ANTARCTICA AND SOUTH GEORGIA FLY-CRUISE
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Day | Place | Highlights |
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Day 1 | Punta Arenas, Chile | Explore the town, attend briefings, meet your fellow adventurers |
Day 2 | King George Island | Fly to King George Island, board the ship |
Days 3 - 6 | Antarctica | Ice-filled fjords, icebergs, seabirds, penguins, seals, whales |
Day 7 | Elephant Island | Shackleton history |
Days 8 - 9 | At Sea | Presentations, socialisation opportunities, watch for birdlife |
Days 10 - 13 | South Georgia | Grytviken, St Andrew's Bay, king penguins, albatrosses |
Days 14 - 17 | At Sea | Admire the beauty of your surroundings, reflect on your adventure |
Day 18 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Disembark, farewell your new friends as your epic adventure comes to an end |
The Magellan Explorer is capable of carrying 100 guests, however she will take just 69 passengers on her fly cruise voyages. Her maiden voyage to Antarctica will be in November 2019. The ship has 50 suites and cabins in five categories, including dedicated single cabins. The cabins are spacious, ranging in size from 20 to 40 square metres. 42 cabins feature a large window and a private balcony, 8 have a porthole. All cabins feature a private bathroom and a sitting area. She has a forward-facing observation lounge, an observation deck, a dining room that accommodates everyone at one sitting. She also has an outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests to offer expansive views during exploration.
Arrive into Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM. Transfer to your hotel, visit Explorers House, and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. At Explorers House, enjoy local gastronomy as you meet your fellow adventurers.
A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your adventure begins as you exit the airplane, and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. A short vehicle transfer takes you to the shore of Fildes Bay where a Zodiac takes you to your boutique expedition vessel.
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the everchanging opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, the Penola Strait, and the Antarctic Sound.
Sailing north, we hope to stop at Elephant Island. It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on to South Georgia. While the stormy conditions of this area rarely allow a shore landing, you will see the island from the ship.
As we sail northward, our historian and our naturalist guides offer a series of presentations. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge while keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife.
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. At the peak of the breeding season, it is said to have the highest concentration of wildlife per square meter on the planet. If the weather is favorable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.
As the ship heads to South America, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego and Navarino Island as you make your way to Ushuaia.
Arrive into Ushuaia, where your journey ends. Farewell your new found friends and expedition team as your continue of your journey.