The movie "Happy Feet" has everyone talking about Emperor Penguins. If you enjoyed looking at the computer animated penguins consider watching real Emperor penguins care for their fluffy chicks during a cold-weather cruise in the Antarctica with Quark Expeditions.
While the word “safari” denotes a trip to see wild animals on an African veld to most travelers, the word actually means "an expedition to observe animals in their natural habitat." In the fall of 2006 Quark Expeditions offered safaris to watch Emperor penguins at a remote rookery near Snow Hill Island in the Antarctica-–while the adults are still caring for fluffy chicks. The trips were so successful that they are now offered yearly. In 2009, the cruises are going between October 10, 2009 to November 3, 2009
The Snow Hill Island Safari cruise to see Emperor penguins with their chicks is on the polar-class icebreaker, the Kapitan Khlebnikov, which leaves from Argentina, crosses the Drake Passage and goes through Iceberg Alley on the way to the island. A helicopter flies guests to a site on the sea ice, so you can walk toward the rookery without getting too close to disturb the penguins.
When to Go
Visit Quark Expeditions Web site for the date of the next 14-day Snow Hill Island Safari cruises.
What’s It Going to Cost?
The trips are expensive, but consider it a cruise to the Antarctica wrapped around a once-in-a-lifetime experience watching the adult penguins nurture their chicks. Prices start around $10,000 per person, triple accommodation and $14,595 for a standard twin cabin.
Learn More About Trips to the Antarctica
If you're interested in taking a cruise to see penguins and icebergs visit Before You Book a Cold Weather Cruise to the Antarctica or other icy destinations.
Linda Garrison, About.com’s guide to cruises has been to the Antarctica. Visit the section on her website that tells about her Antarctica cruise and includes lots of pictures of icebergs and penguins.
