Antarctica Cruise - Peninsula with Circle Crossing - Air-Cruise
South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Antarctic Circle, Spectacular Glaciers, kayaking
10 Days | Departures 02/10/14, 02/19/14  |  From $7,200

Testimonials  |   Ship types

Trip Highlights: This voyage is perfect for the active traveller who wants to explore the peninsula with a smaller group. Kayaking option.

Rates: $7,200 - $12,200
Triple: $7,200, Twin from: $8,700

Above rates are per person.

Single Rate: 1.7 times the twin share price

Kayaking Supplement: $995 per person, please enquire at time of booking.
Mandatory Flights: $1,200 per person; Mandatory flight from King George Island to Punta
Arenas, or reverse.
Fuel Surcharge: Fuel surcharge may apply in the event of significant fuel price increases.

Ship - Polar Pioneer - Research Vessel
Passengers: 54

Introduction

Fly one way across the Drake Passage and sail the other. South to the Antarctic Circle and beyond lies a remote region of rare beauty. The crystalline waters are rich in whales, penguins, leopard seals, giant brittle stars and huge tubeworms. Sea kayakers paddle in waters rich in wildlife, and hopefully all will visit haunting historic sites amidst stunning scenery that few will ever see. Everyone will revel in the beauty of ice-capped peaks that rise more than 1000 meters from Crystal Sound and, conditions willing, remote Marguerite Bay.

Itinerary
Note, this itinerary operates on the 02/10/14 voyage, the 02/19/14 voyage operates in reverse, flying from Argentina to Antarctica and sailing back again.

Day 1: Embarkation
Board your ship Polar Pioneer in the afternoon. Sail down the Beagle Channel in the evening.

Day 2: Crossing the Drake Passage
Overnight, you enter the Drake Passage. Lectures on the continent's natural history and briefings about landing in Antarctica are scheduled through the day, allowing plenty of time to watch graceful albatrosses and other seabirds from the outer decks.

Day 3: Antarctic Convergence / South Shetland Islands
You cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of Antarctica, and may see your first icebergs. In the evening, you approach the South Shetland Islands, a possible location for your first landing.

Days 4-8: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
You make full use of daylight hours, taking every opportunity to explore the Peninsula’s wonders. Your expert guides will lead paddlers amongst the ice. Zodiac cruises, whale watching and a continental landing are on your wish list; flexibility is the key. You may visit scientific stations and historic sites, but your focus is close encounters with nature.

Day 9: At Sea
Bidding goodbye to Antarctica, you return to the realm of the albatross as you head for King George Island. It’s a time of photo-sharing, reflection, entertaining talks and maybe even a party or two.

Day 10: King George Island / Disembarkation / Punta Arenas, Chile
Dawn greets you King George Island. You enjoy an early breakfast before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas.

Notes:

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including coverage for emergency medical evacuation. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The policy provider, policy number and emergency contact phone number must be provided prior to departure date. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this

Kayaking Option: $995 per person
Traveling in these sturdy, easy-handling, reliable kayaks is an exciting, low impact way to explore the stunning bays and wildlife breeding grounds along the Peninsula. If you wish to take this option, please advise us when you make your booking as numbers are limited. Please note, some sea kayaking experience is necessary.

Included:
Cabin accommodation on the ship; all meals onboard; all shore excursions; lectures and guide services; boots (for loan onboard); medical service of the resident medical officer onboard; port taxes and service charges.

Not Included:
Airfare; Mandatory flights from King George Island to Punta Arenas: $1,200 (2/10/2014, 2/19/2014); accommodation or transfers before or after the cruise; fuel surcharge (may apply in the event of significant fuel price increases); optional sea kayaking activities, items of a personal nature; travel insurance; and gratuity to the ship's crew is at your discretion.

Return flight:
(Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, or reverse)  In case the return flight from Antarctica to Punta Arenas experiences a delay, passengers on board the ship will continue cruising near King George Island, until the return flight to Punta Arenas can be arranged.

Aircraft for Antarctic flights:
The decision over which aircraft will be used for the Antarctica Fly and Cruise program is at the sole discretion of the tour operator. In case of unfavorable conditions or other circumstances beyond the tour operator’s control, either at the point of origin and/or at the destination, the tour operator reserves the right to fly different aircraft than the one described in the program information material.