STYLE: Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACAEAEP-TPL
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
SHIP: Sylvia Earle
Antarctica: South Shetland Islands, Peninsula, King George Island
03/03/2023
Cabin on board ship
Trace the steps of early explorers as you embark on this incredible Antarctic journey. A land of stark contrasts and ragged beauty, the pristine and frozen white continent is a marvel for newcomers and veteran expedition enthusiasts alike. Encounter humpback and minke whales in their natural habitats as you cruise through vast glaciers and among immense icebergs. Spectate over vast colonies of penguins that become dwarfed by jagged snow capped peaks, encounter seal pups as they rest on drifting ice floe. Explore Antarctica now.
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to your downtown hotel (preferred flights only). Upon arrival at your included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.
Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Tonight, we will gather to meet our fellow expeditioners and a briefing on the first leg of our expedition – our flight to Antarctica!
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our early morning charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one and-a-half hours.
On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to board the vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.
NOTE: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required in order for the plane to take off and land safely. We apologise in advance for any delays.
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You’ll want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and proposing penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
Today, our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced, and the impact this voyage has had on our attitude to life.
As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to downtown Ushuaia before continuing to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage.
NOTE: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
The Sylvia Earle will be one of the newest Polar expedition vessels designed with incredible emission reducing technologies and a state of the art X-BOW designed to glide through the water, making for an incredibly smooth cruising experience.
Zodiac cruise through the icy and pristine waters as you search for breaching whales and resting seals.
Experience the raw beauty of Antarctica a journey of truly indescribable significance in understanding the importance and wild nature of the world.
Featuring industry-leading technology and streamlined cruising design the Sylvia Earle is one of the most modern and technologically advanced vessels sailing the polar regions. Named after the first female Chief Scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Sylvia Earle lives up to her namesake with a deep focus on protecting the natural environment. The ship features one of the lowest polluting marine engines in the world, with low energy consumption and higher fuel efficiency bringing an overall 80% reduction to emissions compared to Tier 1 engines. The ship also utilises virtual anchoring technology along with thrusters and propellers to minimise damage to the ocean floor caused by conventional anchors. The Sylvia Earle carries an average of 126 passengers and has 74 on board cabins. Between landings, guests will be able to enjoy an on board heated saltwater open air swimming pool and jacuzzis. Guests may also enjoy time in the gym, sauna or wellness centre. For zodiac excursions the vessel has four dedicated, sea-level launching platforms making boarding as efficient and safe as possible, allowing you to get off and experience the magical sights of fjords, glaciers and icebergs as quickly as possible. Cabins and suites are elegantly designed and spacious to give guests the most comfortable experience possible.
Ice Class:
Length: 104m
Breadth: Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 10-12 knots
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:126
View Ship Details
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.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Antarctic Explorer: Punta Arenas to Ushuaia | Sylvia Earle from USD 10,956 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
03 Mar 2023 | 14 Mar 2023 | 12 |
Cabin accommodation on board ship
All meals whilst on board
All scheduled landings and excursions by zodiac
Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition leader and crew
Complimentary waterproof jacket yours to keep
Complimentary use of rental boots during course of voyage
One pre departure night in Punta Arenas on Day 1
Arrival transfer airport-hotel on Day 1
City Tour in Ushuaia on Day 2 (lunch not included)
Transfer Pier-downtown Ushuaia or airport on Day 22
Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
Exclusions
International flights
Beverages (other than tea and coffee and listed drinks with dinner)
Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable)
Optional excursions not mentioned in itinerary
Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, medical, telecommunications)
Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Please note this itinerary is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions.
Departure date, season and availability