Antarctic Diving Schedule
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Many ask, what compels people to explore Antarctica? The answer is simple, Antarctica is nature in its purest state; her power and beauty are at once humbling, confronting and exhilarating. Antarctica is the most isolated continent on the planet and is home to gigantic icebergs, mountain ranges, and penguins. It's a trip of a live time and once you go, you'll be hooked and will want to return.

There’re many tour operators that can take you to Antarctica, but the one we use is Aurora Expeditions. Aurora is a leading Australian owned adventure and educational travel company that specializes in taking small groups of people to remote and exciting destinations. Aurora Expeditions is an efficient and professional operator for this type of demanding trip. Your base of operation for this excursion will be the comfortable and sturdy Polar Pioneer.

Antarctic Diving Schedule (2009)

Voyage	Across the Antarctic Circle (12 day) - Diving Information | Itinerary | Reservations
Dates:	17-Feb-2009 to 28-Feb-2009
Embark:	Ushuaia, Argentina
Ship:	Polar Pioneer
Min Berth Cost:	US$5790 + Diving Option (view Inclusions) Main Triple, shared facilities US$5790 Main Twin, shared facilities US$7190 Upper/Captain's Twin, private facilities US$8090 Captain's Mini Suite, private facilities US$8990 Captain's Suite US$9790
Diving Option:	US$700 DAN Diving Insurance is highly recommended for all divers...

Expedition Price Includes:

• Ship’s accommodation and use of all public areas (open to all passengers).
• All meals on board ship.
• All shore excursions from the ship including the use of Zodiacs.
• Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services.
• Medical services. There is a resident medical officer and infirmary on board.
• Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities.
• Pre-departure information and briefing.

NOT Included in Expedition Price:

• Air transport and airport transfers before and after the cruises.
• Visa, passport and vaccination charges and airport departure taxes.
• Hotels and meals not included in ship cruise itinerary.
• Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, personal travel insurance, items of a personal nature such as bar charges, wine and phone calls.
• Emergency evacuation charges.
• Customary end of voyage tips.

Itinerary for Across the Antarctic Circle:

Day 1
We board our ship Polar Pioneer in Ushuaia in the afternoon, then sail down the Beagle Channel in the evening.

Day 2
Overnight, weather permitting, we will have travelled into Drake Passage. During the day we will begin last minute preparation for our time ashore on Antarctica.

Day 3
We expect to cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of Antarctica, and may see our first icebergs. In the evening we approach the South Shetland Islands and, if we have had a quick passage, make our first landing and perhaps our first dive (if dive option selected).

Day 4 - 9
For six days we plan to explore the western flanks of the Antarctic Peninsula as far south as the Antarctic Circle, where the waters abound with whales at this time of the season. We hope to enter the magical Crystal Sound and, if ice conditions are favorable, to navigate a passage into Marguerite Bay through a very narrow channel called The Gullet.

Day 10
From Anvers and Brabant Islands, we head north into Drake Passage.

Day 11
At Sea. Our last day of lectures and the final opportunity to enjoy the seabirds of the Southern Ocean. A cruise past Cape Horn (weather permitting, of course) and a farewell dinner provide a fitting finale.

Day 12
We travel up the Beagle Channel to disembark in Ushuaia. Farewell new found friends as we follow our separate paths. For those staying in Ushuaia, the rest of the day can be spent at leisure in "The Town At The End Of The World".

Reservation Information

Firstly, all trips require reservations and can be made by contacting us through our online form to CHECK AVAILABILITY. Please contact us to verify your selection before making any airfare or accommodation arrangements. Due to unforeseen circumstances, dates are subject to change without notice. Referrer Name: Eco-Photo Explorers.

Secondly, once availability is confirmed and you have READ the Terms & Conditions, you need to send Aurora a SIGNED and COMPLETED booking form to secure your berth. All completed forms must be Faxed or mail to Aurora's booking office. Make sure you include our Referrer Name: Eco-Photo Explorers on all correspondence to Aurora.

Eco-Photo Explorers is acting only as an authorized referral agent for the tour operator (Aurora Expeditions). The tour operator is solely responsible for the services advertised, including, but not limited to, trip availability, price terms and conditions, and all other legal obligations. All customer requests and information sent to Eco-Photo Explorers will always be forwarded to the tour operator in good faith. Eco-Photo Explorers will also try to assist customers should the tour operator not communicate back to them in a reasonable amount of time.

