Bouvet - this uninhabited volcanic island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. In 1825 the British flag was raised only to be occupied by Norway two years later. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. In March of 2006, Bestway Tours & Safaris co-hosted an expedition to “conquer” Bouvet. Two zodiac landings allowed 18 enthusiasts to set foot and be amongst the very few in the history of the world to have set foot on Bouvet - “the loneliest island in the world”. This 2nd expedition to Bouvet is an even more exciting adventure. The expedition kicks off from Ushaia on March 24, 2015 on a voyage where very few have been.
Bouvet – we are back!
The M/V Ortelius is an ice strengthened UL1 class with 47 cabins accommodating up to 104 passengers.The vessel has 1 Suite, 6 Superior Cabins, 24 Twin Pothole Cabins, 2 Triple Porthole Cabins and 4 Quadruple Porthole cabins. It can carry 4575 tones and can go up to 14.3 knots. Other specifications include:
| Length: | 91.25 meters |
| Breadth: | 71.61 meters |
| Draft: | 5.08 meters |
DETAILED ITINERARY Ushuaia - Ascension Island - OTL28 March 24–April 22, 2015 (29 nights/30 days)
Day 01 (TUE) MAR 24, 2015
In the afternoon we embark in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel. (D).
Day 02 to 03 (WED & THU) MAR 25 & 26, 2015
In the Drake Passage we witness a multitude of albatrosses, petrels and fulmars. (B, L, D)
Day 04 (FRI) MAR 27, 2015
In the South Shetland Islands we land on King George Islands, where we visit the Chilean, Russian, Chinese and Korean stations.In this area chances are good for encounters with Gentoo Penguins, Weddell Seals, Leopard Seals and Orcas. (B, L, D)
Day 05 to 08 (SAT, SUN, MON & TUE) MAR 28, 29, 30 & 31, 2015
At sea we will probably sail along the sea ice drifting north out of the Weddell Sea. We witness a multitude of albatrosses, petrels and fulmars. Please note that if sea-ice conditions allow then we may have the opportunity to land on the South Orkney’s. (B, L, D)
Day 09 (WED) APR 01, 2015
In the rarely visited and uninhabited South Sandwich Islands (British), we land on Southern Thule Island, a volcano with a caldera, where we can land near the derelict Argentinian base. Other islands are Cook Island and Bellingshausen Island, named after the discoverers who reached them. These volcanic islands, with an ice cap on the top, are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap penguins and Southern Giant Petrels. Elephant Seals and Fur Seals also haul out at the beaches.Around the islands we see large blue ice-bergs which have driften there from the Weddell Sea. In blue ice-grotto’s Gentoo Penguins congregate. (B, L, D)
Day 10 to 12 (THU, FRI & SAT) APR 02, 03 & 04, 2015
At sea in the westerlies we have a pleasant tailwind. Near the Antarctic Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds. (B, L, D)
Day 13 & 14 (SUN & MON) APR 05 & 06, 2015
BOUVET ISLAND. Due to the unpredictability of landings at Bouvet, we are allocating 48 hours to be able to have multiple opportunities to land at Bouvet Island (Norwegian territory), another volcano in Antarctic waters topped by an ice-cap, with a rich fauna of seabirds and seals near the coasts. At the southwest side of the island we should have the best opportunities to land at Larsöya and Kapp Norvegia, which have some protection from the swell from the west. A third possibility is at Nyröysa, but this area is more exposed and partly out of bounds; as it is a nature reserve. We will allocate these two days for landings at Bouvet Island. (B, L, D)
Day 15 to 18 (TUE, WED, THU & FRI) APR 07, 08, 09 & 10, 2015
At sea in the westerlies we have side winds winds. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds. We also get now in more temperate waters with their own brand of species. (B, L, D)
Day 19 (SAT) APR 11, 2015
Today we plan to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as always weather permitting. In previous years we managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island in the ship, saw spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife. (B, L, D)
Day 20 & 21 (SUN & MON) APR 12 & 13, 2015
In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago we plan to call on the settlement at the west side of the main island. We will also try to make landings at Nightingale Island or Inaccessible Island with millions of seabirds ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatrosses to Brown Noddies. Please note that we will try and approach for landings, however due to the weather conditions this is not always possible. Since we began our voyages to Tristan da Cunha (1998) we failed during 30% of the voyages to make landings in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, due to adverse weather. (B, L, D)
Day 22 to 25 (TUE, WED, THU & FRI) APR 14, 15, 16 & 17, 2015
At sea - We now enter sub-tropical waters with their own species of seabirds and dolphins. (B, L, D)
Day 26 & 27 (SAT & SUN) APR 18 & 19, 2015
St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, we will have ample opportunities to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. We will visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to explore the Island on your own. (B, L, D)
Day 28 & 29 (MON & TUE) APR 20 & 21, 2015
At sea. (B, L, D)
Day 30 (WED) APR 22, 2015
Ascension Island ( April 22 ) - Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. Disembark after breakfast. (B)
OPTIONAL EXTENSION Ascension Island - Praia(Cape Verde) - OTL29 April 22–28, 2015 (6 nights/7 days)
Day 30 to 35 (WED, THU, FRI, SAT, SUN & MON) APR 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27, 2015
Ascension Island ( April 22 ) - Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. Others may proceed with the voyage to the Cape Verde. (B, L, D)
Day 36 (TUE) APR 28, 2015: Praia
Passengers will disembark at 9.00 hours. Services end with disembarkation. (B)
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Departure Dates & Prices
We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here
| Departure(s) | Per Person on Twin Sharing |
Single Room Supplement |
Estimated Airfare (FROM)+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Coast | West Coast | |||
| This is a suggested program for private tours. Please contact us for details. | ||||
| Departure(s) | Per Person on Twin Sharing |
Single Room Supplement |
Estimated Airfare (FROM)+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Coast | West Coast | |||
| This is a suggested program for private tours. Please contact us for details. | ||||
Notes
Inclusions
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 104 participants
Also please note that this is NOT part of our small group journeys.
Expedition Application Form
To reserve your space please fill the Expedition Application Form along with deposit payment.
Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378.
Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.
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