Ice Tracks Expeditions

Today we received news from King Haakon Bay! Our voyage Shackleton’s Final Quest has reached South Georgia after spending some wonderful time in the Falklands. It has been a remarkable voyage so far with an amazing group of people.

This place is an historically rich location featuring seals, penguins, and exotic seabirds against a stunning sub-Antarctic background

Named after King Haakon VII of Norway, King Haakon Bay was the beginning of the legendary Shackleton Traverse, the route Ernest Shackleton hiked in 1916 to reach Stromness and find a rescue team for his crew stranded on Elephant Island.

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Today most of our dear Trackers joining us on Shackleton’s Final Quest voyage are arriving in Ushuaia, where we will spend the following two days exploring and discovering the southernmost city of Argentina, before embarking on an immersive journey unlike any that has come before or will ever come again.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the life and passing of Sir Ernest Shackleton, and in this, the year his lost ship Endurance was miraculously found, we will experience what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which seems only right, since there will never again be an explorer like Sir Ernest Shackleton, in this lifetime or any other.

It is almost time to cast off the bowlines, and sail away from the safe harbour on a journey of exploration, discovery – and dreams!

All aboard!!!

This is Lisa, a seasoned Ice Tracker getting ready to start her Antarctic Adventure. If this is her smile now, we can't imagine her face when finally stepping foot on the 7th Continent.

Bon voyage Lisa and Steven!

Our first passengers of this Antarctic Season are already in Puerto Madryn where they will begin a wildlife lover’s dream, heading down to Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica.

These are one of the fine sights of Fortuna Bay they will probably enjoy soon, a popular penguin hangout. Located on the north shores of South Georgia this place is surrounded by rugged mountainous beauty and teeming wildlife.

Fair winds and following seas!

Dreams do come true! Explore Antarctica and save up to 50%

Book soon and enjoy major savings on two of our Departures:
Adventures in Antarctica (12 Days) and Celebrating Antarctica (13 Days).

Hurry! This sale will end at 5:00PM EDT on September 16th or when inventory is exhausted, whichever comes first.

"We greatly enjoyed the trip to Galapagos and it lived up to our expectations. Apart from the Galapagos Islands themselves, our guide Juan Tapia was a highlight, and indeed the whole crew were extremely good. We had great fun and our group, although extremely diverse, gelled together very well."

Alan Smith joined us on our latest Signature Voyage. A cruise supporting and raising funds for the Galapagos Conservation Trust , offering the perfect way to see the Archipelago in a comfortable, intimate and informative manner, with a group of only 15 paying passengers.

2023 Lineup of Signature Voyages: Oh the places we will go! 🤩 - https://mailchi.mp/ice-tracks/ice-tracks-newsletter-7241573

On behalf of President Lasso Guillermo, Ambassador Sebastián Corral presented the decoration "National Order of Merit", to the British scientist, naturalist, writer and presenter Sir David Attenborough, for his invaluable support for the preservation of Galapagos Islands.

Chief Executive and President of Galapagos Conservation Trust (Sharon Johnson and Monty Halls), were present at the ceremony.

Wild Tracks is delighted to be supporting the Galapagos Conservation Trust, working closely with them on special conservation cruises to the Galapagos and supporting their projects.

Looking to push yourself a little further on your Polar cruise? Mountaineering is an exciting way of exploration in the Antarctic Wilderness.

Mountaineering hikes take you into glaciated areas. These areas can possibly expose you to crevasses, which require a little more caution than non-glaciated ground. As you hit more vertical climbs you’ll switch out your snowshoes with crampons (spikey boot additions) which will be supplied for you. Also, you’ll be roped together for your protection around the glacier crevasses.

📸: Dietmar Denger

The best of Greenland can be explored along the rocky fjord-lined coast as there are no roads connecting the small towns scattered throughout this massive island. The coast seems like an endless reel of icebergs, glaciers, deep fjords, mountains and vast stretches of wilderness.

📸: Sam Edmonds

Happy Trackers having fun with our all-time favourite guide Juanito, in the Galapagos!

Sea lions, blue footed bo***es and the magnificent frigate bird are all friends that have joined us along the way during the Ultimate Galapagos Conservation Cruise.

Starting today and for the next two weeks, a wonderful small group of Trackers will be enjoying our bespoke cruise around the magical Galapagos Islands. They will have exclusive opportunities to visit Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) funded projects and to meet passionate conservationists working on the islands.

This ​​marine iguana was sighted and captured through the lens of our dear Tracker Dieter Butow in North Seymor Island is the perfect example of some of the sights and wildlife encounters our passengers will experience throughout the voyage.

Wishing all of them a bon voyage!

📸: Dieter Butow

Until you reach the White Continent, it can be hard to imagine exactly what it will be like. When you first sail into those icy waters, what you see will exceed your wildest expectations.

What did I feel when we approached a resting seal hauled out on an iceberg during my zodiac ride?

I was still taking in from an eye-level point of view the otherworldly landscape, the silence and serenity, the immensity, the myriad shapes and textures of the ice and its fifty shades of blue, the freezing temperature, the dramatic skies and the pristine environment around me. It was really hard to just concentrate on my first wildlife encounter on a zodiac with so many feelings going through my mind. Not to mention I was also very eager to use my brand new telephoto lens I was holding in my hands…

Taking a look at other people’s faces (in absolute awe) and reactions helped me get my feet back on the ground - I was not the only one experiencing so many sensations at the same time.

📸: Natalia Banega

Save up to 70% and no single supplement on this amazing voyage!

