ANTARCTIC EXPRESS AIR-CRUISE
5 DAYS & 4 NIGHTS
Travel program
Leaving from Ushuaia, sailing though the Beagle Channel, exploring Cape Horn and
crossing the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, VAE invites you to
participate in 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.
Day 1: The journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. 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.
N.B.: Check-in on board the "Ocean Nova" is open from 15:00 hr to 16:00 hr.No admittance later than 16:00 hr. Please be on time, and consider the necessary time to go through Ushuaia port formalities. Keep your passport at hand. Thank you!
Day 2: 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 na med in honour of Sir Francis Drake, the great XVIth century British explorer.
Day 3: 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: 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: 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 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. Upon request, one complimentary night in Punta Arenas is offered on Day 5 of the Travel Program.
Rates
- Single Cabin:
- US$ 5,900
- Twin Cabin:
- US$ 4,300
- Triple Cabin:
- US$ 3,800
Itinerary details
- Voyage:
- ANTARCTIC EXPRESS AIR-CRUISE
- Duration:
- 4 nights / 5 days
- Start:
- Ushuaia, Argentina
- Finish:
- Punta Arenas, Chile
Trip details
- Dates:
- November 29, 2012
January 14, 2013 - Vessel:
- Ocean Nova
Península Antártica |
Estrecho Gerlache |
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Isla Rey Jorge |
Isla Decepción |
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Included in the rate
· Transfers airport/hotel/airport foreseen on the first and last day of the voyage.
· 1 overnight in Punta Arenas at Hotel Rey Don Felipe or other hotel of similar category and a welcome dinner including drinks on Day 1 of CLASSIC ANTARCTICA, HEROIC ANTARCTICA and POLAR CICRCLE air-cruises.
· 1 complimentary hotel night upon request in Punta Arenas on the day of return from Antarctica.
· Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
· Ship cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
· Full board including drinks and open bar during the ship cruise.
· All guided shore excursions.
· Lectures and entertainment on board.
· Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
· Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
· Contingency Plan as foreseen for each voyage (see further on).
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
