August 28, 2008
       
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               Society Expeditions
                          Antarctica & The Islands of
                          The Nova Scotia Sea Voyage

                                              
The ultimate Antarctic voyage includes the Antarctic Peninsula and the islands of the Scotia Sea – the Falklands, South Georgia, and the South Orkneys. We hope to make as many as three landings a day in this untamed, mysterious land of snow and ice.

The Falklands possess a stark beauty all their own – from windswept moorlands to sandy beaches and sheer cliffs that plunge to the sea. The South Georgia Islands, mountainous, ice-clad, alone at the edge of the Scotia Ridge, are the most picturesque of the sub Antarctic islands. It is here where explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton finally made landfall after his epic Scotia Sea crossing, and where hundreds of thousands of King Penguins inhabit the shoreline.

Over 85 percent of the remote and rugged South Orkneys are glaciated, hence the name "The Inaccessible Islands." They provide the ideal habitat for resurgent populations of southern fur seals whose loud barking can be heard above the cacophony of the penguin colonies.
                                                                  
       Click to Enlarge Map

Departure	s	Return	s
Nov. 18	2002	Dec. 9	2002 *
Dec. 16	2002	Jan. 6	2003
Jan. 13	2003	Feb. 3	2003
Jan. 31	2003	Feb. 21	2003
Feb. 18	2003	Mar. 12	2003**
Trip Length: 22 & 23 Days
* This expedition begins in Santiago Chile. ** This expedition ends in Santiago Chile and includes one extra day.

