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PLA30 Antarctic Peninsula - Basecamp Plancius 2012/2013
PLA30
A Basecamp itinerary to the Antarctic Peninsula is illustrated below. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Day 1: Ushuaia - In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
Days 2 & 3: At sea - During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.
Days 4 – 9: Antarctica - We will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. We will sail to the Neumayer Channel, where we position our ship for the multi activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, per zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shore lines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and view points further inland, i.e. Jabet Peak (540 m). All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions.
We plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days. We will visit the British research station and the post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales.
Our second Basecamp night will be erected near the Continent; we choose a camp site which is suitable and close to next day’s activity. The mountaineers hope to reach the summit of Mt. Demaria (640 m) at Waddington Bay. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south we may have time to visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from the station crew.
In the afternoon at Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of a huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises, hikes and kayak excursions. A small group of mountaineers may climb up on higher grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night at Neko or near Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore. We will leave Neko Harbour in the early morning after breaking our last camp. We sail via Melchior Islands towards the open sea of the Drake Passage. We have again a chance of seeing many seabirds.
Days 10 – 11: At sea - On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 12: Ushuaia - We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
m/v Plancius
M/v "Plancius" was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named "Hr. Ms. Tydeman". The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions.
The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 114-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v "Plancius" is classed by Lloyd's Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
Check here our Plancius flyer with all details. (PDF)
M/v "Plancius" accommodates 114 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, all (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters).
All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two songle beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed).
The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/v "Plancius" has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 3), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. 
M/v "Plancius" is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. Our voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are and will still be primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel will fully meet our demands to achieve this.
The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 - 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.
M/v "Plancius" is manned by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards / cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
Ice class: Plancius was built for Ice conditions. To reach these ice-conditions she has a strengthened bow and stern. The hull is thicker and the whole construction on the waterline of the vessel is reinforced by using extra frames. Where the normal frame spacing is 65cm, we have on the bow-line and stern also frames in between so there the frame spacing is approx 30cm. Because Plancius was built to do surveys she has a special six blade bronze propeller, the shape of the propeller makes Plancius a very silent ship. Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters (which is our waterline).
- Length:
- 89 meters (293 feet)
- Breadth:
- 14,5 meters (47 feet)
- Draft:
- 5 meters (16 feet)
- Ice class:
- 1D
- Displacement:
- 3175 tonnes
- Engines:
- 3x Diesel-Electric
- Speed:
- 10 - 12 knots
- Passengers:
- 114
Scuba Diving
Divers must be advanced and experienced in dry suit and cold water diving. We hope for 1-2 different dives per day parallel to all other activities. Diving depends on local ice and weather conditions. Dive masters and dive guides are responsible for safety during operation. Basic equipment is onboard (scuba tanks, compressors, weights and diving essentials. Divers bring their personal gear. For more details please refer to the activity manual.
Please click here if you want to download the full version of the Polar Diving Manual with all details and information needed for preparing your trip.
Kayaking
In general we plan to at least offer 4 kayaking days. Basic kayaking experience is required and physical fitness is essential. Parallel to all other activities we are planning on offering kayaking excursions during morning and / or afternoon landings. The final decision on those excursions will be met by the Expedition Leader. Oceanwide will provide kayaks and neoprene wet suits. Kayakers will bring their own personal gear. Kayaking is subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions. For more details please refer to the activity manual.
Please click here if you want to download the full version of the Kayaking Manual with all details and information needed for preparing your trip (equipment list, faq, etc.)
Hiking
During designated hiking voyages we exceed our normal shore excursion walking program. In general we plan to offer 3 possibilities to become active ashore. There will be easy, moderate and more demanding walks available in the vicinity of the landing sites. There will be walks available to suit everyone’s capability. In the Antarctic we are planning on two hikes per day, each 2 - 3 hours long during morning and / or afternoon landings.
In the Arctic we also offer several full day walks (5 – 7 hrs) with packed lunch. The final decision on those hiking options will be met by the Expedition Leader on the day of the excursion.
We recommend bringing a proper pair of hiking boots and gaiters. Snowshoes will be provided (for hikers only) on board. Those will fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with Oceanwide’s rubber boots. Hiking is free of charge; more details can be found in the activity manual and the day by day programs.
Please click here if you want to download the full version of the Hiking and Snowshoeing Manual with all details and information needed for preparing your trip.
