This brand new itinerary celebrates the life of Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose
passing in South Georgia on January 5, 1922, marked the end of the Heroic Age
of Antarctic Exploration. The 20-day itinerary Celebrating Shackleton:
Journey from Antarctica to South Georgia (which will coincide with the
centenary of Shackleton’s death) not only honours one of Antarctica’s
greatest heroes—but also his unwavering spirit of exploration, which Quark
Expeditions continues to emulate to this day.Whereas Shackleton and his crew
braved the harsh elements of Antarctica aboard Endurance, which had the most
basic of amenities, guests on this voyage will sail aboard the brand new ship
Ultramarine - during its inaugural Antarctic sailing season. The
technologically-advanced vessel will follow the route of Shackleton’s
Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914–1917), allowing passengers to experience
the full splendour of Antarctica and South Georgia while exploring on
Ultramarine’s two twin-engine helicopters and 20 fast-launching Zodiacs.
Guests will cross the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, visit the
Weddell Sea (where the ill-fated Endurance met its tragic end), then onto
Elephant Island and, ultimately, wildlife-rich South Georgia, where, if
conditions allow, guests will pay homage to Shackleton at his grave at
Grytviken.Throughout the voyage, passengers will enjoy special presentations
by Polar experts Tim Jarvis (author of ‘Chasing Shackleton’) and Dr. Ross
MacPhee, curator of the ground-breaking museum exhibit ‘The Endurance:
Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.’