Antarctica, South Georgia & The Falkland Islands Aboard MV Minerva: Dec 17, 2009—Jan 05, 2010

A never-to-be-forgotten visit to the "White Continent" in all its majesty, from the safety and comfort of the M/V Minerva. The fantastic birds and mammals of the Southern Ocean, seen in combination with the world's most spectacular scenery, almost overwhelm first-time travelers.

To many, Antarctica represents the ultimate travel destination. Here the visitor—a stranger in an ice-locked world of breathtaking beauty—comes face to face with some of the world's most sensational wildlife spectacles, replete with penguins, skuas, albatrosses, seals, and whales. Soaring mountains, sculpted icebergs, and ice-clogged waterways present landscapes of unsurpassed grandeur.

VENT is proud to present an opportunity for interested travelers, natural history enthusiasts, and birders to venture to the White Continent, a place that has enticed explorers into its waters for more than a century. For this remarkable voyage, we've assembled an itinerary that offers maximum opportunities for viewing the birds and mammals of the Antarctic Peninsula AND South Georgia and the Falkland Islands; for birders and natural history enthusiasts this is essential, as most of the wildlife is found on these two South Atlantic island outposts. This comprehensive expedition to the Southern Ocean is truly the trip of a lifetime.

Over the course of this expedition you will witness some of the finest scenery on the planet, enjoy intimate encounters with wildlife that is totally unafraid, and experience the thrill of treading in places where comparatively few have gone before.

We will have ample time to explore the Antarctic Peninsula, cruising protected waterways, landing on remote islands aboard Zodiac landing craft, experiencing unforgettable wildlife encounters, and visiting scientific research bases. We plan to land at such places as Petermann Island, home to a colony of Adelie Penguins; Paradise Bay, where Gentoo Penguins share space with Weddell and leopard seals, and where calving glaciers and icy waters present scenes of overpowering beauty; and Deception Island, known for its volcanically-heated hot springs. We will navigate the magnificent Lemaire and Neumeyer channels, whose narrow waterways are lined with soaring 9,000-foot mountains and encrusted with massive glaciers and snow fields. On every horizon you'll be surrounded by one dramatic mountain range after another, and all of it buried under timeless snow and ice.

Incredible South Georgia rises from the Southern Ocean like a great alpine citadel. Lofty, snow-covered peaks, windswept moorlands, and a magnificent coastline scalloped with inlets and deepwater fjords provide beautiful scenery in staggering proportions. This outpost hosts some of the world's most stupendous wildlife spectacles, with hundreds of thousands of King Penguins its most obvious inhabitants. Tens of thousands more albatross, petrels, diving-petrels, Antarctic fur seals, and southern elephant seals roam the island's beaches and grassy slopes.

We'll make two crossings of the famed Drake Passage, home to some of the finest pelagic birding in the world. Watching from the decks we should see five species of albatross, including the giant Wandering and Royal albatrosses; the gorgeous Cape Petrel; and thousands of other prions, shearwaters, petrels, and storm-petrels. We'll cross the Antarctic Convergence where the cold waters of the Southern Ocean override the warmer waters to the north. Outside Ushuaia we'll cruise the Beagle Channel, enjoying spectacular vistas of jagged mountains and rocky headlands.

Our vessel for this extraordinary voyage is the M/V Minerva, a ship that readers of Conde Nast Traveler rated one of the best cruise ships in the world. Once aboard, you'll travel in total comfort, enjoying spacious accommodations and excellent cuisine. The guest quarters are among the most elegant available on any Antarctic cruise. A state-of-the-art lecture lounge is great for daily discussions and updates while outside, the Promenade Deck offers tremendous views of Antarctic seascapes. Her ice-strengthened hull and stabilizers guarantee safety throughout your voyage. An experienced cruise staff, physician, and onboard lecturers accompany all voyages.

All travel, accommodations, and cuisine aboard the M/V Minerva; conditions aboard ship excellent; many excursions in Zodiac landing craft; walking conditions vary from sandy beaches to loose rock; temperatures range from 30s to 40s (F). Some agility required, but travelers in good health will have no problem with this trip.