Multi-activity adventure: kayaking, diving, kitesurfing, snowboarding...
Highlights
- Expedition on a private sailboat guided by an expert
- Customized multi-activity program (diving, snowkiting, etc.)
- Breathtakingly spectacular Antarctic landscapes
- Incredible endemic fauna: whales, seals, penguins...
- A human adventure beyond the physical challenge
With our polar expert guide and our skipper, we set sail from Ushuaia on our twenty-meter aluminum-hulled sailboat, crossing the Drake Passage and reaching the Antarctic Peninsula after three to four days' sailing. The arrival on the Peninsula is dazzlingly beautiful. The marine life and birdlife are already there, and we will be living alongside them for the next ten days. Armed with Antarctic permits that are difficult to obtain, and rigorously briefed by our guide on the environment and safety, we begin our program of marine and land activities, according to our passions and interests: snorkeling or scuba diving, kitesurfing between icebergs, sea kayaking... We then disembark on the mainland, where we will camp, before embarking the next day on an unforgettable ascent and descent on skis or snowboard, in immaculate snow under the astonished eye of the emperor penguins. We then set off on our return journey, landing at the foot of the King George Island runway. We board our Beechcraft King Air 100 for the return flight to Punta-Arenas.
Overview
Take a look back in pictures at a magnificent bespoke expedition we organized in January 2017 for a group made up of 3 people.
Guided by Dixie Dansercoer, this expedition proposed activities that are complex to implement and require a closed group of participants.
Our expedition begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Our skipper and your expedition guide will welcome you aboard our yacht, and will help you finalize the preparations for your trip. Once you have loaded your equipment, we will give you safety tips and details of the expedition's schedule. The following day, weather conditions permitting, we begin our journey by crossing the Drake Passage at Cape Horn. Three to five days later, we arrive in the South Shetland Islands, before reaching the Antarctic Peninsula. Once there, you are in total awe of the immaculate, breathtaking beauty of the landscape.
For the next ten days, you are surrounded by an extraordinarily rich fauna, including five species of seal, huge colonies of penguins, Adélie penguins and chinstrap penguins, and a profusion of seabirds, from albatrosses to jaegers. In addition to enjoying nature and its splendor, our goal in entering Antarctic waters is to be able to freely enjoy incredible activities that will give rise to indelible memories: snorkeling, kitesurfing, wildlife watching, bivouacking and snowboarding. If the weather and wind conditions are right, we will kite the crystal-clear waters of Antarctica for an unforgettable experience.
We hope to pass south of Lemaire Channel, ice and weather conditions permitting. At this time of year in Antarctica, we have 24 hours of sunshine, so there are plenty of opportunities to explore the peninsula and nearby islands. As an expedition is by nature unpredictable, our program is flexible to allow us to make the most of every moment. We will try to sail to the Melchior Islands, Port Lockroy or the Vernadsky research station, which will be the southernmost point. From there, we will head northeast. As the winds are predominantly westerly or south-westerly, we should not have to fight strong headwinds too often. We will be calling at Port Lockroy, Paradise Bay, Waterboat Point, Cuverville Island, Enterprise Island, Cape Herschel, Deception Island, Hannah Point, Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbour and more. Numerous locations on the peninsula and neighboring islands offer an extraordinary setting for planned activities...
Our expedition guide and our skipper will share their experience to guide you through a safe and memorable expedition that will help you understand Antarctica and its rules, and in particular the need to protect its environment. To mount this expedition, we have obtained all the necessary authorizations, in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty signed in Washington on December 1, 1959.
As with all our expeditions, safety is our top priority. This is why, among other things, ice and weather conditions may force us to modify our itinerary and land excursions as we progress. “Unpredictable” is the watchword in such an environment. Every decision must be taken with flexibility and resilience.
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Arrival in Ushuaia
Day 1
We land at Ushuaia airport, where our guide is waiting for us. Before heading for port, we collect all our luggage and equipment from the hold. We board our sailboat and familiarize ourselves with what will be our home for the next 16 days. We all have dinner together, with our guide, skipper and crew.
Days 3 to 7: Drake Passage
Day 3
Depending on the weather forecast, we set sail in the early hours of the morning from Ushuaia and follow a route through the Beagle Channel. Normally, the crossing takes between three and a half and four days. We allow an extra day in case conditions are unfavorable. The air is filled with exhilaration as we make our way through the Drake Passage towards the white continent. Everyone is free to take part in the maneuvers, gradually feeling more at ease and finding their place on board. We finally cross the Antarctic Convergence, where temperatures drop sharply as we enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. Along the way, we admire many spectacular icebergs and all kinds of seabirds, including howler albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, giant petrels, storm petrels and cape checkers. We may also cross paths with a few playful dolphins and humpback whales, as well as several other species of whale known to leap straight out of the water before diving back in.
Days 8 to 16: Antarctica Peninsula
Day 8
We take the time to explore the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, and admire up close the wonders of nature that can only be discovered by sailing along the water. Our itinerary offers a variety of mooring sites and takes us to extraordinary bays to find the perfect spot for diving, kite surfing or filming. While we enjoy every moment spent on our kayak among the icebergs, we are careful not to get closer than twice the height of the submerged part, as the icebergs can split or turn unexpectedly.
We can climb a summit to enjoy the panorama and admire the surrounding iceberg forest, before snowboarding back down. Or we can look for a place to set up camp, pitch our tents and explore the surrounding area on foot to take in the incredible scenery. Weather conditions decide our route; we will achieve all our expedition objectives, but with flexibility. At this time of year, the sun shines 24 hours a day, giving us plenty of time to explore the peninsula and nearby islands.
During our crossing to the peninsula, we will once again be able to admire numerous birds, including black-browed albatrosses, giant petrels, various species of jaegers, imperial cormorants, chionis and terns. Various locations are ideal for intimate encounters with humpback whales, particularly around Point Hannah and between Entreprise Island and Cuverville Island. Orcas may also join the party, if we are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Minke whales have a habit of approaching boats like dolphins. We could also be lucky enough to spot phocids and otariids, such as the Kerguelen sea lion, leopard seal, crabeater seal and Weddell seal. Last but not least, the most likely guests are penguins: we should see mainly penguins and chinstrap penguins, unless we find the place where Adélie penguins are staying. Of course, the magic of each encounter will be all the greater if we can catch a glimpse of the chicks in the penguins' nests, or a leopard seal catching a prey. If we are patient, we will have every chance of witnessing such scenes.
For diving, we could go to Elephant Island, next to an active glacier, unsheltered and difficult to access, but home to leopard seals; Tay Head, where the currents are strong but appreciated by some penguins; Paulet Island, with its beached iceberg and leopard seals, Adélie penguins and Weddell seals; Cape Well-Met, home to one of the most spectacular diving spots on the Antarctic Peninsula (100-metre descent along the wall); Deception Island, with its active volcano, last erupted in 1970 and home to leopard seals and penguins (but also too many tourists! ); to the port of Mikkelsen, home to leopard seals; to Pléneau Island, where we can spot penguins swimming, Weddell seals and leopard seals; and finally to Petermann Island, if we reach it, which will be the southernmost point of our expedition, and a great place to watch humpback whales, orcas, Minke whales and penguins, among others.
Day 17: Return by sailboat to King-George Island
Day 17
We know we have to leave this magical place and head north; only this time we will not be heading for the Antarctic Convergence and Drake's Passage before rounding Cape Horn. Tomorrow, we will be boarding our charter flight at Teniente R. Marsh airport on King George Island. On our way, we may stop off in the Aitcho Islands, to see leopard seals one last time. We then reach King-George Island. A farewell meal is served on board for this occasion, and we take the time to share these last moments to relive together the wonderful experiences of the last ten days. Who knows, maybe new projects will be born?
Day 18: Charter flight to Punta Arenas
Day 18
With our guide, we board a Beechcraft King Air 100 or equivalent with most of our equipment. Some of the equipment can stay with our skipper and crew, who will then ship it to us. This is when we say goodbye and thank you.
Days 19 & 20: Return flight from Punta Arenas
Day 19
Depending on our wishes, we can stay an extra day in Punta Arenas, or everyone can choose to fly home.
