Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters - 11 days
About this trip
Experience the Antarctic from a perspective few travellers ever enjoy: from the air. The helicopter capability aboard this expedition offers a rare chance to view an emperor penguin rookery of upwards of four thousand breeding pairs, located just south of Snow Hill Island, on an eleven-day voyage departing from Ushuaia.
Heavy ice and shifting conditions make the rookery unpredictable, so the aim is to position the vessel near the ice edge and seek out emperor penguins on their way to open water. The helicopters make this thrilling search possible, with scenic flights and landings in places otherwise inaccessible so early in the season.
See the Antarctic from the vantage point of a true expedition leader - from the air. Our helicopter capability on the Ortelius provides you the unique chance to view an emperor penguin rookery numbering upwards of 4,000 breeding pairs, located just south of Snow Hill Island. Heavy ice may prevent entrance from the Weddell Sea, and ice at the rookery itself might break up and start to melt earlier than expected. With this in mind, the aim is to stop the vessel between the Antarctic Sound and James Clark Ross Island, close to the ice edge, and find emperor penguins on their way to the open water. The helicopters make this search possible - and thrilling - as you embark on scenic flights, as well as landings in places otherwise inaccessible so early in the season.
Travel information
- Transport
- boot
- Duration
- 11 days