A fantastic voyage to the remotest continent on earth, Antarctica. With travel by sea and air, your time in this frigid and beautiful environment is short but sweet.
Highlights
- Cross the legendary waters of the Drake Passage
- Participate in a unique adventure to the famous white continent in a manageable timeframe
- Visit the famous lighthouse at Cape Horn
- Witness icebergs the size of tanks and immense glaciers
- Observe whales, penguins and sea birds in their snowy habitat
- Board Zodiac boats for intimate explorations and landings
- Learn from marine specialists about this fragile and fascinating environment
- Fly over the ice during your swift return to Punta Arenas
- Enjoy long hours of daylight for maximum exposure to the area’s isolated landscapes
Day by day
- Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina at the pier. Afternoon boarding and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore and set sail to Cape Horn. Night on board.
- After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, wake in full view of Cape Horn. Landing, weather permitting. Set sail to Antarctica and the crossing of the Drake Passage. Night on board.
- Continue through Drake Passage towards King George Island in the South Shetland Isles while enjoying lectures and presentations. Observe wildlife including sea birds and different whale species. Night on board
- After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the weather changes. Keep your camera ready for your first sights of icebergs and the land mass of Antarctica. Explore the South Shetland Isles with its ice-filled bays in the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Zodiac landing to penguin colony. Explore into the long Antarctic daylight. Night on board.
- Reach King George island and take a short walk to Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Satation to the aircraft. Bid farewell to Antarctica and board flight back to Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Night hotel.
- Trip ends after breakfast. Transfer to airport or continue with onward travel.
Extras
- Ask about extra activities such as kayaking or snowshoeing on the ice
- Continue from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, the jumping off point for the iconic Torres del Paine National Park for a custom itinerary designed and operated by us.
Is this trip for me?
- Join this introductory and affordable air-cruise to Antarctica with departures from November to March. The trip combines an ocean voyage with return air travel, it starts in the southern Argentine town of Ushuaia and finishes in Punta Arenas in southern Chile.
- This is an exciting short trip for those of you wanting to experience the incredible icescapes and wildlife in this remote, inhospitable continent.
- The boat has capacity for up to 76 passengers, all with outside cabins and private facilities. Cabins of various categories are available, depending on your budget and your group size. Single travellers can request a dedicated single cabin or a twin share cabin with a member of the same gender to avoid a single supplement.
- The trip is available for children aged 8 and older, please ask about any discounts
- In addition to a glass enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, there is an infirmary, a library, a bar and an exercise room
- The ship has Zodiac boats that are perfect for landings and wildlife spotting
- Strict baggage limits of 20 kg apply
- While every effort is made to adhere to the published itinerary, you should realize that with this kind of adventurous travel, itinerary changes will sometimes be necessary due to unpredictable or severe weather conditions
- We strongly recommend allowing a time buffer in respect of any onward travel.
- All passengers will be required to fill out a participation form prior to sailing. These voyages are intended for persons in reasonably good health. You should be comfortable travelling in remote areas and be comfortable on both large and small boats.
- Medical insurance with aero evacuation is mandatory.
- The crossing of the Drake Passage can be rough and you should be mentally prepared for this. If you prefer to avoid this sailing, refer to the Classic Antarctica trip that flies out and back from Punta Arenas.
- Prices start at US$4,995 per person (based on triple share, 24-25 season)
- Contact us for up to the minute availability, pricing, details and any special deals