Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island Safari
Three Departures in 2008 and three departures in 2009.
Start: Ushuaia
Finish: Ushuaia
BBC Film Crew Aboard this Expedition in 2009
When the BBC decided to produce a sequel to Planet Earth - Frozen Planet - the filmmakers turned to Quark Expeditions for logistical support. As a result, a BBC film crew will be shooting footage aboard the first two departures of Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island.
During the October 10 and October 22 departures in 2009, the crew will deliver presentations and show dailies - raw footage captured during each day's filming. The dailies will be filmed with the technology that enables the BCC's Natural History Unit to capture never-before-seen footage of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Day 1
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
The city's international airport is served by flights from Buenos Aires and Chile. We recommend that you arrive as early in the day as possible. The "city at the end of the world" offers outdoor soft adventure activities, great restaurants, and museums. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2
Embarkation Day
Your luggage will be transferred from your included hotel to the ship today. Embarkation occurs in the late afternoon. You are free to explore Ushuaia until embarkation.
Day 3
At Sea
Crossing the Drake Passage is as much a part of the Antarctic experience as penguins and krill. With the right weather conditions the transit will be relatively easy, but pack your seasickness medicine just in case the Drake lives up to its reputation.
Day 4-5
Through Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea
In anticipation of the first landing at the rookery while sailing you learn how to enter and exit Zodiacs and helicopters. The addition of helicopters for ice reconnaissance, aerial sightsseing and shore transfers is one reason that an icebeaker expedition delivers the ultimate Antarctic experience.
Day 6-8
Snow Hill Island Rookery
Adventurers returning from our 2006 safaris raved about the expedition, observing that the environment was as fascinating as the birds. The Emperors raised their young on sea ice that had captured icebergs, freezing them in place like huge sculptures dropped at random into the landscape. It is our intention during the 2008 expeditions to spend 3 or 4 days in the vicinity of the rookery. Our itinerary may have to be modified in response to changing weather and ice conditions in the Weddell Sea.
Day 9-11
The Antarctic Peninsula
If the visit to the rookery occurs as planned we intend to spend a few days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. The Expedition Team will be planning visits to the rookeries of Gentoo or Adelie Penguins, where courtship behavior will be underway. The contrast will be startling after your experience at the Snow Hill rookery.
Day 12-13
The Drake Passage or Scotia Sea
A day at sea can be as busy as any day ashore. The day speeds by when you bird watch from the deck, attend presentations, or just idly watch the waves from the fly deck. The 360 view from the top of the ship is perfect for taking panoramic photos.
Day 14
Disembarkation Day
After breakfast aboard, you will be transferred in a group to the passenger collection point in Ushuaia.