Please make your way to the Port of Ushuaia at 3.30pm in order to board the 'Plancius' on Day 1 at 4pm

Depart from 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. 

High Antarctic.  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 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, ie. 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 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 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 days 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.

When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising and kayaking between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. Hikers, mountaineers and photographers will spend time ashore.

In afternoon at Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of 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.

Please note that the 11 day tours will spend Days 4-8 in the Antarctic as detailed below, with Days 9-10 crossing the Drake Passage ending in Ushuaia on Day 11:

We will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, we will find a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. Active passengers can walk up to a beautiful view point.

At Almirante Brown we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent, a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers . At Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising, shore landings and kayak outings between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. Here, we position our ship for the multi activity base camp. The protected waters around Paradise Bay 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. 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 ashore. We will explore the shore lines and rugged mountains of Bryde Island, an island discovered by the Belgican Antarctic Expedition under the leadership of Adrien de Gerlache, 1897-99.

We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau Island for a zodiac cruise. At Port Charcot and the mountains towering from Booth Island we will find another great place for outdoor activities. At Hovgaard Island we settle for a camp night ashore. Next day we will visit 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. Further south we may visit the historic station Wordie Hut near Argentine Island. This will give you an insight about former life of scientists on the white continent.

Sailing north through the Lemaire Channel we arrive at the British research station and post office Port Lockroy, Goudier Island in the morning of the next day. We sail through Neumayer Channel via the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.

Arrival at Ushuaia.  We arrive at Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the ship after breakfast.

The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.

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), activity guides and 1 doctor.

There is an infirmary on-board with a fully qualified doctor.

The expedition team normally consists of one expedition leader and guides / lecturers. All members of the team are highly experienced and have worked in these conditions for many years. Every day the passengers will be informed about the day’s program (position of the vessel, general information regarding the area, itinerary and the expected wildlife during the excursions). The excursions will be evaluated in the early morning, afternoon and after dinner. Occasionally, the expedition team will organise lectures, sometimes supported with slide shows to inform the passengers about various interesting features of the Antarctic.

Base Camp Plancius Guides

An international team of  Antarctic experts and field guides who are enthusiastic about sharing their in depth knowledge with lectures, briefings and field excursions. Lectures are selected and relevant to the destinations we travel to. We cover major topics like marine biology, geography, geology, glaciology, ornithology and history.

Our staff is skilled, trained and qualified in the activity they are in charge of: mountaineering, photography, kayaking, zodiac driving.  Expedition guides organize the informative ship program and actively guide our shore excursions.

Essential equipment is available free of charge on board on Base Camp voyages.

Attention mountaineers: bring sturdy mountaineering boots on which crampons (supplied on the ship) will fit! Soft trekking boots are not suited for this activity. (Pre Booking Essential)

Options: Sea Kayaking (Pre Booking Essential), Field Camping, Mountaineering (Pre Booking Essential), Photo Workshops (Pre Booking Essential), Snowshoeing/Hiking (Pre Booking Essential) 

Important note: all travelers must indicate the options they wish to participate in. There is limited space on mountaineering excursions!

We plan to offer 3-4 full days of kayak excursions parallel to all other activities (6-7 outings morning, afternoon or evening) during designated “Base Camp Plancius” voyages (each person will be able to have a go at least once, but could be more availability allowing). Basic kayak experience, appropriate outdoor clothing and physical fitness is essential. The maximum number is limited to 14 kayakers per outing.

Special kayak gear will be provided: single seat and double seat kayaks, neoprene hoods, gloves and booties (check for sizes). Kayakers will bring their personal warm and protective clothes. An expedition kayak guide will supervise the activity. The kayakers will be accompanied by a safety zodiac boat.

1 kayak excursion free of charge. Every passenger will be able to take advantage of at least 1 outing but it can be more availability allowing.

Kayaking must be pre-booked prior to departure (maximum 1 outing for Base Camp Plancius. There are no waitlists for any extra outings that might be offered.)

We plan to offer 2 - 3 camp nights during designated “Base Camp Plancius” voyages. Everyone can participate, no previous experience is required. The maximum number is limited to 30 persons per night. The camping group will be taken ashore after dinner, and returns to the ship just before breakfast. On shore a camp will be made in a place where wildlife will not be disturbed.

Special gear and field equipment will be provided: tents, wind and waterproof bivouac bags, mattresses and polar sleeping bags provide comfort during the night. Campers bring their personal warm and protective clothes. Expedition guides will conduct the activity ashore.

1 camp night free of charge. Antarctic: 30 campers per night, up to 3 nights total (1 guaranteed night out for all passengers).

Camp nights must be pre-booked withprior to departure (maximum 1 night). There are no waitlists for any extra nights that might be offered.

