Overview Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego - Antarctica Discover Antarctica sailing with the Bark Europa 22-day Antarctic travel: Ushuaia/ Argentina – Beagle Kanal – Drake-Passage – Antarctica – UshuaiaPrice: from 11.880 EUR50-day Antarctic travel: Montevideo/Uruguay - Falkland Inseln/ Malvinas - South Georgia - Antarctica - Ushuaia/ ArgentinaPrice: from 14.750 EUR Antarctica is one of the oldest continents on Earth and the last big wilderness on our planet. The fascinating beauty and its biodiversity will leave an indelible impression and lasting memories of an experience few can claim. The ship sails a route set forth by intrepid explorers over the last centuries.Your memories of your travels to Antarctica will live firmly with you, no matter what the weather or time of day, as the landscape remains ethereal and light - even as the sun dips below the horizon. Depending on conditions, we will begin the trip to Antarctica by exploring the northern areas of the Antarctic Peninsula, then journey to select locations where you can best experience the vast grandeur and incredible wildlife of the region; including whales, penguins, birds and seals.Then we head further south (continuing as long as ice conditions allow) into areas rarely visited by man.Your Antarctica trip is lead by tour guides who know everything about this surreal world. They give interesting facts about the nature and wildlife and guide the passengers on their excursions.On the Bark Europa they know from years of experience that three weeks is the minimum amount of time for your Antarctica trip, in order for you to visit and enjoy those quiet and untouched places accessible only to vessels like Bark Europa, and to become truly immersed in this rare and marvellous place. Wild lifeThe wild life that is normally experienced starts from your arrival here in Tierra Del Fuego.Through the Beagle Channel, the Drakes Passage and Antarctica there is an amazing amount of unique wild life that you will see.Birds: Those of the South American continent, sea birds of the Drake and those special ones of Antarctica.Penguines: Live in the waters of Tierra del Fuego, Magellenic, but the really large colonies are when we are in Antarctica itself, Gentoos, Chin strap and Adelie. Seals: There are 2 types of seals which you will experience, those of the “Eared” species, which are sea lions and fur seals, and those of the true seal family which are the Weddle seals, Crab eaters and the infamous Leopard seal.Whales: These can even be seen at times during summer in the Beagle Channel and around the Cape Horn area, however the larger number of whales are far more often seen when we are there in Antarctic waters, either on the edge of the peninsular or within the straights and bays around the Antarctic continent. Types: Humpbacks, Sei, Fin, Killer whales and very rare the Blue whales. When whales are either curious or feeding we can spend hours following and watching their behaviour. Itinerary Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego - AntarcticaDiscover Antarctica sailing with the Bark Europa Antarctic Expedition - Itinerary1st day: Ushuaia Landing in Ushuaia you will see the fascinating beauty of the region with its many glaciers. It is highly recommended to arrive in Ushuaia a day before the embarkation. The crew welcomes you on the Bark Europa at five p.m. You find the ship at the pier "Puerto Comercial". After moving into your cabin, you and the other passengers will enjoy your first meal on board. Then the captain will inform you about the sailing plan.2nd day: Beagle Channel - Bahia Nassau - Drake Passage After a calm night in the harbour the ship heads on in the Beagle Channel. On board the passengers get their first safety instructions. In the evening you can marvel at the impressive landscape of Tierra del Fuego.3rd - 5th day: Drake Passage Today you sail through the Drake Passage, passing Bahia Nassau and the famous Cape Horn. While sailing through the Drake Passage your participation is assumed. At the stormy Cape you will be accompanied by Cape petrels, White-chinned petrels and Albatrosses.After passing the Antarctic Convergence Zone the water temperatur falls from 5° to 1° Celsius. The water becomes green and species-rich.6. day: Barrientos Island Today starts your first excursion. The Bark Europa anchors at the Barrientos Island, an Island of the Aitcho Archipelago. The ship is surrounded by penguins and at the beach you can observe gentoo and chinstrap penguins. Further more you can spot elephant seals and giant petrels.7th day: Yankee Harbour oder Hannah Point With a little bit of luck you will be able to spot a humpback whale today. If there is enough time, the bark Europa will be sailing to the famous Edinburgh Hill. This basalt rock was created by a volcanic eruption and sticks out in the middle of the sea. Depending on the weather and the surrounding conditions you visit either Yankee Harbour or Hannah Point. Yankee Harbour is a safe harbor on Greenwich Island. In the past, it was a very popular spot for seal hunters who made it a basecamp during their hunting parties. In addition, the area is well known for its colony of Gentoo penguins consisting of approximately 4.000 breeding pairs. Hannah Point is located on the southern shore of Livingston Island. Its gravel beaches and sandy slopes are the habitat for a lot of different plants and wildlife that can be observed, for example elephant seals, nesting