Celebrate crossing latitude 66° 33’ South in the wake of hallowed explorers including the first to do so, Captain James Cook, on this unique 11-day Antarctic cruise. In this frozen area of extraordinary beauty, powerful orcas and leopard seals patrol the waters, while ethereal snow petrels grace the skies against a background of bristling mountains and surreal icebergs. Sail through an intricate system of icy waterways and reach the glorious Crystal Sound at the mouth of The Gullet.
Day-by-Day Summary
Day 1 : Ushuaia OR Punta Arenas | Embark | Beagle Channel Days 2-3 : Drake Passage Days 4-9 : Antarctica Day 10 : King George Island | Disembark | Fly to Punta Arenas Day 11 : Punta Arenas
Highlights
Discover Antarctica´s wildlife, including orcas, humpback, and minke whales
Zodiac cruise among ice floes replete with basking Weddell & leopard seals
Cross the Antarctic Circle and try to reach the magnificent Crystal Sound
Explore penguin and seal-rich waters of Fildes Bay & visit Trinity Church
Step aboard the Polar Pioneer in Ushuaia and settle in to your comfortable cabin. There is time to greet fellow passengers and explore the ship before an evening cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Please Note: Some departures start with a flight from Punta Arenas to either King George Island or Puerto Williams.
Cross the Drake Passage, accompanied by albatross, petrels, fulmars, and prions. Polar experts speak about Antarctica’s unique wildlife and history and prepare you for landings with environmental and Zodiac briefings. All eyes are peeled for first iceberg, first penguin and first glimpse of land, the mercurial sea stacks outlying the South Shetland Islands. If conditions allow, you may have a chance to go ashore by late afternoon on Day 3.
Explore the Peninsula’s west coast, with time to watch the frenzied activities of penguin parents and chicks as the summer days begin to shorten. Watch for imperial cormorant chicks bravely making their first flights from sea cliffs. Zodiac cruise amongst icebergs and floes replete with basking Weddell and leopard seals and revel in the unparalleled beauty of vast Antarctic landscapes. Besides landing on wildlife-rich offshore islands, make a continental landing, possibly hiking up for spectacular views.
As you continue south, ice conditions govern the ship's movements. Whether you cross the Circle via the ‘inner route’ or the Bellingshausen Sea, you celebrate in style.
With luck reach magnificent Crystal Sound, pass through the Gullet, and steam on to Marguerite Bay, where relatively few have gone before. Orcas, humpbacks, and minkes feed in the channels. You may visit historical Stonington, Pourquoi Pas, and Detaille islands before turning north to warmer climes.
Day 10 King George Island | Disembark | Fly to Punta Arenas
Arrive at mountainous King George Island. If time and weather permit explore penguin and seal-rich waters of Fildes Bay and visit the surprising Trinity Church at Bellingshausen Station, before catching your included charter flight back to Punta Arenas in Chile. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas transfer to your hotel, where tonight’s accommodation is included.
Day 11 Punta Arenas
1 Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast with your fellow expeditioners in the hotel before saying your farewells and continuing with your own arrangements.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$9,700
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Triple Shared
Triple Cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.
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Twin Shared
Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.
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Twin Private
Twin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403).
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Mini Suite
Mini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofa bed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
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Suite
The Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Notes
Please note that all of Polar Pioneer itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. These itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.
- Rates represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate
Ushuaia to Punta Arenas Inclusions:
• Luggage transfer from Ushuaia hotel to Polar Pioneer on day of voyage departure
• Accommodation on board during the voyage
• Luggage transfer from Polar Pioneer to King George Island airstrip
• Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
• Transfer from Punta Arenas airport to hotel
• One night accommodation in Punta Arenas post voyage
Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Inclusions - Feb 07, 2018 Departure:
• One night accommodation in Punta Arenas pre-voyage
• Group transfer from our preferred hotel to Punta Arenas airport
• Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island
• Luggage transfer from King George Island airstrip to Polar Pioneer
• Transfer from Polar Pioneer to Puerto Williams' airport, including Puerto Williams’ town and surrounds tour
• Flight from Puerto Williams to Punta Arenas
• Group transfer from Punta Arenas airport to our preferred hotel in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Inclusions - Mar 02, 2019 Departure:
• Transfer from hotel to Punta Arenas airport
• Flight from Punta Arenas, Chile to Puerto Williams, Chile
• Town tour, transfers and lunch in Puerto Williams
• Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
• Transfer from Punta Arenas airport to hotel
• 1 night accommodation in Punta Arenas post-voyage
Voyage Inclusions:
• Accommodation during the voyage
• All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during the voyage
• All shore excursions and Zodiac (inflatable boat) cruises
• Educational lectures and guiding services from our expert team
• Access to our on board doctor and basic medical services
• Free gumboot hire during the voyage
• Daily cabin service
• A multi-purpose waterproof jacket
• Comprehensive pre-departure information
• Professionally produced voyage journal (one per booking)
• Port taxes and charges
• All entry fees to historic landings sites
Voyage Exclusions:
• International or domestic flights to or from ship, unless specified
• Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
• Airport arrival or departure taxes
• Visa, passport, and vaccination charges
• Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
• Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
• Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
• Optional activity surcharge. Please contact us if you wish to book any optional activities, such as sea kayaking
• All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, and email or phone charges.
Initial deposit is $2700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. Alternatively, you can register online here.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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