DOSSIER COMPLET

Introduction

Expédition en Antarctique 2011 2012

Veuillez noter que ce voyage est guidé en anglais.

Voici notre expédition la plus complète en Antarctique. Nous partons Ushuaïa et faisons notre première escale aux îles Malouines, dont le climat relativement chaud est propice au foisonnement d’une faune et flore exceptionnelles. Plus de soixante espèces d’oiseaux migrateurs et surtout le gorfou sauteur, une variété rare de manchot, habitent l’archipel.

Notre expédition sur le Akademik Ioffe se poursuit vers l’Antarctique en passant par l’île de Géorgie du Sud, toute immaculée. Des montagnes recouvertes de glaciers servent d’arrière-plan aux spectaculaires scènes de vie sauvage, comme des colonies de manchots royaux tout en suffisance, diverses espèces de phoques ainsi que les espiègles gorfous dorés. Pleins d’espoirs, nous espérons apercevoir les paisibles îles Orcades du sud, presque perpétuellement voilées de brume opaque, alors que le navire se dirige vers l’archipel des Shetland du sud, puis enfin l’Antarctique.

La stupéfaction et l’émerveillement se mêlent lorsque surgissent les rivages déchiquetés du continent tant attendu. Même nos guides, qui ont pourtant conduit plus d’une centaine de voyages, restent toujours admiratifs devant tant de beauté grandiose. Des milliers d’icebergs semblables à des sculptures d’art moderne jalonnent les baies de Paradise Harbor et Hope Bay. Au même moment, la faune locale exécute son plus beau ballet, comme les pingouins lancés à toute allure dans les flots, ou les léopards de mer postés sur la banquise comme des prédateurs. La prochaine étape est de gagner les terres du grand continent blanc lui-même. De là, il est facile de comprendre pourquoi des explorateurs légendaires tels que Ronald Amundsen et Sir Ernest Shackleton furent tellement captivés par cette région envoûtante lors de leurs premières expéditions.

Comme pour chacun de nos voyages, votre sécurité est notre priorité absolue. Pour cette raison, le temps, l’état de la banquise ou tout autre facteur peuvent nous amener à modifier l’itinéraire ou les excursions sur la terre ferme, mais cette incertitude fait partie du mystère et du caractère sauvage des explorations en terres polaires, un environnement qui provoque en permanence de multiples défis aux hommes.

N’hésitez pas à prendre contact avec notre conseiller Uniktour expert des terres polaires pour plus d’informations sur cette croisière unique dans les eaux de l’Antarctique!

Départs prévus les 08 novembre 2011 et 15 mars 2012

Itinéraire

(We apologize to present the following itinerary in English, and we kindly inform our guests that this trip is run in English.)

Day By Day Expedition Itinerary

Day 1| Ushuaia
Today is the first day of our adventure. As we board the Akademik Ioffe in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city near the tip of Argentina, and start to become familiar with 'our home' for the next 18 days we cannot help but wonder about the exciting journey ahead of us. In the early evening, we set sail and begin our voyage leaving behind Ushuaia and charting a course through the Beagle Channel.

Days 2 - 3| At Sea
Our guests have the chance to spend plenty of time with our onboard polar experts. They will be educating us as we go on the wonders of Antarctica. Sailing northeast, we will likely be joined by swooping seabirds including the wandering albatross, who we will come to know well on this journey.

Days 4 - 5| Falkland Islands
Arriving in the Falklands overnight, by morning we are all excited to make our first shore excursion. Our plan will be to explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago, home to a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds including the black-browed albatross. Our first penguin sightings will be on the island of West Point with its bustling rookeries of rockhoppers. On Carcass Island, we will observe nesting Magellanic penguins along with oystercatchers, geese and the flightless steamer duck who is a permanent Falkland resident. The next day we will make a stop in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. As we wander through the charming streets of brightly painted houses, we will learn how this quiet harbour was once a major port in the 19th century for ships attempting to round the formidable waters of Cape Horn. We will also make a stop in Stanley's famed philatelic museum with its impressive collection of historic stamps.

Days 6 - 7| At Sea
Now we sail southeast bound for the island of South Georgia. These days at sea are never dull. Much of our time is spent scanning the horizon in search of whales and other marine mammals as well as seabirds. Our friendly onboard experts continue to fill minds with heroic stories of some of the earliest daredevils to explore Antarctica. We will also learn about Polar conservation - a theme particularly close to the hearts of our One Ocean Expeditions guides and crew. The anticipation grows particularly as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and notice a dramatic drop in temperature.