Field camping
On some Antarctic voyages we offer an exciting ‘open air’ camping option, which gives an intensive experience of the Antarctic wilderness. Special gear and field equipment will be provided: tents, wind and waterproof bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to a tent system). This shelter will protect you from the elements during the night in the open air of the Antarctic. Mattresses and polar sleeping bags provide comfort during the night. The maximum number of participants for this camping option is 30 participants per night. One expedition guide will conduct the activity ashore. Camping is always subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations. 1 night has to be booked prior to the trip; any extra nights (if those are possible) must be arranged onboard. Additional nights will be charged by the Hotel Manager. For more details please refer to the activity manual.
Please click here if you want to download the full version of the Field Camping Manual with all details and information needed for preparing your trip.
Mountaineering
This is a technical and more strenuous activity for mountaineers who wish to walk beyond the shore radius in order to reach higher grounds and view points. Mountaineers walk in rope parties under the leadership of a certified mountain guide mostly across glaciated environment in Antarctica. Depending on the landing site, glacier walks can vary from half day to full day outings.In general we plan to offer 3-4 glacier excursions parallel to all other activities during designated “Basecamp Plancius” voyages. Mountaineering knowledge is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. The maximum number is limited to 6 mountaineers per rope party. Special glacier equipment will be provided: ropes and
carabiners, harnesses, helmets, ice axes and crampons. Participants will bring their personal protective outdoor clothes, mountaineering boots (leather or plastic) suitable for using crampons. A qualified mountain guide and assistant will supervise and guide the activity for a maximum of 12 mountaineers at a time.
Basecamp Plancius voyage:
1 mountaineering excursion is free of charge. Every mountaineer will be able to take advantage of at least one outing but it can be more. Space is limited to 36 participants, first come first serve.
Mountaineering must be pre-booked with Oceanwide’s reservation departments prior to departure.
Click here to download the full details of our "Basecamp Plancius" activities. These activities are free of charge on the designated "Basecamp Plancius" voyages.
Leica Akademie Photo Workshop
On selected voyages and “Basecamp Plancius” voyages Oceanwide Expeditions is going to offer photo workshops for beginners and advanced photographers under the supervision of a photo expert on board. Everybody is welcome to participate, no previous experience required. The workshop group (up to 20 participants per guide per landing, and up to 14 participants per guide on supplemented voyages) will be accompanied by the photo expert during activity ashore. Participants with a special interest in photography will bring their personal photo equipment. During cruise days everybody will be able to listen into photo lectures and workshops in order to learn more about objects, exposures and photo composition. The workshop does not intend to instruct on how to use specific camera models, but more to give an insight on better photo results by respecting basic rules of photography. Photographers can also take part in other activities of their choice. Photo workshops are free of charge on Basecamp voyages, and supplemented on other activity coded voyages. The photo workshop must be pre-booked with Oceanwide’s reservation departments prior to departure.
Character of photo workshops: Basecamp Plancius and other non supplemented voyages: free “try out” activity for everybody, participants also dip into other activities, group size up to 20 participants per photo guide and landing, daily changing groups, workshop content not too specialised, target group “beginners to experts” who wish to receive daily photo tuition. During photo workshops powered by Leica Akademie (see attached dates & rates), participants can test Leica camera equipment free of charge.
Activity coded & supplemented voyages: Leica Akademie photo workshop, up to 14 participants will be instructed by a photo guide lecturer of Leica Akademie, homogeneous group, progressive workshop sessions specialise on improving specific photo skills, Leica photo equipment can be tested (cameras and objectives), target group “experts and those who want to become experts”.
Itinerary details
- Voyage:
- PLA30 Antarctic Peninsula - Basecamp Plancius 2012/2013
- Duration:
- 11 nights / 12 days
- Embarkation:
- Ushuaia
- Disembarkation:
- Ushuaia
Trip details
- Voyage code:
- PLA30
- Start date:
- 26-02-2013
- end date:
- 09-03-2013
- Language:
- English
- Vessel:
- m/v Plancius
- Trip options:
-
Scuba Diving
Kayaking
Hiking
Field camping
Mountaineering
Leica Akademie Photo Workshop
Rates
- Show rates in:
- EURO | US Dollars
- Twin Deluxe:
- € 6.990 $ 9,790
- Twin Window:
- € 6.590 $ 9,190
- Twin Porthole:
- € 6.290 $ 8,790
- Triple Porthole:
- € 5.790 $ 8,090
- Quadruple Porthole:
- € 5.290 $ 7,390
- Superior:
- € 7.750 $ 10,850
- Scuba Diving:
- € 350 p.p. $ 490 p.p.
- Kayaking:
- € free of charge $ free of charge
- Hiking:
- € free of charge $ free of charge
- Field camping:
- € free of charge $ free of charge
- Mountaineering:
- € free of charge $ free of charge
- Leica Akademie Photo Workshop:
- € free of charge $ free of charge