penguins, king cormorants, giant petrels and whales.8th day: Pendulum Cove/ Deception Island Further to the south there is ring the ring-shaped Deception Island. Your ship sails through the narrow passage by the name “Neptune’s Bellows” right into the island’s impressive crater. At Pendulum Cave, a former bay used by whalers, you can experience the unique features of the island during an excursion or, in case of good weather, have a bath in one of the warm springs at the beach. In former times, there was a whaling station on the island. Later this protected bay made a base camp for explorers, but was destroyed by volcanic activities in 1970. Furthermore it is possible to visit the biggest colony of chinstrap penguins of the antarctic peninsula at Bailey’s Head.9th day: Trinity Island Today you will cast the anchor between Spert Island and Trinity Island. By dinghy you explore the impressive and amazing icescape and enjoy the play of colours and the turquoise water that make the world seem somehow surreal.10th day: Enterprise oder Cuverville Island At Enterprise Island you might be lucky to spot some whales or you can visit Governoren Harbour. This town was named after the whaler who went by the same name and who was shipwrecked here. Today the wreck of his ship serves as a nesting site for seabirds. Alternatively you sail on up to Cuverville Island, which is characterized by its glaciers and steep cliffs. It is populated by a variety of seafowl. The island as well gives a splendid view on the Errera Channel and the Gerlache Strait.11th day: Paradise Harbour oder Neko Harbour On the 11th day of your trip you experience the impressing force of the ice. You will be surrounded by glaciers and ice walls towering out of the water. You will hear the crackling and tearing of the ice and see icy rocks collapsing into the water. 12th / 13th day: Argentine Islands Today you will pass the Lemaire Channel, also called the Kodak Gap, where you will be surrounded by cliffs up to 1.000m high. The ship will be sailing through the narrow Penola Strait and, depending on the condition of the ice, come to pass Penola to reach the Archipelago in the early evening. Your captain will navigate the vessel through a maze made of ice and islands to a fitting anchorage. In the afternoon you will visit the Ukrainian research station Wernadsky, which is populated by 10-15 people and receives supplies only twice a year. A research assistant will guide the passengers through the station, that is provided with an own pub and a sauna, and will report of the scientific work and everyday life at this station.13th day: Petermann Island Some hours after leaving the Argentine Islands you will reach Petermann Island, where you will be able to observe breeding Adélie penguins for the first time.14th. day: Port Lockroy You will cast the anchor at one of the most beautiful spots of Antarctica with an awesome view on the Fife mountain chain. There you will visit Port Lockroy, a natural port of the British Antarctic Territory, where you find both a museum and the only Antarctic post office. The island serves as a nesting site for Gentoo penguins, who often build their nests right on the walkways or on the door mat of the post office. At Jougla Point you are able to visit a completely reproduced skeleton of a whale.15th day: Dorian Bay Near Port Lockroy lies Dorian Bay. The plateau glacier in between those paces was used as an airfield for small planes in the past. In Dorian Bay a walk makes you experience the unique view, in addition you can find both gentoo penguins and Weddell seals. In the afternoon the bark will set sails through the Schollaert Channel to reach the Melchior Islands. You may be lucky to see Orcas with their pups during that trip.16th day: Melchior Islands Today holds the last of your zodiac trips, that lets you discover the environment of the Melchior Islands with your dinghy. About noon you will begin your journey home, where you will pass Anvers Island and Mount Francais while headed towards South America.17th - 19th day: Drake Passage During the next days the bark travels through the Drake Passage again. On its way, it is accompanied by seafowl and dolphins.20th day: Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego While crossing the Drake Passage, the ship passes Diego Ramirez Island and sails towards Cape Horn. On its way to the Beagle Channel you can admire the impressing break waving at the rocks of Cape Horn. Both the Islands and the fjords you see are becoming greener and greener again.21st day: Ushuaia While travelling the last miles of the Beagle Channel, it’s your last opportunity to breathe some fresh sea air. Right before arriving in Ushuaia the ship passes the “Islas de Lobos”. With a binocular you can observe a variety of seafowl. Within sight of Ushaia, it is time to finally time to pack your kitbag again.22nd day: Ushuaia On the 22nd day you and your fellow sailors enjoy the last breakfast on board of the bark Europa. You will say goodbye to the ship, its crew and the other travelers and start your journey home. Ship & Cabin Details Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego - AntarcticaDiscover Antarctica sailing with the Bark Europa The Bark Europa is a training ship. Thus, the passengers of the trip are considered a part of the crew and therefore receive detailed safety instructions. Depending on your interest and condition, you will be assigned on board. The permanent crew will be there to help and advise you. For example, you can assist with navigation, set sails, steer the ship or support the crew on watch. Sailing experience is not required. Your assistance is also required when crossing the Drake Passage. You will quickly understand that teamwork is the key to a unique sailing adventure. The barque Europa also invites its passengers to relax. The ship is ideally equipped for longer sea voyages. It has a library, a lounge, a poker area and a recreation room, the deckhouse. In addition, there is a DVD and CD player and radio on board. The majority of the crew is Dutch, but English is predominantly spoken on board. Cabin FacilitiesOn board of the Bark Europa there are four 2-person cabins, four 4-person cabins and four 6-person cabins. Each bunk has a blanket and bedlinen. Own bedrolls are therefore not necessary. Towels are also provided. All cabins have their private bathroom and WC. Dates & Booking Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego - AntarcticaDiscover Antarctica sailing with the Bark Europa Dates & Fares per Person 2023/24incl. atmosfair CO2-Offset (23 €/t CO2) *excl. landing feesRoutesDatesShared CabinDouble CabinDurationMontevideo/Uruguay - Falklands/Malvinas - South Georga - Antarctica14.11.2023 - 02.01.202414.750 €16.950 €50 daysUshuaia - Antarctica - Ushuaia04.01.2024 - 25.01.202411.880 €13.530 €22 daysUshuaia - Antarctica - Ushuaia27.01.2024 - 17.02.202411.880 €13.530 €22 daysUshuaia - Antarctica - Ushuaia20.02.2024 - 12.03.202411.880 €13.530 €22 days Specific AdvicesTo confirm a booking:30% of payment will be required at time of booking50% six months prior to departure20% 45 days prior to departureIncluded within the price:Accommodation within the booked cabin.Food and beverages (coffee and tea).Linen: Synthetic duvet and cover, pillow, pillow case and towel.All port entry, exit and landing fees whilst on board.Washing machine (utilisation limited).Use of communication equipment, satellite phone and email (does not include transmission costs: please see communications agreement).220v AC for charging electronics (such as computer, cell phone, camera, iPod, etc.) please check your owner’s manual for specifics.Diesel and consumables for yacht and inflatable zodiac operations.CO2-Offset via atmosfair.Not included:Landing fee South Georgia (when starting the trip in Montevideo), in 2015: 185,- GBP per personRubber Boots, sailing and shore hiking boots.Clothing (water- and wind resistant): thermals, mid layers, gloves and hats.Sleeping bag if required for shore activities.Specific food for onshore expeditions.Beverages from the bar.Personal medical supplies.Binoculars, photo and video camera.Transmission costs for satellite phone calls and email connections (see communication agreement).Travel costs to and from port of departure and arrival.Travel insurance for remote areas.Travel cancelation insurance. For booking your Sailing Expedtion with the Bark Europa, please send back the following documents (see the links for the pdf-files) filled-out and signed best by email or fax:Booking FormPassenger Information FormWaiver of LiabilityPassport: send us a copy of your passport valid at least six months counting from voyage commencement.After receiving your booking forms, we will send you the booking confirmation and invoice whereupon a deposit of 1/3 is due. The second third is payable until 3 months prior departure and the last third until 1.5 months prior departure. If you pay from outside the EURO-zone, paying by credit card might be the cheapest option. But still we have to charge a non-refundable credit card fee of 2.5%. Further Documents required not later than 30 days prior departure (without those it will not be possible for the skipper to accept you for the expedition):Expedition Medical FormTravel Health InsuranceFully vaccinated against covid-19Scheduled Expedition Contract For further details we refer to:Expedition Gear ListTerms & ConditionsOptional Health Travel and Cancellation Insurance Besides to those please read the following leaflets and explanatory notes referring our behaviour at the Antarctica, how to protect the environment and reduce our ecolocical footprint:Cetacean Watching Guidelines of the IAATOSeal Watching Guidelines of the IAATOBird Watching Guidelines of the IAATOGeneral Information for Wildlife Watching of the IAATOHelp Protect Antarctica's pristine environment from non-native species (do not pack a pest)Boot Washing Guidelines of the IAATOGuidelines for Visitors to the Antarctic)Yacht Outreach Pamphlet of the IAATOOperational Do´s and Don´ts Ushuaia Guide You will travel on a modern Sailing Vessel. Please keep in mind, that safety first is the highest priority for all sailors on board. For this reason the exact route cannot be predicted and has to be adjusted by the captain/ skipper continuously according to the conditions - for the well-being of the whole team. Explanatory AdvicesWeather and ice conditions are a constant changing parameter, and are an integral part of travelling in the South. Depending on the conditions at the time, the itinerary may be adapted accordingly to maximise the experience for everyone on board and to ensure the safety of the vessel and personnel.The Agency 'SLOWTRAVEL experience' is not the organizer, rather the agent of this travel. Therefore the Terms & Conditions of the Shipping Company are applicable.For further informations please do not hesitate to contact us. Changes and errors excepted!
