The Explorer - a fly/sail expedition
The Classic Safari Company partners with Aurora Expeditions, who specialise in small ship expeditions onboard their purpose built Greg Mortimer & Sylvia Earle, purpose built ships that take you to the remotest places on earth. Their ships have the revolutionary Ulstein X-Bow design allowing for maximum comfort and fuel efficiency. The trips are designed to be active expeditions, all lead by specialists who will allow you to immerse into the White Continent enjoying it’s spectacular scenery and unique wildlife. All this knowing that you have a state of the art ship to return to, complete with all the creature comforts you can wish for. See – Key Facts for more about these remarkable vessels.
They are expeditions you have to “Do before you Die” and we are proud to partner with such a professional expeditionary cruising operator such as Aurora Expeditions.
You will love
- Marvel at wildlife including fledging penguin chicks
- Seal weaners and pups play on the shorelines in the Antarctic peninsula
- Encounter the extraordinary site of whales feeding on plentiful krill
- Soar high over the Drake Passage to/from Punta Arenas
12 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
DAY 1 | PUNTA ARENAS | 1 NIGHT
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.
Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history.
At approximately 6.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing. Afterwards, there’s free time to enjoy the local cuisine at one of Punta Arena’s many restaurants. (Dinner not included).
Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (or similar)
DAY 2 | Fly Punta Arenas to King George Island - Embarkation ONBOARD | 9 NIGHTS
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one-and-a-half hours.
On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to board the vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.
Note: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any delays.
DAY 3-9 | ONBOARD
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. 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 prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You’ll want to 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 of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
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While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, 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’ll have the option to do that 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, we 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 for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
DAY 10-11 | DRAKE PASSAGE - ONBOARD | 2 NIGHTS
Our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced, and the impact this voyage has had on our attitude to life.
As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
DAY 12 | Disembark USHUAIA - onward arrangements
During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to Ushuaia airport or to your hotel is included in the voyage fare.
Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
PLEASE NOTE:
Please refer to this itinerary as a guide only, as changes may occur due to unpredictable sea and weather conditions. Flexibility is key, when joining us on our expeditions.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Expedition: Antarctic Explorer
11 - 12 Days
Sailing on the Greg Mortimer - 2023
Sailing on the Sylvia Earle - 2023
Sailing ex Ushuaia, Argentina - Flying ex Punta Arenas, Chile
& skip the Drake Passage
Optional Activities: Sea Kayaking & Snorkelling
Expedition: Antarctic Explorer
11 - 12 Days
Sailing on the Greg Mortimer - 2023
Sailing on the Sylvia Earle - 2023
Sailing ex Ushuaia, Argentina - Flying ex Punta Arenas, Chile
& skip the Drake Passage
Optional Activities: Sea Kayaking & Snorkelling
from USD $13,995 per person Twin Share
from USD $13,995 per person Twin Share
Day 01 | Arrival airport transfer and overnight in Punta Arenas Day 02 | Fly Punta Arenas to King George Island for embarkation Days 03-09 | Antarctic Peninsula Day 10-11 | Drake Passage Crossing Day 12 | Disembark Ushuaia
About the Ships – Aurora specialise in small ship expedition vessels
The ships are named after; Aurora’s co-founder and well-known mountaineer, Greg Mortimer; and Sylvia Earle, a world-renowned oceanographer and explorer. The Greg Mortimer & the Sylvia Earle are small enough (averaging 132 onboard) to go where others simply can’t and are purpose-built for expeditions to the most remote places on earth.
With the revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW® to cross oceans more comfortably, expansive observation decks, inviting communal areas and unsurpassed environmental credentials, the ships offer the perfect base camp for adventures at the outer limits of human exploration.
Inclusions
- All airport transfers
- One night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Punta Arenas (day 1)
- Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (day 2)
- On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
- A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
- Gratuities for ship crew
Exclusions
- International or domestic flights to or within South America, unless specified
- Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
- Optional activity surcharges
- All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Flights & Insurance – on request
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