New Scientist Discovery Tours launches brand-new Antarctic cruise, taking an in-depth look at this fascinating destination. Accompanying experts include Saunders Carmichael-Brown, who was aboard the Endurance 22 expedition
New Scientist Discovery Tours has launched a brand-new, in-depth expedition cruise to the ice-chocked Weddell Sea – located in the depth of the Antarctic and an area very few travellers get to experience.
The science of the deep Antarctic: Shackleton’s expedition and the Weddell Sea invites travellers to retrace the paths of early British explorer Ernest Shackleton, one of the greatest known survival stories of exploration in history.
Taking participants deep into Antarctic on a journey of a lifetime and featuring exclusive talks and experiences for New Scientist Discovery Tours travellers, this 15-day experience is accompanied by a selection of world-leading experts in the fields of science, exploration and wildlife.
From Saunder Carmichael Brown, who was aboard the Endurance 22 Expedition that discovered the remains of Shackleton’s ship, to the vessel’s own expert expedition team, there’s a wealth of knowledge to be shared.
View from the Greg Mortimer Viewpoint Antarctica: Credit Massimo Bassano
Taking place aboard the new state-of-the-art polar expedition vessel, the Sylvia Earle, which has capacity for just 132 guests, this expedition is large enough to offer luxury, yet intimate enough to create a highly personalised experience that takes travellers deep into the ice.
Featuring a full programme of talks, zodiac cruises in secluded bays and the opportunity to view the exceptional wildlife that calls Antarctica home, including whales, penguins and seals, this trip is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
When: New Scientist Discovery Tours is hosting this 15-day expedition cruise from 23 March 2024.
What: This 15-day experience begins in Buenos Aires withan evening welcome reception, complete with expedition briefing and a special introductory talk, before flying down to Ushuaia on the second day.
Having spent the day exploring, Ushuaia located on the southern tip of Argentina and fondly known as ‘El Fin del Mundo’ or the End of the World, guests will board the Syliva Earle and begin their expedition to Antarctica.
During this cruise, intrepid explorers will be able to marvel at the enormity of the Antarctic ice and enormous tabular icebergs in the Weddell Sea, take stock of an array of wildlife species, uncover the fascinating history of Shackleton’s expedition and hear firs-hand details of the gargantuan discovery of the Endurance shipwreck from film producer Saunders Carmichael-brown.
During this one-of-a-kind experience, travellers will enjoy Zodiac cruises in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice, taking them up-close to breathtaking and enormous glaciers and spectacularly shaped icebergs.
Accompanied by a team of experts, New Scientist Discovery Tours traveller will also enjoy an exclusive series of private talks and fireside chats covering a broad range of polar science including how species adapt to survive in such challenging environments, polar research, geology beneath the ice and the importance of Antarctica to the planet’s wellbeing.
And if that wasn’t enough, Saunders Carmichael-Brown, the award-winning digital and broadcast presenter and producer, will be hosting a series of talks. As part of the Endurance 22 expedition team, he will on hand to share first-hand tales of his incredible adventure, sharing his personal experiences from the expedition and the challenges he faced as the team successfully locate Shackleton’s ship, Endurance.
In addition, there will be unique and engaging encounters with the ship’s operational crew, allowing you the opportunity to go behind the scenes of polar exploration and cruising.
Where: This New Scientist Discovery Tours experience is a journey below the Antarctic Circle and deep into the ice-choked Weddell Sea, taking travellers to parts of Antarctica that few travellers will ever get to see, let alone explore.
Who: In true New Scientist Discovery Tours style, the 15-day exploration is accompanied by a range of exceptional field experts, each of which will be sharing intriguing insights into this part of the world, including:
Zodiac cruising in Weddell Sea Antarctica : Credit Michael Baynes
- Saunders Carmichael-Brown, award-winning digital and broadcast presenter and producer with a background in adventure travel, sports and sustainability. An integral part of the small media team on the Endurance 22 Antarctic Expedition that found Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance shipwreck. Saunders was fundamental in broadcasting the expedition journey and updates to millions of viewers across the world. From breaking ground with social content including the first TikTok live stream from Antarctica, to directing and producing a three-part History documentary on Shackleton and the Endurance from the locations of the epic survival story, hosted by Dan Snow.
What’s included
A full programme 12 nights aboard the polar expedition vessel, the Sylvia Earle on a full-board basis with a Captain’s welcome/farewell reception. Private talks and informal seminars from accompanying experts and the expedition team, alongside zodiac cruises are included in the expedition.
What’s more the expedition includes free wi-fi onboard, initial consultation with the ship’s doctor, 3-in-1 polar jacket, complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage and a digital photo logbook.
On the first few days, before boarding the ship, travellers will enjoy a coastal catamaran cruise from Ushuaia and half day tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park, one night at a five-star hotel in Buenos Aires and one night in a four-star hotel in Ushuaia, transfers between airports and an internal return flight between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
All port surcharges, permits and landing fees, gratuities and 24-hour support are also included.
Price: From £11,399 per person.
Full details: https://www.newscientist.com/tours/antarctic-weddel-shackleton-cruise/
Some images supplied. Some images courtesy of unsplash.com
