call our experts
800-728-2875

business hours
M-F: 8-5 PST

polar regions: antarctica

z -Antarctic Dream Air Cruise

The Antarctic, land of extremes, is a destination that enthralls all who participate in the exciting voyage to one of the most remote and fascinating natural reserves of the world. With its spectacular beauty, amazing colors reflected on the ice, wildlife in full splendor and magnificent sites, Antarctica promises to be unforgettable for travelers in search of unique experiences. By combining your cruise with a one way flight from Chile, you will save time when crossing the Drake passage, thus maximize your exposure to the wonderful experiences and breath taking sights of Antarctica.

Day 1 - Punta Arenas, Chile
Passengers will fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, crossing the Drake Passage to King George Island. Once boarding the M/V Antarctic Dream, you will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Our expedition, starts at Fildes Bay, here sits Chilean Base Frei. After a short visit to the base, we should be leaving South Shetland Islands behind us during the night.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Villa Esperanza & Brown Bluf
In the morning we shall be at Hope Bay, right in front of Mount Flora on the Antarctic Sound. The Antarctic Sound was named after the vessel used in the Nordenskjold Expedition 1902—1904. Landing operations will start at the historical site where the Argentinean Base Esperanza is located. Here we will have our first close encounter with Gentoo and Adelie penguins that nest close to the base. Sailing south we will reach Brown Bluff. This dark rocky cliff is surrounded by incredible glaciers.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Paulet Island & Astrolabe Island
Overnight, we will sail across the Antarctic Sound up to Paulet Island. Here we can find a huge Adelie penguin’s colony, one of the two penguin species considered truly Antarctic. We can also find a colony of blue eyed shags on the volcanic scree slopes. At this site, we will find the remains of a stone refuge built by the "Antarctic" shipwrecked survivors, crushed by heavy Ice at the Weddell Sea on 1903. During lunch time the ship will re position up to Astrolabe Island, on the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, now outside of the Antarctic Sound. Astrolabe is a very rich site in wildlife, penguins and seals have colonies all over this scenic place.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Cuverville Island & Paradise Bay
Sail south west to Cuverville Island, site of the largest Gentoo penguin colony on Antarctica. Cruising into Herrera Channel up to Paradise Bay, on the north shore, high mountains raise up to 1000 meters on the south shore of the Andean Mountain extension range. This is our best chance for a zodiac cruise following the coast line, contemplating glaciers and cliffs. Port Lockroy sits on Goudier Island. The island holds a small museum, surrounded by a Gentoo penguin rookery, that developed through the 80 ́s long after humans had built the base on this spot.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Deception Island & Half Moon
Today explore the coast of the South Shetland Islands. Depending on wind and swell conditions, the Captain and expedition leader will coordinate a landing either on Deception Island or Halfmoon Island, Yankee Harbor or Robert Point.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 6-7 - Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. On our second day of navigation through the Drake Passage, we'll start seeing the first glimpse of the White Continent, icebergs on blue and green tones and penguins swimming in the frigid waters. At night we should be leaving South Shetland Islands behind us.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Ushuaia, Argentina - Disembark
After an early breakfast, land at 9:00am and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends and incredible and unique expedition, you should be ready to go back home as ambassadors to the white continent, go share it and tell all of your friends how amazing this experience was.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Reverse Itinerary:
Day 1: Embark - Ushuaia
Days 2-3: Drake Passage
Day 4: Villa Esperanza & Brown Bluff
Day 5: Paulet Island & Astrolabe Island
Day 6: Cuverville Island & Paradise Bay
Day 7: Deception Island & Half Moon
Day 8: Disembark - Punta Arenas, Chile

Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Single Travelers: Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share price.

Land Cost Includes: Shipboard accommodation, one way flight between Chile & King George Island, meals, airport transfers, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Zodiac cruising; transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; pre-departure information kit. Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges. Expedition boots and parka are provided as a loan during the voyage.

Not Included: Airfare to and from Ushuaia/Punta Arenas; Pre-cruise hotel night in Ushuaia/Punta Arenas; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; supplement for single hotel accommodations; fuel supplement of $20 per person per night; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided). Expedition rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter process accordingly.

Arrival/Departure: The Antarctic Peninsula cruise aboard Antarctic Dream begins in either Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile depending on departure. When departing from Ushuaia, embarkation time is at 4:00pm on day 1 of the itinerary, ship sails no later than 6:00pm. When departing from Punta Arenas, embarkation time is based on the group charter flight. We strongly advise all passengers to arrive the night prior to departure and get a hotel in Ushuaia to avoid baggage and flight delays. When ending in Ushuaia, disembarkation is after breakfast on final day approximately at 8:30am. When ending in Punta Arenas, disembarkation is once again based on the group charter flight in the late afternoon. Get a free flight quote.

Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,500 per person is required to confirm a reservation on this Antarctic voyage. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Final payment can be made by check, credit, money order or bank wire transfer. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.

Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctic and Arctic trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received:
150 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person.
Between 119-90 days, per person deposit amount is forfeited.
Between 89-60 days, per person all deposits and tariffs are forfeited.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Consider Travelex Select or Max policies to ensure the best level of coverage. 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.


Accommodations Aboard: The Antarctic Dream accommodates 78 passengers on 4 decks in comfortable suites and cabins. Cabins have private bathrooms, ample storage space and TV. Public areas include a lounge, bar, lecture room, library, infirmary (there is a doctor on board), gym, sauna, and a boutique. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are almost always welcome. The chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. A Chilean crew, all of who are highly experienced in ice navigation, staffs the ship. The Ice Master and lecturers are from abroad. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.

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, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

General Information: 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. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com