Days 8 - 10| South Georgia
Majestic snow-covered mountains greet us on the island of South Georgia -the most rugged island in this region. We will cruise the protected waters of the eastern coast looking for suitable landing spots such as Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay. The highlight of both these excursions is the mind-boggling abundance of king penguin adults and young that live in these locations by the hundreds of thousands, covering every inch of the shore. That is not the only wildlife on display. Fur seals can be seen poking their heads above the water, skuas and giant petrels swoop in the skies above, and the albatross our constant companion is never far away. We hope to explore an old whaling station at Grytviken (Greet-vik-in) and visit the grave of the most famous Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Days 11 - 13| Sea and South Orkneys
As we cross the Scotia Sea, sailing ever closer to Antarctica, we hope to visit the South Orkney Islands. Linked to the Antarctic Peninsula by an enormous sub-marine mountain range these islands, often shrouded in mist, are protected by large icebergs and sea ice. If we are lucky, there will be an excursion to Coronation Island to observe penguins nesting in moss beds alongside graceful snow petrels. We may also stop at the remote island of Laurie and visit the Argentinean meteorological station located there.

Days 14 - 16| South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Mainland
Elephant Island, en route to the South Shetland Islands, will be our next destination if conditions are suitable. Here, we will learn more about the famous Antarctic adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton. This island was a place of refuge in 1916 for Shackleton and his crew after his ship was destroyed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. Next, we will spend some time cruising among the South Shetland Islands just off the Antarctic Peninsula. Dazzling wildlife sightings await us on our excursions to some of these islands including King George, Half Moon, Barrientos or Livingston. Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins thrive here, as do several species of seal. We even hope to see the gentle humpback whale dining on krill off King George Island. Weather permitting, we will visit the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. With rugged scenery, great sites of geologic interest and an overwhelming display of whaling and scientific exploration history, Deception Island is a perfect museum of natural and exploration history. For those wanting to stretch their legs, a spectacular hike to the crater rim offers a challenge. Finally, after so much anticipation, we will arrive at the Antarctic mainland in Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay. The scenery here from the colossal icebergs to the seemingly endless Antarctic ice sheet is truly breathtaking. Weather permitting, we hope to undertake a shore excursion and set foot on the White Continent itself.

Days 17 - 18| Drake Passage
As we leave this magical place and make our way back, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn, we have no doubt that time will be spent sharing and reflecting on the wonderful experiences of the last few days. Sailing up the Beagle Channel, we celebrate the conclusion of our Polar expedition at a special dinner.

Day 19| Ushuaia
In the early morning, we will arrive back in Ushuaia. It is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travelers. Guests will be transported to their hotels or to the airport for return flights home.

Budget

**Les budgets présentés sur ce site web ne le sont qu’à titre indicatif et n’ont aucune valeur contractuelle (notamment car il n’y a pas de date de départ indiquée). Les prix sont amenés à changer très régulièrement sur ce site en fonction du cours des devises et des fluctuations des prestations hôtelières. Pour obtenir un devis, nous vous invitons à cliquer ici.

Autres frais

You may feel, as we do, that if you make the journey to the bottom of the world you may as well stay awhile. On this far-reaching expedition to the islands of the South Atlantic Ocean and the Antarctic mainland, you will revel in 18 eye-popping days of exploration. Busybody penguins in rookeries by the thousands, behemoth icebergs reflecting startling greens and blues, humpback whales feeding on krill and of course the continent-sized sweeping ice sheet of Antarctica.

Proof of our Polar Commitment
When travelling with us, you will discover how much we care about the places and people we visit. We demonstrate this by finding ways to give back as well as taking away so many incredible memories. For more information on our commitment to responsible tourism, please review our document entitled, "Our Environmental Commitment".

Before you Book , Important Trip Details
Itinerary Changes: We put safety first and that means weather, ice, wildlife, political or other conditions may require us to modify the itinerary as we go. We consider this half the intrigue of Polar exploring. Every expedition we undertake is a little different. It may mean we have to cancel certain shore excursions including polar camping if conditions are not suitable but we always find other fun things to do. Polar exploring is not predictable which is one of the many reasons we think it is so special.

Medical Documentation - Once you have booked your voyage to the Polar Regions, you will be required to complete a Medical Information Form. This form must be completed, signed and returned to Uniktour no later than 100 days prior to departure.

Passport - Well before travelling, please ensure you have a current passport with an accurate photo, valid for at least six months after your scheduled return flight home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Some countries may require you to have a return air ticket or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.

