HIGHLIGHTS
- Photograph
curious seals as you Zodiac-cruise through glassy waters, marvelling at
the iridescent blues of icebergs
- Marvel
at enormous king penguin colonies in South Georgia
- Walk
along beaches lined with elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Stateroom Triple | Stateroom Twin Or Superior | Balcony Stateroom C | Balcony Stateroom B | Balcony Stateroom A | Balcony Suite | Junior Suite | Captain's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Stateroom Triple | (Mid-range)
Balcony Stateroom A | (High-end)
Captain's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1 Arrive Ushuaia
Arrive
in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora
Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your
assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Ushuaia, we ask you to
make your way to your hotel. Check-in is from 3.00 pm. This afternoon,
visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby at Las Hayas
Ushuaia Resort, Luis Fernando Martial 1650, between 8.00 am and 12.00
pm, or 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm, to collect your luggage tags, and confirm
if you wish to join our Beagle Channel and Isla de Los Lobos Cruise
(sea lion island) tomorrow. Our team will confirm details regarding
your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with
information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.
Expeditioners
arriving after 7.00 pm will find a welcome pack waiting for them at
check-in. We ask you to visit our hospitality desk tomorrow between
8.00 am – 10.00 am.
The
remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own
expense.
Assigned
accommodation: Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort or Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel
Day
2 Embarkation
This
morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin
luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and
cabin number. Take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or
at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to
the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your
arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you
throughout the day.
Your
morning is at leisure to explore Ushuaia.
Those
wishing to join our afternoon catamaran cruise, meet back at the hotel
lobby at 12.45 pm ready to transfer to the port at 1.00 pm. Here we
board our catamaran and sail the Beagle Channel, towards the
city’s iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Crossing the Bridges
Archipelago we’ll slow down to watch colonies of sea lions
and imperial cormorants sun themselves on the rocky outcrops, while
gulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses and cauquenes are
often sighted. Our cruise offers panoramic views of the city and the
surrounding mountain range, in addition to hearing tales of the people
and communities of the region.
Alternatively,
enjoy your day at leisure and meet at your hotel lobby at 3.45 pm to be
transferred to the pier for embarkation.
Once
onboard, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before
our important mandatory briefings. As the ship pulls away from port,
we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with
spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.
This
evening get to know your fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition
team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling
adventure to Antarctica.
Day
3 At Sea
As
we commence our trip across the South Atlantic Ocean towards the
Falklands~Malvinas, we make the most of our time getting comfortable
with the motions of the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our
first landing with important wildlife guidelines, biosecurity
procedures, and start our lecture program to help you learn more about
the region’s history, wildlife and environment.
Our
wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the
many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels
following the vessel. They rise and fall skilfully, using air currents
created by the ship to gain momentum.
Day
4 Falklands~Malvinas
The
Falklands~Malvinas comprises two large islands (East and West
Falkland), with over 700 islands scattered off the coast. All but seven
of these are uninhabited, with windswept coastlines, white sand beaches
and crystal-clear water. These beautifully barren islands are true
wildlife havens, sheltering an impressive diversity of birdlife,
including the largest black-browed albatross colony on earth. The cold,
nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands make this a prime location
for spotting marine life.
There
are many beautiful areas to explore across the Falklands~Malvinas, each
offering a unique perspective on this magnificent archipelago. 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 winds, weather and
wildlife opportunities.
We
generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. Even though
we are north of the Antarctic Convergence it can be quite chilly here,
so you will want to layer up before joining Zodiac cruises into rocky
coves or along sea cliffs, keeping watch for seals, sea lions, dolphins
and penguins. Zodiacs will also shuttle you from the ship to land,
where you may visit albatross colonies, penguin rookeries and perhaps
even have a traditional English ‘tea and scones’ at
a local cottage.