Greenland Discovery - Ice Tracks - Adventure Travel Break away to a remote and remarkable region of the world on our 11-day Greenland Discovery: West Greenland tour aboard our SH Vega. Traditional ways of life can still be seen against a backdrop of stunning arctic scenery and immense mountains. We navigate through an intricate fjord system that teem...

Venture further than most Iceland visitors on one of our epic voyages to the Land of Fire and Ice. Aboard boutique, ice-class ships we’ll explore Iceland’s furthest corners in style and comfort.

Iceland Circumnavigation - Ice Tracks - Adventure Travel Explore the ‘Land of Ice and Fire’ where snow-capped peaks rise above glaciers and active volcanoes rumble.

❄ Hunting for the best Arctic experience? Look no further we have up to 70% off and No Single Supplement!

With prices as low as $2,995 pp the Arctic is a total MUST. Contact us for more information or check out our latest newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/ice-tracks/ice-tracks-newsletter-7125789

Feast your eyes on the alluring icy blue waters of the polar region as we sail past glaciers calving icebergs to the edge of far-reaching slabs of pack ice that can only be seen in this part of the world.

Explore with us the vast and remote Polar Regions and join us making tracks to the ends of the world.

Some happy memories of our dear Trackers with our all time favourite guide, enjoying their awesome Galapagos voyage.

They explored the picturesque the Galapagos Islands on board the yacht Beluga with panoramic windows in the salon and great deck space, a fantastic way to cruise the islands in speed and style.

Our rich and varied itineraries offer the opportunity to experience the Galapagos up close and personal with a small group led by a highly experienced naturalist guide.

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Which is the best month to visit Svalbard? This is the most frequently asked question when planning an expedition to the Norwegian Arctic.

The answer lies in what you want to experience, as each month offers different things to do or see. While some dream of gazing on Arctic winter landscapes, others prefer the colourful Arctic summer or the magical autumn sunsets. Here are some highlights in May and July.

Which is the best month to visit Svalbard? - Ice Tracks - Adventure Travel Which is the best month to visit Svalbard? This is the most frequently asked question when planning an expedition to the Norwegian Arctic.

It's World Penguin Day 🐧, a date to raise awareness about the importance of protecting all penguin species in the world.

This annual celebration of penguins was created at the McMurdo Station, a research centre on Ross Island, Antarctica. While the day originally tied in with the start of the northward migration of Adélie penguins, it now celebrates all species of penguin and highlights the plight of these water-loving and adorable creatures.

Have you ever been up close and personal to a penguin?

📸: Jamie Lafferty

Celebrate endings – for they precede new beginnings. - Our Patagonia office is buzzing with change and we are excited to present our Arctic 2022 filled with icy adventures!
Check out our latest newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/ice-tracks/ice-tracks-newsletter-6771201

Getting ready for the weekend!

This lazy elephant seal is hanging around a beloved South Georgia landing site: St. Andrews Bay, which is home to one of the world’s largest king penguin colonies

In terms of wildlife numbers, there are few places that compare with St. Andrews Bay on a sunny spring day when the snow-covered beach is packed with over 6,000 elephant seals and up to 200,000 penguins.

Landings on St. Andrews Bay are very much weather dependent. Heavy swells and high winds are not uncommon and rapid unexpected changes in the weather conditions should be anticipated. The far corner of the beach, tucked in under Clark point, is the most sheltered landing site.

📸: David Merron

This beautifully marked Weddell Seal was sleeping very peacefully when I first saw it at D'Hainaut Island (Mikkelsen Harbour), enabling me to get many photos of its spotty stomach. Weddell Seals can be identified by their spots as their spotty pelage is as unique as our fingerprints.

Why collect marine mammal photos and sighting data? Sighting data, especially when paired with the recognition of individual animals through photo ID, can be extremely powerful for studies of population, status and changes. Through study of multiple sightings of individuals over time and space, scientists can learn about migratory patterns and home ranges, model population growth or decline, and even estimate the survival rate of individuals in a population.

This is why these pictures will be submitted to , which makes it easy and rewarding for the public to participate in science. How? By building innovative tools to engage anyone interested in marine mammals and serve the research community with powerful collaborative tools.

It is extremely important that we make our visits to each of the last true great wilderness of our planet count. It needs to be more than just a holiday, otherwise we shouldn’t be leaving our footprints on these pristine environments.

Today, March 22, is the International Day of the Seal which promotes the conservation of seals worldwide.

📸: Natalia Banega

Travelling to the Polar Regions is made so much richer by those who you experience it with.

World class marine biologists, environmental scientists, ornithologists, historians, photographers and modern day explorers may be part of your Polar Expedition team. They are highly experienced, synced to your needs and interests, and with safety always top of mind. More than a team, though, this is a tight knit family.

Nowadays, a world first in training and certifying polar skills and experience is required for this unique industry. Polar Qualifications may include: Communications and Navigational Skills for Polar Operations, working with Zodiacs, Crevasse Awareness and Management, Lead a hike in Non-Technical Terrain, Interpretation and Presentation Skills, First Aid.

Above all, they share a deep love for the Arctic and Antarctica, and all take immense pleasure in making your trip full of memories to cherish for a lifetime!

This post for all those passionate Expedition Polar Guides!




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Thanks to Nati ( ) from .tracks for this great pic of me in Antarctica when working for a couple of weeks ago. Somehow she has made me appear like some hardbitten polar explorer when in reality I was probably thinking about how cold my fingers were and what I would have for lunch! Amazing what a skilled photographer can do!

A really important task during a zodiac cruise is to select the best piece of ice for your gin & tonic when you need to celebrate you crossed the Antarctic Circle!

&tonic