, walrusses, seals and whales in their natural environments. We will spend unhurried time hiking and walking ashore, cruising through the pack ice and reliving polar history and exploration.

Our travels take place in the height of the summer when wildflowers are in full bloom and the sun shines 24 hours a day. Fast ice remains in the fjords bringing together bears and their prey - bearded and ringed seals. On daily shore landings, we visit historic huts, hike to towering glaciers and observe rare wildlife. King eiders and puffins will be our companions on this special cruise to the top of the world.

Call for full details or a brochure 1 (800) 621-0176.