iExplore Antarctica Air- Cruise Experience(Trip #66119)

Tour Overview

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, Antarctica XXI invites you to a unique experience that will take you to the most remote place on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest and most inhospitable continent- Antarctica.

In less than 2 hours of flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Archipelago, you will be at the gates of the white continent.

From King George Island we will navigate for six days and five nights along the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting the most wonderful places and enjoying the best wildlife sites of Antarctica. During the whole journey there will be different lectures to introduce and inform you about this wonderful continent. We are sure this will be the trip of your lifetime!

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in the city of Punta Arenas where you will be met by Antarctica XXI staff to be transferred to your hotel. During the afternoon you will meet your expedition mates and receive instructions concerning the guidelines that should be followed in Antarctica and the procedures for Zodiac boat embarkation and disembarkation.

Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at the Jose Nogueira Hotel, a French-style mansion that is over one hundred years old.
Dinner
Overnight in Punta Arenas

Day 2: Punta Arenas- King George Island
Your Antarctic adventure will begin with the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The flight takes a little over an hour and a half. Upon arrival we will be able to tour around the area where the Frei Chilean Base and the Bellinghausen Russian Base are located.

We gather on the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation by Zodiac to board the Professor Multanovskiy.
Breakfast, Dinner
Professor Multanovskiy

Days 3-6: Antarctic Peninsula
While cruising between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and between spectacular icebergs, we enjoy the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Our journey southwards will include visits to some of the most magnificent spots in the white continent, such as: Livingston Island, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville and Deception Island amongst others. Our target will be the crossing of the Lemaire Channel and latitude 65 degrees south. Our adventure will be very active, with several daily landings and cruises in Zodiac boats and a very enjoyable time onboard.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Professor Multanovskiy

Day 7: Antarctic Peninsula- King George Island- Punta Arenas
Return to King George Island where we disembark, in Zodiacs, at the Frei Chilean Base and head to the aerodome to take the flight back to Punta Arenas. The program ends upon arrival at the airport in Punta Arenas.
Breakfast

Important Notice:
Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned program. However, it must be realized that 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 safety is always the paramount concern on any Antarctic voyage.

For this reason, Antarctica XXI reserves the right to change the itinerary here described due to weather conditions or other factors beyond Antarctica XXI’s control without consulting the participants. Any change to the planned itinerary will be made exclusively and absolutely according to the judgment of the captain of the aircraft or the vessel. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the best interests of all passengers and with regard to the safety of the vessel and the aircraft.

A tight time-schedule connection with an Antarctic expedition is unwise. For this reason, Antarctica XXI strongly suggests that a flexible air ticket be held for your journey home, and in any case not to book a flight on the same day as the return flight from Antarctica.

In case the flight to or from Antarctica cannot take place due to unfavorable weather conditions either at point of origin and/or destination, Antarctica XXI will apply the Contingency Plan corresponding to the trip.

Contigency Plan:
In case the flight to Antarctica cannot take place, Antarctica XXI has established the following contingency plan, which will apply on Day 2 of the program. From Day 2 to Day 6 every effort will be made to transport passengers to Antarctica taking into consideration their safety and the safety of the aircraft. In case such efforts are not successful, the daily program described hereby will apply.
If on Day 6, Antarctica XXI will not be able to transport passengers to Antarctica, Antarctica XXI will refund each passenger 40% of the total cost of the cruise program. Refunds will take place at Antarctica XXI’s earliest convenience and will release Antarctica XXI from any further liability.
Day 2: Guided tour to sites of historic and wildlife interest close to Punta Arenas. Lunch is included. Dinner and lodging in Punta Arenas.
Day 3: Departure for Puerto Williams (Navarino Island, by the Beagle Channel). Arrive at the Hotel Lakutaia for a full day program that includes: nature walks, guided tours to historical aboriginal sites and a magnificent botanical park. Lunch is included. Dinner and lodging at the Hotel Lakutaia.
Day 4: Breakfast at the Hotel Lakutaia. Guided horseback riding, sailing to Wulaia (by the Murray channel), trekking, biking or kayaking, according to preferences. Lunch is included. Dinner and lodging at the Hotel Lakutaia.
Day 5: Breakfast at the hotel. Guided horseback riding, sailing to Wulaia (by the Murray channel), trekking, biking or kayaking, according to preferences. Lunch is included. Dinner and lodging at the Hotel Lakutaia.
Day 6: Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Ushuaia for a full day visit, including tours, meals and time for walking. Dinner and lodging at the Hotel Lakutaia.
Day 7: Breakfast at the hotel. Flight from Puerto Williams to Punta Arenas, in time for connecting flights.

