HIGHLIGHTS
- We
aim to encounter black-browed albatross that breed in the
Falklands~Malvinas in exceptionally high numbers.
- More
time in Falklands~Malvinas means more opportunities to search for
wildlife including southern rockhopper penguins, southern sea lions and
South American fur seals.
- Witness
penguins in various stages of courtship in the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Experience
Antarctica at its most pristine, perfect for landscape
photography.
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 | Balcony Stateroom C | Balcony Stateroom B | Balcony Stateroom A | Superior Balcony Stateroom | 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 Santiago
Having
made your way to Santiago, Chile, you will be met by a representative
of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel.
This
evening, enjoy a light refreshment as you meet your fellow
expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Voyage Briefing.
Afterwards, dine at your leisure (dinner not included).
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Santiago Airport Hotel
Day
2 Embarkation
Please
ensure that your luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled
with your name and cabin number. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before
walking back to the international terminal to prepare for your charter
flight to Stanley, capital of the Falklands-Malvinas. In Stanley, if
time permits, we plan to discover the main sights before embarking our
vessel.
After
embarkation, you will have time to settle into your cabin before our
important mandatory briefings. As the ship pulls away from port, we
will gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular
views over Stanley.
Days
3-6 Falklands-Malvinas
Falklands-Malvinas
is a wildlife hotspot that attracts discerning adventurers,
particularly birdwatchers, from around the world. There are 63 breeding
species and 23 annual migrants. The black-browed albatross breeds here
in large colonies, and another six species have been seen offshore. If
seeing penguins is high on your wish list, there are no less than six
species of breeding penguins found in the Falklands-Malvinas that you
can hope to see.
The
landscape is made up of mountain ranges, rolling moorlands, flat
plains, rugged coastline that is battered and shaped by the wild
Atlantic Ocean, sandy beaches and cliffs. A tall, native tussock grass
that is mostly found near the coast provides an important habitat for
many birds, and shelter for some seals.
In
this remote wilderness, nature determines what we are able to do and
see. Your expedition team will draw on their deep experience to curate
your day-to-day 'itinerary', and to share their knowledge of the
wildlife, natural environment and rich history of the region with tales
of early exploration and exploits.
Days
7-8 At Sea
Between
Falklands-Malvinas and the Antarctic Peninsula, you will be enthralled
by the ceaseless flight of the many seabirds that follow the ship. Join
our naturalist at the stern and test your skills in photographing
seabirds as they gracefully glide close to our ship. Our expedition
team will continue with their informative and entertaining talks on
seabirds, marine wildlife, photography tips, and tales of Antarctic
exploration. You may wish to spend your time staying active in the gym,
borrow a book from our well-stocked library or enjoy a treatment in the
wellness centre.
Days
9-13 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.
Join
a privileged group of adventurers to visit Antarctica, a true final
frontier. Explore the Antarctic Peninsula and be dazzled by the icy
landscapes of glaciers, icebergs and towering mountains. Witness unique
wildlife that thrive nowhere else but here, in this stark, desolate and
unimaginably beautiful environment. Penguins are courting and mating
and ice seals are breeding on ice. Zodiacs gently forge a path through
sea ice to take you ashore for walks along the beach, where the
wildlife is equally as curious about you as you are about them. Make
sure your cameras are fully charged, they will be snapping
non-stop.
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 seals hauled out on ice
floes and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also shuttle 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. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make
your way to the bridge (open at the Captain's discretion) for
uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. 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.
Days
14-15 Drake Passage Crossing
Enjoy
a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we
re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America.
With
lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience,
there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean
and the life that calls it home. 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.
As
we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to
legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
Day
16 Disembarkation
During
the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly
slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we disembark from approximately
8.00 am. Farewell your attentive crew, expedition team and fellow
passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a
newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to Ushuaia
airport or to your hotel is included in the voyage fare.
NOTE:
At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights
departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in
case there are delays.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- Welcome
reception/pre-embarkation briefing on Day 1.
- One
night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Santiago
on Day 1.
- 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
Welcome and Farewell receptions 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
Included
Activities
- 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 1,295
- Snowshoeing
USD 420
- Ski/Snowboard
Touring USD 1,260
- Camping
USD 150