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Ice in Antarctica

Classic Antarctica Air Cruise

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Nova
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Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, you are invited on this 8-day adventure to one of the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most inhospitable places - Antarctica. In a little over three hours of flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island, find yourself at the gates of the white continent. From here, spend five night and four full days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. This is sure to be the trip of a lifetime.
Icebergs at sunsetHike up snow-covered mountainsEmbark on a zodiac adventureA whale plays near the surface at dusk.Ice in Antarctica
Highlights
  • Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
  • View Antarctic wildlife such as seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales
  • Attend lectures and presentations from your onboard guides
  • Explore the Antarctic landscape with daily zodiac trips ashore
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile

Arrive in Punta Arenas and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, 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.

Please note: Passengers must be at their hotel in Punta Arenas no later than 2 PM.   Weather at King George Island will drive the overall schedule of this trip, so there's a slight chance you might fly to Antarctica this evening!  

Day 2: Fly to King George Island | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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. You then walk 2-km (1.25-mi), passing Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel.

Please note: Flexibility is key to any successful Antarctic adventure, particularly a fly cruise.  If the weather at King George Island does not allow for flights this morning, the ship operator will follow their well-established contingency plan, which can be read here. On average, about 85% of flights occur on this day, as scheduled. But travelers should be aware of the contingencies that Antarctica21 has developed over its two decades of providing fly cruises.

Day 3-6: Explore Antarctica

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape with expert polar guides. On board, 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 are sure to explore several locations which 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: Disembark at King George Island | Fly to Punta Arenas, Chile

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding your flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. This evening's meals are at your leisure and not included in the program.

Please note: If the weather at King George Island does not allow for flights this morning, the ship operator will follow their well-established contingency plan, again.   

Day 8: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.

Please note: Flights arranged for later in the day provide more buffer against any of those potential flight delays out of King George Island.
 

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova
Ocean Nova Library
Lounge at the Ocean Nova

Cabo de Hornos Hotel

Cabo de Hornos Hotel
The reception desk at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel
The bar area at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Antarctic Travel Credit
Book your Antarctica Air-Cruise and save $2,000pp for 2023-2024 or $1,500pp for 2024-2025 select Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise departures. Available on new individual reservations confirmed with a $3,000 per person deposit for 2023–24 departures and a $3,500 per person deposit for 2024–25 departures by March 29, 2024. This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer or discount, is capacity-controlled, and will expire when the allocated space is sold out. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Special Offer for Families of 6 or more!
Book by March 29, 2024, and save a 5% discount on all Classic Antarctica Air-Cruises for families of 6 or more. The promo is valid on new bookings and applicable to all room categories. This promotion is capacity-controlled and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.  Additional restrictions may apply. Please get in touch with us for details.
Applies to all Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise departures.

Air-Cruise Early Booking Promotion
Book your Antarctica Air Cruise and save $2,000 per person on selected departures for the 2025-2026 air-cruise season. This offer is subject to availability for new bookings confirmed with a $4,000 deposit per person by June 30, 2024, and cannot be combined with other discounts. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Per person starting at
$11,495
Accomodations at the Ocean Nova
Select a Date
Triple
150 sq. ft. 2 lower berths and one upper berth with private facilities and window.
Ocean Nova Twin Cabin
Select a Date
Twin
Most Twin Cabins have 2 lower berths with private facilities and a window. But cabins 307, 308, 309 and 310 have fixed matrimonial bedding.
Ocean Nova Single Cabin
Select a Date
Single
87 sq. ft. 1 lower berth with private facilities and window.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Cabin sharing, where solo travelers are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender is available in Twin Cabins.
- Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person is required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
- Optional adventure activities are available for an additional rate. Please ask for details and availability.

Fly cruises: Children admitted from 8 years old
  • Classic Antarctica Air Cruise
  • Polar Circle
  • Antarctica Express
Sea voyages: Children admitted from 12 years old
  • Patagonia & Chilean Fjords
  • Falklands (Malvinas) & SG
  • Falklands (Malvinas), SG and Antarctica
  • Antarctic Small Ship Expedition
Optionals
  • Kayaking: Children admitted from 16 years old.
  • Hiking & snowshoeing: Children admitted from 12 years old.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board ship
  • Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks on board ship throughout the expedition
  • IAATO passenger fee 
  • Loan of Waterproof Boots for Landings
  • Comprehensive Pre- and Post-voyage Information Materials
     
  • Lectures and entertainment onboard.
     
  • Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board the ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
  • Dinner served daily on board the ship offering a choice between one of three main courses.
  • All guided shore excursions.
  • 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 at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on day one and on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica.
  • Welcome dinner on day one at the hotel in Punta Arenas.
  • Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.
  • Ship cruise and flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island, Antarctica, and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each air-cruise itinerary.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Beverages purchased at the bar 
  • Parkas are not provided on your cruise. Please bring your own windproof, waterproof, insulated parka with you. You will want to make sure it is roomy enough to fit warm layers underneath. Click here for information about parka rental.
  • All participants in an Antarctica 21 expedition are required to have a travel insurance policy.  A comprehensive policy is recommended but, at a minimum, Medical Evacuation coverage up to $100,000 USD is required.
  • Kayaking option should be booked upon reservation (10 spots available for 2024/25 season and 20 spots for the 2025/26 season)
  • Hiking & Snowshoeing Option (Booked and paid on board)

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
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