Departure Dates

2009 Departure Dates:
November 25 to December 1
November 30 to December 6
December 5 to 11
December 10 to 16
December 15 to 21
December 20 to 26
December 25 to 31.

2010-11 Departure Dates:
December 13 to 19, 2010
December 18 to 24, 2010
December 23 to 29, 2010
December 28 to January 3, 2011
January 2 to 8, 2011
January 7 to 13, 2011
January 12 to 18, 2011

Prices

2009 Prices:
$12,490 per person, Suite Cabin.
$11,490 per person, Superior Cabin.
$9,990 per person, Twin Cabin with private facilities.
$8,990 per person, Twin Cabin with shared facilities.
$6,890 Third person Triple Share.

2010-2011 Prices:
$8,990 per person, Triple Cabin
$9,990 per person, Twin Cabin
$13,990 Dedicated single cabin.

Inclusions:
· Transfer from Punta Arenas to selected hotel.
· One-night accommodations in Punta Arenas at selected hotel.
· Welcome dinner at Jose Nogueira Hotel.
· Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island.
· Cruising for 6 days and 5 nights along the Antarctic Peninsula.
· Flight from Frei Station on King George Island to Punta Arenas.
· All meals and beverages onboard.
· Lectures and entertainment onboard.
· Loan of waterproof boots for landings in Antarctica.

Exclusions:
· International Air and tax
· Accommodations and meals other than those included in the program.
· Transfers other than those mentioned in the program.
· Visas and or passport expenses.
· Arrival and departure taxes.
· Communication expenses.
· Laundry expenses.
· Gratuities.
· Travel insurance.

Baggage Allowance:
The maximum weight allowed on the flights to and from Antarctica is 20 kg (about 44 pounds) per passenger, including hand luggage. Any excess baggage may be left in custody in Punta Arenas.

Trip Information

USEFUL TIPS FOR ANTARCTICA AIR-CRUISES

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
The average temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula ranges from 32 F, although it sometimes may get a little lower because of the chill factor caused by the wind. For this reason it is best to wear several layers of light, warm clothing, with a windproof and waterproof jacket and pants for the outside layer (ski style). Do not forget warm gloves and a warm cap to protect your head.

As most landings in Antarctica are “wet landings”, the best footwear is knee high waterproof boots. Antarctica XXI will provide you with a pair of rubber boots once you arrive in Antarctica. For this reason, in the Participation Form you are asked to inform your shoe size.

Good quality UV filtering sunglasses are essential. Glacier glasses have leather flaps at the sides to stop the light from passing through. You will also need good sun block for your face (SPF 40 and above).

To see wildlife, you should have a good pair of lightweight binoculars (best degree of magnification 7 or 8 X30). If you are passionate about photography, do not forget a good zoom lens to shoot wildlife and which avoids close approaches, and take a good supply of film or memory sticks.

Suggested Clothing:
· Thermal Socks
· Thermal underwear, including sweatshirts and turtlenecks (layering with wool, silk or synthetic fabrics, rather than cotton, is recommended).
· Fleece jacket and trousers.
· Waterproof hooded parka.
· Insulated waterproof pants (ski pants).
· Thermal gloves or mittens.
· Polar cap, hat or balaclava hood.
· Swimsuit (for possible hot springs dips).
· Comfortable clothes to wear onboard (temperature onboard is about 68-72 degrees F).
· Comfortable rubber soled shoes to wear onboard.

Suggested Equipment:
· Lip balm and sunscreen.
· Sunglasses or goggles.
· Personal medications.
· Camera and binoculars.
· Enough film or memory sticks.
· Batteries (bring spares as cold temperatures can reduce their life span).
· Backpack to carry your belongings during shore excursions.

The Plane:
The BAe 146 was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). It is a high-wing aircraft with very short runaway requirements, which makes it particularly suited for this kind of destinations. It is operated by Aerovías DAP, which has more than 20 years of experience of flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.

The Ship: (2009)
The "Professor Multanovskiy" is modern and comfortable vessel. She was built in 1983 in Finland as an ice-strengthened vessel dedicated to polar and oceanographic research. The ship has been continuously refurbished since its conversion for passenger use and is ideally suited for expedition cruising. The "Professor Multanovskiy" has a capacity of 52 passengers in cabins with outside window. In addition to a dining room, lounge/ bar/ library, she has an infirmary and sauna. The ship has Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wild life watching.

The Ship: (2010-2011)
The Ocean Nova is a modern and comfortable vessel. She was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, and her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica. The Ocean Nova has a capacity for 62 guests, accommodated in comfortable outside cabins, all with private facilities, including dedicated single, twin and triple cabins. In addition to a glass enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, a spacious dining room, a bar and library, she also has an infirmary and exercise room. The ship has Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.