We invite you to join our unique expedition on “Peter-1” yacht to Antarctica. This is the part of our long expedition through Spitsbergen, Greenland, South America (Chile fjords) to the Antarctica. The number of people is strictly limited – only 6 people for this beautiful part of our expedition. The schedule of the trip constructed for purposes of photography and filming. The classical tour to Antarctica differs a lot from our style. You’ll be offered to sail on “zodiacs” only during some hours but we can always sail and hunt the light and best perspectives during the whole day and night and to stay mobile at the same time. The previous experience has shown that a good team and a maneuverable yacht give an incredibly beautiful result.

Our timetable is more or less free, but we have ambitions to go through South Shetland islands, Deception island towards 65 degrees South, to reach Lemaire Channel and its beautiful steep 1000-m walls. It will be the southernmost point of our journey. Next we will move back north stopping at beautiful locations.

The main goal is to shoot beautiful huge icebergs, fjords, mountains, ice caps and of course untouched wild nature world of Antarctic. We’ll work out our everyday timetable taking into account ice situation and weather. Imagine to be in Antarctica face to face, without crowds and queue for zodiac boats focusing mainly on photography and exploration. The spirit of adventure and exploration will be with us all along our way, starting from the famous Drake passage. The crossing is a true hardcore adventure, especially on the yacht. This is a thing you should remember for the whole life: severe wind, waves, and brave experienced russian crew leading yacht towards white continent. This is something to live and endure if you want to test yourself. Every season a couple of dozen yachts visit Antarctica, we are not the first. So we have all necessary permits and documents to officially visit Antarctica. The yacht is equipped with modern safety systems.

We are fascinated by the rich wildlife or the beauty of the unspoilt Antarctic natural environment. Antarctic sea life includes penguins, blue whales, orcas, Humpback, Minke and Fin Whale, colossal squids and fur seals. The emperor penguin is the only penguin that breeds during the winter in Antarctica, while the Adélie penguin breeds farther south than any other penguin. The rock-hopper penguin has distinctive feathers around the eyes, giving the appearance of elaborate eyelashes. King penguins, chinstrap penguins, and Gentoo penguins also breed in the Antarctic. Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins are the most common at the peninsula. The Orca or Killer Whale is also seen in this area. There are many seals. The Leopard Seal is a predator of penguins and other seals. Seals can leave the water and move on dry land to breed, rest and molt.

The advantages of traveling by arctic class yacht are obvious: big cruises are enormously expensive (more than $10,000 usually), the yacht is more mobile. We can listen to every participant’s opinion what is difficult in a team of 50-100 people on board. Imagine how you will disembark to the land in such a crowd!

Big ships can scare away the animals and can’t be as mobile as we are. The yacht has both rigs and a motor. Moreover, we have a quick and maneuver “Zodiac” which can be launched at any moment to get closer to the animals or to go ashore. Safety measures’ questions are paid special attention: satellite phone, navigational system and ice maps.

Besides, mass tourism is a major ecological problem for the Antarctica. Imagine what will happen in case of the cruise ship will have a fuel leakage? We are traveling ecological way, and you will listen to a sound a silence of the white continent while our sails will be filled with the fresh wind.

“Peter – 1” yacht

“Peter – 1” yacht is an arctic class yacht with a steel jacket equipped with modern navigation system. You can use the kitchen, WC, shower, the main cabin and living rooms – one single cabin, two double cabins and a bunk room. The yacht’s team is 4 or 5 professional sailors + 6 photographers on board. There is one zodiac (a motor boat) on the yacht. There are 220 V receptacles (they are sometimes turned off), freshwater supplies (700 + 200 liters). We went on Greenland photo tour with “Peter-1” team (usually it’s 4-5 people) brilliantly. Several years ago the team set a world record and went on the Arctic world-tour in one season.

“Peter – 1”  is a very solidly built ship. Literally it’s made of steel. The ship is fitted out for worldwide sailing and has all the safety certificates and permissions required under worldwide requirements for visiting Antarctica. 4-5 experienced, professional members of the crew will ensure the our safe operation. Our safety equipment include life jackets, life raft, fire extinguishing equipment, a stock of medicine, EPIRB and radar transponder. “Peter – 1” navigation and communication equipment includes radar, a compass, a satellite navigation system, an echo sounder, a sextant, SSB transmitter, Inmarsat-C terminals, an Iridium Satellite telephone, VHF transmitter.

“Peter – 1” has a zodiac with outboard fast engine. The drinking water capacity is 750 litres in permanent tanks. Food stores will be taken on board before our departure in Ushuaia. We will also take on board 1000 litres of diesel to fuel the heater, the generator and the main engine. The ship has a power supply of 220V AC (50 Hz). Plugs on board are European style, two pins.

Fly the Drake?
If you are not willing to experience the exciting Drake passage, there is an option to fly in to Antarctica! We have cooperated with DAP Chile on the matter and they soon will have a schedule of Antarctica flights from Punta Arenas. You will save 6-7 days flying in and out. Although, the flight is quite expensive, about 2500 usd one way. Even including the flight price, the cruise will be less expensive than the average.

Our schedule is based on weather, ice conditions and safety precautions. We have the following goal to reach: