Day by Day Itinerary

Fly overnight from London to Punta Arenas via Santiago.

Day 01: Punta Arenas, Chile

After arriving in the city you’ll be met by Antarctica XXI staff, before transferring to Hotel Rey Don Felipe. In the afternoon you’ll meet your fellow expeditioneers and receive instructions on the guidelines that should be followed in Antarctica and the procedures for embarkation and disembarkation on the Zodiac boats. Later there will be a delicious welcome dinner at the José Nogueira Hotel, a French-style mansion that’s over a hundred years old.

Please note: passengers need to be in Punta Arenas by 15:00 hours, at the latest.

Day 02: Flight to King George Island

This is where your Antarctic adventure begins with a flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The flight takes just over one-and-a-half hours and on arrival you’ll be able to tour around the area where the Frei Chilean base and the Bellingshausen Russian base are located. Later we’ll gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation on the expedition vessel, by smaller, Zodiac boats.

Day 03 to 06: Cruise of Antarctica

Make sure you’ve got your journal handy. As we cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, we’ll pass ice-filled fjords and magnificent icebergs, all the while accompanied by sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Heading south, we’ll visit some of the most beautiful spots on the white continent, including Livingston Island, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville and Deception Islands. Our target will be the crossing of the Lemaire Channel and latitude 65° South. This will be an active, exciting adventure, with several daily landings and cruises in Zodiac boats, and lectures on board, all washed down delicious wines and food.

Day 07: Flight to Punta Arenas

Today we’ll return to King George Island where we all disembark in Zodiac boats, at the Frei Chilean Base. Heading to the aerodrome, we’ll take the flight back to Punta Arenas, where the program ends at the Punta Arenas airport.

The scheduled flights and Antarctic itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions. At the end of the program, a free transfer to the city will be available at the airport for all passengers staying overnight.

Transfer to the city will be available for passengers staying overnight in Punta Arenas. One complimentary night at Hotel Rey Don Felipe in Punta Arenas is offered upon request on day seven of the travel program.

Day 08: Fly home with amazing tales to tell

We can tailor make any escape to suit your requirements so if you wish to extend your stay pre or post cruise in Chile, just let us know.  Why not combine this with the wilderness of the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile?

We can also offer you an itinerary that includes a one-way sea crossing of the Drake Passage, from Ushuaia in Southern Argentina, to Antarctica.

Accommodation

  • The Ship: Ocean Nova
  • Hotel Rey Don Felipe in Punta Arenas

View Accommodation

When to Escape

There is only a short season when the seas are navigable around Antarctica, so the available dates are fairly limited.

 

Austral summer weather in Antarctica will mean mostly mild temperatures, but you should expect some cold, sunny days and brisk winds, which may turn stormy with a few snow flurries. Be prepared for quick changes in conditions.

 

Departs

Punta Arenas 2017: 02 Dec, 07 Dec, 12 Dec, 17 Dec, 22 Dec, 27 Dec.

Punta Arenas 2018: 17 Jan, 22 Jan, 27 Jan, 08 Feb, 13 Feb.

“Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem is probably the most important issue of our lifetime. To experience this firsthand and gain an understanding of this wilderness is something precious indeed. Contact with the Antarctica is done in a safe and careful manner with respect of the environment uppermost at all times.” 

Escapa

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