Chile : Tours : Antarctic Peninsula

The fascinating landscape, fauna, and marine life are the main attractions for any tourist. This continent is completely submerged in ice which not only makes up the topography but has also influenced its evolution. It covers a surface area of about 5.5 million sq. mi. (14 million sq. Km.). Antarctica is the second smallest continent after Australia and its geography is so mountainous that on average is considered the highest of the seven continents. In addition, it is the coldest, least populated, and most open area on the planet.

Day 1.
The expedition begins the day before the trip with a special presentation in which you will be informed of the characteristics of the flight and the places we will visit. We will also give you instructions that you must follow in order for the trip to be a safe one and we will point out the necessary security measures that must be considered in order to continue protecting the Antarctic ecosystem. On the day we board the plane our pilot will verify the meteorological conditions very early in the morning, and weather permitting, we will take off and head southward towards our destination.

During the flight, we will cross over the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego Island, the Darwin mountain chain and its glaciers. Only islands make up the landscape until we arrive to Cape Horn, which represents the last piece of land of the entire North and South American Continent. The Drake Sea awaits us on the horizon, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Pacific.

After we arrive at Frei Base, we will tour the facilities of the Villa las Estrellas (Villa of the Stars), which is the first populated civil settlement in the area. Here, we will visit the wildlife reserves, glaciers, and other attractions. There is an open bar and restaurant as well.

Included Excursions

King George Island
The first explorer to disembark on the King George Island in 1819 was the British Marine William Smith. In contrast to Smith, Scott, Palmer, Shackelton, and other expeditions that had to confront the furry of the Drake Sea for many days, you will arrive at Base Frei airport base on King George Island, Antarctica, after a pleasant flight of three and a half hours. When we get to Base Frei, we'll tour the buildings of Las Estrellas Villa, the first civil enclosure in the area. We'll take a visit to the wildlife reserve, to the glaciers, and other attractions. During the stay there will be an open bar and a full food service.

The Frei Base
The Frei Base was established in 1980 under the name of Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh, and together with the Meteorological Center President Frei, was inaugurated in 1969. It is now one of the most important Meteorological and navigation stations in Antarctica.

The Antarctic Peninsula
The rich waters of the Antarctic ocean, feeding the wildlife of the continent composed of species such as Blue Whales, Orcas, Sea Elephants, Weddell Seals, Antarctic Wolves and Penguins, the most well known being the Adelia Penguin, Papua Penguin, and Antarctic Penguin. Of all these species, the most likely to be seen on our visit are the different varieties of Penguins, the Weddell Seals, and the Sea Elephants. The landscape, its plants and marine animals are major attractions for the Antarctic Tourism. This place is one of the few in the world that has not been touched by people and for that reason it has the most important Nature Reserve. This is why this type of tourist expedition is under a detailed analysis by organizations such as the National Environmental Commission, to guarantee the fulfillment of strict regulations to preserve the environmental requirements for the development of the Antarctic projects.

The Program Includes

• Flight from Punta Arenas towards King George Island.
• Visit to Villa las Estrellas (First civil settlement)
• Visit to a sea lion colony in the Drake, a walk along the beach in order to get there.
• Lunch and/or snack, depending on the place and the time of arrival.
• Walk to the China Base to observe penguins, other avifauna, and Weddell Seals.
• Crossover (Walking across an isthmus) to Ardley Island to visit a colony of Papua Penguins. Return to Punta Arenas (Chile)

Notes

• The program applies to a minimum of 9 participants, for the Fullday Program.
• The 2 days / 1 night program includes 1 night of accommodations on King George Island.
• This does not include insurance, so the participants must have extended coverage insurance.
• The rates may suffer modifications without previous notification.
• The programmed departures may be delayed or abandoned for reasons of weather without responsibility of the company.
• The Aerovías Dap Services begin from the moment the flight starts to the end when we return to the Punta Arenas Airport (Pres. Ibañez)
  Given that the place we are visiting is a Humanity Reserve, this strictly prohibits littering or leaving behind any kind of waste, and for that reason the company has set up trash receptacles.
• It is strictly prohibited for participants to pass through protected places; at all times participants must follow the instructions of the guide and the authorities of the villa.

Rates

Rates per passenger.

Program Rates Fullday Program USD$ 2.500 2 Days / 1 Night Program USD$ 3.500

Want to book this trip ?, click here

Need more information ? click here

Notas:
- 1 day Program. Rate per person US$ 2.500 for 8 passenger minimun in King Air, 30 passenger in Dash-7.
- 2 days Program. Rate per person US$ 3.500 for 8 passenger minimun King Air.

Departures

For the Fullday Program
November 2007: saturday 24
December 2007: tuesday 04 - friday 14 - wednesday 26
January 2008: thursday 10 - tuesday 22 - wednesday 30
February 2008: wednesday 13 - tuesday 19 - friday 29
March 2008: tuesday 11 - wednesday 19 - tuesday 25

For the 2 Days / 1 Night Program
November 2007: monday 19 - wednesday 28
December 2007: saturday 08 - tuesday 18
January 2008: saturday 05 - wednesday 16
February 2008: tuesday 05 - sunday 24
March 2008: tuesday 04 - saturday 15