Chile : Tours : New Year's Antarctic Air-Cruise

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, Antarctica XXI invites you to a unique experience that will take you to one of the most remote places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most inhospitable continent - Antarctica.

Day 1.
Arrival at the city of Punta Arenas where you will be met by Antarctica XXI staff, to be transferred to the selected hotel. During the afternoon, you will meet your expedition mates and you will receive instructions concerning the guidelines that should be followed in Antarctica and the procedures for Zodiac boat embarkation. Later, you will enjoy our welcome dinner at the José Nogueira Hotel, a French-style mansion that is over one hundred years old.
PLEASE NOTE: Passengers should be in Punta Arenas by 15:00, hours at the latest.

Day 2.
Our Antarctic adventure will begin with the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The flight takes a little over one and half hour. Upon arrival, we will be able to tour around the area where the Frei Chilean Base and Russian Base Bellingshausen are located. We will gather on Fildes Bay for embarkation by Zodiac boats on board the Grigory Mikheev.

Day 3 to 6.
While cruising between the South Shetland Islands and the western coat of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and between spectacular icebergs, we will enjoy the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Our journey southwards will include visits to some of the most magnificent spots in the white continent such as: Livingston Island, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville and Deception Islands amongst others. Our target will be the crossing of the Lemaire Channel and latitude 65° South. Our adventure will be very active, with several daily landings and cruises in Zodiac boats, lectures and a very enjoyable time on board.

Day 7.
After a last visit in the South Shetland Islands region, in the afternoon the Grigory Mikheev will set sail northwards across the Drake Passage en route to Ushuaia. We will celebrate our outstanding experience with a memorable New Year’s Eve on board our ship in one of the most suggestive environments ever seen.

Day 8.
The New Year welcomes us while sailing through the Drake Passage. We invite you to relax and enjoy life on board and to take the time to watch wildlife from the bridge or outside decks. We may spot magnificent birds such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as Humpback and Minke whales swimming on their way down to Antarctica.

Day 9.
After spending the last hours sailing through the Drake Passage, we will finally have Cape Horn and the American continent in sight. The Grigoriy Mikheev will sail along the calm waters of the Beagle Channel towards the southernmost Chilean settlement of Puerto Williams, located on Navarino Island. Here, we will have the time to tour around before sailing during the in the night towards Ushuaia.

Day 10.
In the morning, arrival at the port of Ushuaia and disembarkation.

Included Excursions

South Shetlands
An archipelago located in the South Antarctic Ocean, and north of the great Antarctic Peninsula, as part of the highest, driest and coldest continent on the planet. The beauty of this remote destination is created by its imposing glaciers, magnificent channels and the impressive fauna that inhabits the area. Voyaging to this far location can turn out to be an adventure that cannot be surpassed, given the scenic beauty, the spectacular white landscape and the nuances of the eternal ice. Hannah Point is a surprising spot where you will find a great variety of species, among which your attention will be captivated by Chinstrap, Gentoo and the magnificent Macaroni penguins, with their distinctive orange/yellow crests. Elephant seals, Antarctic Giant Petrels and Snowy Sheathbill are also to be seen.

Decepcion Island
An impressive volcano, still considered active and famous for its incomplete crater which is at sea level. Sailing and walking in this zone can result in a fabulous experience. One of the greatest attractions of this island is the combination of rock towers that come out of the sea. This amazing geological formation is known as "Neptune´s Bellows".
In this outstanding place, whose shape is like a horseshoe, you may have a bath in the warm coastal waters which can get close to 65° C, in contrast with the freezing surrounding waters in this corner of the world. Here you will also visit Whalers Bay, where we will see the remains of a former whailing station.

Petermann Island
This island is endowed with a unique beauty due to its immense granite walls and the abundant snow that composes the scenery. It also has the largest and southernmost colony of Adelie and Gentoo penguins, migratory species typical of Antarctica.
On Petermann Island you will be able to see a colony of Antarctic Blue Eyed Shag, a species much appreciated for its solemn stance and singular presence. In summer, Elephant Seals come out in groups to enjoy the sun, taking it lying on their sides, over the rocks of the island.

Wiencke Island - Port Lockroy
A bay that is 800 meters, located on the southwestern point of Wiencke Island. This place is particular because it was used by whalers almost one century ago. At present, it will not be strange to see Minke and Humpback Whale cruising along the coast. There is an old British scientific base which is now a museum.

The Program Includes

• Transfer from Punta Arenas airport to the selected hotel.
• One overnight in Punta Arenas at the selected hotel.
• Welcome Dinner at Jose Nogueira Hotel.
• Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island.
• Cruising for 10 days and 9 nights along the Antarctic Peninsula.
• All meals and beverages on board.
• All guided shore excursions.
• Lectures and entertainment on board.
• Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
• Loan of waterproof thermal boots for landing in Antarctica.

The Program does NOT Include

• Accommodation and meals other than those included in the program.
• Visa and/or Passport expenses.
• Arrival and/or departures taxes.
• Communication expenses.
• Laundry expenses.
• Gratuities.
• Personal insurance.

Important

• Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned program, however it must be realized that with this type of adventurous travel to Antarctica, changes to the itinerary may occur due to severe and unpredictable weather. We need to emphasize the fact that weather conditions are unpredictable and that safety is always the paramount concern on any Antarctic voyage.
• For this reason Antarctica XXI reserves the right to change the itinerary here described due to weather conditions or other factors beyond Antarctica XXI’s control without consulting the participants. Any change to the planned itinerary will be made exclusively and absolutely according to the judgment of the Captain of the aircraft or the vessel. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the best interests of all the passengers and with regard to the safety of the vessel and the aircraft.

Notes

Baggage Allowance
The maximum weight allowed on the flights to and from Antarctica is 20 kg per passenger, including hand luggage. The excess baggage will be transferred to Ushuaia free of charge and will be delivered to passengers upon return from Antarctica.

Rates

Rates per person in double occupation.

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Departures

2008 Season