ACROSS THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE – FLY THE DRAKE
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ACROSS THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE – FLY THE DRAKE
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Punta Arenas | Day at leisure, enjoy a pre-cruise hotel night |
| Day 2 | Punta Arenas to King George Island | Fly into King George Island, embark the ship |
| Days 3 - 9 | Antarctic Peninsula | Icebergs, glaciers, seals, blue-eyed shags, Adelie and gentoo penguins |
| Day 10 | King George Island to Punta Arenas | Disembark, fly back to Puntas Arenas |
| Day 11 | Punta Arenas | Bid farewell to your fellow travellers, transfer to the airport to continue your onward journey |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Douglas Mawson
Setting sail in 2025, the Douglas Mawson is a new state-of-the-art ship and the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, this new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. The Douglas Mawson features a host of amenities to help you connect with like-minded travellers and elevate your time onboard your floating base camp for adventure, including a heated outdoor swimming pool, sunbeds, two Jacuzzis, a gym, a sauna, and two restaurants. The multiple observation areas throughout the ship allow you to relax in comfort while you keep watch for wildlife or incredible landscapes that unfold before you.
Day 1 Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to the hotel.
Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today).
Meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing this evening where you expedition team will confirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.
Day 2 Punta Arenas to King George Island
This morning, transfer to Punta Arenas airport for your charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island, your expedition team will be on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before the important safety briefings.
Days 3 – 9 Antarctic Peninsula
The feeling of arriving in Antarctica will stay with you forever. Once you arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are yours to explore. Because you are so far south, you will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight thus the days can be as busy as you wish. 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 weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
You will generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. Rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some favourite spots along the peninsula.
While ashore, stretch your legs by 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 participate in the activity 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, you 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.
On this voyage, conditions permitting, cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located at 66°33′ South (approximately). Crossing below the Circle is certainly a special highlight for many people, and the moment will be celebrated with a toast out on the deck. You have earned some boasting privileges, joining a small group of lucky adventurers who have ventured to this part of the world. You will notice subtle changes in the landscape, and also in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill so hope to see plenty of whales – particularly humpbacks and minkes and enjoy the spectacle of penguins feeding their ravenous chicks.
Day 10 King George Island to Punta Arenas
As you approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and your amazing adventure before boarding your flight (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile.
From Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to a group hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 11 Punta Arenas
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as you continue your onward journey, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. Breakfast and a transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare.
We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.
Extend your trip to Patagonia
To make the most of your time in South America we can tailor a holiday to Patagonia to suit your voyage dates. If you have a bit more time we can create a tailor-made itinerary to some of the highlights of South America. Take a look at the Patagonia sample itineraries below and contact us to begin creating your perfect holiday.
