SAILING ANTARCTICA:
The Ultimate Polar Nature Expedition
1 GROUP
December 4 - December 21
2023
× Group is full
December 26, 2023
— January 15, 2024
2 GROUP
× Group is full
January 19 - February 8
2024
3 GROUP
× Group is full
4 GROUP
February 12 - March 3
2024
× Group is full
DATES
COST AND CONDITIONS
THE COST
8200 Euro
GROUP
8 people × 2 Yacht
RIGORS OF THE TRIP
Adventure, Hiking, Sailing
On our expedition, you will not only be there to see and witness the wonder of Antarctica, but you will also participate as a member of our crew and team. This offers the rare opportunity to learn many things about our ship and life aboard it with hands-on experiences. You aren’t a mere spectator – you are an active, participating crewmate! Some of our duties include ship watch (optional), participation in sailing maneuvers, work in the galley, etc.
LEVEL OF TRAINING
THE GUIDE
Yacht Mon Coeur
Yacht Wind Dancer
Gennady Starikov
Vladimir Kulinichenko
ROUTE
We will revisit the White Continent in December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024! Twenty-one days in Antarctica: a primeval world of glaciers and shimmering sapphire blue icebergs. Mountains, straits, fjords, whales, penguins, icebergs, and ice shelves sparkling in the rays of the Antarctic sun - all these unique sites are to be seen in this land of ice!
The cost of the expedition includes:
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yacht charter for 21 days;
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services of a professional crew and ship cook;
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3 meals a day on board;
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fuel according to the route;
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port dues, all necessary taxes, and permits including a special permit from the National Antarctic Committee;
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all of the ship’s maintenance expenses;
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life jacket (PSP), automatic type, with a harness;
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accommodation in a comfortable heated cabin;
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bed linen, which includes a cozy duvet;
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access to visual materials such as nautical charts and a miniature onboard thematic library;
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Internet access in Starlink coverage areas
The cost of the expedition does not include:
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flights to and from Ushuaia, Argentina;
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alcoholic drinks;
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accommodation in hotels before and after the expedition, if necessary;
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supplement for single occupancy;
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visa;
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insurance and expenses related to personal evacuation;
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costs for the use of satellite communications;
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personal clothing and equipment.
IMPORTANT!
Due to the fact that our expeditions do not include international flights to the starting point of the program, we cannot be held responsible for changes in flight conditions by airlines or airport requirements. Since our travelers fly from many different countries and cities, we never participate in the purchase of air travel and limit ourselves exclusively to advisory services in the selection of flights. Air agents or airlines from which tickets were purchased are responsible for the purchase and technical support.
ITINERARY
Day 1
2.12.2023 / 26.12.2023 / 19.01.2024/ 11.02.2024
International flight to the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, then transfer to a domestic flight to Ushuaia.
At the airport in Ushuaia, you will be met by a member of the crew of the yacht and accompanied to the ship where we will meet the captain and other members of the expedition team. We will stay the first night in the cabins aboard the ship.
Introduction to the ship. Safety briefing from the captain. Purchase additional products, snacks, and beverages in town. Make the final preparations before departing.
Day 2
3.12.2023 / 27.12.2023 / 20.01.2024 / 12.02.2024
Departure! Cross the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia to the Drake Passage.
Day 3/4/5
4-6.12.2023 / 28-30.12.2023 / 21-23.01.2024 / 13-15.02.2024
Crossing the Drake Passage. Crossing the Drake takes at least 4 days, depending on weather conditions.
The Drake Passage is considered one of the most severe trials for sailors in the world. A powerful «Current of the West Winds» passes through the strait – the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
Strong storms often occur in the strait, and Drake Passage storms are the strongest on the planet – strong winds and 40-foot waves are not uncommon here.
Day 6
7.12.2023 / 31.12.2023 / 24.01.2024 / 16.02.2024
Arrival at Deception Island.
