Deep Antarctica - Icebergs & Emperors

In 1911, Australian polar explorer, Douglas Mawson sailed into Commonwealth Bay where landfall was made at Cape Denison aboard the 6000 tonne "Aurora". Mawson and his men had unwittingly discovered the windiest and one of the wildest places on the planet. Despite the loss of two companions and his own struggle to survive, the beauty of East Antarctica drew Mawson back in years to come. We hope to visit Mawson's Hut at Commonwealth Bay, with the whim of the winds on our side. We expect to encounter heavy ice, and face the prospect of altering our schedule radically to adapt to the conditions we meet, while our helicopters will seek out new routes of discovery. Our sturdy ice-strengthened and helicopter-equipped ship Marina Svetaeva will carry us into the remote wilds in comfort. Each day informal lectures will bring new insights into the mammals, birds, glaciology, and the history of Antarctic exploration. En route we explore Macquarie Island and Auckland Island to view the prolific wildlife that includes King Penguin colonies, albatross, fur seals and huge elephant seals. This expedition offers a great combination of adventure, history and wildlife in one of the most remote and pristine regions on Earth.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Embark Hobart
DAYS 2/3 Tasman Sea
DAYS 4/5 Macquarie Island
DAYS 6/8 Southern Ocean
DAYS 9/11Cape Denison Historic Site and Mawson's Hut
DAY 12 Petrel Island & Astrolabe Glacier
DAYS 13/15 Dibble Iceberg Tongue and emperor penguins
DAYS 16/20 Port Martin, Mertz Glacier and Commonwealth Bay
DAYS 21/23 Southern Ocean
DAYS 24/26 Auckland and sub Antarctic Islands and sail north
DAY 27 Disembark Hobart