ANTARCTIC EXPRESS AIR-CRUISE

Itinerary

Day 1: Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. Board Ocean Nova and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn.

N.B.: Due to port operations, boarding in Ushuaia is exclusively between 15:00 hr and 16:00 hr.
At 16:00 hr. boarding will close. Please be on time. Keep your passport at hand and allow enough time to clear port security and to reach the vessel.

 

Day 2: After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honour of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th century British explorer.

 

Day 3: As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the glass-enclosed lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent sea birds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica.

 

Day 4: After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Tanking advantage of the endless Antarctic daylight, exploration will continue well into the evening.

 

Day 5: Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay and explore the area, such as the Chilean Base Frei and the Russian Base Bellingshausen. Bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. The program ends upon arrival at the airport in Punta Arenas.

N.B: 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 5 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