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Fur seal paradise in Antarctica

Across the Antarctic Circle Sail/Fly

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Polar Pioneer
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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.
Kayaking through arctic waters.A penguin watches over her babies.Hiking through through the snow.Getting ready for the diveFur seal paradise in Antarctica
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
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: Ushuaia OR Punta Arenas | Embark | Beagle Channel

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.

Day 2-3: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
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.

Day 4-9: Antarctica

  • Ship
  • 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
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

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Ship/Hotel

Polar Pioneer

Enjoy a drink at the bar.
Polar Pioneer's dining room.
Polar Pioneer's bar and lounge.

Punta Arenas - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$11,400
Polar Pioneer's Public Twin Cabin.
Select a Date
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.

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
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Beer, House Wine, and Soft Drinks with Dinner 
  • Educational Lectures and Guiding Services from Expedition Team 
  • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
  • Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
  • Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
  • A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
  • Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
  • On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
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
  • Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
  • Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
  • Optional activity surcharges
  • Reciprocity and Vaccination Charges
  • Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of the holiday, medical, accident, and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD.

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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!
Meyer Smolen

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