(December 6 - January 5, 2012) A 31-day End of an Era Antarctic expedition saluting Douglas Mawson, Australia's revered polar explorer. Visit research stations and Antarctica’s far eastern coast, plus hard-to-visit Pacific islands – Heard, Kereguelen and St. Paul. Only 112 people can join this Antarctic adventure cruise, Khlebnikov’s final voyage as an expedition ship

 

Day 1 - Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

 

The final cruise of the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov as an expedition vessel begins in Hobart, Australia's gateway to Antarctica. Arrive early to visit Douglas Mawson Place, a park dedicated to the explorer, who, a century before, sailed from Hobart into History. You spend the night in a centrally located hotel.

 

Day 2 - Embarkation Day

Kapitan Khlebnikov has moored in Hobart many times. This expedition embarkation will be poignant, as all aboard her recall past itineraries.

 

Day 3-5 - At sea

This itinerary will be filled with Quark's hallmark expedition activities – ice hikes, birding, educational presentations, and recap sessions. Special guest Captain Petr Golikov, the first Master of Kapitan Khlebnikov as an expedition vessel, will recall the first - and second - circumnavigation of the Antarctic by the icebreaker. Captain Golikov is the only Master of a passenger vessel to have achieved this feat, ever.

 

Day 6-7 - Pack ice

Once the ship reaches the pack ice the Expedition Team consult with the helicopter pilots and Captain to identify the best conditions for aerial sightseeing. The helicopters create an extraordinary vantage point for witnessing the icebreaker crush southward. This is a not-to-be-missed activity included in the price of the expedition.

 

Day 8 - Casey Station, Antarctica

Since 1959, Australia has operated a research station on Vincennes Bay. Tour Casey Station, where scientists study the atmosphere, biology, geosciences, and the impact of humans on the environment.

 

Day 9 - Remembering Mawson, Ninnis and Mertz

Over the years, many glasses of champagne have been lifted aboard Kapitan Khlebnikov to mark special occasions. You'll mark the 99th anniversary of a heroic and tragic event.

On December 14, 1912, while exploring George V Land, Lt. Belgrave Ninnis fell down a crevasse to his death. On his lost sled were most of the supplies on which his surviving traveling companions Douglas Mawson and Dr. Xavier Mertz would rely. Mawson and Mertz were 506 km (315 miles) from their base at Cape Denison. With only their dogs for food, the pair began the journey back to safety. Mertz died en route. Alone, Mawson traveled the final 160 km (100 miles) with little food. He survived a fall into a crevasse and a blizzard. His feat has become known as the greatest story of survival in Antarctica by a lone man.

 

Day 10 - Vincennes Bay, Antarctica

The bay is named for the first US warship to circumnavigate the globe. You participate in shore landings and presentations about the history and wildlife in the region.

 

Day 11-12 - Shackleton Ice Shelf

Mawson named the Shackleton Ice Shelf in honor of his former Expedition Leader. The onboard helicopters will be used for aerial views of the massive glacier (386 km/239 miles) and of the icebreaker navigating the pack ice.

 

Day 13 - Mirnyy Base

The Russian research station Mirnyy Base is named for a 19th century exploration ship that sailed with Thaddeus Bellingshausen, the first man to sight the continent of Antarctica. Kapitan Khlebnikov is a contemporary exploration vessel with a reputation equal to that of Mirnyy. Visit an Adelie Penguin rookery and tour the base.

 

Day 14 - Gaussberg

89° east of the Greenwich Meridian the extinct volcano called Gaussberg hoves into view. This portion of the Davis Sea is known for massive ice cliffs and tabular icebergs. The Expedition Team will mount an iceberg watch.

 

Day 15 - West Ice Shelf

The Ice Shelf with the ordinary name is spectacular. You'll participate in helicopter flights to view the 290 km (180 mile) long ice shelf.