Budgeting - It is a good idea to bring along some $US cash. There are some onboard expenses such as those incurred at the bar, in our gift shop, and for satellite communication, as well as several souvenir shopping opportunities throughout the voyage including at some of the research stations in the Antarctic Peninsula. Mail can sometimes be posted from these stations as well.

Clothes - We do not need to tell you it is cold in Antarctica. So make sure you come prepared with clothes that will adequately protect you from the weather and wet conditions (sea spray is common onboard Zodiacs). Expensive specialty gear is not required, but you should have warm, waterproof clothing available upon your arrival in Ushuaia. Please read our Pre-departure Information for more details about what to bring in the journey. We also have foul weather gear for rent or purchase on board the ship. You should prearrange the rental of this gear should you require it.

Onboard - Like the weather, sea conditions can also be unpredictable. Rough waters are not uncommon particularly through the Drake Passage. You will be safe and comfortable aboard with your experienced crew in control of our ship, but you may suffer the effects of motion sickness, unless you have taken precautions. We recommend visiting your doctor prior to departure for medication that can help you avoid this easily treated condition.

Gratuities - We suggest you allow the equivalent of $US10 a day for gratuities for the crew and expedition staff. This is usually collected just prior to the end of the cruise.

Sea Kayaking - If you have some experience sea kayaking and are interested in doing this activity during the expedition, you will need to book this option prior to departure from home. We cannot book this activity once onboard. There is a separate document for sea kayakers that you will need to review beforehand.

Embarkation Protocol - Due to new International Security Regulations, you will not be able to come to the ship on your own. Guests arrive with the rest of the group accompanied by our local Representative. Full details of embarkation/disembarkation procedures will be supplied with your final documentation. Once onboard, you will be participating in an obligatory lifeboat drill. We will also conduct important briefings on landing procedures and Zodiac operations.

Insurance - On all Uniktour in Polar Regions voyages, you must have comprehensive travel insurance. Your own domestic government medical insurance and private health care plans will not cover you in most overseas countries. Your travel agent can recommend a policy designed to cover participants on these cruises.

Your policy must provide coverage for your medical costs in case of hospitalization, emergency travel and repatriation. We require that you obtain adequate insurance before joining the voyage. Cancellation insurance is also recommended. Please check the terms of your policy carefully, particularly with regard to limits of cover (i.e. replacement of photographic equipment, baggage loss, claims procedure, costs due to airline delays etc). Also ensure you are familiar with the procedure for making claims (for example, most policies stipulate that claims must be made within a certain time after completion of your journey). Once you have paid your deposit or full payment, certain fees will apply if you have to cancel your holiday (see the cancellation provisions in our terms and conditions). For this reason you should take out insurance at the time of paying your deposit, which should then protect you in such a situation.

Visas - No visas are required to visit the Antarctic continent or its offshore islands, however, you will need a valid passport with you throughout the journey. For most voyages, our ship departs for the Antarctic continent from the port of Ushuaia, Argentina. At the time of printing, no visas for Argentina are required by holders of Australian, New Zealand, British, Canadian, U.S.A. or European passports. Passengers holding passports issued by other countries should carefully check with their travel agent or Argentinean consular authorities. If your flight to Ushuaia is via Santiago, tourist visas are required for Chile for some nationalities. If you plan any side trips to other countries you will need to investigate visa requirements as it is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip.

Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing and vary for different nationalities. You should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travelling.

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind and check with us if you want to be sure about anything. The document was correct at time of printing but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff. We are here to help you!

March, 2010

Présentation

La simple prononciation du mot Antarctique fait souvent rêver les amoureux des terres polaires. L’idée d’un voyage d’agrément pourrait paraitre bien farfelue aux tout premiers explorateurs tant les conditions y sont rudes. Néanmoins, l’attractivité de ce continent semble se confirmer. Bien que naviguer sur les traces de Paul Emil Victor reste un privilège, les solutions pour rallier ce continent perdu s’affinent d’années en années et vous aident à concrétiser le voyage de votre vie ou à satisfaire une passion pour les expériences extrêmes.

Dernier continent inhabité de notre belle planète, l’Antarctique offre un monde de glace à nulle autre pareille. 98% du continent est recouvert par l’Inlandsis, une couche de neige tassée pouvant atteindre 5.000m d’épaisseur. Par la force des choses, ces plaques glissent sur les côtes et finissent leur parcours en se fracturant en Icebergs. Vous resterez subjugués devant l’immensité et les couleurs vives des nombreux icebergs qui croiseront votre route!