Conditions
permitting, we plan to land in historic Stanley, the capital of the
Falklands~Malvinas. This charming town has a distinctly British
character, with terraced town houses, pioneer cottages and even an
iconic red telephone box! Colourful buildings house cosy cafes, English
pubs, souvenir shops, a post office and the fascinating Historic
Dockyard Museum, with displays on the maritime history of the Falkland
Islands, natural history and links to Antarctica.
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!
Days
5-6 At Sea
Between
the Falklands~Malvinas and South Georgia, you will be enthralled by the
ceaseless flight of the many seabirds that follow and circle the ship.
Our onboard lecture program will continue with presentations from our
team of experts. You can also enjoy the many facilities on the ship,
borrow a book from our well-stocked library or perhaps stay active in
the fitness centre.
Day
7 At Sea / South Georgia
Sea
and weather conditions will determine our arrival time into South
Georgia today.
As
you near the rugged island of South Georgia, spare a thought for
Captain James Cook, who arrived here in 1775 and believed it to be the
northern tip of a great southern continent! In fact, it is a small
island only 176 km (110 mi) long, but with a 3,000 m (9,842 ft)
snow-capped mountain range, some of the world’s largest
congregations of wildlife and a truly fascinating human history, South
Georgia is an island of incredible riches.
On
approach, jagged mountain peaks rise steeply, while seabirds are often
spotted soaring around the ship. We will sail down the coast, taking in
the spectacular glaciated scenery. This enchanting coastline is yours
to explore!
If
time and weather conditions permit, en route we could pass close to
Shag Rocks, a fascinating group of jagged rocky islets protruding from
the sea, in the proximity of South Georgia.
Days
8-12 South Georgia
Your
experienced expedition team will use their local knowledge to plan your
voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the
prevailing weather, sea state and wildlife opportunities.
Remember
to layer up before joining Zodiac excursions that may zip into craggy
coves and along the rocky coastline in search of nesting penguins, seal
haul-outs and bird cliffs. Remember to keep an eye out for South
Georgia’s kelp forests as well - these remarkable underwater
ecosystems are quite mesmerising as their fronds sway back and forth on
the water’s surface.
Our
Zodiacs will also transport ashore, where you can visit some of the
largest king penguin colonies on Earth, take a guided walk among fur
seals and elephant seals (making sure you listen to your guides and
keep your distance!) and wander along pebbled streams and grassy
glacial outwash plains. We also hope to visit the remnants of South
Georgia’s thriving whaling stations and pay our respects to
Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose incredible voyage of survival is
synonymous with this island. If you have chosen an optional activity,
you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow.
In
addition to Zodiac excursions and shore excursions, we may ship cruise
through fjords with towering cliffs of ancient stone, or into deeply
indented bays towards dramatic glacier fronts. This is a great time to
find a comfy spot in the observation lounge or make your way to the
bridge (open at the Captain’s discretion) to enjoy
uninterrupted views of South Georgia’s majestic coast.
Days
13-14 At Sea
Attend
informative lectures to learn about Antarctica as we sail across the
Scotia Sea towards the White Continent. Perhaps treat yourself to a
massage in the wellness centre or stay active in the gym; the choice is
yours on how you want to enjoy days at sea.
Days
15-18 Antarctic Peninsula
En
route to the Peninsula, if time and weather permits, we may attempt to
follow the coastline of Elephant Island, a half-submerged mountain
cloaked with an ice sheet at the outer limits of the South Shetland
Islands.
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 nearly
24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Rug
up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among
grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising
penguins. Our trusty Zodiacs will also shuttle us ashore, where we may
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.
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 into the sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder
of this incredible white continent.
Day
19 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 one hour forty-five minutes) 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.
On
arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our
group hotel.
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.
Accommodation:
Hotel Cabo de Hornos (or similar)
Day
20 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.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- One
night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Ushuaia
on Day 1.
- Half-day
tour of Ushuaia on Day 2, prior to embarkation.
- Charter
flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas on Day 19.
- 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.
Exclusions
- 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), 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 (not
all activities are available on all voyages)
- Sea
Kayaking - USD 1,695
- Snorkelling
- USD 800
- Paddling
- USD 640
