South Atlantic Photography Expedition 2011 Overview
Photography will be a primary “focus” of this expedition. Two professional photographers from LuminOdyssey will work alongside the rest of Aurora’s expedition team to make this a special experience for the 27 select passengers. David Burren & Martin Bailey both work as photographers and photography teachers, each regularly conducting outdoor photography workshops.
You do not need to be an expert photographer to join us (but if you are you’re still welcome!). Whether you’re using film or digital, a compact camera or an SLR, Antarctica offers amazing sights and you should be able to return home with many amazing images.
For those people working with digital cameras, David and Martin will show you ways of processing and organising your images with software including Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom 3 on your laptop computer. David is an Adobe Certified Expert in Lightroom.
Before the voyage David and Martin will be available to advise you regarding your photography equipment. During the passage to Antarctica they will present several classes and seminars to help prepare you for the Peninsula & Falkland Islands, and these will continue throughout the voyage. As well as making presentations, they will be on hand throughout the voyage to help you with questions and offer advice as required.
As the ship travels north along the Patagonian coast we will be able to continue editing and processing our photos as well as enjoying and photographing more scenery and wildlife. Even if you take thousands of photographs during the trip, you may be able to return home with much of the processing complete, ready to show your best images to family and friends!
David Burren is a photographer and teacher based in Melbourne, Australia. Most of his photography is outdoor nature/wildlife images. He also teaches colour management and digital processing at Photography Studies College in Melbourne. David has photographed the natural world on all seven continents, from the deserts of outback Australia to the cold of the Antarctic summer and the Arctic winter. www.davidburren.com
Martin Bailey is a British nature and wildlife photographer based in Japan, and is known to many photographers through his popular podcast, blog and workshops. www.martinbaileyphotography.com
South Atlantic Photography Expedition brochure
dates & prices
Special Interest Voyage
Name: South Atlantic Photography Expedition
Dates:
20-Mar-11 to 15-Apr-11
Embark: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ship:
Polar Pioneer
Inclusions: View inclusions for this trip
Activities: Photography
| DECK | CABIN | PRICE |
| Main Deck | Triple, shared facilities | US$9,350 |
| Main Deck | Twin, shared facilities | US$11,500 |
| Upper/Captain's | Twin, private facilities | US$13,110 |
| Captain's | Mini Suite, private facilities | US$13,850 |
| Captain's | Suite, private facilities | US$14,650 |
Itinerary
Day 1
A friendly welcome aboard Polar Pioneer precedes our sail down the Beagle Channel. Scientists from Ukraine and Poland, who will winter in Antarctica at Vernadsky and Arctowski Station, join us.
Days 2-3
Cape Petrels mesmerise us, but majestic Wandering Albatross take our breath away as we cross Drake Passage. Our naturalists reveal Antarctica’s natural history while environmental and safety briefings prepare us. Our photography education program commences, as we prepare ourselves for the adventure ahead.
Days 4-6
We drop anchor at Vernadsky Station; our southernmost point on this expedition; as our scientist shipmates disembark and prepare for a winter in Antarctica, we board Zodiacs and explore this historic and wildlife rich area. We make full use of daylight hours, taking every opportunity to explore the Peninsula’s wonders.
Days 7-8
Taking in the spectacular rugged coastline from Lemaire Channel to the Gerlache Strait, we make our way north to King George Island.
Days 9-10
As we drop anchor in front of Poland’s Arctowski Station, we are greeted by fur and elephant seals lounging on the shore line, while inquisitive adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins welcome us to their playground. As autumn begins, brilliant sunsets herald nightfall, patches of sea freeze, and the fortunate are treated to the captivating song and sensual dance of courting Leopard Seals – a spectacular surge of life before winter.
Day 11
Bidding farewell to Antarctica, we sail north towards the Falkland Islands – it’s a time of reflection, entertaining talks and a party or two.
Day 12
Stanley, the Falklands’ British capital, features an excellent war museum, welcoming shops and cosy pubs.
Days 13-15
Our days in the Falklands’ will be spent exploring the seldom visited outer most islands. Our skilled captain manoeuvres Polar Pioneer down the Falkland Sound. The spectacular cliffs of the islands are home to an abundance of breeding birds; endemic Cobb’s wren, dark faced ground tyrants and tussac birds, striated cara-caras, southern giant petrels, ruddy headed geese, speckled teal and crested ducks. Making the most of our Zodiacs, we will explore the rich natural history of this remote archipelago by sea and land.
Day 16
Rising sharply from the sea, we reach Steeple Jason Island, the most remote of all the islands and undoubtedly one of the most dramatic in the archipelago. Home to the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony, we will explore this beautiful and pristine area with care and consideration before making our way to the Argentinean coastline.
Day 17
At sea steaming towards Atlantic Patagonia.
Day 18
Arriving early at the harbour of Punta Quilla, near the mouth of the Santa Cruz River, we board our Zodiacs and follow Darwin’s route, exploring the region’s abundant wildlife.
Day 19
At sea, our expert photography lecturers assist us to process, sort and store our images. There will be continual opportunity for further photography as we embrace the power of the ocean.
Day 20
Puerto Desaedo is a natural history lover’s paradise. We will Zodiac cruise up the Deseado River, a unique area where the dry river bed is washed by ocean waters as far as 42km inland, creating a unique and diverse biological environment and home to an abundance of bird life.
