Departures:
02/10/2014 02/19/2014
Ship(s):
Polar Pioneer
Trip Highlights:
Sail farther south than most and attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle on this voyage with kayaking option.
Summary: South to the Antarctic Circle and beyond lies a remote region of rare beauty. The crystalline waters are rich in whales, penguins, leopard seals, giant brittle stars and huge tubeworms. Sea kayakers paddle in waters rich in wildlife, and hopefully all will visit haunting historic sites amidst stunning scenery that few will ever see. Everyone will revel in the beauty of ice-capped peaks that rise more than 1000 meters from Crystal Sound and, conditions willing, remote Marguerite Bay.
A friendly welcome aboard your ship in the evening precedes your sail down the Beagle Channel.
Day 2: Crossing the Drake Passage
Cape petrels mesmerize you and majestic wandering albatross take your breath away as you cross Drake Passage. Your biologists reveal Antarctica’s natural history, while environmental and safety briefings prepare you.
Day 3: South Shetland Islands
All eyes are peeled for your first iceberg and you feel the rush of adrenalin as you approach the South Shetland Islands and a possible landing.
Days 4 - 8: Exploring Antarctica
You make full use of daylight hours, taking every opportunity to explore the Peninsula’s wonders. Your expert guides will lead paddlers amongst the ice. Zodiac cruises, whale watching and a continental landing are on your wish list; flexibility is the key. You may visit scientific stations and historic sites, but your focus is close encounters with nature.
Day 9: At Sea
Bidding goodbye to Antarctica, you return to the realm of the albatross as you head for King George Island. It’s a time of photo-sharing, reflection, entertaining talks and maybe even a party or two.
Day 10: King George Island / Disembarkation / Punta Arenas, Chile
Dawn greets you King George Island. You enjoy an early breakfast before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas.
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.
Reverse Itinerary: 2/19/2014 (King George Island to Ushuaia, Argentina).
Mandatory Flights: $1,200 per person (2/10/2014, 2/19/2014). Mandatory flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, or reverse.
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including coverage for emergency medical evacuation. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The policy provider, policy number and emergency contact phone number must be provided prior to departure date. 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.
Sea Kayaking Option:
$995 per person (2/10/2014, 2/19/2014). Traveling in these sturdy, easy-handling, reliable kayaks is an exciting, low impact way to explore the stunning bays and wildlife breeding grounds along the Peninsula. If you wish to take this option, please advise us when you make your booking as numbers are limited. Please note, some sea kayaking experience is necessary.
Included:
Cabin accommodation on the ship; all meals onboard; all shore excursions; lectures and guide services; boots (for loan onboard); medical service of the resident medical officer onboard; port taxes and service charges.
Not Included:
Airfare; Mandatory flights from King George Island to Punta Arenas: $1,200 (2/10/2014, 2/19/2014); accommodation or transfers before or after the cruise; fuel surcharge may apply; optional sea kayaking activities, items of a personal nature; travel insurance; and gratuity to the ship's crew is at your discretion.
Return flight: (Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, or reverse)
In case the return flight from Antarctica to Punta Arenas experiences a delay, passengers on board the ship will continue cruising near King George Island, until the return flight to Punta Arenas can be arranged.
Aircraft for Antarctic flights:
The decision over which aircraft will be used for the Antarctica Fly and Cruise program is at the sole discretion of the tour operator. In case of unfavorable conditions or other circumstances beyond the tour operator’s control, either at the point of origin and/or at the destination, the tour operator reserves the right to fly different aircraft than the one described in the program information material.
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.