A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to the Antarctic continent, experience its majesty and appreciate its future vulnerability is being offered by Victoria University early next year.

The 12-day sea voyage from the southern tip of South America in January/February 2010 is open to people worldwide, and led by Antarctic expert Professor Peter Barrett, based at Victoria University’s Antarctic Research Centre.

“We’ll have pre-tour seminars on history, politics and science, and also talks on board with experienced expedition staff and other experts. The cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate not only the natural beauty of the continent and its wildlife but also the challenges faced by the early explorers. We’ll also see evidence of the changes now taking place that could determine its future,” says Professor Barrett, who is also part of Victoria’s Climate Change Research Institute.

The voyage begins from Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, on the island of Tierra del Fuego. The ship, the Professor Multanovskiy is a small 54-berth ice-strengthened vessel and has been chartered specifically for this study tour. Inflatable Zodiac boats allow the group to make a number of landings, cruise among the icebergs, and experience the wonders and beauty of Antarctica at close range.

Professor Barrett says the area is an excellent place to gain an understanding of the human presence in Antarctica and of our own growing influence on the region.

“This tour takes in relics from the heroic era of exploration, remains from the commercial exploitation of the whales and seals, and stations covering the modern era of mapping and scientific research. It also offers discussion of significant work being done in Antarctica in climate change research.”

He says the Antarctic Peninsula is a stunningly beautiful region, where steep mountains and plunging glaciers tower over narrow channels of dark, ice-filled water.

“Extending further north than the rest of the Antarctic continent, the Peninsula attracts a wide array of wildlife—many species of penguins, seals, whales and seabirds go there in summer to breed or feed.”

On board the ship day-to-day activities will be led by Victoria University geology graduate Dr Dan Zwartz. Dr Zwartz divides his time between guiding in the Arctic and Antarctic and working as a geologist. He has spent nine summer seasons conducting scientific research in Antarctica and has led several expeditions both the Arctic and Antarctic.

What: Antarctica Study Tour, departing from Ushuaia

When: 21 January to 7 February, 2010

For further information: please visit the Victoria University study tours website: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/studytours