Day 21
At sea.
Day 22
Bahia Bustamante is located on the northern arch of San Jorge Gulf. Red rocks rises sharply from the deep blue sea; few places in the world have such a myriad of seabirds and marine mammals. Today is dedicated to discovering the remaining fossils of forests that existed in Patagonia 60 million years ago. View huge petrified tree trucks that have evolved into rock with their characteristic glow of opal, replacing the tree’s original organic matter.
Day 23
At sea.
Day 24
We may enjoy the spectacle of majestic orcas feeding on young sea lions congregating in the waters around Peninsula Valdes. Pods of these impressive mammals migrate along this stretch of coast throughout March and April. At high tide they may be seen emerging from the ocean with force as their powerful bodies hit the beach in search of vulnerable sea lions. We make our way to the northern side of the Peninsula to Punta Norte for the best possible opportunity to view this natural phenomenon.
Days 25-26
At sea.
Day 27
In the early hours of the morning we sail into the port town of Mar del Plata with just enough time for a final photo and an early breakfast before disembarking.
Activities
| TRIP | DATES | ACTIVITIES |
| Special Interest Voyage | 20-Mar-11 to 15-Apr-11 | Photography |
How to Prepare
To ensure you have an enjoyable and safe expedition we have developed some import pre-departure information to help you prepare for your voyage. We strongly recommend you download the documents below and read carefully. Our reservation staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Before you depart for your expedition we will send you a detailed pack including your itinerary, travel documents and any other essential information relevant to your voyage.
Is your passport valid?
Your passport will be required to have validity that will extend to six months after the date of your return.
Visa arrangements?
Your visa arrangements are your responsibility. Please contact our reservations staff for assistance, or if you are unsure if you require a visa.
Travel insurance?
All passengers are required to provide travel insurance details including policy number and emergency contact number to Aurora Expeditions prior to departure. We strongly recommend insurance coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation from the vessel.
Emergency contact details?
So that you can be contacted in the case of an emergency, remember to provide your family or friends with a copy of your travel documents as well as Aurora Expeditions’ and your Ship’s contact numbers.
Remember to pack any valuables or essential items such as medication in your hand luggage to avoid issues in the case of lost baggage.
Antarctica Landing & Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
Antarctica Recommended Reading
To ensure you have an enjoyable and safe expedition we have developed some import pre-departure information to help you prepare for your voyage. We strongly recommend you download the documents below and read carefully. Our reservation staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Before you depart for your expedition we will send you a detailed pack including your itinerary, travel documents and any other essential information relevant to your voyage.
Is your passport valid?
Your passport will be required to have validity that will extend to six months after the date of your return.
Visa arrangements?
Your visa arrangements are your responsibility. Please contact our reservations staff for assistance, or if you are unsure if you require a visa.
Travel insurance?
All passengers are required to provide travel insurance details including policy number and emergency contact number to Aurora Expeditions prior to departure. We strongly recommend insurance coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation from the vessel.
Emergency contact details?
So that you can be contacted in the case of an emergency, remember to provide your family or friends with a copy of your travel documents as well as Aurora Expeditions’ and your Ship’s contact numbers.
Remember to pack any valuables or essential items such as medication in your hand luggage to avoid issues in the case of lost baggage.
How to Book
Contact us
If you are interested in an Aurora Expeditions voyage, please contact our sales team to check availability.
Either email an expert here or call our experienced consultants direct on + 61 2 9252 1033 or 1800 637 688 (within Australia).
Complete a booking form
Once availability is confirmed, please download, print and complete the booking form. Please return it to us, along with your deposit to secure your berth. Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions of contract before sending us your signed booking form.
Terms & Conditions
Click here to view the terms and conditions.
Preparation for your voyage
On receipt of the booking form, we will contact you to confirm your booking and our reservations staff will send you a comprehensive pre-departure kit. This kit will contain all necessary pre-departure information including visa information, insurance information, a medical and personal details form, comprehensive gear list and information tailored to your voyage.
Aurora Expeditions – Your Personal Travel Agent
Aurora Expeditions is a licensed travel agent. Our experienced reservations consultants all have specialised expertise on the destinations we travel to. Each voyage has a dedicated travel expert solely working on developing dynamic itineraries for our passengers. Contact our reservations team and allow us to create a personal itinerary to compliment your voyage, including airfares, accommodation, travel insurance and pre and post voyage travel options.
We look forward to assisting you with your journey of a lifetime.
Extend your Holiday
| TOUR | DESCRIPTION |
 |
Iguazu Falls Visit the world’s most spectacular falls, flying from Buenos Aires, Argentina. |
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Patagonia Sightseeing and rewarding walks in the magnificent Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares national parks. |
 |
Lakes District Travel through the stunning Lakes District of Chile and Argentina – including Puerto Montt and Bariloche, the Switzerland of South America. |
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Buenos Aires From the Rio Plata to Recoleta, fine art museums to tango bars, a whirlwind of experiences awaits you in a city renowned for its sensual elegance. |
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Cuzco & Machu Picchu Explore the haunting beauty and cultural wonders of the Peruvian Andes and visit the fabled lost city of the Incas. |
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