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Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent
January 16/17–29, 2013
·Itinerary
·Printable full program description
·Register
PROGRAM LEADERS:
Bob Jacobel, Professor of Physics
Dear Intrepid Travelers,
The Earth's polar regions are places of exceptional beauty and of extremes, yet today they are also experiencing the greatest environmental change anywhere on the planet. The Antarctic Peninsula — the thin spine of mountains, islands, glaciers and ice shelves extending northward toward the tip of South America — is surrounded by one of the world's most biologically productive oceans, and consequently the marine ecosystem is home to an amazing diversity of life. In contrast to the impoverished heart of the Antarctic continent that is still emerging from the vestiges of the last ice age, the Peninsula and its surrounding waters are home to hundreds of species of sea birds and marine mammals that live in and near the margins of these productive waters. Seeing this area is truly the experience of a lifetime, and doing so in the company of others with shared interests and backgrounds in a safe and comfortable expedition will provide memories we all will cherish.
I have spent the last 25 years doing research in Antarctica and the rest of the world's icy regions. Most of our work in Antarctica has focused on projects further to the south, on the glaciers and ice sheets in the interior — an area we call "flat white." So this expedition gives me the exciting opportunity to experience, along with you, the wonders of the continent's mountains, glaciers, and the marine ecosystem on its margin. Over the last 50 years annual mean temperatures on the Peninsula have warmed more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit, a very large amount in such a short time period. I am keenly interested in observing the changes that have been occurring as a result and sharing with you my knowledge of Antarctica. Yet, even while environmental change is evident, the continent is protected by a strong Antarctic Treaty providing a code of conduct that we and other visiting groups will follow closely, and so we will encounter a near-pristine world.
The heroic expeditions at the turn of the last century struggled for every bit of knowledge of the unknown continent they obtained. But, unlike those who went first, we will have the advantage of research, maps and imagery from space to guide us and inform our understandings of what we see and experience. Our route across the famous Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula follows in the footsteps of Shackleton, Amundsen, Ross, Bellingshausen and others. For those with the interest, we will read and discuss some of their writings about this miraculous region. As we travel to the zone of 24-hour daylight we shall do our best to utilize as much of it as we can. I invite you to join me in this experience of a lifetime and I look forward to sharing it with you.
~ Bob Jacobel, Professor of Physics
Program Leader
Professor of Physics Robert Jacobel holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. He currently teaches courses in both the Physics and Environmental Studies departments at St. Olaf, including geophysics, environmental science and global climate change. Bob's primary research interests is the geophysical study of glaciers and ice sheets utilizing ice-penetrating radar and satellite imagery to focus on questions about the response of ice masses to climate change. He has made such significant contributions to understanding the dynamics of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet through a sustained program of field research that a glacier was named for him in 2003. He is currently involved in research projects supported by the National Science Foundation in Antarctica, Alaska, Sweden, and Washington state.
What to Expect
To fully participate in this program you must be capable of traveling on board a 356-foot ship for several days at a time, climbing in and out of a Zodiac landing craft, withstanding winter temperatures, dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when traveling, and of traveling with a group for several hours each day.
The atmosphere on board is casual. There is no expectation of any formal dress whatsoever; after all, it is an expedition. Clothing that can be layered is the most suitable to provide maximum versatility to your wardrobe. Keep in mind that you will stay warmer and more comfortable if you wear several medium-weight layers of loose clothing under your parka than if you wear a single, heavy layer. When you dress in layers, you trap air in each layer of clothing and stay warmer. Overdressing to the point of perspiring can be as dangerous as under dressing in terms of loss of body heat in cold weather conditions. For comfort and safety, it is important to wear waterproof and windproof clothing and to avoid getting your skin wet. Also, synthetic fabrics like polar fleece and polyester may provide better insulation and keep you warmer than their natural counterparts like cotton, particularly if they get wet.
You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.it .
Program Fee
Program fees vary depending on the cabin level you choose – please see the chart below for information. The program fee includes seminars by Bob Jacobel, National Geographic experts and local guides, all accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of kayaks, tips (except to ship's crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician, and one complimentary parka per guest.
Not Included: flights to and from Buenos Aires; the cost of charter flights Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires (though these will be booked by Lindblad Expeditions); immigration/passport fees; personal items such as alcoholic beverages, emails, laundry, etc.; discretionary tips to the ship's crew; baggage/accident/travel protection insurance.
| Please plan to DEPART THE U.S. ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16, 2013 in order to arrive in Buenos Aires on Thursday, Jan. 17. For your return to the U.S., plan to depart Buenos Aires late in the day on Monday, Jan. 28. The charter flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, Argentina, are not included in your program fee, but will be booked by our tour operator, Lindblad Expeditions. For assistance with flight arrangements, may we recommend Noreen Deiss of Travel Leaders / Suntime Travel. She can be reached at 651-429-0039 or noreen@suntimetravel.com. We recommend you not purchase non-refundable airfare until we can confirm the program has enough participants to go. |
Fee Chart
There are six decks on the Explorer. From top to bottom, they are:
- The Bridge
- Wellness Deck
- Veranda Deck
- Upper Deck
- Main Deck
- B Deck
Cabins are located on the Main Deck, Upper Deck, and Veranda Deck.
| Category | Fee | Details |
| 1 | $11,740 | Main Deck with one or two Portholes |
| 2 | $12,390 | Main Deck with Window |
| 2 single | $15,390 | Main Deck with Window |
| 3 | $12,850 | Main Deck with Window. Triples: Main Deck with Window |
| 3 single | $15,940 | Upper and Veranda Decks with Window |
| 4 | $13,760 | Upper and Veranda Decks with Window |
| 5 | $16,490 | Upper Deck with Balcony |
| 6 | $18,890 | Veranda Deck–Suite; Upper Deck-Suite with Balcony |
| 7 | $21,990 | Upper Deck–Suite with Balcony. All cabins are available as triples. |
Register Today
Register online or call toll-free, 888-865-6537. For this program, a $1,000 per-person deposit guarantees your space.
Forms for registered travelers:
