Product Description
Highlights
Flying over the famous Drake Passage to King George Island is the fastest, most direct way to travel to Antarctica.. Become one of the few people on earth who can say they’ve crossed the Antarctic Circle – make sure you’ve got a camera ready to snap the GPS reading 66° 33’ S.. Your onboard experts make wildlife spotting easier than ever. Look for animals like humpback whales, chinstrap penguins, Wilson’s storm-petrels.. Optional activities such as sea kayaking and polar ice camping can take your Antarctic adventure to the next level.
Overview
Enjoy Antarctica in style on this 11-day expedition, flying over the infamous Drake Passage and then cruising south of the Antarctic Circle! Skip the extra days at sea and enjoy only the best scenery and wildlife experiences of the Antarctic. Prepare yourself for sensory overload, as you’ll be inundated by the sheer beauty and dramatic landscapes of the Great White Continent. Our team of onboard polar experts will have you identifying different species of whales, hiking to penguin rookeries and, of course, crossing the Antarctic Circle.
Breakfast Included: 10 Lunches Included: 7 Dinner Included: 9
Punta Arenas, Chile
Welcome to Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in Patagonia. In the early afternoon, meet your leader and fellow explorers at the joining point hotel. Enjoy a first meal together and be briefed on the necessary preparations for embarkation tomorrow. If you arrive into Punta Arenas early, there are plenty of things to see and do. For a poignant look into the city’s history, perhaps visit the Cementerio Municipal to see the lavish tombs of wool barons and the modest graves of immigrants and explorers.
King George Island – Embarkation Day
Today, cross the famous Drake Passage on a 3-hour charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica. Get your first glimpse of the dramatic Antarctic landscape as your plane descends for landing on King George Island. As the largest island in the South Shetlands, King George is home to research stations belonging to Argentina, China, Russia, South Korea, Holland and the USA, among others. On landing, spend some time exploring before being transferred by Zodiac to the ship. Meet the rest of your shipmates and set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula.
Antarctic Peninsula – South Shetland Islands (Southbound)
Enter an otherworldly landscape and spend three days exploring the Great White Continent. Each day, if the weather allows, you’ll make two excursions that immerse you in this incredible environment. You might take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs around Pleneau Island one day, then hike to a penguin rookery the next. Your expedition team will help point out penguins, seals, seabirds and whales throughout the journey. You’ll also learn about the history, geology and wildlife of the region through in-depth presentations on board.
The Antarctic Circle
Few people can say they’ve crossed the Antarctic Circle, and today you’ll become one of them! Toast to your adventure with a glass of champagne, while paying homage to the first explorers to journey this far south. This is now deep Antarctica, home to Weddell seals, spectacular ice formations and the midnight sun. This region is also home to the densest concentration of wildlife in Antarctica. While not a typical landing, the crossing of the Antarctic Circle is a moment to remember. The event will usually happen while at sea, so be sure to head up to the bridge and snap your photo of the GPS reading 66° 33’ S.
Antarctic Peninsula (Northbound)
As you travel north along the Antarctic Peninsula, your crew will continue to aim for twice-daily land excursions. You will likely find yourself able to tell the difference between different varieties of whale and penguin without assistance now.
King George Island – Disembarkation Day – Punta Arenas
Today, say goodbye to the expedition team and disembark the ship at King George Island. Take the 3-hour flight back across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas. You will be transferred from the airport to the hotel where you will enjoy a night of post-voyage accommodation.
Punta Arenas, Chile
There are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end after breakfast.
