If you’ve seen the film March of the Penguins you’ll agree with Variety, which opined that “auds hearty enough to brave the journey will have their spirits lifted.” And if you haven’t seen the film, we table-thumpingly recommend it, not only because it’s spiritlifting but also because, having seen it, you’ll want to walk with the amazing birds in their icily beautiful empire.

We board our icebreaker (sturdy, comfortable, no special bravery needed for the journey) in Ushuaia, Argentina, and head south to the Weddell Sea. Once our captain and expedition leader have identified the best place to position the icebreaker, we’ll helicopter to a spot safely away from the vast rookery and carefully walk on the thick sea ice and pause a short distance from the penguins, allowing them to adjust to our presence, and giving us the chance to attune ourselves to their quiet ways. The chicks are still young when we visit early in the breeding season, so we’ll likely see them brooding on their parents’ feet or huddling together in large, communal crèches.

The sight of these remarkable creatures speedily tobogganing across the ice, or shooting out of the sea back onto shore, will perk up our eyes and hearts. Best of all, we’ll have plenty of chances to observe and record the emperor penguins’ life in their natural environment. We’re the only folks here, because only a purpose-built icebreaker can penetrate the Weddell Sea this early in the season, and photographers and nature lovers will have extended time in the rookery, taking advantage of the long daylight hours.

2010 Departures:

• October 13 - October 26
• October 25 - November 7

Trip Length: 14 days

Activity Type: Expeditionary Voyaging, Exploratory, Small Boat Cruising

Trip Price:From $15,290

• General Description
• Reading List
• Weather Information

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