END OF EXPEDITION
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
Two to three crew members will accompany you on this trip, each with extensive offshore sailing experience. For example, and subject to availability, Arnaud Dhallenne, former crew member of Éric Tabarly, and Morgane, daughter of a famous yachtsman. Arnaud has been sailing since a very young age, and has been to the North and South Poles for several years now. His extensive sailing experience is a guarantee of confidence for you, and he has kept his passion for the polar regions intact. Morgane has also been sailing since childhood, and it was on a family cruise when she was twelve that she discovered the South Seas for the first time. Her passion for these extreme regions has never left her, and she will be delighted to help you discover the Antarctic's wildlife, both on board and on land.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Difficulty level
Level rated: challenging
This program is designed for participants who take part in a regular sports activity several times a week, including endurance activity.
Reaching the remote region of Antarctica means coping with extreme weather, water and air temperatures, and taking part in the various activities planned. This is why you must complete and sign a medical certificate, an information form and a liability waiver, as is customary on such expeditions. These documents must reach us three months before the expedition's departure.
Compagnies aériennes internationales
Accommodations
The yacht has three double cabins and one single cabin for crew, plus a cabin for the skippers (main and second). There are two bathrooms, a shower and three toilets on board (remember, you are on a sailboat, so use water sparingly). You are welcomed on board the day before departure and can stay there until the day of your departure. Sockets on the boat are of the French standard. No adapter required.
Meals
On the boat, meals are prepared by the crew, each with their own specialties. We do our shopping in Ushuaïa, where we find a wide variety of fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish... We always take care of meal preparation, but participants are welcome to help us prepare and tidy up afterwards. The 35-euro daily boarding fee is payable on site.This enables us to carry out the provisioning that we do the day before your arrival.
Transfers / Transport
Transfers are not provided for organizational reasons, as participants generally arrive at Ushuaïa airport in dispersed order. Plan to take a cab from the airport to the Affasyn club, known to all cab drivers. Allow 50 pesos per trip, i.e. around 5 euros.
Group size
The group is composed of 1 to 4 participants maximum. The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Equipment
Personal equipment is not provided. However, a complete list is provided to allow you to check that you are taking what is necessary.
All logistics equipment is provided.
Our commitments to sustainable development
Our commitment to a better planet has been a reality since the beginning of our story but we always need to do more and better. Please find out more about our charter and our commitments in terms of sustainable development. We have drafted our charter and take action through six themes on which we act as concretely as possible, most often with you: social equity and cultural respect, preservation of water, waste management in expedition, protection of biodiversity, raise public awareness on these subjects and finally, the optimization and recovery of CO2 emissions.
Regarding carbon emissions, most of which are due to air travel, we calculated and communicated in 2018 on the carbon footprint of each of our programs, expressed in tonnes of CO2.
These calculations made us aware of the importance of the total carbon emissions generated by our activity. Also, we have committed in 2022 to a carbon reduction that we believe is unprecedented in the tourism industry, aiming to reduce the total emissions of our activity by 5% per year, taking 2019 as the reference year (3,430 tonnes of CO2). This commitment is in line with the trajectory of the Paris climate agreements of 2015, the current benchmark. Thus, in 2030, we commit ourselves not to exceed 2,160 tonnes of C02. Thus, our maximum “carbon” budget for 2024 is 2,950 tonnes and for 2025, this budget will be reduced to 2,800 tonnes. And so on until 2030. To find out more about all of our calculations and our commitments in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
In addition, since 2019, we have been encouraging you when you book for your journey to contribute with a donation to an independent NGO, among the two we have selected that share the commitments made in our charter. We matched the amount of this donation to this program's carbon footprint. Thus, the journey you are considering generates 3,79 tons of CO2, which corresponds to a 100% donation of €114 for an estimated value today of €30 per tonne of CO2. This donation remains of course optional and you can decide to give between nothing and 100% of this amount. Since 2019, including covid years of 2020 and 2021, we have been able to collect thanks to you nearly €7,000 for these associations.
Please do not hesitate to come back to us with any questions you might have regarding this carbon footprint mechanism, our other sustainable développement commitments or even to share with us your experience through a chat or a mail at contact@secret-planet.com.
Expedition leader
We rely on the most experienced high altitude expedition leaders. They are part of our close community and co-opt each other. They know each other well and respect each other.
For this expedition, the expedition leader has not yet been formally appointed, but should be shortly.
In addition to their exceptional expeditions experience, our expedition leaders have the know-how to optimize the expedition's chances of success, both in terms of group management and in terms of the pace at which the group builds up its strength and progresses in altitude, key elements in this type of expedition.
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