Go Home
     
 Print     E-Mail Trip details | Dates & prices | Itinerary | Weddell Sea & Falklands Itinerary | Antarctica | Argentina
Realm of the Emperor Penguin - Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea
     


Tel 0844 412 0848
Int'l +44 1428 620012









The Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea is a remote and wild region, lying to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula. Together, the Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea make up the most diverse and productive Antarctic marine ecosystem. It was here that Shackleton's ship Endurance was trapped and crushed by the ice in 1915. Further back in Geological time, it is believed that this is the place where Gondwanaland began to break up to form the continents of the Earth we know today.

This stunningly beautiful area remains locked in ice throughout the cold Antarctic Winter. The sea ice retreats in summer leaving behind magnificent tabular icebergs, many stretching for several miles. The Weddell Sea abounds with plentiful wildlife: most significantly it is the realm of the Emperor Penguin, who early in the Antarctic Summer, make their way from the edge of the ice into open water.  It supports a rich marine ecosystem, where vast quantities of krill provide food for abundant and diverse populations of fish and marine mammals. It is the presence of the krill in the sea that supports the thriving colonies of penguins who lay their eggs and raise their young on the Antarctic Peninsula. Such species include adelie, gentoo, emperor and chinstrap penguins, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, humpback whales, southern right whales, minke whales and hourglass dolphin.

Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is scenically the most dramatic region and provides the greatest diversity of wildlife. It has a beautiful and rugged coastline formed of mountains which are connected to the South American Andes. Peaks rise as high as 3,000 metres from the sea.

Marine life is no less bountiful here than the Weddell Sea and on previous voyages here guests have enjoyed the company if more than 200 whales around the ship at one time.   Seals can be found in large numbers on the Peninsula, of which the largest seal is the Leopard Seal. This grows up to 3.2 metres in length and after the Orca, ranks as top predator on the continent. Your guides will be trying to spot these seals as they float in wait, close to a penguin colony diving in point. We are sometimes able to see them tossing an unfortunate penguin into the air.

King Penguins of the Falklands

We have an additional departure from 20th Nov - 3rd Dec, 2011 in which we will combine the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea with the Falklands Islands, in search of the second largest penguin, the King Penguin. This voyage sets out from Ushuaia at the tip of Argentina, but a free flight to the Chilean capital of Santiago is included from the end point of the voyage at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.

To discuss these voyages in further detail, please call one of our polar experts or expedition guides on call +44 (0)1428 620012, or send us a message by clicking HERE.

Whilst we offer our voyages as stand alone experiences, we are a fully bonded travel company able to provide flights and accommodation before and after your voyage. For those travelling to Antarctica, we are a specialist at tailor made travel within Argentina and other parts of Latin America.

Our Antarctic Peninsula wilderness voyages are one of the most memorable holidays you are likely to experience. They are also a major undertaking for most travelers, which is why we provide detailed information throughout the booking and preparation process. We are also on hand to answer any questions you have and provide 24 hour support for clients who are travelling.