South America Natural Adventures

South Georgia to Cape Verde:
Secret Islands, Rare Birds, and Legendary Explorers

33 Days, 9 Remote Islands

FOR NATURALISTS, BIRDERS AND HISTORIANS: THE ULTIMATE EXPEDITION

Quark Expeditions and Nature Travel Specialist are excited excited to offer this incredible new expedition that gives you the opportunity to visit 9 remote islands in the Atlantic, where exploration and both scientific and world history were written many years ago.

Birders and naturalists will be thrilled for the chance to travel alongside well-known ornithologist Noah Strycker—who set a world record for seeing 6,042 species of birds in one calendar year. As an on-board ornithologist for expeditions to Antarctica and the high Arctic, Noah has traveled to Earth’s polar regions more than 20 times and is an expert on the birds of high latitudes.

On this brand-new avian adventure across the Atlantic—sailing from the far south, near the Antarctic Circle, to just off the northwest coast of Africa—you’ll truly get away from it all, journeying to volcanic islands that are so isolated and so rugged, many remain inaccessible and uninhabitable to all but the most unique wildlife. In addition to the staggering numbers and kinds of birds and other wildlife, visit the grave of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and the house of the world's most famous Exile, Napoleon Bonaparte

On this trip you’ll:
• Hike and explore some of most remote islands on the planet — the Falklands, South Georgia, St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan de Cunha.
• See dozens of endemic bird species in their habitat and experience incredible biodiversity unique to these islands.
• Absorb expert insights off-the-ship and onboard education while traveling alongside ornithologist Noah Strycker.
• Explore historical sites and the fascinating stories of Ernest Shackleton, Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles Darwin.
• Observe nesting green turtles in their natural habitat
• Visit both active and extinct volcanic islands that provide insight into our planet’s past
• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gough and Inaccessible Islands
• Use Zodiacs to get up close to wildlife

ITINERARY

A full itinerary is available in PDF form, please call or email for this and more information. 861-251-2524

Day 1: Embark in Ushuaia, Argentina, sailing through the Beagle Channel to the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 2: At sea, in one of the richest and most diverse seabird areas on Earth.

Days 3 & 4: Exploring the Falkland Islands from both an historical view but especially for the birds, including Magellanic, Rockhopper and Gentoo Penguins, the endemic Cobb's Wren and Falkland Steamer Duck and Black-browed Albatross - 70% of the world's population lives here.

Days 5 & 6: At sea sailing to South Georgia. We sail through the Antarctic Convergence with its abundance of krill. We'll be looking for Humpback, Blue, Fin and Southern Right Whales, as well Falkland Skuas, Thin-billed Prions and three species of petrels.

Days 7 & 8: We explore South Georgia over these two days, including visiting the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave. South Georgia is a wildlife mecca, with, among others, Antarctic Fur and Elephant Seals, and King and Gentoo Penguins, which can number in hundreds of thousands.

Days 9 to 13: At sea, continuing through pelagic-rich waters as we head northeast toward Gough Island. While spending deck time with Noah, the ships other naturalists and your fellow birders there will also be expert presentations in the lounge. As we begin to reach warmer waters new birds such as Sooty Albatross, Spectacled Petrel and Great-winged Petrel should be starting to appear.

Days 14 to 17: Tristan de Cunha is our home for these three days, with plenty of time to get some solid ground under our now-trained sea legs and to experience life on the most remote town on Earth. It's over 1500 miles to the nearest inhabited place, St Helena Island. Zodiac expeditions will take us round the World Heritage Site, Gough and Inaccessible Islands. We'll still see plenty of birds, especially the cliff nesters as we motor close to the cliffs. Species taking advantage of the islands' remoteness includes several endemic species including Gough Bunting, Spectacled Petrel, Tristan Albatross, Skua, Thrush and Bunting. A short distance from Tristan de Cunha is Napoleon Island, where over a million seabirds breed, and home to the endemic Nightingale Bunting.

Days 18 to 22: These are sea days as we head north to St Helena Island. As with our other sea days birdwatching from the deck, using the well-stocked library, presentations and socializing with new-found friends will occupy our time.

Day 23: St Helena Island: The most famous inhabitant of St Helena was of course Napoleon Bonaparte; he was exiled here from 1815 to his death in 1821. We can explore his residence among other historic places. For birders, the endemic St Helena Plover will be a must, and for all saying hello to Jonathon, a land tortoise credited with being, at 184 years, the oldest living land animal.

Days 24 & 25: At sea visiting smaller islands. Madeiran Storm-petrel and Bulwer's Petrel and two of our target birds along this stretch.

Days 26 & 27: Ascension and Boatswain Bird Islands occupy the two days. Ascension is a volcanic landscape, mostly lava flows and cinder cones. But there are beaches tucked away, and one in the small capital Georgetown is a breeding beach for thousands of Green Turtles. We will make excursions to this beach to catch the egg laying. In addition to the turtles Ascension is home to 400,000 birds of 11 species, including the endemic Ascension Frigatebird. Weather permitting we'll visit the frigatebirds breeding island, Boatswain Bird, where we'll also look for Sooty Terns, Masked and Brown Boobies, Black and Brown Noddies, and, naturally the Boatswain Birds themselves, White-tailed Tropicbirds.

Days 28 to 32: At sea sailing north to Cape Verde Island, some 310 miles off the coast of Senegal. In these warmer waters the sheer numbers of birds diminishes, but there are still plenty around, plus pods of dolphins and whales, and with luck interesting fish such as the peculiar Mola Mola. Closer to Cape Verde we'll especially be looking out for Cape Verde Shearwater, which only breeds here.

Day 33: We disembark this morning at Cape Verde, saying farewell to new, but now seeming old, friends. Some will fly back to their homes today, others will spend a day or two exploring Cape Verde.

Please remember this is expedition travel to remote areas where weather, ice and other factors can influence the trip. The itinerary is what is planned, but unexpected conditions may cause changes. Quark has been running cruises in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters for many years, and has considerable experience in making changes that maintain the integrity, value and wildlife richness of their sailings.

Included are all shipboard activities, excursions, meals and snacks (alcoholic and soft beverages are not included), in cabin hair dryer and bathrobes, service fees and port charges, luggage handling on board, and up to $100,000 of emergency evacuation insurance. Our group will travel in our own Zodiac on excursion with our own assigned leader.

Nature Travel Specialists has arranged special discounted fares for this journey. Also included in these special fares is a Quark parka, especially designed and built for Quark using their 25 years of Polar exploration experience, normally available for purchase on board for $350. A range of cabins is available, please call or email for more information.