Basecamp Plancius
- Special voyages to a once forbidden land -
24th May 2011 – Imagine what it would be like to spend the night camping under the stars in the most remote location on earth. Or coming face-to-face with a humpback whale as you kayak through crystal clear waters. How about scaling a mountain that few have seen, let alone climbed?
Antarctic expedition specialists, Wild Earth Travel, are offering a truly different way to experience Antarctica through their 'Basecamp Plancius' voyages. Instead of moving from site to site as is usually the case with most Antarctic cruises, these unique expeditions on board the ice-strengthened MV Plancius, will stay for two or three days at specific locations with the ship acting as a 'base camp', giving adventurous travellers the chance to experience a wide range of activities including mountain climbing, glacier walking, hiking and snowshoeing, field camping, and sea kayaking.
Two to three camping nights will be offered on each voyage, and all passengers will have the opportunity to try kayaking at least once on one of the full days of kayak excursions planned on each trip. On designated snowshoe/hiking voyages, easy, moderate and more demanding walks are offered to suit everyone's capability. Three to four glacier excursions are planned per voyage and climbers who wish to reach higher grounds will be able to take advantage of at least one outing.
All activities are conducted by experienced guides and most do not require any specialist technical skills. All equipment is provided. For those who do not wish to be quite so adventurous, there is a full program of zodiac and land excursions. Workshops with a professional photographer are also offered for both beginners and advanced photographers.
The focus of these expeditions is on a deeper exploration of the Antarctic continent, with a detailed education program delivered by a team of lecturers and field experts in marine biology, geography, geology, glaciology, ornithology and history.
The MV Plancius was specially built for oceanographic exploration and completely refurbished in 2009 to accommodate 114 passengers in comfortable cabins with private facilities. A spacious observation lounge and bar has large windows offering full panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Ten inflatable craft and two gangways guarantee swift landing operations, meaning greater time ashore. The ship also has an open bridge policy where passengers can join the officers and learn about navigation, watch for wildlife, and enjoy the view.
Prices start from AU$6,463/NZ$8,797 and include all regular activities.
Wild Earth Travel has one of the most comprehensive ranges of small ship Antarctic expeditions available in the southern hemisphere with a wide selection of vessels and itineraries covering areas from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Ross Sea and Commonwealth Bay.
For further information call 0800 WILDEARTH (within NZ), +64 3 365 1355 (outside NZ) or visit www.wildearth-travel.com
About Wild Earth Travel
New Zealand-based Wild Earth Travel specialises in small ship expedition style travel focused on conservation and educational travel experiences. Whether you want to kayak with dolphins, march with the penguins, see the northern lights or sip Chianti beneath the vines, Wild Earth Travel has a cruise to suit in destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, Africa, Asia, North & Latin America, Northern & Southern Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
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