Antarctica With Exodus

Exodus Expeditions are offering an in-depth exploration of Antarctica, combining the best of the Western side of the peninsula with the less visited, more remote, Eastern side. This is a remarkable adventure visiting both sides of the Peninsula as guests spend three days sailing along the west coast, along fjords and past icebergs, enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales.

Weather permitting, the trip aims to visit magnificent spots such as Cuverville Island, Wilhelmina Bay and Orne Harbour, before passing through the Antarctic Sound to the wild and remote east coast of the Peninsula in the Weddell Sea. The epitome of the Weddell Sea is massive tabular icebergs, and watching these imposing and majestic bergs glide silently past the ship is a remarkable experience.

Guests will explore islands and continental shores, hoping to visit Brown Bluff Hope Bay and Paulet Island (above), whose residents include Chinstrap and Adelie penguins in huge numbers.

For more information and booking details, check out www.exodus.co.uk, or, for more on Antarctic expeditions and adventure cruising in general, see this link for the UK's adventuring sea-going specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Aurora Expeditions Expand Antartica Season

Expedition cruise company, Aurora Expeditions has released their exciting new 2012/13 Antarctica programme, with a 10 per cent early-booking discount.

With 20 voyages encompassing the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, this season is set to be their biggest ever as the programme has a variety of new features, including a choice of two ships, with the addition of Akademik Shokalskiy.

The increased capacity also allows for a greater variety of voyage lengths (8 to 20 days), and more opportunities for adventure activities, with kayaking offered on 16 voyages.

With the successful uptake of the Fly & Sail options, Aurora have increased these in 2012/13, allowing passengers to see more in a shorter amount of time, and cutting out one sea crossing. These voyages will include either a flight in from Santiago or Punta Arenas in Chile, or a flight out from King George Island or Stanley in the Falkland Islands. Prices for the 2012/13 Antarctic season start from $6,365 per person, based on a triple cabin for an 8-day cruise.

Bookings made before December 31 will receive the 10% early bird offer (valid on the first 15 bookings on each voyage only; direct bookings only and not valid in conjunction with any other offer).

For more info, visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au or the UK's adventure cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Zegrahm's 20th Anniversary

Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions Celebrates 20 Years with Expeditionary Firsts, Faithful Travellers, and Future Voyages

SEATTLE, Wash—2010 marks the 20th anniversary of Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions. To celebrate, the Seattle-based adventure travel company recounts their 20 years of industry-leading accomplishments, salutes their loyal travellers, and looks forward to an expedition-filled future.

When Zegrahm Expeditions started 20 years ago, there were seven founders and four office staff. Today, Zegrahm has 32 employees, more than 70 expedition staff, and has hosted over 31,000 passengers on nearly 1,000 one-of-a-kind journeys to the far reaches of the Earth, from Africa to the Amazon, Antarctica to the awe-inspiring North Pole.

And, while those numbers are impressive in their own right, the company also salutes not one, but two loyal travelers who have reached 50 expeditions with Zegrahm and a special onboard party celebrates each traveler’s monumental milestone during their 50th trip.

Establishing itself as a leader early on by achieving a number of adventure travel firsts, Zegrahm helped organise the first expedition to visit emperor penguin colonies in the frozen Weddell Sea; the first passenger dives to the undersea volcanoes of the Azores and to the wreck of the majestic Titanic; the first expedition retracing the historic 1899 Harriman Expedition to Alaska; and the first adventure travel company to circumnavigate South Georgia, Newfoundland, and New Guinea.

Their thoughtful journeys are designed to educate and enlighten travelers about the natural and cultural world and in the last 20 years, they’ve opened a window to the incredible wonders of Easter Island; Iran; the Galapagos; Uganda; Madagascar; Uzbekistan; the Philippines; New Guinea; Indonesia; Micronesia; Melanesia, Patagonia, Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands, and beyond.

Looking ahead to 2011, Zegrahm is certainly not resting on any laurels with a series of new and unique journeys which include circumnavigating Sumatra and Sicily; in-depth trekking expeditions to Bhutan and Uganda; and sojourns that combine the urban with the ancient in the Persian Gulf, Black Sea, and Mediterranean.

It is hard to argue that Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions has found a winning combination; company president Jon Nicholson says: “Small expeditions, crackerjack leaders, environmental conscientiousness, and an ever-changing mix of intriguing adventures are what make Zegrahm unique and what keeps people coming back for more.”

If true adventure and exploration are what you seek in our ever-shrinking world you will want to take note of Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions. If the last 20 years is any indication, the next 20 are set to be a wild and highly enlightening ride.