ANTARCTICA AND SOUTH GEORGIA (FLY SOUTH)
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ANTARCTICA AND SOUTH GEORGIA (FLY SOUTH)
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punta Arenas, Chile | Briefing and Dinner |
| 2 | King George Island | Flight to South Shetland Islands Antarctic Peninsula |
| 3 - 5 | Antarctic Peninsula | Stunning scenery and an abundance of wildlife. Exploring by zodiac and ship. |
| 6 | Elephant Island | Shackleton History |
| 7 - 8 | At Sea | Attend lectures, Seabirds |
| 9 - 11 | South Georgia | King Penguins, St Andrews Bay, Grytviken |
| 12 - 14 | At Sea | Lectures, Seabirds |
| 15 | Beagle Channel | Sail along the Beagle Channel |
| 16 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Cruise concludes in Ushuaia |
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Magellan Explorer
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.
Day 1 Punta Arenas
Overview:
You will be met in Punta Arenas and transferred to your hotel and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. A welcome dinner introduces you to the local gastronomy as you meet fellow adventurers from around the world.
Passengers should plan to be in Punta Arenas at 14:00 hours, at the latest. Pick-up at the Punta Arenas airport and transfer to the hotel cannot be guaranteed for travellers arriving later than 14:00 hours.
Day 2 King George Island
Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the plane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel.
Days 3-5 South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, 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 lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.
No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots in the Gerlache Strait that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.
Day 6 Elephant Island
Sailing north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you may be able to stop at Elephant Island (weather permitting). It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on in a small open lifeboat, crossing 1,300 km of open sea to South Georgia in order to arrange the rescue of their comrades. While the stormy conditions of this area rarely allow a shore landing, you will be able to see the island from the ship.
Days 7-8 At Sea towards South Georgia
As the ship sails northward towards South Georgia, the expedition team including the historian and naturalists offer presentations and informal chats. There is time to socialise in the ship’s lounge and exchange stories of exploration, whilst keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife from the deck.
Days 9-11 South Georgia
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands and deep fjords. Here you will 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 you will be awed 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. If the weather is favourable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.
Days 12-14 At Sea towards South America
As the ship heads to South America, the Expedition Team will continue the program of presentations. You may wish to use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history: Enjoy the collection of themed books in the library, attend film screenings, and spend time socialising in the ship’s lounge. Take your binoculars to the observation decks and look for the great wondering albatross that may be soaring in the proximity of the ship.
Day 15 Beagle Channel
As the ship approaches the South American continent you will sail along the Beagle Channel. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego to the north and Navarino Island to the south as you head to Ushuaia.
Day 16 Ushuaia
In the morning the ship will arrive in Ushuaia, where you will say farewell to the expedition team and your fellow travellers and disembark after breakfast.
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.