After navigating the Drake Passage, the first island off the coast of Antarctica is Deception Island which is of volcanic origin. We will stop at the lagoon – an ancient crater that was flooded by the ocean.
So we begin our exploration of the western coast of Antarctica with visits to polar stations, numerous glaciers, fjords, feeding grounds for humpback whales, and elephant seals, all while maneuvering between icebergs.
Day 7
8.12.2023 / 01.01.2024 / 25.01.2024 / 17.02.2024
Deception Island to King George Island.
King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands and the least isolated. It is the unofficial «Capital of Antarctica» with research stations from 12 different nations: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Poland, Russia, South Korea, and Uruguay have year-round bases, while Ecuador, Germany, Peru and the US maintain bases only during the summer.
We spend our day taking a walk around King George, viewing the stations and admiring the facilities.
The thermometer here rarely shows temperatures below -7 °C.
This portion of King George Island is particularly beautiful because during the Antarctic summer, the land here is almost completely free of snow. In addition to all kinds of native mosses, lichens, and coastal algae, there are many species of animals which stay here to enjoy the relative warmth of an Antarctic summer.
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We will also visit the other side of the island and look for sea lions and seals. Along the way, we will likely see seals lazily lounging on the shores of the island.
For avid ornithologists here is paradise! An incredible number of albatrosses, gulls, petrels, terns, skuas, and cormorants appear during this time of the season.
In the afternoon, we re-board the ship and head to Yankee Harbor Peninsula and Half Moon Island, where we will make short trips to view these gorgeous Antarctic bays.
Day 8
9.12.2023 / 02.01.2024 / 26.01.2024/ 18.02.2024
Enterprise Island & Wilhelmina Bay.
In these places, you can often see a unique phenomenon – humpback whales feeding with the patterns they create from air bubbles.
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The mountains and towering glaciers that surround Wilhelmina Bay cause many dramatic landscapes.
Here you can see whales, crabeater seals, leopard seals, Weddell seals, and giant starfish.
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Day 9
10.12.2023 / 03.01.2024 / 27.01.2024 / 19.02.2024
Orne Harbor. We will go hiking which will give us an incredible view of the cozy Orne Harbor. The harbor depths here are so great that it is difficult to find a place to drop the anchor.
The water surface shimmers and sparkles on sunny Antarctic days. The glacier surrounds the bay on three sides, creating a stark contrast to the deep blue sea.
Day 10/11
11-12.12.2023 / 4-5.01.2024/ 28-29.01.2024 / 20-21.02.2024
Cuverville Island. We will arrive at the Cuverville Peninsula, home to the largest colony of Gentoo penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Cuverville differs from many neighboring peninsulas by the abundance of snow, and hundreds of penguin nests which are found anywhere there isn’t snow.
We disembark from our motorboats on a patch free from penguins to walk and enjoy viewing and seeing the penguins up close.
Day 12
13.12.2023 / 06.01.2024 / 30.01.2024 / 22.02.2024
Lemar Channel – Vernadsky Station (Ukrainian Antarctic Station).
The Lemar Strait is one of the most beautiful places in Antarctica.
The 6 mile corridor is surrounded by picturesque icebergs of the most bizarre shapes and incredible shades of blue, and on clear days is Antarctica in miniature.
The strait was discovered by a German expedition in 1873-74 but was not passed until the end of 1898. The head of the Belgian expedition, Adrien de Gerlache, named the strait in honor of Charles Lemaire, a Belgian explorer of the Congo, who never visited Antarctica.
Thanks to the picturesque cliffs and calm waters of the strait, this place has become popular among tourists and has received the nickname «Kodak Gap», because as soon as the ships approach the strait, the orderly clicking of cameras that accompanies photography breaks the polar silence.
Here we visit the Ukrainian Antarctic station «Akademik Vernadsky». This will be the southernmost point of our expedition.
Station «Akademik Vernadsky» is the friendliest station in Antarctica. Run by Ukraine, they always make everyone feel welcome and even allow us to take a hot shower and even a steam bath.
