Antarctica Air-Cruise Express

Antarctica Short and Sweet

5 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 you 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.
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.

Day 1

Ushuaia - 10 DEC 10

The journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. After meeting at the selected hotel, we will proceed to the local port to embark on the expedition vessel. We will sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, the southernmost town in the world, located on Navarino Island. Here, we will have the time to tour around before setting sail toward Cape Horn.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Passengers are required to be in Ushuaia, in a hotel to be defined, at 14:00 hours.
We strongly recommend our clients to arrive in Ushuaia a day prior to the cruise start date to allow enough time in case of any unforseen flight disruption.

Day 2

Antarctica Cruise - 11 DEC 10

After crossing Nassau Bay, we will wake up in front of legendary Cape Horn!  Weather permitting, we will put our Zodiac boats into the water and visit its lighthouse and the Chilean station in charge of keeping it beaming. Back on board, we will get ready to set sail towards Antarctica and start the crossing of the famous waters named in honour of Sir Francis Drake, the great XVIth century British explorer.

Day 3

Antarctica Cruise - 12 DEC 10

Sailing through the Drake Passage, en route to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). We invite you to relax and enjoy life on board and to take the time to watch wildlife from the bridge or from the outside decks. We may spot magnificent birds such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as Humpback and Minke whales swimming on their way down to Antarctica.

 

Day 4

Antarctica Cruise - 13 DEC 10

Once we have crossed the Antarctic Convergence, we will be sailing through the Antarctic Ocean. The time has come to start spotting the first icebergs and the first Antarctic land. The South Shetland Islands finally come into view, and we will have the opportunity to put our zodiac boats into the water and make our first landing to visit a penguin colony. Exploration will continue all evening thanks to the endless daylight.

Day 5

Punta Arenas - 14 DEC 10

Upon reaching King George Island, we will disembark at Fildes Bay, where we will have the chance to enjoy the Antarctic scenery and visit some interesting places around the area, such as the Chilean Base Frei and the Russian Base Bellingshausen. We will gather at the aerodrome where we will board the flight that will take us to Punta Arenas, Chile. The programme ends upon arrival at the Airport in Punta Arenas.
Transfer to the city will be available for passengers staying overnight in Punta Arenas.