Antarctica Express Air-Cruise
6 Days/5 Nights
From $5,995 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Incl. Local Airfare)
Select Departures from November to January
Overview
Travel from Ushuaia, Argentina, through the Beagle Channel to Cape Horn before cruising across the Drake Passage to King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands. Enjoy the albatrosses, petrels, and Humpback and Minke whales on the way. Your first landing will be to visit a penguin colony. After disembarking at Fildes Bay, you will have a chance to enjoy the scenery and explore the surrounding area before returning by plane to Punta Arenas, Chile.
Lodging, Meals, and Airfare: This tour includes accommodations for 5 nights (4 nights aboard the Ocean Nova, and 1 night in Punta Arenas after the cruise), 13 meals (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners), and the flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas.
Best Time to Go: November-March.
Destinations: Argentina, Chile, Patagonia, and Antarctica.
Interests: Adventure, Expedition Cruising, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego, the South Shetland Islands, and Punta Arenas.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Note: Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned program. However, it must be realized 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, the operator of the ship reserves the right to change the itinerary here described due to weather conditions or other factors beyond their control without consulting the participants.
Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise.
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn. Overnight aboard the ship. (D)
Note: Boarding is between 3:00pm and 4:00pm. We suggest that you arrive in Ushuaia one-day before the cruise starts.
Day 2: Cape Horn and Drake Passage.
After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honour of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th century British explorer. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Drake Passage.
As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Drake Passage and Antarctica.
After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Taking advantage of the endless Antarctic daylight, exploration will continue well into the evening. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Antarctica and scheduled return flight.
Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay and explore the area, such as the Chilean Base Frei and the Russian Base Bellingshausen. Bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. Overnight at Hotel Cabo de Hornos. (B)
Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program.
Day 6: End of the Air-Cruise.
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight. (B)
Note: We suggest that your return flight is scheduled to depart in the late afternoon.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Cabin | $6,995 | $5,995 | $4,995 |
Notes:
- The above prices are valid until January 14, 2024.
- 2. Single passengers can choose from booking a dedicated single cabin, booking a twin cabin for single use and paying a single supplement (of 85%), or sharing a twin or triple cabin with other passengers of the same gender without a supplement. Passengers who book a twin cabin on a shared basis are accommodated in single rooms at the hotel in Punta Arenas, for which they must pay a Single Hotel Room Supplement that varies based on the departure date.
Departure Dates
November 29, 2023 and January 14, 2024.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Group transfers airport/hotel on the day of scheduled return flight from Antarctica, and group transfers hotel/airport on last day of the air-cruise.
- One night hotel accommodations at Hotel Cabo de Hornos after the cruise in Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Flight from Frei Station on King George Island, Antarctica to Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Accommodations on board the M/V Ocean Nova.
- Full board on the ship including all drinks (served with lunch and dinner), and other meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- Guided shore excursions, lectures, and entertainment on board.
- Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
- IAATO passenger fee.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
- Internet connection aboard the ship.
- Gratuities to ship crew and guides.
- Gifts and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Additional Details
Group/Private: All services included in this tour are operated on a group basis.
Elevations: N/a.
Baggage Allowance: The maximum weight allowed on the flights to and from Antarctica is 20 kg (44 lbs.) per passenger, including hand luggage. Excess baggage will be kept in custody by the operator of the ship and returned to passengers upon their return from Antarctica.
Passport/Visa: For Argentina, U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar (https://dnm.provincianet.com.ar). You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling. For Chile, U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens (except Greece) require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Greek citizens can stay for up to 60 days. Australian, and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee (considered a multiple entry visa) of $95 and $132 respectively upon arrival (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons). Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Chilean embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our website at www.savacations.com/travel-insurance/. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan. The operator of the ship requires that you purchase Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance (minimum recommended amount is $100,000).
To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm the availability of this ship for your desired dates of travel. The required deposit is $2,000 per person plus the cost of the airfare (if we arrange it for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 120 days prior to departure.
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