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Crusing the zodiac looking for wildlife

Antarctic Express - Cruise South and Fly North

Example 10 Day Cruise
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If you’re looking for a more efficient Antarctic cruise experience, this is it. Venture south, crossing the infamous Drake Passage and experience the first sighting of Antarctica with your fellow shipmates. After your penguin, seal, whale, iceberg and glacier cravings have been satisfied you’ll take the relaxing way home by flying from King George Island to Punta Arenas, Chile on this Antarctica air cruise.
Antarctic IcePenguins close upCruising AntarcticaCrusing the zodiac looking for wildlife
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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Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

This quaint city at the southernmost tip of South America is your gateway to Antarctica. The city itself provides a wide range of jewelry shops, cafes, gear shops and restaurants to explore before your voyage, while the surrounding mountains offer ample adventure activities if you’re wanting to discover the rugged nature of Tierra del Fuego.

Day 2: Embarkation Day

We embark in the afternoon, with a journey through the picturesque Beagle Channel. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and be out on deck, as the channel is home to a wide variety of wildlife including seabirds and seals. Rainbows are common here too, creating a great photography opportunity to kick off the start to your Antarctic adventure.

Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage

Legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, you may get lucky and have the surprise you with calm seas. Spend your time in the lounge or chatting with your fellow travelers. As you develop your sea legs during the crossing, our Expedition Team will begin their series of presentations and help prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac and land excursions. You officially enter Antarctica when your ship crosses the Antarctic convergence, a biological boundary that fluctuates around 60° south.

Day 5-8: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Icebergs are the first attractions that welcome us to Antarctica. Massive floating bergs become more common as we get closer to land and you catch your first glimpse of the Peninsula, with its grand snow-covered mountains. In addition to spotting icebergs, you’ll likely spot penguins chilling out on ice floes and whales feeding and swimming in the frigid waters.

As soon as we can, the Zodiacs will be readied for your first landing in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. The first time you experience this immense wilderness up close can be a numbing experience. The silence is great, the vastness is even greater. Thankfully the noisy locals – penguins and seals – are there to remind you that this wonderful landscape isn’t just a dream.

Your Expedition Team will monitor the ice and weather conditions to determine which landing sites we can visit. With many sites to choose from, each expedition presents new opportunities for exploring the white continent by Zodiac and land . Swimming in Antarctica is perhaps the most adventurous option you can enjoy, by taking a polar-dip in the water at Neko Harbor. If you would rather stay on land, then how about taking a camping trip in Antarctica? A typical day in this wildlife wonderland will be spent listening to calving glaciers at Petermann Island, watching penguins waddle around a beach, or taking a hike atop a hill for a panoramic view of Port Lockroy. Whatever you prefer, the photographic opportunities are endless.

Day 9: Disembarkation & Fly to Punta Arenas

As the ship turns north, you’ll say goodbye to the penguins, as well as many of your shipmates. With only the Drake Passage ahead, you’ll disembark and enjoy a bit of time on King George Island before flying off to Punta Arenas, Chile. Once you’re in Punta Arenas, we’ll transfer you from the airport to your hotel, where you’re free to explore and enjoy a final dinner out.

Day 10: Depart for Home

After breakfast, you will make your own way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flight or continue on with your other adventures.

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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