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Address:
Aurora Expeditions
182 Cumberland Street
The Rocks NSW, Australia 2000

Referrer Name: Eco-Photo Explorers
Telephone: +61-2-9252-1033, (Toll Free within Australia) 1-800-637-688
Facsimile: +61-2-9252-1373
Email: auroraex@auroraexpeditions.com.au

Aurora Expeditions is a licensed travel agent. Their experienced reservations staff can organize a personal itinerary to coincide with each voyage, including airfares, accommodation and pre and post voyage travel options. You may want to contact Aurora directly to get more detailed booking information. If you decide to call Aurora directly, you will have to give them our Referrer Name: Eco-Photo Explorers, for further assistance.

Aurora's Terms & Conditions

Below is a copy of Aurora's Terms & Conditions, please refer to their site for the most up to date version.

Cancellations - If it becomes necessary to cancel your holiday, you must notify Aurora Expeditions immediately in writing. Cancellation will take effect upon receipt by Aurora Expeditions of your written notice. If cancellation takes place more than 90 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of $500 per person will be payable by you. If cancellation takes place less than 90 days prior to departure, you will be required to pay Aurora Expeditions the full cost of the voyage. Personal travel insurance is not included in the voyage price.

WE VERY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE INCLUDING CANCELLATION INSURANCE.

Delay or Change of Itinerary - This is an expedition to a remote part of the world and Aurora Expeditions reserves the right to change the itinerary or use of helicopters and zodiacs due to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, wind conditions, political conditions and other factors beyond their control without consulting the passengers. Helicopter images used within their brochure are indicative of models sometimes used by Aurora Expeditions on voyages. The use of zodiacs and helicopters is at the discretion of the expedition leader and no guarantee can be provided for the time available in and access of these facilities.

Aurora Expeditions and or the ship's master may for any reason change the date of departure or conclusion of the tour, the scheduled point of departure for the tour, omit or change any scheduled stop on the tour or change the scheduled place of conclusion for the tour whether before or after the tour has departed, without prior notice to you. You will have no right to any refund and Aurora Expeditions will have no obligation to you or be liable for any loss, consequential damages, expenses, loss of time or enjoyment or inconvenience in respect of such changes. Aurora Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case any payment made by you will be refunded in full and you will not be entitled to make any further claim for compensation or damages, for any loss, consequential damage, expenses, loss of time or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation.

Trip Costs - Trip costs are based on ground costs, air fares and exchange rates at the time of printing. While Aurora Expeditions will try their utmost not to increase their prices, sometimes it is outside their control. Aurora Expeditions reserves the right to amend their prices. It should only alter in the event of significant surface increases and/or marked fluctuations in the $US exchange rate upon which the land content is based or massive fluctuations in the fuel costs on which the cruise is based. Any increases in price must be paid by you before the departure date.

Responsibility: This is very important. Please read carefully and refer to their site for the most up to date version.  Aurora Expedition: Terms & Conditions

By my signature as set forth on the booking form I also acknowledge and confirm the following:

I waive any and all claims I may now and in future have against, and release from all liability and agree not to sue.

Aurora Expeditions and its officers, employees, guides, agents or representatives (collectively its staff) or the licensor for any personal injury, death, property damage, or loss sustained by me as a result of my participation in an adventure trip with Aurora Expeditions, due to any cause whatsoever, including without any limitation, negligence on the part of Aurora Expeditions, its staff or licensor. I am aware that your adventure trip, in addition to the usual dangers and risks inherent has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which may include: physical exertion for which I may not be prepared, weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected change, remoteness from normal medical services, evacuation difficulties if I am disabled.

I accept all the inherent risks of the proposed adventure trip and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage or loss resulting there from.

I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of adventure travel is derived in part from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety of life at home or work, and that these inherent risks contribute to such enjoyment and excitement, being a reason for my participation.

I agree that if I suffer injury or illness Aurora Expeditions can, at my cost, arrange medical treatment and emergency evacuation service, as Aurora Expeditions deem essential for my safety.

In entering into this Agreement, I am not relying on any oral, written or visual representations or statements by Aurora Expeditions or its staff or any other inducement or coercion to go on the adventure trip, hence, only of my own free will.

I confirm that I am over the age of 18 years and that I have read and understand the terms and conditions of contract and this Agreement prior to signing it and agree that this Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors. I agree that this Agreement shall be governed in all respects by and interpreted in accordance with the law of New South Wales Australia.

 

DAN diving insurance is highly recommended for all divers...

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