HIGHLIGHTS
- The
fastest, most direct way to Antarctica
- Fly
over the Drake Passage
- All
the Antarctic Peninsula highlights including crossing the Antarctic
Circle
- Photography
instruction included
- Crossing
of the Antarctic Circle
- Optional
Polar camping along the Peninsula
- Enjoy
on board lectures and educational presentations from Polar specialists
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jan 24, 2025 | Feb 03, 2025 | 26,995 |
28,107 |
| Jan 09, 2026 | Jan 19, 2026 | 33,695 |
35,083 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jan 24, 2025 | Feb 03, 2025 | 26,995 |
28,107 |
| Jan 09, 2026 | Jan 19, 2026 | 33,695 |
35,083 |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Punta Arenas, Chile
Your
adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in
Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and
shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a Quark
Expeditions’ representative will meet all passengers at the
official starting point hotel where you’ll enjoy a welcome
dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
Day
2: Embarkation Day
Your
charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing
the legendary Drake Passage in only a few hours. Far below, the ship is
approaching King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of
dramatic Antarctica landscapes will be from a very unique perspective,
as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetlands. After
landing, stretch your legs and spend some time exploring the island
before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship. Meet the rest of your
shipmates and set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
Days
3-5: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
There
are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship
approaches the white continent, you may be overcome by feelings of
excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be
fully appreciated through your own eyes.
Your
first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and
Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds,
you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert
lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology,
history and wildlife of the region.
Even
more exciting are your daily excursions to land. Your first Zodiac
landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a
beach that is dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way
to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica. Each landing is
different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new
sightings and photo opportunities and it won’t be long before
you can tell the difference between an Adélie, Gentoo or
chinstrap penguin.
You
may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau
Island one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day.
From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Neko Harbour to the
complete silence of night, while camping on the ice in Antarctica,
you’ll welcome each day with the excitement and energy of a
young child.
Our
Expedition Team will be with you all along, providing insights into the
places you visit.
Days
6-7: The Antarctic Circle
Crossing
the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions
to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’ S. You and your
shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne!
With
a toast to the first explorers who ventured this far south, you can
take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world
still visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home to the
midnight sun, Weddell seals and some of the most magical, odd ice
formations you’ll see anywhere in Antarctica.
Days
8-9: Northbound Along the Peninsula
If
you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs
by now, you’ll surely be satisfied by the time we return to
the Drake Passage. You will continue to journey onto land by Zodiac
twice daily as you travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula.
Your
Expedition Team will always be on the lookout for any species of
penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded you on the journey
south.
Day
10: Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas
After
your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to the
Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your three-hour
flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile brings your
adventure to an end. After we transfer you from the airport to the
hotel, you can enjoy a final dinner in the city to reminisce about all
the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
Day
11: Depart for home
After
breakfast, you are free to continue on your own travels or make your
way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.
Ocean Explorer (Luxury Expedition, 138-guests)
Ocean Explorer, the newest addition to our fleet, is modern, elegant
and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has
been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the
ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine
engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing
experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the
two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to
the expedition ship.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced
Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board
throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as
far in advance as possible. (Unfortunately, the ships’
galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and
cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team
and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings
and Zodiac cruising excursions
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout
the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a
maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to
pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in
Punta Arenas with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the
same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability,
travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard
rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- A briefing dinner on Day 1 in Punta Arenas
- A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the
hotel to the airport
- Flights to and from King George Island
- A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the
airport to the hotel
- One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation
in Punta Arenas with breakfast
Rates above do not
include the following:
- International airfare
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel
insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising
excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges,
unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by
location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition
staff and shipboard crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly
stated
Kayaking:
USD 995
Paddling:
USD 295
