NEW YORK -- Coda International Tours scheduled what it is calling
the first all-gay expedition to Antarctica.
The 15-night program departs Dec. 10 to Buenos Aires, Argentina,
and is priced from $4,995 per person in shared accommodations. The
rate does not include air from the U.S.
"We have planned the trip to be fun as well as educational for
the gay traveler who is curious about the world and seeking the
camaraderie of like-minded travelers to share the experiences,"
said Jim Smith, president of the 2-year-old firm.
"Upon arrival in Antarctica, we will have a champagne
celebration and a ceremonial planting of the first rainbow flag on
the White Continent," Smith added.
Following two nights in Buenos Aires with a city tour, there is an
overnight in Ushuaia from where participants embark for the cruise
part of the trip.
The itinerary continues with 10 nights aboard the 49-passenger
Professor Multanovskiy, a converted research vessel with a Russian
crew experienced in polar navigation.
On-board accommodations consist of triple, twin and superior
cabins as well as suites. All are outside units.
Public areas include a lounge and a bar; a small library; an
infirmary; a sauna, and a dining room.
The vessel cruises the Drake Passage and the South Shetland
Islands before sailing for four days along the coast of the
Antarctic Peninsula.
"While in this area," Smith said, "we may even meet some of the
scientists working at research stations operated by various
nations."
Depending on weather, sea and ice conditions, some of the ports
to be attempted include:
Paradise Harbor, where glaciers fill the waters.Port Lockroy, where there are colonies of penguins and a former
British scientific station that has been renovated and serves as a
museum.Cuverville Island, home to a large colony of gentoo penguins
and other breeding birds.Waterways, such as the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, and
Neptunes Bellows, which guards the entrance to Deception
Island.Landings will be made at numerous islands that serve as
rookeries for gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins. Sightings of
such seabirds as blue-eyed shags, cape petrels and antarctic terns
are also possible, as are spottings of humpback, minke and killer
whales.
Coda's Antarctica tour rates include a welcome dinner; on-board
lectures and meals; shore excursions by Zodiac craft; predeparture
materials, and a post-expedition log.
Also covered are transfers, service taxes, port charges and
baggage handling.
Coda also offers an optional three-night Iguazu Falls tour,
which spends one night at the Marriott Plaza Hotel in Buenos Aires
before traveling to Parque Nacional Iguazu where stays are at the
Internacional Hotel. Check rates at time of booking.
Coda International Tours
Phone: (888) 677-2632
Fax: (212) 929-0960
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.coda-tours.com