To show our thanks we always bring gifts – lard, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
The winter expedition teams at this station usually include 10-12 people and in recent years, women have also appeared on the teams.
Also of note at Station «Akademik Vernadsky» is the southernmost bar on the entire planet, «Faraday». Here, one can have a beer or cocktail and listen as we spend the evening with polar explorers and listen to their stories of life in Antarctica.
Day 13
14.12.2023 / 07.01.2024 / 31.01.2024 / 23.02.2024
Lemar Channel/Vernadsky Station – Port Lockroy (British Antarctic Station).
We begin heading north.
Port Lockroy is a natural harbor on the Antarctic Peninsula, which belongs to the British Antarctic Territory. It was discovered in 1903 by a French Antarctic expedition and named Port LaCroix in honor of Édouard Lacroix, who financed the expedition.
Until 1962, there was an Antarctic station and a base for whaling ships.
In 1996, a British team completely renovated the buildings and opened a museum in them, which has a souvenir shop and the only post office in the entire Antarctic Peninsula, from where you and I can send postcards to friends and family!
In addition to people, many penguins live on the station, and there is complete harmony among all the inhabitants. The current inhabitants of Port Lockroy are engaged in the study of the penguin population and their interaction with humans. Therefore, the territory is divided in half. People live on one half, where penguins come to visit, and on the other half, only penguins are allowed with that area being closed to all people.
Day 14
15.12.2023 / 08.01.2024 / 01.02.2024 / 24.02.2024
We sail from Dorian Сove to the Melchior Islands.
Day 15
16.12.2023 / 09.01.2024/ 02.02.2024 / 25.02.2024
We rest and enjoy the natural beauty of the Melchior Islands. Daredevils can bathe in the crystal clear water. We then get ready to make the Drake Passage the next day.
Day 16,17,18
17-19.12.2023 / 10-12.01.2024 / 3-5.02.2024 / 26.02-29.02.2024
Return through the Drake Passage.
We go around Cape Horn, which we can get closer to in case of good weather.
Day 19
20.12.2023 / 13.01.2024 / 06.02.2024 / 01.03.2024
Arrival at the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. We anchor in Martial Cove or Lennox Cove.
Day 20
21.12.2023 / 14.01.2024 / 07.02.2024 / 02.03.2024
This is a spare day we have in case The Drake Passage takes longer than intended. If we make it across sooner we take this time to rest and reflect on our trip.
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Day 21
22.12.2023 / 15.01.2024 / 08.02.2024 / 03.03.2024
We arrive in Ushuaia. We think about what an amazing journey of discovery we have just completed and say goodbye to the expedition yacht, Captain, and crew that has already become our own.
Airport transfer. Flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. Transfer to the international airport. Departure from Buenos Aires for home.
NOTE:
Please note that this itinerary is preliminary. The weather always has the final say. The itinerary is designed in such a way as to leave enough time at the end of the Expedition in case of any delays due to weather conditions. If necessary, the route of the expedition can be changed by the captain depending on external conditions!
VESSELS
Mon Coeur
The yacht «Mon Coeur» (My Heart) is owned by Paganel Studio, which has been organizing and conducting trips around the world since the end of 2011. Since 2014, we have been conducting polar yachting expeditions, which have already become regular for us. Therefore, for these purposes, we have acquired our fleet, consisting of two ice-class yachts.
The two-masted motor-sailing yacht «Mon Coeur» was built in Germany at the shipyard DÜBBEL & JESSE. It has an aluminum hull with a long keel line equipped with an additional trimmer.
Yacht length: 20.40 meters (66.97 feet) Beam: 5.42 m
Draft: 4.0
Sailing rig: Ketch with the top rig.
It has 2 Perkins diesel engines, each with 130 HP/ 95.55 (kW) Extensive renovations were carried out in 2002, 2013, and 2018.
In 2017-18 it was insulated and completely re-equipped for expeditions in cold latitudes.
It has a large fuel supply: 2 tanks of 2000 liters each.
Freshwater supply 2000 liters + a water-maker producing 140 liters per hour.
For a comfortable stay of guests and crew on board, there are:
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3 toilets with showers;
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four independent heaters for heating the interior;
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air conditioning system;
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television;
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modern audio system;
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washing machine with dryer;
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satellite connection;
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coffee machine;
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fully equipped kitchen with fridge and freezer,
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microwave and oven;
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on-board library.
An autonomous diesel generator, high-capacity batteries, and a powerful inverter provide all the premises of the yacht with 220 volts during long passages. Two 5-seater inflatable boats with outboard motors provide us transportation to and from the shore.
The yacht can comfortably accommodate 12 people: 8 passengers and 4 crew members. We accommodate guests of our yacht in comfortable and cozy cabins for 2 people.
Team composition: professional experienced Captain, First mate, Sailor, Cook.
Plan-scheme "Mon Coeur"
1,2,4,5 - guest cabins
3.6 - crew cabin
7 - cabin company
8 - navigation
9- kitchen
10, 11, 12 - toilet and shower
size of beds:
cabin 1, 2:195 cm headboard, 100 feet
cabin 4 upper berth 200 cm x 80 x 47 lower berth 200 cm x 96 x 50
cabin 5 upper berth 200 cm x 70 x 47 lower berth 195 cm x 80 x 47
cabin 6 upper berth 195 cm x 78 x 60 lower berth 195 cm x 80 x 60
Each will be provided with a duvet, pillow, bed linen, and towel.
A detailed video review of the yacht Mon Coeur can be viewed here:
Wind Dancer
Yacht «Wind Dancer» A 21-meter steel sail-motor Bermuda sloop was built by Viking Marine-Rahmi H. Koc by Sciomachen – Naval Architects and Yacht. The metal hull with a long keel line has excellent seaworthiness.
Yacht length: 21.64 meters (71 feet)
Width: 5.48m
Draft: 3.2m
The design of the yacht has a spacious pilothouse to shelter the crew on the upper deck in bad weather.
The yacht is equipped with a 265-horsepower Perkins diesel engine with 225 kW of power. In 2015 and 2018, a major reconstruction of the yacht was carried out for its operation in the unforgiving environments of the Arctic and Antarctica.
The yacht's equipment allows sailing of any complexity, including difficult ice conditions.
Fuel supply 2100 liters in two tanks.
Freshwater supply 1000 liters + distiller
For a comfortable stay of guests and crew on board, there are:
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4 toilets with showers;
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autonomous heating system for all residential interior spaces;
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independent air conditioning system for each room.
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television;
-
modern audio system;
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washing machine with dryer;
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satellite connection;
-
fully equipped kitchen with fridge and freezer,
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yacht library.
Two diesel generators, service batteries, and a powerful inverter provide all the premises of the yacht with 220 volts during long passages. An inflatable boat with an outboard motor allows for movement between ship and land.
The yacht can comfortably accommodate 12 people: 8 passengers and 4 crew members. Each cabin is comfortable and cozy with separate beds for 2 people.
Plan-scheme "Wind Dancer" ("Dancing with the Wind")
1,2,3,4,5,6 - cabins
7,8,9,10 - toilet and shower
The composition of the team is experienced professionals with the necessary experience of ice expeditions: Captain, First mate, Sailor, Cook.
Each member of the expedition will be provided with a duvet, pillow, bed linen, towel.
A detailed video review of the Wind Dancer yacht can be viewed here:
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for organizing a trip – air tickets and travel documents for other modes of transportation, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. – are made by us in advance, long before the trip, the prepayment or payment for the trip is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
Please note that this itinerary is tentative. The weather always has the last word. The itinerary is designed to allow sufficient time at the end of the Expedition in case of any weather-related delays. If necessary, the captain can change the expedition route depending on external conditions!
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