In keeping with the expedition’s atmosphere, the dress code on board is very informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothes to lounge around onboard, in the communal bar area, and in your cabin. Keep in mind that much of the spectacular scenery is best appreciated from the deck. It is recommended that you bring a good pair of sturdy shoes/boots for walking about outside on the deck, preferably with good tread to prevent slipping.

We advise you to pack warm and comfortable clothing as well as wind and waterproof outer layers. Several layers of light clothes are preferable to one heavy layer. This also gives you flexibility to take off a layer if you are too warm, or to put on an additional layer if you are cold. The most important layer is the outer waterproof and windproof shell.

We recommend packing the following:

· Warm Trousers - eg ski pants or sturdy trousers that can be layered between your long thermal underwear and rain over-trousers

· Waterproof Trousers - water resistant over-trousers are essential

. Thermal Underwear - silk or polypropylene underwear is highly recommended

. Sweaters - wool sweaters or a polar fleece of medium weight are recommended

· Mittens and Gloves, Hat, Scarf - thin polypropylene gloves can be worn under mittens, and kept on whilst operating cameras. A warm cap is essential to protect your ears

· Warm Socks - wool socks over a thin pair of polypropylene or cotton/wool socks should provide enough insulation for your feet

. Waterproof & Windproof Jacket - a well fitting jacket with attached hood. This garment needs to be thoroughly waterproof and is the most important layer of clothing

. Backpack - waterproof nylon backpack/rucksack or similar bag with shoulder straps for carrying your camera and other gear during shore excursions. It is vital that you have some means of keeping your camera dry especially when in the Zodiacs

· High Factor Sunscreen and Sunglasses - good quality sunglasses are very important due to the glare from the water and snow/ice

· Personal medical kit (the ship’s medical kit is for emergencies only) including seasickness tablets

. Binoculars - highly recommended

. Camera & Film - it is advisable to bring an extra camera in case of malfunction or accident. Bring plenty of film or memory cards as well as spare batteries or chargers

. Teva Sandals - useful to wear around the ship

. Sturdy Shoes/Boots - for walking about outside on the deck, preferably with good tread to prevent slipping

. T-Shirts - recommended to wear inside the vessel as temperatures are comfortably warm

· Toiletries

. Rubber Boots – (Please note that Expedition Rubber Boots are available free of charge if your departure is on board the M/V Plancius.) Please advise Kumuka of your shoe size when booking. Your boots are probably the most important item you need to bring. They need to be a pair of pull-on rubber, unlined and completely waterproof boots that are mid-calf or higher with a strong, ridged non-skid sole for landings onshore. Stepping out of the Zodiacs to shore almost always involves stepping into water, so it is important that the boots are high enough to avoid water going over the top and into the boots. Aslo, expect poor footing on the ice and ashore. for this reason boots such as Sorrels, snow boots, hiking boots or low rubber boots are not satisfactory, as you will get your feet wet. Make sure your boots are not too tight or too sloppy. If they are too tight you will get cold feet. If they are too loose you can, within reason, add an insole or extra socks to take up the space. For maximum warmth, wear loose-fitting boots and two pairs of socks.

Don’t forget your swimming gear as there is a possibility that you can take a Polar Plunge!

All meals are included and are eaten communally. Normally breakfast is served at 7.30am, lunch at 12.30pm and dinner at 7pm. Please inform the purser in due time if you have any dietary requirements so the chefs have enough time to prepare something special for you. Water from the tap is safe to drink.

Wines, beers and spirits are also available and payable onboard the ship at the end of your trip in USD/Euro/Credit Card.   Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also available throughout the day at no extra cost.

Vegetarians are catered for: Please advise Kumuka or your agent at the time of booking if you are vegetarian. 

Conditions at sea can be rough, especially whilst crossing the Drake Passage, which has a reputation for rough conditions (although it is true to say that conditions out on the Drake Passage can also be calm!) thus we urge you to ensure that you are prepared for the possibility of suffering from seasickness during this two-day crossing.

As the vessel is faster than many of its competitors in the same class, it reaches the Antarctic in the late afternoon of Day 3, whereas many other vessels do not reach the Antarctic until the morning of Day 4.

All personal expenses incurred, such as refreshments from the bar or souvenirs from the on-board shop will be charged to the cabin. All prices on board are in Euros. On the penultimate day of the tour, you can settle your bill with the purser and pay by credit card (VISA or Mastercard) or cash in US Dollars or Euros. You cannot use travelers cheques on board the ship.

Due to wind, salt and spray, it is recommended that you bring protective casing for your camera. We urge you not to bring plastic bags, which can blow away in the high winds. Please bring extra film or memory cards and spare batteries or chargers.

Kumuka can arrange pre or post tour accommodation at a comfortable hotel in Ushuaia for you. Please contact Kumuka or your agent for further details. We strongly recommend that you spend 2-3 extra days in Ushuaia to visit the town’s museums and the beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park. 

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com