Antarctica Express Air-Cruise
- Duration
- 6 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ On Request
DELUXE | CRUISE: Venture to Antarctica on this luxurious 4-day Antarctica cruise. Begin your adventure in the southern tip of Patagonia, Ushuaia, before cruising to Cape Horn en route to Antarctica. Come face-to-face with a range of wildlife and participate in land excursions before returning from the White Continent by plane.
Set sail to the vast frozen landscapes of the secluded wonders of Antarctica on this 4-day Antarctic vacation. Begin in the town of Ushuaia, perched on a steep hill surrounded by the Martial Mountains and Beagle Channel, your gateway to Puerto Williams, the world's southernmost town. Embrace the sights of the Dientes de Navarino mountain range behind the small port town before your overnight voyage to Cape Horn.
Awake to incredible views of the legendary Cape Horn, part of southern Chile’s Tierra del Fuego archipelago, before boarding a Zodiac and stepping onto the secluded rocky island, weather permitting. Enjoy the uninterrupted views of the wild seas crashing against the rocky shores before beginning your voyage towards Antarctica. But first, you’ll have to cross the famous Drake Passage.
Luckily, ships have greatly improved since Sir Francis Drake’s 16th-century circumvention. Make yourself at home aboard your state-of-the-art expedition vessel, settling into your luxurious cabins with a picture window or private balcony, private bathroom, and individually controlled heating system before indulging in the ship’s dining room, fully stocked bar, library, and gym. Be sure to attend the educational lectures detailing your voyage across the passage and search for albatrosses, petrels, whales, and other incredible wildlife from the ship’s observation deck or lounge.
Keep an eye for icebergs as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, leaving the green, warmer, less dense waters from the north to the dark blue, colder, denser waters from the south. Continue sailing to the ice-filled bays of the Shetland Islands, and board a Zodiac for your first opportunity to step on Antarctic land with local penguin colonies. Adventure seekers should book the optional sea kayaking and snowshoeing add-ons before embarking on a hike from Fildes Bay to Chile’s Frei Station, Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, and your return flight to Punta Arenas.
- Duration
- 6 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ On Request
Itinerary View Trip Map
Start of the Air-Cruise
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, at the pier. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn.
Accommodation Options: Ocean Nova / Magellan Explorer
| Duration | 4 Nights |
|---|
Cape Horn and Drake Passage
After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to set foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honor of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th-century British explorer.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Drake Passage
As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Drake Passage and Antarctica
After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Exploration will continue well into the evening, taking advantage of the long Antarctic daylight.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Antarctica and scheduled return flight
Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay. A 2-kilometer (1.25-mile) walk takes you through Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to the aircraft. Bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. Please note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and are not included in the program.
Accommodation: Cabo de Hornos Hotel
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
End of the Air-Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2024: November 23 (Magellan Explorer); December 4 (Ocean Nova)
2025: January 11 (Magellan Explorer); January 14 (Ocean Nova)
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material
- 4 nights in cabin-style accommodations
- 1 night in first-class accommodations in Punta Arenas
- Flight from Frei Station on King George island to Punta Arenas
- Shared transfer from airport to hotel in Punta Arenas
- Shared departure transfer from hotel to airport in Punta Arenas
- Guided shore excursions
- Lectures and entertainment on board
- Loan of waterproof boots for landings in Antarctica
- Contingency plan and IAATO passenger fee
- Wine, beer, juice and soft-drinks with lunch and dinner, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks throughout the cruise
- Buffet breakfast daily (excluding Day 1), 3 a la carte lunches and 4 dinners
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and regional airfare other than stated in inclusions
- Gratuities
- Optional activities
- Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar
- Internet connection on board the ship
- Phone and or laundry service
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
OTHER INFORMATION:
About the Magellan Explorer: Magellan Explorer has a capacity for 76 guests accommodated in seven categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. All cabins except Porthole cabins feature private balconies. All double cabins except two have two twin beds that can be configured as one king-size bed. All cabins feature a wardrobe, individually controlled heating system, a sitting area, and a private bathroom with a shower and heated floors. The ship features a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, a spacious and stylish dining room, a well-stocked bar, a library, a meeting room, a gym, a sauna, and a medical clinic. The forward-facing observation deck leads to the ship’s bow, which is accessible to guests to offer proximity to marine wildlife. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching. The fitness center aboard Magellan Explorer has been designed and built by the professionals at Anytime Fitness, the world’s only fitness company with boutique gyms on all seven continents.
