Your journey through Macaronesia begins in the town of Praia with its blend of Mediterranean and African influences, where you board your ship to explore the volcanic Cape Verde archipelago. On Fogo, where the volcano rises to nearly 3000 metres above sea level, the defiant residents of Chã das Caldeiras inside the crater regularly evacuate the island. As you approach Brava, the smallest inhabited island in the Cape Verde group, sheer lava cliffs drop down to the sea and white houses dot the mountainside, while inland there is a fertile oasis of hibiscus, bougainvillea and jasmine. Saõ Antao is an island of contrasts, from the pine and cedars in the north to the desert and arid terrain of the south. You will hike the incredible peaks and ravines from Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande. On Saõ Vincente, there will be time to explore Mindelo’s cobbled streets and 19th century architecture before sailing to the Canary Islands. The island of Tenerife is your first stop in the Canary Islands; here you will see the now extinct volcano and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Teide, an impressive 3718 metres above sea level. On the cone shaped island of La Gomera you will visit Garajonay National Park with one of the last remaining tracts of Atlantic laurel forest and home to many unique bird species. It will become clear why La Palma is also known as Isla Bonita or Pretty Island with its colourful villages, idyllic bays, leafy laurel woodlands and fresh water springs. The island’s national park, Caldera de Taburiente, will be of interest to keen geologists, volcanologists and nature lovers. Your first stop on the Madeira archipelago will be The Salvagen Islands; permissions are in place for you to visit the islands' nature reserve to see several species of petrel and shearwater as well as the Red-billed Tropicbird. Permissions are also required for the mini archipelago of the Desertas Islands, home to the critically endangered Zino’s Petrel as well as a population of endangered Monk Seals. Funchal is the ideal starting point to explore the island of Madeira with its jagged mountains, waterfalls and ancient forests. You will have a short sail to the next archipelago - the Azores - where a walking tour of the UNESCO site at Angra do Heroismo will provide you with some fascinating cultural stops. At Ponta dos Capelinhos on Faial you will see the results of the 1957 eruption that buried fields and homes, transforming the island’s landscape. On Pico, home to the Azores highest volcanic mountain, you will visit Lajidos Acros, a wine and whaling museum. Your voyage ends in Ponta Delgada, Saõ Miguel. Macaronesia Islands Absorb the landscape, culture and atmosphere of the remote and fascinating North Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Cape Verde. S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com 199 Itinerary Day 1. Embark in Praia, Cape Verde Day 2. Fogo Day 3. Saõ Antao Day 4. Saõ Vincente Days 5 & 6. At sea Day 7. Tenerife Day 8. La Gomera Day 9. La Palma Day 10. Salvagen Islands Day 11. Desertas Islands Days 12 & 13. Madeira Day 14. At sea Day 15. Angra do Heroismo, Azores Day 16. Faial Day 17. Pico Day 18. Saõ Miguel and disembark Vessel Polar Star (see Vessel pages for more details). Things you need to know Embark Praia, Cape Verde Disembark Saõ Miguel, Azores, Portugal Voyage nights 17 nights Departure dates 2 to 19 Apr 2009 Price From £2,895 in a triple share cabin From £3,550 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller. What’s included Voyage including guided shore & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers. Guide price for flights & accommodation package Around £550 including return flights from the UK & 2-nights in the Azores.

With over 125 million hectares of impressive geography, Patagonia is one of the rare corners of the planet yet to be discovered; this one-week voyage to the central-southern and southern areas of Chilean Patagonia will cover over 750 kilometres from the bay of Puerto Montt to the Taitao peninsula. On your journey through Patagonia’s hidden natural treasures, you will sail through gentle fjords and channels, navigated by ancient native people and famous explorers before you, to unspoiled natural parks, reserves and lush green jungles. Along the way you will have constant views of the imposing Andes Mountain Range gently sloping into the Pacific Ocean. Around 450 different bird species are found in Chile, many of which are endemic to the region. Seabirds such as albatrosses, petrels, fulmars and cormorants, as well as two species of penguin – Humboldt and Magellan – will be frequent sights on your journey. The Chilean coast has more than 50% of the cetacean species on the planet and offers you some excellent whale-watching opportunities: Peale’s, Commerson’s, Dusky and Chilean Dolphin are likely, together with Sperm Whale, Orca and the ever impressive Blue Whale. Your state-of-the-art 28-guest expedition cruise ship has been specially designed to navigate the Patagonian fjords and comes fully equipped with a helicopter, several jet boats and zodiacs to reach any place you desire with the utmost versatility, reliability and safety. A week may not be long enough to make the most of all the activities available to you – although you can always stay on board for two weeks! Or perhaps extend your trip by adding on a tailor-made land package in Chile (see pages 148 and 149 for more ideas). Trek through cool jungles for endemic wild flowers or join an exciting jet boat ride along one of the region’s beautiful rivers. Take a spectacular helicopter flight into the Patagonian mountains for an unforgettable white water rafting adventure, gently paddle in a kayak down quiet peaceful rivers or reach untouched sites on a unique horse ride. Whatever you choose to do, an experienced team of guides is available to you at all times. On board your luxurious vessel you can take a relaxing sauna or massage after the day’s adventures and, in the evening, Chilean wine tasting, presentations with the best shots of the day, fascinating lectures delivered by top experts and a superb dinner. Your unique one-week journey will set sail and finish in the Chilean city of Puerto Montt, just over an hour’s flight from the capital Santiago. Chilean Patagonia Explore the hidden natural treasures of Patagonia in an entirely new way onboard a fully equipped state-of-the art expedition cruise ship. F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Itinerary Day 1. Embark in Puerto Montt Days 2 to 7. Sailing to the Taitao Peninsula through the southern areas of Chilean Patagonia Day 8. Puerto Montt and disembark Vessel Atmosphere (see Vessel pages for more details). Things you need to know Embark Puerto Montt, Chile Disembark Puerto Montt, Chile Voyage nights 7 nights Departure dates Weekly departures from 4 October 08 to 25 April 09 Price From £6,495 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller. What’s included Voyage including guided shore & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers. Adventure options Rafting, kayaking, horse-riding Guide price for flights & accommodation package Around £1,095 including return flights from the UK & 2-nights in Puerto Montt. 200