HIGHLIGHTS
- Observe
extraordinary wildlife including fledging penguin chicks
- Spot
leopard seals on icefloes from our Zodiacs
- Visit
some of Antarctica’s historic huts and scientific research
stations
- Get
up-close with humpback and minke whales
- Discover
Antarctica’s mysterious underwater world by participating in
the dive or snorkel program or experience the thrill of kayaking in
Antarctica (additional cost)
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Feb 03, 2026 | 22,891 |
23,795 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Feb 03, 2026 | 22,891 |
23,795 |
ITINERARY
Day
1 ArrivePunta Arenas
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 one-and-a-half hours.
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 flight
(approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile. On
arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our
group hotel.
Accommodation:
Hotel Dreams del Estrecho
Note: King
George Island is located at the northern tip 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 in order to take
off and land safely. We apologise in advance if you experience any
delays.
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. A transfer to the airport is included in the
voyage fare. (Breakfast included).
It is your responsibility to check if your government requires you to
have a COVID test prior to boarding an international flight to return
to your country of residence. If this applies to you, then you may be
required to book additional nights after the voyage. Please speak with
your travel agent or with an Aurora Expeditions consultant at least four weeks prior to
departure if you need assistance booking additional
post-voyage arrangements.
Greg Mortimer (Luxury Expedition, 120-guests)
Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards. It is designed in close consultation with expedition specialists, taking advantage of Auroras more than 25 years of experience.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Arrival
transfer from airport to hotel in Punta Arenas on day 1
- Two
night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Punta Arenas
(days 1 & 11)
- Mandatory
pre-embarkation health screening and COVID test on day 2
- Transfer
from hotel to airport in Punta Arenas on day 2
- Return
charter flight Punta Arenas to King George Island (days 2 & 11)
- Transfer
from airport to hotel in Punta Arenas on day 11
- Transfer
from hotel to airport in Punta Arenas on day 12
- 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 our 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
Note: A $15 USD per
person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your
onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove
the tip (or increase/decrease the amount) when you settle your bill. It
is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity
amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite
Benefits.’
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.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- 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
- Sea
Kayaking:
USD 1,260 per person
- Polar
Snorkeling: USD 640 per person