About the Ocean Nova: Ocean Nova is a great ship for Antarctica expeditions. It is a sturdy and nimble expedition vessel that was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland. It has a strengthened hull that is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica. The ship was fully refurbished in 2006 and since then has benefitted from annual upgrades and improvements. For air-cruises, Ocean Nova has a capacity for 67 passengers accommodated in comfortable outside cabins. The ship offers three categories of accommodation: dedicated Single Cabins, Twin Cabins, and Triple Cabins. All cabins feature a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower. In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, Ocean Nova also has a spacious dining room, a bar, a library, a small gym, and an infirmary. The ship has a fleet of 7 Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.
Aircraft: There are three similar aircraft for flight operations: the BAE 146-200, the AVRO RJ 85, and the AVRO RJ 100. These aircraft were manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). They are high-wing aircraft with short runway requirements, which make them particularly suited for this kind of destination. They are operated by Aerovías DAP, which has more than 25 years of experience flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.
Contingency Plan: Antarctica21 has been organizing Antarctic air-cruises since 2003. Over these years they have gained extensive experience in the delicate coordination of land, air, and sea operations in the extreme Antarctic environment. While historically most flights have operated on the scheduled day, in some instances weather conditions have required that adjustments to the departure time of Antarctic flights be made to avoid protracted delays. In the unlikely event that the flight to or from Antarctica cannot take place on the scheduled day due to unfavorable weather conditions, a Contingency Plan will apply.
The Contingency Plan is included in the cost of your expedition. The primary goal of the plan is to provide an engaging and comfortable travel experience while adapting to the weather and keeping you informed of developments, whether in Punta Arenas or Antarctica. A change in the flight schedule can impact travel to Antarctica or return to Punta Arenas, and the plan includes a range of activities determined by the circumstances. Additionally, the Contingency Plan offers you financial protection by providing a refund should weather conditions prevent you from reaching Antarctica. Key highlights are included below, and full terms and conditions can be reviewed at www.antarctica21.com/termsconditions.
In case the return flight to Punta Arenas is moved forward:
In those cases when the forecast suggests the likelihood of unfavorable weather conditions in Antarctica persisting for several days, the flight back to Punta Arenas may be moved forward to the previous day to avoid a protracted delay in Antarctica. Accommodation is included upon arrival. All other inclusions will remain per the original itinerary. No refund will be extended.
In case the return flight to Punta Arenas is delayed:
The group will remain in Antarctica and wait for the opportunity to fly to Punta Arenas. In the unlikely event that the delay exceeds 2 days and the weather forecast indicates the impossibility to fly over several more days, the captain of the vessel may decide to sail back to South America for safety reasons. Included are meals and accommodation on the ship and local excursions. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, the trip will end at the airport. Travelers are responsible for any expenses associated with the rescheduling of their airline tickets or onward travel plans.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Sea Kayaking in Antarctica: Experience Antarctica from the unique vantage point of a sea kayak. The sea kayaking program is an optional small-group experience limited to a maximum of 10 participants, and must be pre-booked. The group enjoys multiple excursions throughout the voyage, under the guidance and leadership of an experienced Kayak Master. Every day in Antarctica, your Kayak Master will work with the Expedition Team to look for the best kayaking opportunities based on suitable and safe weather conditions. A dedicated safety Zodiac will support the group. Each kayaking excursion will be approximately one and a half hours. The Kayak Master will strive to offer some time at the landing site so you can also explore on land. To take part in the kayaking program, you must have previous experience and know how to swim. The minimum age for participation is 16 years. Space is limited. For complete details, please review the “Sea Kayaking” document, which is available upon request. Please ask your Destination Specialist for more information.
Hiking & Snowshoeing in Antarctica: See more of the Antarctic landscape with the Hiking & Snowshoeing program. Excursion locations are selected for their scenic appeal and will provide unique vantage points for photographs. The Hiking & Snowshoeing program is an optional small-group experience offered on board the ship as a one-off excursion, and the activity can be booked and paid on board the ship. A Hiking & Snowshoeing Guide leads the group. Every day you are in Antarctica, the Hiking & Snowshoeing Guide will work with the Expedition Leader to look for the best hiking or snowshoeing opportunities within the trip’s schedule, based on suitable and safe weather conditions. Each excursion will be approximately one and a half hours in duration. Depending on the conditions of the terrain, some excursions may require the use of snowshoes and/or trekking poles, which Antarctica21 provides. To take part in the Hiking & Snowshoeing program, you do not need previous experience. However, your level of physical fitness should be good. The minimum age for participation is 12 years. For complete details, please review the “Hiking & Snowshoeing in Antarctica” document, which is available upon request. Please ask your Destination Specialist for more information.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Subject to availability and weather conditions. Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
14 Jan 2025
