Antarctica Photography Expedition 2022 with Daniel Kordan and Iurie Belegurschi
Description
Details
Description
Iceland Photo Tours is pleased to join forces with Aurora Expeditions and to invite you on board the Greg Mortimer. Accommodating an average of 132 expeditioners per voyage within 76 cosy, comfortable cabins – all cabins have a view of the ocean and 85% of cabins have their own balcony. The ship also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a gym and wellness centre, jacuzzis, a mudroom and many other amenities.
The first passenger ship to feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, this allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently, and with expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment, inviting communal areas and unsurpassed environmental credentials, the Greg Mortimer offers the perfect base camp for adventures at the outer limits of human exploration.
Together with Aurora Expeditions, we are offering a joint fly/sail photography expedition that will excite anyone looking for a truly mesmerising voyage of a lifetime.
This photography workshop to Antarctica is guided by 2 professional award-winning photographers, who will offer a scope of instruction, classes, critique sessions, workshops and in-field guidance to enable you to expand upon your photography portfolio. Throughout this expedition to Antarctica, your dedicated photography guides will ensure that you are immersed in a wealth of knowledge that you'll always remember.
This photography workshop to Antarctica features a one of a kind FLY/SAIL experience, which is designed to maximise your time photographing the wonderful surrounds of your destination. To reach Antarctica, you will board an aircraft from Punta Arenas to King George Island. You will sail through the tumultuous waters of the Drake section just once, to make the crossing from Antarctica to Ushuaia over the course of two days.
The Greg Mortimer guarantees a comfortable journey as you sail across the Antarctic seas. Our tour will have 18 spots reserved held out of the total 132.
For the duration of our tour, there will be a mindblowing 15 zodiacs onboard for making shore landings, whereby you may explore Antarctica intimately by foot.
Included
Map
Attractions
Activities
Daily itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas

