THE GREAT ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott
25 nights Departure:  December 2008 Ship: Kapitan Khlebnikov (Icebreaker)

In 1910, Robert Falcon Scott journeyed to the Ross Sea with the goal of becoming the first man to reach the South Pole. He was accompanied by a team of scientists, dog handlers, and sailors. Among them was physicist and glaciologist Charles Wright, later Sir Charles Wright.
Adrian Raeside: Author, Cartoonist, Explorer’s Grandson Adrian Raeside, our special guest, is the grandson of Charles Wright. Adrian is the custodian of his grandfather’s journals, letters and artefacts from that historic expedition. While aboard, Adrian will recount previously unknown details and observations he found while researching the book he is writing about his grandfather and the expedition. The book will be released in 2010 in celebration of the centenary of that tragic expedition. Adrian will also present photographs of the expedition taken from his grandfather’s private collection as well as cinematic footage taken by one of Antarctica’s most famous photographers, Herbert Ponting. Although he grew up surrounded by Antarctic memorabilia, Adrian has never visited the huts in the Ross Sea sector of Antarctica that played such a significant role in the life of his grandfather. This journey will help Adrian put the finishing touches to the manuscript of the book. When he isn’t writing books about his grandfather, Adrian is an internationally syndicated editorial cartoonist, creator of The Other Coast comic strip and the author of 12 humour books.
Itinerary 2008
Day 1 - Christchurch, New Zealand   We have arranged for you to spend the night at a hotel in Christchurch to rest and relax before the expedition. Day 2 - Embarkation Day   We have arranged for a group transfer to Lyttelton, where you will embark the icebreaker.  Scott began his final journey to Antarctica from the same port. Days 3 to 5-: Exploring Campbell and Enderby Islands   Anonymous whalers and sealers were often the first to visit subantarctic islands such as Enderby and Campbell Islands.  Now protected habitats, the islands are nesting grounds for Royal Albatross, while Enderby is home to the rare Yellow-eyed Penguin.  We plan to go ashore, if conditions permit. Days 6 to 9 - Sailing to the Ice Edge   As we sail southward a full program of onboard activities will be underway.  In addition to Adrian’s presentations, the Expedition Team will provide insight into the natural history of Antarctica.  On deck there will be photo opportunities as we sail the ice edge, searching for Antarctic wildlife.  The Expedition Leader may deploy the onboard helicopters to provide spectacular aerial views of glaciers and mountains. Day 10 - Drygalski Ice Tongue   This extension of the David Glacier is named for Erich von Drygalski, a German geophysicist who pioneered the study of ice formation.  He used a balloon to take aerial photographs.  We’ll be using helicopters for aerial photography. Days 11 & 12 - McMurdo Station, Scott Base, Cape Evans and Cape Royds   It is a haunting experience to enter the small, dark huts left behind by the expeditions of Scott and Shackleton – some still stacked with tinned goods, along with seal blubber that was hoarded as emergency fuel.  This visit may, however, be particularly poignant as you share Adrian’s Raeside first visit to the hut that played such a significant role in the life of his grandfather. Days 13 & 14 - The Dry Valleys and the Ross Ice Shelf   As you approach in helicopters from the sea, the expanse of fast ice stops abruptly, revealing a parched land with no vegetation other than lichen that grow inside rocks.  It is a surreal experience to explore the Dry Valleys on foot, surrounded by odd granite formations sculpted by powerful winds. Days 15 & 16 - The Bay of Whales   Roald Amundsen, who beat Scott in their race to be the first to reach the South Pole, began his journey from a camp at the head of the Bay of Whales.  We will explore the bay, which is an indention in the Ross Ice Shelf. Days 17 to 21 - The Ross Sea   While we sail the Ross Sea, you will hear more about the many discoveries of James Ross, after whom the sea and the ice shelf are named.  We expect to land at Cape Adare, breeding ground of over half a million Adélie Penguins and the location of another historic hut built in 1899 by Carsten Borchgrevink, the first person to winter over in Antarctica. Days 22 & 23 - Macquarie Island   Three million Royal Penguins, virtually the entire world population, live on Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  King penguins and elephant seals share the islands with the Royals.  We plan shore landings if conditions permit. Days 24 to 26 - North to Hobart, Australia   Our final days at sea include presentations summing up the legacy of the great explorers.  You’ll disembark in Hobart, Australia on the island of Tasmania.
Embracing the Unexpected
These are unique icebreaker expeditions to a very little-explored world often venturing into areas with challenging ice and weather conditions - flexibility is therefore the key to success. The Captain and Expedition Leader will assess daily conditions and take full advantage of every opportunity to make landings with our Zodiacs or helicopters, using the continuous daylight to maximize the time ashore. The itineraries listed below should therefore be read as a guide only.  Our actual programme and routing will vary according to local conditions, wildlife opportunities and permissions -and safety will always be our highest priority.  This is the essence (and part of the fun!) of expedition cruising in one of the wildest and remotest corners of the planet.
Departure Dates and Prices
Prices are per person for 25 nights and do not include international flights.
Departure Dates Prices per person  13 December 08 £13,670
Price Includes: Voyage as indicated in the itinerary. Flights as indicated in the itinerary. Pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations in a shared twin room with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship. All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac and helicopter (as included in group excursions with no specific amount of helicopter time guaranteed). Programme of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff. Transfers and baggage handling between the hotels, airports and ship as indicated in the itinerary. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme. Comprehensive pre-departure materials and handbook. Price Excludes: International flights.   Passport and visa expenses. Government arrival and departure taxes. Meals ashore. Supplement for single hotel accommodations. Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance.  Excess baggage charges.  All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges, and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).  Any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced onboard.