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Antarctic Air-Cruises
Antarctica XXI
There’s still a side of the Earth that remains virtually untouched. An entire continent of windswept expanses, snow-shrouded peaks, and haunting emptiness stretching to the far horizon. A place where ice takes on hues of turquoise and iridescent blue so surreal, you feel you’ve entered a dream world. Where even as you reach for words to describe your sense of awe, you realize none will ever capture the experience of being here.
STARTING AT
$13,995 usd
8 Days / 7 Nights
About
Our boutique-style wilderness Antarctica expeditions include a 2-hour flight to and from Antarctica
Trip Description
Day
01
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM, where you are welcomed by Antarctica21 staff and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you are welcomed at Explorers House to attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise 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.
Day
02
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-miles), 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.
Day
03-06
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.
No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the ever- changing opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every
time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache Strait, and the Penola Strait.
Day
07
Rafting in Baker River. Rafting consists of descending through waters called white on inflatable rafts where rapids of different graduations are found depending on the difficulty.
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program)
Day
08
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
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Vessels & Aircrafts
Magellan Explorer
Magellan Explorer is a modern expedition vessel custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises. The ship was constructed in Chile to the latest Polar Code specifications and launched in 2019.
Ocean Nova
Ocean Nova is a sturdy and nimble expedition vessel. This ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland. Fully renovated in 2006, it has an ice-strengthened hull that is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica.
Aircrafts
For our Antarctica flights, we use three similar aircraft: the BAE 146-200, the AVRO RJ 85, and the AVRO RJ 100. These aircraft were manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). They are high-wing aircraft with short runway requirements, which means they are particularly suited for our destinations. They are operated by AerovÃas DAP, which has more than 25 years of experience flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.