	Miami, Florida to Buenos Aires, Argentina Depart Miami for South America. As we will be traveling on a late evening flight, we will arrive in Buenos Aires early the next morning.
	Buenos Aires, Argentina Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, we will be met by a Society Expeditions escort, who will guide us to our deluxe hotel, where we will overnight. Enjoy a tour of Buenos Aires, which is renowned for its charm and European flavor.
	Ushuaia, Argentina Today we will fly to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city. We will enjoy lunch and a city tour of Ushuaia, which will culminate at the "New" World Discoverer. Once onboard, we will settle in, meet our expedition staff, and enjoy the first of many gourmet meals onboard.
	At Sea The "New" World Discoverer’s open bridge policy allows you to join our officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. These waters are also home to countless seabirds, which often ride the currents created in the wake of the ship. Onboard, our lecture program will begin today. Society Expeditions expert naturalists will share their knowledge of the wildlife and unique ecosystems we will encounter throughout our voyage. Outside the lecture hall, the lecture team will accompany us through every step of the journey, offering insight and ready knowledge on this amazing region.
	Westpoint Island and Carcass Island, Falkland Islands The "New" World Discoverer will anchor in a sheltered cove near Westpoint Island, where we will embark Zodiacs for the trip to shore. A brisk walk to the far side of the small island will take us to a magnificent cliff-side colony of Black-Browed Albatrosses and Rockhopper Penguins. Later we will call on Carcass Island, where we will join Society Expeditions naturalists for a nature walk. We will observe the Magellanic Penguin burrows that dot the landscape, as well as the gaggles of Upland Geese that nibble on the surrounding greenery. We may also spot Falklands Steamer Ducks, Striated Caracaras, and Gentoo Penguins. Our afternoon’s walk will culminate in a soul-warming traditional Falklands tea served by the gracious McGill family on their picturesque farm.
	Port Stanley, East Falkland Island, Falkland Islands After breakfast we will make our way to shore, where we will board waiting motor coaches for a tour of this charming Victorian outpost. A stop at the local museum highlights the maritime history of the Falklands, the 1982 war with Argentina, and the islands’ natural history. Our day in Port Stanley will include leisure time to explore the charming shops, stroll the picturesque town, or perhaps take a pint at the British-flavored Upland Goose Pub.
	At Sea Join Society Expeditions lecturers and naturalists on deck today as we search for seabirds and other local wildlife. A full program of lectures will be offered throughout the day. Today is also a good day to catch up on your journals and postcards, browse the "New" World Discoverer’s excellent reference library, or relax with your fellow passengers.
	At Sea Today we will continue on to South Georgia. Though extremely isolated, this island is well worth the journey. In fact, many seasoned travelers who visit South Georgia place it on the top of their list of favorite destinations. Our natural history staff will continue with their ongoing lecture series throughout the crossing.
	South Georgia Islands Our exact itinerary will be determined by local conditions on sea and land. The following destinations are among those we hope to explore: Grytviken We will begin our exploration of South Georgia with a call at Grytviken. Once a thriving whaling station, the ruins of Grytviken stand as a reminder of an era of exploitation that thankfully grows more distant by the day. Grytviken has an excellent whaling museum run by a remarkable couple who live off South Georgia on a nineteenth century sloop. A short hike around King Edward cove brings us to the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Join the Captain for a graveside toast honoring this remarkable explorer and venerated mariner. Salisbury Plain Sometimes called the "Serengeti of the South," Salisbury Plain is a wildlife site without parallel. Several large glaciers provide a dramatic backdrop for the tens of thousands of King Penguins that nest in the tussock grass of this remarkable ecosystem. The wide beach makes for excellent walking as we visit the colonies. Elephant and fur seals also abound, as well as Giant Petrels and the occasional wandering Gentoo Penguin. Remember to bring extra film and prepare for an awe-inspiring experience. Bay of Isles Rising 10,000 feet out of the Scotia Sea and coated in more than 100 glaciers, South Georgia is the most dramatic of all of the sub-Antarctic Islands. The magnificent Bay of Isles is studded with numerous islets. We hope to visit several of the islands to view fur seals and nesting Wandering Albatrosses. Other landing sites will take us to see the handsome King Penguins that breed on South Georgia in abundance. Gold Harbor Gold Harbor offers some of the most spectacular scenery of the voyage with its alpine landscape and hanging glaciers. We hope to make a landing on the beach, where we will enjoy naturalist-led nature walks and hikes. The surrounding cliffs of Gold Harbor provide habitat for nesting Light-Mantled Sooty Albatrosses, which can often be seen soaring above the beach. A large colony of King Penguins offers a fantastic opportunity to photograph these dramatic birds, and the sandy beach is a favorite haul-out spot for massive southern elephant seals. Cooper Bay We hope to explore two sites in Cooper Bay. The first is a sheltered cove that provides a perfect refuge for southern fur seals, which gather here in vast numbers during the Austral summer. We may have the opportunity to make a landing here and investigate the tussock grass community, or take part in a Zodiac tour around the bay to a wonderful Macaroni Penguin colony perched on the rocky cliffs. Southern elephant seals can often be seen lounging among the large clumps of tussock grass in the area as well.
	At Sea Today we will cross the waters to the South Orkney Islands. We may have the opportunity to post letters from Point Lockroy in a few days, so you may want to pass some of the day preparing letters and postcards to be stamped with one of the Earth’s most far-flung postmarks. Lectures and activities will be offered throughout the day as well.
	South Orkney Islands Far-flung, rugged, and 85 percent glaciated, the dramatic South Orkneys were dubbed "The Inaccessible Islands" by early visitors. Conditions permitting, we will land on Laurie Island to visit Orcadas Station, the oldest continuously manned research station in the Antarctic. We may also explore delightful Chinstrap Penguin colonies via Zodiac.
	Elephant Island Shackleton fans will need no introduction to this historic isle. On these shores in 1916, Sir Ernest Shackleton was forced to leave 22 of his men stranded while he and five others embarked on an unbelievable last-ditch rescue attempt. What followed is one of the greatest rescue stories of all time. Every passenger will return an ardent Shackleton fan after hearing the inspiring, gripping tale of adventure in this remarkable region.
	Antarctic Peninsula Our exact itinerary will be determined by local conditions on sea and land. The following destinations are among those we hope to explore: King George Island, South Shetland Islands King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands. Russia, China, Korea, Poland, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina have all built research stations here. We may have an opportunity to visit one of these stations, where researchers welcome us with descriptions of their projects and a firsthand look at life in the Antarctic. Deception Island, South Shetland Islands Long ago, volcanic pressure on Deception Island resulted in a tremendous eruption that caused the island’s peak to explode. The resulting caldera flooded with seawater, creating the unique landmass that we may visit today. Our Captain will expertly pilot the ship through a narrow gateway in the icy cliffs of the island, taking the "New" World Discoverer into the caldera itself. Thousands of Chinstrap Penguins inhabit the volcanic slopes of the island along with nesting Pintado Petrels and Antarctic Terns. Brave souls may don their bathing suits for the unusual opportunity of a swim in the Antarctic (the waters around Deception are geothermally heated!). Paradise Bay Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world. Heavily glaciated mountains and ice cliffs surround a protected harbor. After a foray by Zodiac into the maze of icebergs and "bergy bits" we may attempt a landing on the continent proper. If you wish, join an invigorating hike up the hill behind Almirante Brown Station, an Argentinean research base, for a breathtaking panoramic view across the expanse of the bay. Torgersen Island and Anvers Island Torgersen Island is home to thousands of Adélie Penguins, which were named for the wife of explorer Dumont D'Urville. Just opposite Torgersen Island on Anvers Island is the United States’ Palmer Station, which we may have the opportunity to visit. Port Lockroy Port Lockroy is situated on scenic Neumeyer Channel and is home to the recently restored buildings of Britain’s Base A. The site is now part of the British Antarctic Heritage Trust, which maintains the station as a museum. We may have the opportunity to post letters from the base. Large colonies of Gentoo Penguins as well as a small group of Blue-eyed Shags can also been seen in the area. Petermann Island If ice conditions permit, we will sail to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins. Adélie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags also make their home on Petermann. Paulet Island After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie colonies on Paulet. This important breeding ground should offer a host of penguin behavior. The Nordenskjold expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1904. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins. Lemaire Channel Grab your cameras and make for the observation decks as our Captain deftly nudges aside ice floes with the bow of the ship as we transit Lemaire Channel, affectionately known as "Kodak Gap." This narrow waterway flows between the 3,000-foot peaks of Booth Island and the peninsula. Orcas and humpback whales often accompany the ship as we make our way through some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.
	Drake Passage Named for the renowned explorer, Sir Frances Drake, the Drake Passage marks the convergence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Drake is also the range boundary of many Antarctic seabirds. Society Expeditions ornithologists will be on deck as we scan the skies for seabirds that follow in our wake. A full program of lectures will be offered as well.
	Drake Passage We will spend a second day crossing the Drake as we make our way back to Tierra del Fuego. Once again, lectures and activities will be offered throughout the day.
	Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Miami, Florida Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport, where we will board our flight to Buenos Aires. We will spend the afternoon and evening in Buenos Aires, enjoying a tour and an elegant dinner before transferring to the international airport, where we will board flights for Miami. We will arrive in the United States in the early hours of the 8th.
	Miami, Florida Arrive in Miami in the early morning and transfer to homeward flights.

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