Cool off on a luxury trip to the white continent
dubai — With the sun beating down mercilessly here and temperatures soaring across the UAE, travellers can escape the heat with a timely “cool” offer. Residents can now have the chance to be Antarctic adventurers.
An Indian company is offering UAE residents a trip to the great white continent, Antarctica. Hailing it the trip of a lifetime, The Q Experiences has announced an 11-day curated journey to the exotic ice-crowned continent on a luxury cruise liner, especially customised for GCC travellers.
It is the first time ever that such a curated cruise to Antarctica is available in the GCC region.
Speaking about this journey, Vasim Shaikh, founder of the India-headquartered Q Experiences, said: “We have received a tremendous response from GCC countries for this remarkable trip. We endeavour to create memories that last for a lifetime for all our travellers, and are keen on creating a similar experience for our Gulf clients as well.”
The luxury cruise trip — that starts on December 9, 2017 — will begin from Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, and will take passengers across the ‘Drake Passage’ into the land of ice. The travellers would be on board The Great Majestic Explorer — a sleek, gorgeous yacht — with 132 elegant staterooms and suites.
For a superior gastronomic experience, the company has roped in renowned Indian Michelinstarred chef Atul Kochhar, who will be on board, curating the finest of Indian regional cuisine. In addition, the team of a catering centre of excellence run by Alain Ducasse Enterprise will also be on board to enhance the global cuisine.
Quietest place on earth
As per the itinerary, passengers will cruise through some of the most breathtaking glaciers of Neko Bay and Paradise Bay, anchoring at Port Lockroy, finally sailing to the largest colony of Chinstrap Penguins at Deception Island. They will also get a chance to visit the quietest place on earth — the majestic Weddell Sea. At every step of the way, there would be experts to guide the travellers and show the sights one had only dreamt of.
Talking about how the idea took off, Shaikh said: “Since the number of travellers from this region has been negligible over the last few years, The Q wanted to bring this journey to GCC residents who are globetrotters and have been waiting to set foot on the seventh continent. We have put together the most refined way to explore the wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula with a superlative culinary experience.”
Travellers will be sailing through the confluence of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans — known as The Drake Passage — for two days and nights. “On the fourth day, they will get their first experience of magnificent glaciers, rising slowly from the waters at Neko Bay and Paradise Bay,” added Shaikh.
A postcard for your family
Moving towards Port Charcot and Port Lockroy on days five and six, voyagers will explore the ice-covered rocks and home to the Kelp gull, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The ports have a museum, little store and post office from where one can send a postcard to their friends and family.
On the seventh day, the travellers will explore Deception Island — home to the largest colony of ‘Chinstrap Penguins’ in the Antarctic peninsula. Here, they will get a chance to witness over 100,000 penguins, Elephant seals and Fur seals. On the very next day, they sail through the quietest places on earth — The Weddell Sea. .
“During the last three days of the journey, the voyagers will hit the land, crossing the Drake Passage once more, making their way back to Ushuaia and civilisation. The ship will dock on the last day and the journey to majestic White Continent thereby come to an end,” concluded Shaikh.
saman@khaleejtimes.com