Departures:
12/30/2013
Ship(s):
Sea Adventurer
Trip Highlights:
Fly over the Drake Passage to King George Island and explore the Antarctic Peninsula with adventure options and great guides; return to South America by ship.
Summary: Take advantage of the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica: flying. A short three-hour flight takes you to the white continent where you will enjoy everything the Antarctic has to offer. Immense penguin rookeries and icy landscapes await your arrival. Take in the full Antarctic experience, while only having to cruise the Drake Passage once. This program will emphasize wildlife viewing, possible visits to scientific bases, and breathtaking scenery with narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. Experience the beauty and wonder of the White Continent!
Your journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile. This port city is situated at the southern tip of Chile, on the north bank of the Strait of Magellan. Once a Chilean penal colony, Punta Arenas has transformed into a vibrant city offering you plenty of attractions to explore including historic sites and museums. Explore the city by day, and then join fellow travelers for an evening dinner.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
Today, board your chartered flight to Antarctica. The journey over the Drake Passage will take less than four hours, whereas ship-based travelers take two days to make the journey by sea. Your first glimpse of Antarctica comes into view shortly before the aircraft descends towards King George Island, hope for clear skies so you can appreciate the vastness of this great continent! Join up with the ship later in the day, when you’ll get your first trip in a Zodiac and begin your exploration of the Antarctic region.
Days 3 - 6: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as awe-inspiring as Antarctica. Much of Antarctica can only be fully appreciated through the human eye. Your first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. The team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region.
Even more exciting are your daily excursions to land. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a beach that is dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica. Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new opportunities for wildlife sightings. You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a chinstrap rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night while camping in Antarctica, you’ll welcome each day with the excitement and energy of a young child. The Expedition Team will be with you all along, providing insights into the places you visit to get the most out of your expedition.
Days 7 - 8: Crossing the Drake Passage
A rite of passage for any Antarctic adventurer, the Drake signals the end of your journey. No matter the sea conditions, you will benefit from having developed your sea legs over the course of the previous four days. While the journey home has begun, your wildlife spotting has not. The Expedition Team will be available on deck and on the ship’s bridge to help you spot the majestic wandering albatross and a number of whale species, such as Minke and Humpback.
When you’re not laughing and reminiscing about the previous days, the Expedition Team will conclude their series of engaging presentations on subjects such as marine biology, polar history and glaciology.
Day 9: Ushuaia, Argentina
After a final breakfast aboard the ship, say goodbye to the crew and fellow travelers. Transfer to the airport for homeward flights.
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.
Camping Option: $225 per person; minimum age 16 years. No camping experience is necessary to participate in this program. Sleeping bags and all safety equipment are provided. Space is limited; request at time of booking.
Sea Kayaking Option: $950 per person; minimum age 16 years. Please note that some kayaking experience is recommended in order to participate in this program. Space is limited; request at time of booking.
Charter Flights:
The above itinerary is operated aboard the Clipper Adventurer and relies on two chartered BAE-146 aircraft operated by Aerovias DAP. Charter flights are subject to weather conditions and a contingency plan is in place in case of delays. Should the aircraft not be able to depart by 14:00 hours local time on Day 3 of the itinerary, the voyage will be cancelled and no refund will be extended. A travel insurance policy to cover the risk of voyage cancellation due to flight delays and cancellations is highly recommended.
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers must have a minimum $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.
Included:
All flights to between Punta Arenas and Antarctica as specified in the itinerary; one night pre-night and one post-night expedition hotel accomadation with breakfast in Punta Arenas; a group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the included hotel; included lunch in Punta Arenas prior to boarding, or on the charter flight to Antarctica; group transfers between the hotel and airport in conjunction with the charter flight to/from Antarctica; shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled; Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an official parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader; a group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from the ship to the local airport; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard ship; Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person*.
Not Included:
Any airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; supplements for adventure options; fuel surcharge may apply.
*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.
Why does AntarcticConnection partner with ExpeditionTrips?
True experts with first-hand polar experience, the ExpeditionTrips staff has sailed on the ships they represent; with a combined amount of 100 Antarctic trips between them;and can help you thoroughly compare and contrast the expeditions.
Their approach to travel is highly personal and professional, offering unbiased travel assistance to ensure you choose the very best Antarctica trip to meet your needs!
ExpeditionTrips works only with the highest quality small ships-all under 200 passengers-ranging from a 48-passenger Russian research vessel to a 200-passenger luxury expedition ship.