HIGHLIGHTS
- Soar
over the Drake Passage in both directions, soaking in the icy scenery
below
- Enjoy
lengthy hours of daylight when the sun barely dips below the horizon,
giving you extended time for exploration
- Witness
cute, fluffy juvenile penguins moulting and preparing for their first
taste of independence.
- Gaze
at sea-ice seals hauled out on ice floes away from the hungry jaws of
predators
- Whales
start to arrive in volume to feed on krill. Watch for the telltale
fluke of a tail as it plunges to the depths of the ocean numbers.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Feb 08, 2026 | Feb 19, 2026 | 22,891 |
23,795 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Feb 08, 2026 | Feb 19, 2026 | 22,891 |
23,795 |
ITINERARY
Day
1 Arrive Punta Arenas
Arrive
in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora
Expeditions and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no
later than 2:00pm so that you may attend our important briefing this
evening.
Please
visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between
2:00pm – 6:00pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. Our team
will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any
questions and provide you with information about where to dine or
purchase last minute items.
Overlooking
the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most
historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of
cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese
sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich
history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants,
and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your
own expense today).
At
7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage
briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow,
explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and
outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.
Day
2 Embarkation
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 hour and forty-five minutes. On
arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet
you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will
have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety
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. A contingency plan will be applied to your
itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our
upmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to
this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions
for a more detailed explanation.
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.
Once
we arrive, 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 will 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 will 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. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as
they carve their way from summit to sea. 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 to
Punta Arenas, Chile. There is time for reflection and discussion about
what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for
Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your
journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and
preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience
what you have been lucky to see and do here.
In
Punta Arenas, you will be transferred to our group hotel for an
overnight stay.
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 for
safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any possible
delays.
Day
12 Depart Punta Arenas
After
breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we continue
our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense
power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is
included in the voyage fare.
Note:
Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; you will remain
on the ship until it is deemed achievable to return to Punta Arenas.
Refer to our terms and conditions for further details.
Sylvia Earle (Luxury Expedition, 126-guests)
Due to sail in October 2021 our new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998 - this vessel pays tribute to Sylvia's long standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife. Sylvia Earle will be actively involved in the development of her namesake.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- Two night’s hotel accommodation including
breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 1 and Day 11.
- Return charter flight between Punta Arenas and King George
Island.
- Onboard 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 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 provided by
Expedition Team.
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and
medical clinic (initial consultation).
- One 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.
- Wi-Fi*.
- Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the
connection can be unreliable.
Excluded
from this voyage :
- International or domestic flights – unless
specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and
charges.
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified
in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All items of a personal nature, including but not limited
to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service),
gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or
phone charges.
Adventure
Options
Included
Activities :
- Bird watching
- Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and
destinations
- Near shore cruises
- Photography
- Polar plunge
- Trips ashore
- Walking
- Whale and mammal spotting
- Zodiac cruises
Add-on
Activities :
- Sea Kayaking : USD 1,330
- Snorkelling : USD 675
- Paddling : USD 640
