trip specifics

price

Introducing the first Antarctic flight and adventure cruising combination. On the Antarctic Air Cruise experience Antarctica in only seven days without crossing Drakes Passage. In less than two hours of flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island, you will be cruising Antarctica, the white continent.

From King George Island cruise Antarctica for six days and five nights along the Antarctic Peninsula. Throughout the Antarctic Air Cruise experience daily shore landing and visits to the best wildlife sites of Antarctica. Expert Antarctic naturalist guides lead shore excursions and give lectures to introduce and inform you about the Antarctic Continent.

With three itineraries to choose from (two 7 day and one 5 day), you can decide on the Antarctic trip that is right for you. The classic 7 day itinerary explores between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting places such as: Hannah Point, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville and Deception Islands. The Heroic 7 day focuses more on the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and makes stops at Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Brown Bluff, Gourdin Island and cruises the Weddell Sea.

Day 1 - Punta Arenas Arrival

Arrival at the city of Punta Arenas before 3:00pm where you will be met and transferred to the hotel. During the afternoon, you will receive instructions concerning the guidelines that should be followed in Antarctica and the procedures for Zodiac boat embarkation and disembarkation. Later, you will be invited to gather for a welcome dinner together with your expedition mates and you will have the chance to enjoy a typical Magellan menu.

Accommodations: Hotel Rey Don Felipe
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - King George Island and Embark

Our Antarctic adventure will begin with the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The flight takes a little less than two hours. Upon arrival, we will be able to tour around the area where the Frei Chilean Base and the Bellingshausen Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation by Zodiac boats on board our expedition vessel.

Accommodations: M/V Ocean Nova
Included Meals: dinner

Days 3-6 - South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula Exploration

Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and between spectacular icebergs. Along the way enjoy the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Our Antarctic cruise may include visits to some of the most magnificent spots in the white continent such as: Hannah Point, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville and Deception Islands amongst others. The adventure is complete with daily landings and cruises in zodiacs boats, selected lectures and time on board cruising Antarctica.

Accommodations: M/V Ocean Nova
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Disembark and Punta Arenas

Return to King George Island where we will disembark by Zodiac at Fildes Bay before flying back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival connect with your departing flight or transfer to hotel.

We recommend travelers spend an additional night at the conclusion of the cruise and a post trip optional hotel overnight is available to clients at no additional charge. Call for details.

Accommodations: Hotel Rey Don Felipe
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the classic 7-day Antarctica Air Cruise listed above, there is a shorter 5-day Antarctica Express. Please call for more detailed information.

Antarctica Express Air Cruise
Day 1 - Embark Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 2 - Cape Horn
Day 3 - Drake Passage
Day 4 - South Shetland Islands
Day 5 - Disembark King George Island

Itinerary Notes: Flights scheduled and Antarctic itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions. At the end of the program, a free transfer to the city will be available at the airport for all passengers staying overnight.

Included: One night pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas; Punta Arenas flights to King George Island and back to Punta Arenas; Shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; The use of rubber boots for the duration of the voyage; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit and Antarctic handbook; Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.

Exclusions: Any International airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; supplement for single hotel accommodations; adventure options of kayaking or diving; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Room Configurations: Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.85 times the double occupancy price. Request the Twin Share Program where we match you with a cabin mate(s) of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged.

Families & Children: Children are admitted from the age of 8 years if accompanied by a fully responsible adult. A 5% discount on the rate per person is offered for children up to 12 years of age.

Arrival & Departure: When considering flights plan to arrive Punta Arenas at any time before 3:00pm. A pre-cruise hotel overnight is included on Day 1. We recommend travelers spend an additional night at the conclusion of the cruise on Day 7. It is possible to depart Punta Arenas on evening flights but because the Antarctica flights are so variable we recommend travelers stay one more night. Get a free flight quote.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of US$1500 per person is required to confirm a reservation on an Antarctica Air Cruise (2013-14 season: $2,000 deposit for Classic, $1,000 deposit for Express), with final payment due 120 days prior to departure. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted. A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctica trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:

More than 120 days - $750 administrative fee
120 to 60 days - refund of 70% of the total tour costs
60-30 days - refund of 40% of the total tour costs
Within the 30 days - no refunds. If full payment has not yet been received at 120 days prior, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately.

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. Passengers must be able to navigate the 30-stair gang-way un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study and photograph. Some landings are dry but many are "wet," requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

Contingency Plan: In the unlikely event that the flight to Antarctica cannot take place due to unfavorable conditions either at point of origin and/or destination, a Contingency Plan has been established, applying from Day 2 of the Travel Program corresponding to each voyage. 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:

Day 2 - Guided tours to sites of historic and wildlife interest in Punta Arenas. Meals are included as well as accommodation in the same hotel as foreseen on Day 1 of the Travel Program.

Day 3 - Guided tours to sites of historic and wildlife interest in Punta Arenas. Meals are included as well as accommodation in the same hotel as foreseen on Day 1 of the Travel Program.

Day 4 - Accommodation with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Punta Arenas is included. Any other service and meals are excluded. Passengers are required to stand-by for announcements concerning the flight to Antarctica. If by the end of Day 4 travelers are not able to reach Antarctica, a refund of 5% of the total rate (excluding discounts, if any) will be provided.

Day 5 - Accommodation with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Punta Arenas is included. Any other service and meal are excluded. Passengers are required to stand-by for announcements concerning the flight to Antarctica. If by the end of Day 5 travelers are not able to reach Antarctica, a refund of 15% of the total rate (excluding discounts, if any) will be provided.

Day 6 - Accommodation with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Punta Arenas is included. Any other service and meal are excluded. Passengers are required to stand-by for announcements concerning the flight to Antarctica. If by the end of Day 6 travelers are not able to reach Antarctica, a refund of 60% of the total rate (excluding discounts, if any) will be provided.

Day 7 - Breakfast. Transfer to Punta Arenas airport. End of the Contingency Plan.

In case of a delay on the return flight to Punta Arenas from Antarctica, passengers on board the ship will continue cruising to nearby places until the return flight to Punta Arenas is authorized. Full board and all excursions are included. No refunding for whatever reason is foreseen.

Antarctica Air Cruise Video:


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