 

Day 16 - Wyatt Earp Islands

From the name of the islands that you will visit today, you would think that Antarctica's Far East commemorates American's Wild West. They are named for HMAS Wyatt Earp, the vessel used by Lincoln Ellsworth during many of his expeditions to Antarctica. You commune with Adelie Penguins at a rookery and admire Weddell seals as they bask in the midnight sun on ice floes.

 

Day 17 - Davis Research Station

There is a story behind every name on the maps and charts of Antarctica. The Australian research facility you visit today was named for Captain John King Davis, an Irish Australian navigator, who was Mawson's second-in-command 100 years ago. The scientists of Davis Station study glaciology, the atmosphere and medicine.

 

Day 18 - Larsemann Hills

The Antarctic expedition history of Kapitan Khlebnikov is synonymous with Emperor Penguins. So it is fitting that on this voyage we attempt to visit a rookery of the largest species of penguin. The Amanda Bay rookery is located on the sea ice of the bay therefore a visit will be subject to local conditions. The Larsemann Hills are a series of rolling hills that were completely unknown 100 years ago.

 

Day 19 - Amery Ice Shelf

The third largest ice shelf system in Antarctica was named by Douglas Mawson for politician William B. Amery. The ice shelf covers 1.5 million sq. km. (579,150 square miles). That's 11% of Antarctica's ice. We plan to fly you to the top of the shelf for a photo opportunity befitting a farewell voyage!

 

Day 20-22 - At sea

Antarctica is left behind when the cruise itinerary crosses the Antarctic Convergence aka the Antarctic Polar Front. This biological boundary is unique. Encircling the continent, it is an irregular, invisible curve where the cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. The zone is about 32 to 48 km (20 to 30 miles) wide, somewhere between 48° and 26° S. While at sea, learn about the distinctive marine life and climates that are associated with the Polar Front and the area just to the north of it. Go on deck to watch for seabirds and other wildlife that can be seen near the Convergence.

 

Day 23-24 - Heard Island, Australia

Heard Island lies south of the Antarctic Convergence. Since the first recorded visit in 1855, only about 240 shore landings have been made there. The island is notorious for bad weather. Douglas Mawson went ashore in the early 1930s and could not return to his ship for three days due to a gale that arose. The Expedition Leader will consult with the Captain and helicopter pilots as the icebreaker nears the island. If conditions are optimal, a landing will be attempted. Will you be able to claim that you have been ashore to see the Gentoo Penguins on Heard Island? Only time will tell!

 

Day 25 - Kerguelen Islands, France

When the vessel reaches the Kerguelen Islands you could have crossed the Antarctic Convergence - or - you could not! The islands lie on the Convergence. However as the Polar Front is not fixed, when you visit the archipelago, the Convergence could easily be south of the islands. Visit a Macaroni Penguin rookery at Cap de Chartres. Watch for Northern Giant Petrels, these islands are the farthest south the big bird is known to nest. Transfer to Cape Digby for a hike to a long strip of beach where elephant seals and King Penguins are often found.

 

Day 26 - At sea - New Year's Eve

Celebrate the End of an Era and the end of 2011 in the Southern Ocean. Antarctica will be behind you. As you count down the minutes to the New Year, raise a glass to the venerable Kapitan Khlebnikov, and the icebreaker's farewell voyage.

 

Day 27 - St. Paul Island

The Expedition Team will be relating four and a half centuries of shipwrecks, scientific research and human folly, as they prepare for a shore landing. A visit to a Rockhopper Penguin rookery could mean that you will have added a sixth species of penguin to your birding list – during this expedition itinerary! Yellow-nosed albatross also nest on the tiny island that is governed by the French.

 

Day 28-30 - At sea

The sense that the End of an Era is fast approaching will be apparent as guests trade stories, photographs and contact information. Be part of an exclusive, international club to which no more members will ever be admitted. Don't miss your chance to belong.

 Day 31 - Fremantle, Australia and the End of an Era

 

After breakfast aboard, bid adieu to Kapitan Khlebnikov. The Expedition Team will arrange a group transfer to the airport for homeward flights.