With Michael Snedic
23 November - 12 December 2017
On this 20-day photographic adventure we will explore the wildlife paradises of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands before visiting the amazing Antarctic Peninsula.
Our 2016 Antarctic workshop spent most of its time working along the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. This 2017 workshop will revisit some of the highlights of the Peninsula, but the wildlife (and scenery) of South Georgia puts this adventure in a class of its own, and we’ll be visiting the island in one of the peak times for wildlife activity.
We will have a maximum of 9 photographers on this expedition, being led by professional nature photographer and tutor, Michael Snedic. Photographers of all experience levels are welcome. Michael will be guiding you and supporting your photography during the expedition. Not just in taking photographs in the field, but also in reviewing and critiquing your photos along the way.
You might also be interested in Michael's upcoming 11-day Antarctica Photography Expedition, also departing from Ushuaia, Argentina or his upcoming 13-day Subantarctic Islands Photography Tour, commencing in New Zealand before heading out to sea.
Contact Michael Snedic directly
on +61 408 941 965
Rockhopper Penguin © David Burren
Towering iceberg © David Burren
Your Experienced Photography Leader
On this expedition you will have access every day to professional nature photographer and instructor, Michael Snedic. He will be there to help you photograph the stunning scenery and wildlife we will encounter. We will be conducting a series of classes throughout the voyage, as well as being on-hand throughout the outings.
As a full-time professional, Michael is an accredited member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers (AIPP). As well as being experienced an photographer, he is an experienced photographic tutors, with 15 years experience presenting photography expeditions and adventures across the globe.
Michael Snedic
Michael Snedic is an experienced (21 years) and widely-published photographer, writer and photo expedition leader. His photography articles and images have featured in numerous publications in Australia and across the world.
Michael is owner of WildNature Photo Expeditions and presents exciting photography workshops and tours to many extraordinary wild places across the globe. He is also an Australian Ambassador for LensCoat and the Nature Conservancy Australia. Michael loves sharing his photographic knowledge and passion with workshop participants, helping them improve their photographic skills.
Itinerary:
Day 1 (23 November)
We start in Buenos Aires, meeting up at our hotel (included in the package).
Day 20 (12 December) – Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
After breakfast we leave the ship, and have a little time to explore Ushuaia again before we take our charter flight back to Buenos Aires and your connections home.
© Michael Snedic
Day 3 – at sea
On our way towards the Falklands, our day is full of preparatory activities aboard the ship. We will also be keeping our eyes open for wildlife such as albatrosses.
Days 4-5 – Falkland Islands
The Falklands are a fascinating group of islands full of wildlife, which we will explore by Zodiac excursions and landings. Here we expect to see Gentoo, Rockhopper, Magellanic, and hopefully King Penguins, along with a range of other birds and mammals. As well as visiting islands (many of which are working farms), we visit the charming capital of Port Stanley.
© Michael Snedic
Days 6-7 – at sea
Having left the Falklands behind, we continue towards South Georgia. Our days won’t be quite as busy as when we have landings, but we have plenty of on-board activities to get through, including more photography. Along the way we will cross the Antarctic Convergence into colder Antarctic waters.
© Michael Snedic
Days 8-11 – South Georgia
South Georgia is a wildlife haven, as the breeding site for animals from all over the Southern Ocean. King and Gentoo Penguins, nesting albatrosses, as well as fur seals and the huge Southern Elephant Seals are all examples which we will be meeting on land, with multiple landings per day. More than half of the world’s Elephant Seals breed here, along with more than 100,000 King Penguins.
As well as its amazing wildlife, there’s a lot of human history on the island, including the remnants of sealing and whaling industries. Visiting the grave of the explorer Sir Ernest Shackelton at Grytviken is a highlight for many people.
© Michael Snedic
Days 12-13 – at sea
Now we leave the subantarctic islands and wildlife behind, and head towards Antarctic proper.
Days 14-17 – South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
You’ve arrived in Antarctica! Snow, glaciers, icebergs, mountains, penguins, whales, it’s all amazing. The scale of the environment is literally breathtaking, and you will take away photographs and memories you will never forget. We explore many islands as well as landing on the continent itself.
© Michael Snedic
Day 18-19 – Drake Passage
After more than two weeks of wildlife encounters, we start our journey home (depending on the weather we still hope to see birds such as albatrosses).
Day 20 (12 December) – Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
After breakfast we leave the ship, and have a little time to explore Ushuaia again before we take our charter flight back to Buenos Aires and your connections home.
© Michael Snedic
Health and Fitness
Anyone in normal good health can join us on this adventure. There are no special tness requirements, although we will be often climbing into and out of the in atable Zodiac boats, and walking on shore.
The ship has a doctor and basic medical facilities on board. If you have specific health concerns or dietary requirements these should be discussed with our booking sta .
© Michael Snedic
Our Ship
The Ocean Endeavour is a great expedition ship, with plenty of vantage points for scenic and wildlife photography from all around the ship. Along with our group the voyage will also have non-photographer passengers and while we will be mingling with them and sharing the ship and the general Antarctic experience, the photographic advice/instruction will be for our group.
On Zodiac outings we usually operate as a group with our own boat, where Michael will always be with you to provide photographic guidance. We work closely with the Quark expedition team throughout (and before) the voyage to optimise operations on both sides to help everyone.
The ship is quite spacious, and is very well appointed. You won’t be roughing it!
Owner’s Suite:$40 050
| Cabin | Cost | Decks | Key |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple (interior): | $19 350 | 4 |  |
| Single (interior): | $27 250 | 5 |  |
| Twin Porthole: | $27 250 | 4 |  |
| Twin Window: | $24 610 | 5 |  |
| Twin Porthole Plus: | $27 075 | 4 |   |
| Upper Deck Twin: | $27 090 | 7,8 |  |
| Superior Twin: | $27 650 | 5,7 |  |
| Top Deck Twin: | $28 770 | 8 |  |
| Twin Window Plus: | $29 330 | 5 |   |
| Junior Suite: | $30 930 | 5,7 |  |
These prices are in AU dollars per person. A 5% deposit is required to secure your place, with the balance due in mid-August 2017.
Prices
The trip is being put together with our partners at Peregrine Expeditions, and they take care of the bookings and travel arrangements for us, while we run the photography program. The ship has a wide variety of cabin classes, and your choice of berth type directly impacts the price of your ticket.
A $500 discount is available for non-photographer partners.
When you book a single berth in a twin cabin, we do try to allocate cabins so you share with another member of our photography group.
Inclusions
- Photography tuition throughout the expedition.
- Hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires on day 1.
- Flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia on days 2 and 20.
- Shipboard accommodation.
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners onboard.
Coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock. - All ship-based excursions.
- Pre- and post-departure materials.
Exclusions
- Airfares and other travel expenses to/from Buenos Aires.
- Passport/visa expenses.
- Personal/travel insurance coverage.
Peregrine will discuss with you the required insurance coverage (due to the remoteness of our destination). - Onboard bar, laundry, and telecommunications charges. Limited internet access is usually available onboard.
© Michael Snedic
How to book
To reserve your place, to get onto the waitlist once it’s booked (there are sometimes cancellations in the long lead-up to these expeditions) or just to ask more questions about the workshop, contact Michael.
Please note: If minimum numbers aren't reach (9 participants), this Photo Expedition will still go ahead with Michael Snedic as the Photo Expedition Leader
For more details, contact Michael Snedic either via his Contact Form or by calling +61 408 941 965.
© David Burren
