December 4 — 29, 2006

Ship Nights: 24

Leaders: Dr. Dee Boersma, Audrey Benedict, and the Expedition Leaders of the Spirit of Enderby

To explore the magnificent wilderness world of the Subantarctic Islands and the East Antarctic, we must leave typical cruise routes far behind us. Snug aboard our 48-passenger, ice-strengthened and comfortable research ship, the Spirit of Enderby, we’ll follow in the wake of some legendary Antarctic explorers — Cook, Mawson, Shackleton, Ross, and Dumont d’Urville. We begin our expedition voyage in Dunedin, New Zealand — sailing south along the dramatic South Island coast to a rendezvous with some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife imaginable. Our own voyage of discovery will take us deep into the oceanic realm of the wind birds—the albatrosses, petrels, storm-petrels, prions, and fulmars. In fact, the chain of islands that make up the subantarctic archipelago — including Australia’s Macquarie Island and New Zealand’s Snares, Aucklands, and Campbell islands — teem with the greatest diversity of seabirds on earth. Though scenically similar to much-visited South Georgia, these gemlike, emerald-hued islands are all World Heritage Sites and landing permits are limited to just a couple hundred people a year.

Adelie penguins nesting ,photo Audrey Benedict

The unique natural history of the Subantarctic islands reflects the geologic dramas and evolutionary changes that have shaped them over millions of years. Nowhere else can you see seven species of penguins, several of them (such as the royal penguin) endemic to these waters, seven species of albatross (including a breeding colony of the largest of all seabirds, the southern royal albatross), nearly thirty other species of tubenose seabirds, as well as parakeets, tomtits, bellbirds, and a menagerie of other land birds. Most of these species will be nesting amidst a floral display as spectacular as any on earth! In addition to the birds and flowers, marine mammals—such as the rare Hookers sea lion, southern elephant seals, New Zealand fur seals, leopard seals, hourglass dolphins, and several species of whales—will provide photographers with frame-filling images and treasured memories.

King Penguin quartet, photo Audrey Benedict

Our expedition will spend nearly a week exploring the East Antarctic coastline, visiting polar ice cap glaciers, Mawson’s Hut at Cape Denison, Terra Adélie (site of the world’s largest Adélie penguin colony), the famous emperor penguin colony at Dumont d’Urville, and the South Magnetic Pole. For many of us, the chance to see first-hand the exquisite beauty and wildlife of the Southern Ocean fulfills a lifelong dream. For others, the highlight of the voyage may well be our landfall on the stark, ice-bound splendor of the East Antarctic mainland and the exploration history celebrated by our visit to the South Magnetic Pole. For those smitten by penguinophilia, the opportunity to spend time in the incredible Emperor and Adélie penguin colonies made famous by the French film March of the Penguins is the only temptation needed to justify joining this magical expedition to the ends of the earth!

Cloud Ridge Group Size: 12
Trip Rating: 3

Price:
Land/cruise prices quoted are per personbased on double occupancy and according to the cabin category selected. Our small block of cabins (accommodating only 12 passengers) are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, please don’t delay! These prices do not include government landing fees ($250 for this voyage), alcohol, gratuities to the ship’s crew, or roundtrip airfare from your point of departure to New Zealand. A deposit of 25% of the trip cost (payable to Heritage Expeditions) is required to reserve space; the tour balance is due 90 days prior to departure.

Main Deck Cabin: $11,082.
Lower Deck location, two lower berths, porthole, desk, washbasin, and shared bathroom.

Superior Cabin: $12,780
Middle Deck location, window, upper and lower berths, desk, and private bathroom.

Superior Plus Cabin: $13,965.
Middle or Upper Deck location, two lower berths, window, desk, and private bathroom.

Special Note: Our New Zealand-based expedition outfitter, Heritage Expeditions, accepts credit card payments for deposits only. If you wish to make other trip payments by credit card, Heritage imposes a surcharge of 3% for processing credit card payments. For more information and pictures of the Spirit of Enderby, its cabins and amenities, we encourage you to visit their website:
www.heritage-expeditions.com