Bentours expert-led cruises celebrates 100 years since Shackleton's epic Antarctic expedition?.

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton's historic Endurance expedition through the Antarctic, the world's most extreme continent. Bentours is offering travellers the chance to voyage where Shackleton journeyed with its special expert-led Spirit of Shackletoncruise departing January 2014 and January 2015.

Bentours' centenary Voyage to Antarctica expedition is a 21-day tour departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, on board the MS Expedition vessel. This spectacular adventure retraces the route of the legendary British explorer, cruising past incredible pristine ice-filled bays, towering ice-capped mountains and the giant icebergs that make up this mystic southern world. Packages include all on-board meals, access to lectures and education programs with experts in the field, scheduled visits to scientific research stations and photography programs, as well as Antarctic excursions and landings in Zodiac boats.

??Shackleton began his epic journey in 1914 and has been hailed as the last great explorer of the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration. His aim was ambitious - to cross the Antarctic Continent via the South Pole and become the first person to traverse Antarctica.  Aboard Bentours' Spirit of Shackleton, travellers have the chance to map the great explorer and discover the region's rich history and unique wildlife.

Expedition expert and on-board lecturer, Susan Adie, commented:  "Travellers continue to be drawn to explore the Antarctic region because it is the last great wilderness on earth - a place of intense natural beauty and incredible wildlife. It is difficult to describe Antarctica to those who haven't been there, as it can't be compared to anywhere else. So many of the travellers aboard the MS Expedition have been blown away by the sheer magnitude, the landscape, wildlife and of course the history of the region, it is no wonder that so many great explorers travelled epic journeys to discover this region".

Highlights of the tour include visiting the Falkland Islands, where guests have the rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity and extraordinary scenery of the sub-Antarctic islands. Penguins and albatross are abundant in the Falklands and the islands boast the largest colony of black-browed albatross in the world. Travellers also visit South Georgia and the incredible Antarctic Peninsula where they set foot on this awe-inspiring icy land.

Weather permitting explorers can encounter Gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguin rookeries, as well as leopard seals, orca, humpback and minke whales. King Penguins can also be found in both the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Optional activities include camping and kayaking through the world's last great wilderness.

Bentours offers a number of Antarctica packages, making the world's most remote wilderness more accessible to Australian adventurers. ??  ??Book now to secure places by contacting your local travel agent or Bentours at 1800 221 712. For more information ask your local travel agent for a copy of the new Antarctica 2014/2015 brochure.??