Au départ de la Terre de feu, vous affronterez le passage du Drake avant de pouvoir observer paisiblement la faune locale. Préservés des nuisances humaines, vous constaterez par vous-même que les innombrables colonies de manchots ne manifestent aucune crainte à votre passage. Les baleines ainsi qu’une concentration exceptionnelle d’oiseaux (pétrels, albatros…) viendront combler votre expérience de moments inoubliables.

Géographie

Sa surface d'environ 14 millions de km² en fait le 4ieme plus grand continent mais la roche apparente n’en représente que 2%. En effet, le Pôle Sud est recouvert d’une immense plaque de glace appelée inlandsis dont la superficie représente 1.5 fois celle du Canada. Avec une altitude moyenne de l’ordre de 2.300 m, c’est le continent le plus élevé du monde.

La chaîne Transantarctique, qui s’étend sur 3.000 km de long, délimite naturellement les parties Ouest et Est.
L’Est du continent est nommé l’Antarctique Oriental et fait face aux océans Atlantique et Indien. Elle est surmontée d’un gigantesque dôme de glace (appelé Inlandsis) d'environ 10 millions de km² dont le point le plus élevé culmine à plus de 4.000m. Quant à l’autre moitié, l’Antarctique Occidentale, elle ne compte que pour 20% de la superficie totale du continent et atteint seulement 2.500 m au plus haut. Elle est prolongée par la Péninsule Antarctique et par les 2 grands ice-shelves de Ross et de Ronnes.

L’épaisseur moyenne de l’inlandsis varie entre 1.300m dans l’ouest et 2.200 m dans l’est. Il peut atteindre jusqu’à 5.000m par endroits et représente environ 70% des réserves d’eau douce de la Terre. Sa préservation est capitale pour l’avenir de nos civilisations car sa fonte pourrait provoquer une élévation des océans de l’ordre de 60m.

Culture

Un voyage vers le Pôle Sud est une excursion dans le temps…

Depuis le début du 16ieme siècle les grands explorateurs rêvent, imaginent et frôlent ce continent perdu, si difficile d’accès. Magellan, passé si proche lorsqu’il parvint à contourner la Terre de feu, imagine une terre Austral qui relierait les Amériques à l’Australie. Même James Cook en 1773 ne parviendra pas à y poser le pied, bloqué après avoir franchi le Cercle Polaire par les glaces impénétrables qui s’étaient accumulées à la saison froide.

Après un premier accostage en 1821 par les chasseurs de phoques américains, il a fallu attendre 1838 pour que des navigateurs français partent à la recherche du Pôle Sud magnétique et accostent le 21 janvier 1840 sur le continent à un endroit que le commandant Dumont d'Urville baptise Terre Adélie, en l'honneur de sa femme.

Le continent Austral devient dès lors une véritable attraction pour de nombreux pays qui y voit une terre sauvage, préservée de toute activité humaine et potentiellement riche en ressources naturelles. L’Année Géophysique Internationale de 1957 a rassemblé 12 pays pour y installer 48 stations, principalement sur les côtes mais également quelques unes sur l'Inlandsis.

Victime de son succès, il faudra créer Le Traité sur l'Antarctique le 1er décembre 1959 pour geler toutes les revendications territoriales. 45 pays en sont signataires à ce jour et accordent un statut unique destiné aux recherches scientifiques, à la préservation de la faune, de la flore, et des ressources naturelles.

Climat

Sachez-le, ce voyage vous amène dans l’endroit le plus froid au monde !
Des records ont été enregistrés à -90 degrés Celsius autours de la station Vostok, à 3.500 m d’altitude, au cœur du continent. Mais il est extrêmement rare de pouvoir s’enfoncer sur l’inlandsis… vous resterez probablement plus proche des côtes, où les températures oscillent de -30 à 15 degrés Celsius à la belle saison. Selon les conditions météorologiques, la banquise ne vous laissera accéder à destination que 2 ou 3 mois par an, au plus chaud de l’été Austral (janvier-février).

Les vents peuvent se révélés tout aussi rudes avec des pointes enregistrées à 320 km/h en Terre Adélie (mais de manière générale, cela tourne entre 30 et 71 km/h). Enfin, bien que cela paraisse paradoxal, cette zone reçoit moins d’eau que le plus aride des déserts car il y fait trop froid. Il neige principalement sur les côtes du continent grâce au réchauffement de l’air que provoquent les courants de l’océan.

Imaginez donc le temps requis à notre planète pour former un dôme de 5km de glace !

Prochaines dates de départ

28-12-2012