HIGHLIGHTS
- See
and hear the busting activity of a penguin city
- Chance
to spot leopard seals on ice floes from our Zodiacs
- Zodiac-cruise
in search of feeding and breaching whales
- Skip
one or two legs of the Drake Passage to maximise your holiday time in
the white continent
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Stateroom Triple | Stateroom Twin | Superior Stateroom Twin | Balcony Stateroom C | Balcony Stateroom B | Balcony Stateroom A | Superior Balcony Stateroom | Junior Suite | Captain's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Stateroom Triple | (Mid-range)
Balcony Stateroom B | (High-end)
Captain's Suite |
|---|
Day
1 Punta Arenas, Welcome Briefing
Arrive
in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora
Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your
included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with
Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your
name and ship cabin number.
Overlooking
the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most
historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of
cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it
remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history.
At
approximately 6.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a
voyage briefing. Afterwards, there's free time to enjoy the local
cuisine at one of Punta Arenas's many restaurants. (Dinner not
included).
Accommodation:
Hotel Cabo de Hornos (or similar)
Day
2 Fly Punta Arenas to King George Island
This
morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter
flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The
flight will take approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes.
On
arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet
you for your Zodiac transfer to board the vessel. You'll have time to
settle into your cabin before our important briefings.
Note:
King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic
Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote
places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for
safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any delays.
Days
3-10 Antarctic Peninsula
It's
almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica.
Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the
most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you
forever.
The
western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us.
Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24
hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Your
experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this
area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day,
choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice
conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We
generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You'll want
to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or
among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising
penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where
you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore
some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
While
ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or
perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains
towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an
optional activity, you'll have the option to do that whenever
conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the
chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions
permitting!
In
addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise
some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from
the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or
feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make
your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its
splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as
they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to
experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
Day
11 Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas
As
we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell
Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our return flight
(1 hour, 45 minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival at the Punta
Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel.
Day
12 Punta Arenas
After
breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we all
continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the
immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport
is included in the voyage fare.
Sylvia Earle (Luxury Expedition, 126-guests)
Due to sail in October 2021 our new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998 - this vessel pays tribute to Sylvia's long standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife. Sylvia Earle will be actively involved in the development of her namesake.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
airport transfers
- Two
night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Punta Arenas (days 1
& 11)
- Return
flight Punta Arenas to King George Island (days 2 & 11)
- On-board
accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain's
Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house
cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational
lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Complimentary
access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
- A
3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary
use of muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information
- Port
surcharges, permits and landing fees
- Gratuities
for ship crew
Exclusions
- International
or domestic flights to or within South America, unless specified
- Transfers
not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
- Travel
insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Hotels
and meals not included in itinerary
- Optional
excursions not included in the itinerary
- Optional
activity surcharges
- All
items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic
beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry
services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone
charges
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Included
Activities
- Bird
watching
- Lectures
on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
- Photography
- Polar
plunge
- Trips
ashore
- Walking
- Whale
and mammal spotting
- Zodiac
cruises
Add-on
Activities
