Cape to Cape Expedition

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome on board

From nearly all corners of the world, our guests will arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. It is here where you will start your voyage to Antarctica. After signing you on to the crew list at the gate, you will be welcomed on board. You will meet your fellow travellers, a first glance at who you will share your Antarctica experience with. They will be solo travellers, friends or couples, young and old, from various countries and with different backgrounds, all united in one dream of visiting the remote wilderness of Antarctica on board EUROPA.

Itinerary

Day 2 - 6: Crossing the Drake Passage

As with all remote places in the world, the route to our destination is long and before we arrive to Antarctica we have to cross the Drake Passage. The crossing will take approximately 4 days of sailing and during these days you will see Bark EUROPA showing off her strength and resilience. At this time, the watch system will be in full force. During your watch you will stand on look out, steer the ship and help with sail handling.

Itinerary

Day 6 - 14: Destination Antarctica

The wildlife is overwhelming: the sound and smell of hundreds of penguins reaches you when we get closer to the shore, whales slowly pass by the ship and we encounter the first seals ashore. It is something out of your wildest dreams, something you looked forward to for so many months or years and now you’re here.

Itinerary

Day 6 - 14: The beauty of the white continent

Every day we drop and lift anchor, slowly making our way more south. We make landings, zodiac cruises and hikes to explore the fascinating nature, wildlife and history of these islands. But not only ashore we encounter wildlife. The sight of whales from the ship feeding on krill is truly spectacular. Slowly, from a safe distance we can follow these majestic animals, sometimes chased by a killer whale, sometimes feeding their calves.

Itinerary

Day 14 - 21: Sailing the southern seas to South Georgia

After approximately one week, it is time to leave this Antarctic paradise. We have to cross over 1000 nautical miles to arrive in South Georgia. The watch system will be in use again and some might need some time to get used to the rhythm of the seas again. This Southern Ocean is infamous for its roughness, hence the names ‘roaring forties’, ‘furious fifties’ and ‘screaming sixties’ corresponding with the degrees of latitude. After approximately seven days of sailing, the first silhouette of land will appear in the distance. On the horizon we see the ice-covered mountains of the Sub Antarctic island South Georgia.

Itinerary

Day 21 - 27: South Georgia

When we reach South Georgia we will anchor in different bays every day. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers, beaches and steep cliffs, inhabited by albatrosses and thousands of penguins, including the King Penguin, we will make landings, hikes and follow the stories of the heroic pole traveler Ernest Shackleton.

This island offers one of the best wildlife spectacles on earth. The helm grass on the coast of South Georgia provides ideal shelter for Fur Seals and Elephant Seals and the King Penguin rookeries are spread all over the beaches and lower slopes of the mountainous landscape. Perhaps we will also see the wandering albatross nesting colonies or visit the derelict whaling stations of past times and of course we will also follow the path of Shackleton and drink a glass of whiskey at his grave.

Itinerary

Day 28 - 38: Back on the ocean

After one week in South Georgia, we will head our bow into the open waters once more. Even more than during the previous weeks, the wind will determine our course. As far as our eyes can see, we will be surrounded by water and it will stay like that for about 12 days.

On our way we cross the Antarctic Converge Zone again, leave the Southern Ocean behind us and start sailing the South Atlantic. We will sail through the furious fifties to the roaring forties, where the winds usually blow continuously. This keeps the watches active, helping the permanent crew steering the ship, taking away and furling the sails.

After almost two weeks of sailing, the outlines of a group of volcanic islands will appear: the Tristan da Cunha archipelago.

Itinerary

Day 38 - 40: Tristan da Cunha

Here, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, lives a small community on top of an active volcano. We hope to be lucky enough to land this special group of islands. However, the harbor is in no way protected from the elements, the ocean swells and strong winds. Some seasons hardly any ship is able to land. Should the weather be in our favor, we hope to enjoy a visit to Tristan’s local community.

Long hikes up to the volcanic crater, fishing with a local fisherman or playing golf on their ‘world’s most remote golf course’, the islanders are always making us feel very welcome. The archipelago’s extreme isolation has led to a very unique plant and wildlife community. Many species are endemic, meaning there are only found on these islands.

Itinerary

Day 40 - 56: The final stretch to Walvisbay, Namibia

After our short break in Tristan, the final leg of this long voyage is a beautiful sail of about 15 days to Walvis Bay. Our progress will depend once more on the weather’s mood on our way to our final destination. One last time the watch system will be back in place and together with your watch mates you will help our lady EUROPA ride these untamed seas. During your time on lookout, or while steering the ship you have some time to absorb everything we have experienced, to let it all settle in. This final leg is there to enjoy life at sea to the fullest and feel the spirit of explorers of the past.

Itinerary

Day 57: Time to say goodbye

After all those weeks of solitary on the oceans, other ships will appear on the horizon when we get closer to Namibia. The Pelican Point Lighthouse will appear and we will arrive in the port of Walvis Bay. Time to say goodbye to the ship that has been your home for the last couple of weeks. You can be certain that you leave Bark EUROPA with new-found friends and memories that last a lifetime.