Antarctica Classic Air Cruise

The First Air Cruise to Antarctica!

7 Days

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 one of the most remote places 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 Island of the South Shetland Archipelago, you will be at the gates of the white continent.
From King George Island we will navigate on the Ocean Nova 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 we will be giving different lectures to introduce and inform you about this wonderful Continent. We are sure this will be the trip of your lifetime.

Day 1

Punta Arenas

Arrival at the city of Punta Arenas where you will be met by Antarctica Air Cruise staff, to be transferred to Hotel Rey Don Felipe. 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, you will enjoy a welcome dinner at the José Nogueira Hotel, a French-style mansion that is over one hundred years old.
Your Vessell: 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's has capacity for 62 passengers 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 an exercise room. The ship has Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Passengers should be in Punta Arenas by 15:00 hours at the latest.
We strongly recommend our clients to arrive in Punta Arenas a day prior to the cruise start date to allow enough time in case of any unforseen flight disruption

Day 2

Punta Arenas / King George Island

Our Antarctic adventure will begin with the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The flight takes a little over one and half hour. 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 the expedition vessel.

Day 3 - 6

Antarctica Cruise

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 will enjoy the company of sea birds, 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 Islands amongst others. Our target will be the crossing of the Lemaire Channel and latitude 65° South. Our adventure will be very active, with several daily landings and cruises in Zodiac boats, lectures and a very enjoyable time on board.

Day 7

King George Island / Punta Arenas

Return to King George Island where we will disembark, in Zodiac boats, at the Frei Chilean Base, and head to the aerodrome to take the flight back to Punta Arenas. The program ends upon arrival at the Airport in Punta Arenas.
Transfer to the city will be available for passengers staying overnight in Punta Arenas.