Classic Antarctica Air Cruise | Magellan Explorer
8 Days
From USD 15,995
STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACAXCAAC
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Punta Arenas, Chile
Finish: Punta Arenas, Chile
SHIP: Magellan Explorer
Destination
Antarctica
Departure Date
06/12/2024, 11/12/2024, 16/12/2024, 21/12/2024, 26/12/2024, 31/12/2024, 09/01/2025, 14/01/2025, 19/01/2025, 05/02/2025, 10/02/2025, 15/02/2025, 20/02/2025, 25/02/2025, 02/03/2025, 21/11/2025, 26/11/2025, 01/12/2025, 06/12/2025, 11/12/2025, 16/12/2025, 21/12/2025, 26/12/2025, 31/12/2025, 05/01/2026, 10/01/2026, 15/01/2026, 20/01/2026, 25/01/2026, 06/02/2026, 11/02/2026, 16/02/2026, 21/02/2026, 26/02/2026, 03/03/2026
Meals
Welcome dinner in Punta Arenas, Breakfast at hotels, & all meals on board the ship, including wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, water, & snacks
Transport
Group transfers throughout & return charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island
Accommodation
Hotel & Cabin on board a ship
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Included Sightseeing
Daily Antarctica Excursions, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team
NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions
Whale watching
Daily excursions
When conditions allow, passengers will receive two excursions per day.
Penguins
Spot penguins from your zodiac or hiking in Antarctica. Common species on the peninsula are the Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins.
OVERVIEW
AMAZING OFFER: AUD$3000pp Air Credit on Selected 25/26 Departures*
Explore the pristine landscape of Antarctica on this 8 day journey. Fly over the Drake and land on King George Island, an Island located in the South Shetland Islands. Board the Magellan Explorer, a ship that boasts elegance and practicality and cruise the unforgettable landscape of the western coast of the Antarctic peninsula. A unique experience that visits a variety of sites that holds true to a well rounded short but sweet, Antarctica experience, avoiding the infamous Drake Passage.
*Air Credit promotion is available on 03 Mar 2026 departure only, and selected cabins on the Classic Antarctica Air Cruise onboard Magellan Explorer. Offer is subject to availability until 30 Sep 2024 unless withdrawn, sold out, or varied prior. Offer is capacity controlled and not combinable with other promotions. Please Contact Us for full terms and conditions and to check availability.
ITINERARY
Staff members will welcome you on arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile. Transfer to your hotel, then visit the Explorers House, and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise, and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. At Explorers House, enjoy local gastronomy dinner as you meet your fellow adventurers.
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.
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.
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program.)
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
Magellan Explorer
The Magellan Explorer, is a modern and elegant base from which to explore the polar regions, combining boutique hospitality with top class expedition facilities. It is the ideal platform for air-cruise operations and several international polar expedition experts were involved in the design process. Working with engineers, naval architects and designers, the expedition experience of guests was always kept in mind. Built in Chile, the Magellan Explorer has a capacity of 73 passengers providing an intimate small ship cruising experience. All cabins include feature private batrooms and heaeted floors and all cabins except Porthole cabins feature private balconies. The ship has a fleet of 10 zodiacs to ensure all guests can disembark the ship and enjoy time on the icy landscapes or drift through glacial waters in search of unique wildlife. The ship contains a glass observation lounge and presentation room that boasts state-of-the-art visual and audio equipment for presentations conduct by the expert expedition crew. Onboard you will enjoy fitness facilities including a gym, sauna and well stocked bar.
Ice Class:
Length: 90.7 m (298 ft.)
Breadth: 16.2 m (53 ft.)Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 14 knots
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:100
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Accommodation
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Standard
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Superior
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Deluxe
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.
Kayaking
Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.
Learn MorePricing per person & date
| Classic Antarctica Air Cruise | Magellan Explorer from USD 15,995 | ||
| Departing | Ending | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 06 Dec 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 | 8 |
| 11 Dec 2024 | 18 Dec 2024 | 8 |
| 16 Dec 2024 | 23 Dec 2024 | 8 |
| 21 Dec 2024 | 28 Dec 2024 | 8 |
| 26 Dec 2024 | 02 Jan 2025 | 8 |
| 31 Dec 2024 | 07 Jan 2025 | 8 |
| 09 Jan 2025 | 16 Jan 2025 | 8 |
| 14 Jan 2025 | 21 Jan 2025 | 8 |
| 19 Jan 2025 | 26 Jan 2025 | 8 |
| 05 Feb 2025 | 12 Feb 2025 | 8 |
| 10 Feb 2025 | 17 Feb 2025 | 8 |
| 15 Feb 2025 | 22 Feb 2025 | 8 |
| 20 Feb 2025 | 27 Feb 2025 | 8 |
| 25 Feb 2025 | 04 Mar 2025 | 8 |
| 02 Mar 2025 | 09 Mar 2025 | 8 |
| 21 Nov 2025 | 28 Nov 2025 | 8 |
| 26 Nov 2025 | 03 Dec 2025 | 8 |
| 01 Dec 2025 | 08 Dec 2025 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
| 01 Jan 1970 | 08 Jan 1970 | 8 |
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Important Information
Prices are based on per person, and may be based off quad/triple/ or twin share cabins* (please contact us for more details)
Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
INCLUSIONS
Group transfers from the airport and hotel on day one for guests arriving in Punta Arenas and from the hotel to the airport on the last day of the air-cruise itinerary.
Two nights stay with breakfast in Punta Arenas on day one and on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica.
Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.
Welcome dinner on day one at the Explorers House in Punta Arenas.
Return charter flights from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
Accommodation on board during your voyage.
Daily buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship.
Loan of waterproof boots for excursions in Antarctica, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.
All guided excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.EXCLUSIONS
International or domestic flights, unless specified
Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable)
Airport arrival or departure taxes
Vaccination charges
Travel insurance
Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
Optional activity surcharges
All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to gratuities, select drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges.
- 2 (light adventure)
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Departure Date, Fuel Surcharges, Cabin Category, Currency Fluctuations, Seasonality & Availability.