Day 2 - Day 2: Embarkation Day

Day 3 - Day 3 –Chilean Fjords

Day 4 - Day 4-5: Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands

Day 6 - Days 6-10: Antarctica Peninsula

Day 11 - Day 11: Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas

Day 12 - Day 12 Punta Arenas
Good to know
All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, additional medical expenses such as medication, gratuities, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or increase/decrease the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We strongly recommend you to get Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip.
If you cancel and your place is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $500 service charge.
If you cancel and your place on the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 180 days from the start date of the Expedition: Full refund minus $2500.
120 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 120 days: no refund
Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
Disclaimer
We highly recommend that you get a travel and medical insurance. Your own domestic medical insurance and private health scheme will not cover you whilst you are overseas.
The tour will always dependent on weather, as the weather can be highly unpredictable. Likewise, sightings of wildlife will be dependent on the movements of the animals themselves and cannot be guaranteed.
Features of the Greg Mortimer ship
This expedition is designed to maximise your time in Antarctica and South Georgia, utilising a fly and sail experience between Punta Arenas and King George Island that results in less travel overall during the round-trip to and from our destination.
During this expedition, the Greg Mortimer will be your home away from home. As such, it has been designed to meet your every need during your adventure to Antarctica!
At Iceland Photo Tours, we have an open bridge policy, meaning that you can come up to the bridge at any time to see what the captain and officers of the ship are up to. You’ll be able to have a first-hand glimpse at the inner workings of the Greg Mortimer, from navigational practices to observing mapping techniques. The opportunities aboard this ship are endless!
In the event of an incident or accident, a trained medical team will be on-hand throughout your journey aboard the Greg Mortimer, providing all necessary treatment from the ship’s fully-equipped medical centre, allowing you to concentrate on your adventure without worrying about your wellbeing.
Every participant will receive an expedition jacket from our partners, Aurora Expeditions, upon boarding the ship. This custom-designed 2-in-1 jacket offers sophisticated styling with a warm interior and is perfect for wearing over base layers during your Zodiac excursions.
As part of this workshop, you will receive a complimentary photo book from our partners, Aurora Expeditions. This very special keepsake will be a lasting reminder of your adventure, featuring your sailing coordinates, photographs during your voyage, as well as the daily programs that you participate in.
On the last day aboard the Greg Mortimer, there will be a special farewell four-course dinner and cocktails – a delightful way for you to reflect upon your time exploring the Antarctic wilderness and to consolidate friendships with your fellow travellers and the rest of your expedition team.
SHIP AND CABIN INFORMATION
The Greg Mortimer is specially designed to offer you an incredibly relaxing experience after a long day of exploring the Antarctic. Each stateroom includes a private bathroom, personal storage, twin and double-bed configuration options, international power outlets, daily cabin service, as well as all of the basic amenities that you will expect to need onboard.
If you’re part of a family or a group, then you’ll love the interconnecting staterooms aboard the Greg Mortimer, which offer more privacy for those who still want to be close.
The first passenger ship to feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, this allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently, and with expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment, inviting communal areas and unsurpassed environmental credentials, the Greg Mortimer offers the perfect base camp for adventures at the outer limits of human exploration.
You are welcome to visit the wellness centre during your voyage where you can use the gym, visit our sauna (which we highly recommend after the polar plunge!) or book a massage (additional cost applies). There are also two jacuzzis on the top outside deck with amazing views of the world outside.
Our ships carry 15 Zodiacs, which you can board via four dedicated, sea-level launching platforms. These platforms make boarding the Zodiacs as quick, efficient and safe as possible, minimising wait times and getting you closer to the action for longer. Whether you’re Zodiac cruising through awe-inspiring fjords in search of wildlife or making a quick transit from ship to a shore landing site, these sturdy crafts will play an integral role in your expedition experience.
We offer a range of add-on adventure activities from kayaking and diving to climbing and ski touring, and the Greg Mortimer is designed to support these activities, making the transition from ship to sea or shore as smooth as possible. We built the spacious activity preparation areas and loading platforms in consultation with our expert activity guides. You will also have access to lockers and rapid drying areas for dry suits and wet suits, to give your gear the best chance to dry between excursions.
We believe that preserving and protecting the environment is of the utmost importance and this is reflected in several features of the Greg Mortimer. The Greg Mortimer boasts one of the lowest polluting marine engines in the world due to low energy consumption, high fuel-efficiency and a streamlined design to deliver an 80% reduction in emissions.* The ship can also utilise virtual anchoring to hold its position using a combination of GPS, steering technology, propellers and thrusters. This protects the sea floor and minimises the damage caused by conventional anchors. *Compared to Tier 1 engines.
The Greg Mortimer features industry-leading safety technology that exceeds the requirements for a ship of this size with a world class return-to-port equipment, which duplicates the propulsion system, enabling the ship to maintain operating systems and comfort in the event of engine failure. The Greg Mortimer Ice Class 1A and Polar Code 6 compliant, hold BV* class and are fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements. The ship also features a fully-stocked medical clinic designed for use in remote areas. *Bureau Veritas
In addition to onboard observation areas, the Greg Mortimer features unique hydraulic viewing platforms, which fold out for unobstructed views of passing marine life and seabirds. These platforms were designed in conjunction with Greg Mortimer himself, and can be used during gentle ship cruises or when the ship is stationery when weather conditions allow.
Departure Schedule
18 - 29 Jan 2022: Guided by Daniel Kordan and Iurie Belegurschi
Payment Terms
A deposit of $5000 USD is due upon registration and will secure your spot on this photography expedition.
Guides

Daniel was born in the Moscow area, Russia.
After graduating from art school he studied at Moscow’s institute of Physics and Technology, which pointed him toward a career as an optics physicist. During his studies he developed expertise not only in physics, but in mountain climbing and hiking.
He regularly led tourist groups during the holidays through the Russian mountains. Right after graduation he became a guide of photo workshops and chief editor of Continent Expedition magazine, a publication about travel and adventures all over the world.
Daniel has received several awards in photography: Golden Turtle’ 13 Nature nomination winner, National Geographic Russia contest 2013 and 2014 finalist, Best of Russia ’13 and ’14 winner, Best Photographer ’13 finalist, among others. He currently spends most of his time in Norway, scouring the Lofoten islands and in Tuscany, guiding groups of keen photographers.

Iurie Belegurschi is an award-winning fine art nature and landscape photographer, as well as the founder of Iceland Photo Tours.
Born in Moldova, Iurie developed an interest in photography from an early age after his uncle converted the family bathroom into a darkroom.
Iurie moved to Iceland in 2006. Drawn in by the incredible light and landscapes, he began traveling the country, with the camera in hand, in search of inspiration and honing his skills. Continually winning awards in international photography competitions, his images have been published and put on display in a number of leading publications and exhibitions.
In 2012 Iurie founded Iceland Photo Tours, with the ambition of sharing the many wonders Iceland has to offer with passionate photographers from around the world.