Recommendation for guides to Antarctica
Apr 1, 2023 14:44:19 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
Does anyone have experience/recommendations with guided cruises for birding with a focus on photography to Antarctica, Falklands, Georgia, and southern Chile? Thanks for your thoughts.
Apr 1, 2023 14:47:46 #
Lindblad/Nat Geo is great (IMO). Pricey but then again think all of them are. It is a bigger boat then some but for crossing the Drake's Passage (which can be quite rough), I was glad to have the bigger boat.
https://www.expeditions.com/destinations/antarctica/?device=c&network=s&msclkid=d507f0e3b5da1005563394cbc9c3a4da
https://www.expeditions.com/destinations/antarctica/?device=c&network=s&msclkid=d507f0e3b5da1005563394cbc9c3a4da
Apr 1, 2023 14:49:03 #
Apr 1, 2023 14:49:22 #
Bigmike1
Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
Well, there ain't no boids in Antarctica. Watch some of the documentaries on the Falklands. They show plenty of birds and some of the guides.
Apr 1, 2023 14:51:29 #
Apr 1, 2023 14:54:40 #
mrtkarlin wrote:
Thanks. They’re about twice the price of some of the others. Yikes.
Yep, but do a great job. I am sure there are cheaper one's but I am a believer in you get what you pay for. Which one were you looking at? How big is the boat? I have heard of smaller boats getting into trouble during the Drake's Passage (ie. the people having to be rescued!).
Apr 1, 2023 14:55:06 #
Bigmike1 wrote:
Well, there ain't no boids in Antarctica. Watch some of the documentaries on the Falklands. They show plenty of birds and some of the guides.
Penguins?
Apr 1, 2023 15:02:58 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
Bird Quest and Birding Eco Tours use the Plancius that hold around 120 people. Other tours do as well. NatGeo runs around 27K. These others 15-20. There are also a variety of pelagic birds.
Apr 1, 2023 15:10:04 #
mrtkarlin wrote:
Bird Quest and Birding Eco Tours use the Plancius that hold around 120 people. Other tours do as well. NatGeo runs around 27K. These others 15-20. There are also a variety of pelagic birds.
Are the number of days on shore the same? There is a limit to number of people allowed off at one time, so a lot depends on how many zodiacs they run, etc. Also the speeds of the boats? I am sure there is a premium built into Nat Geo/Lindblad for the name. But it is hard to calculate value/true worth. We had a berth with a balcony which for me, was worth the money. I could go outside and photograph whales, birds, ice formations from my room. How do the rooms compare? Lots of variables to look at.
Apr 1, 2023 15:21:48 #
mrtkarlin wrote:
Bird Quest and Birding Eco Tours use the Plancius that hold around 120 people. Other tours do as well. NatGeo runs around 27K. These others 15-20. There are also a variety of pelagic birds.
Is this it?
https://www.birdingecotours.com/tour/birding-cruise-falklands-south-georgia-antarctic-peninsula/
Don't see a description of the boat? Last trip report was quite old. I would worry about COVID, etc if they don't do a proper job about maintaining things. What is the number of crew per passenger? Lots of variables to consider. Good luck! It is an amazing trip.
Apr 1, 2023 15:22:52 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
ricardo00 wrote:
Are the number of days on shore the same? There i... (show quote)
All good thoughts. Those certainly are considerations. These others are smaller groups, good guide and zodiac to tourist ratio, and rooms vary in beds, views, outside access.
Apr 1, 2023 15:22:56 #
Jwshelton
Loc: Denver,CO
Jo VanOs Photo Safaris. I went about 5 years ago. Left from Ushuaia. Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica.
Excellent! I have done 3 adventures with them - others were Masai Mara and Yellowstone in January. Tour professional photographers are experienced and extremely helpful. Teachers. If you want additional information, PM me.
I came back with many wall hangings!
Excellent! I have done 3 adventures with them - others were Masai Mara and Yellowstone in January. Tour professional photographers are experienced and extremely helpful. Teachers. If you want additional information, PM me.
I came back with many wall hangings!
Apr 1, 2023 15:59:00 #
We have had uniformly excellent experience with three different NatGeo/Lindblad trips. Good vessel, staff and equipment.
Apr 1, 2023 16:03:35 #
Apr 1, 2023 19:48:49 #
I have traveled to several destinations (including South America and Antarctica) using Natural World Safaris for setting up the entire trip. They are located in Brighton, England and have a good website. Personally I can't afford Nat Geo. Not all, but some of their trips are especially geared toward photography.
On the ship to the Antarctic peninsula, most everyone has the same photo ops, whatever they may be. But its damned cold on deck !
On the ship to the Antarctic peninsula, most everyone has the same photo ops, whatever they may be. But its damned cold on deck !
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