ANTARCTIC CLASSIC AIR-CRUISE

Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you are welcomed by VAE staff and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you attend a briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.

N.B.: Passengers should plan to be in Punta Arenas at 15:00 hours, at the latest.
Pick-up at the Punta Arenas airport and transfer to the hotel cannot be guaranteed for travellers arriving later than 15:00 hours.

Day 2:
Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the airplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel.

Days 3 to 6:
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.

No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places.

Day 7:
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding 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. One complimentary hotel night in Punta Arenas is offered upon request on Day 7 of the Travel Program.

 

 

INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM:

· Flights according to the itinerary
· Ship cruise
· Accommodation with full board
· All drinks on board
· Shore excursions
· Lectures and onboard entertainment
· Loan of boots for landing in Antarctica
· Transfer from/to airport/hotel according to the itinerary
· Comprehensive pre- and post- departure information

Not included in the rate

· Accommodation, meals, excursions and transfers other than those included in the Travel Program and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage.
· Personal insurances.
· Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
· Tips (suggested USD 10 per person per day).
· Visas or Passport expenses and/or any other arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.

 

 

Baggage allowance

The maximum weight allowed on the flights to and from Antarctica is 20 kg per passenger, including hand luggage. Exceeding luggage will be kept in custody by VAE and will be returned to passengers upon their return from Antarctica at the port/airport of arrival corresponding to each voyage.

 

Medical insurance

VAE requires participants to be adequately covered by a medical insurance, including aero-medical evacuation from Antarctica.

 

Cancellation insurance

VAE strongly urges participants to be adequately covered by a cancellation insurance.

 

Itinerary

Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned program. However, it must be realized that with this type of adventurous travel to Antarctica, changes to the itinerary may occur due to severe and unpredictable weather. We need to emphasize the fact that weather conditions are unpredictable and that safety is always the paramount concern on any Antarctic voyage. For this reason VAE reserves the right to change the itinerary here described due to weather conditions or other factors beyond VAE's control without consulting the participants.

 

Flight Connexions

A tight time-schedule connection with an Antarctic expedition is unwise. For this reason VAE strongly suggests that a flexible air ticket be held for your journey home and in any case not to book a flight on the same day of the return flight from Antarctica.

 

After your Antarctic trip, we recommend the beautiful Torres Del Paime national park which is close by to Punta Arenas & Ushuaia. Please see http://cape-horn.net/patagonia.html This will give you  plenty of wildlife, culture and scenery!

Here are some testimonies from some of our passengers: http://www.victory-cruises.com/chile_testimonials.html#xxi