Welcome to the ice factory! Thanks to the huge ice shelves that form huge tabular icebergs, krill-rich waters and otherworldly landscapes, the Weddell Sea is one of the most unique regions in Antarctica. Our new expedition ship, M/V Greg Mortimer, is reinforced with ice to take you comfortably between the Weddell Sea and the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula to get the best of both worlds.
Highlights of the expedition: Large tabular icebergs pass through the Antarctic Sound, follow the routes of Shackleton and Nordenskoljd, visit fascinating fossil fields with a paleontologist on board, capture the Antarctic light with a polar photography guide, enjoy the presence of the Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, watching killer whales, humpback whales and minkes whales. In true expedition style, we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you between action to see and do everything possible. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.
13 days - 12 nights
Day 1 - Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, we will be waiting for you at the airport and we will transfer to hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this historic seaport in the Strait of Magellan. Overlooking the strait, the city is located on one of the most historic trade routes in the world. Today, Punta Arenas is a great mix of cultures, from breeders of english sheep to portuguese sailors, and remains an absolutely fascinating testimony to Chile's rich history. Tonight, we will meet our fellow expeditions and have an information session on the first stage of our expedition: our flight to Antarctica!
Day 2 - King George Island, South Shetland
This morning, we go to Punta Arenas airport to take our charter flight early in the morning to King George Island, in Antarctica. The flight will last approximately an hour and half. Upon arrival at King George Island, our expedition team is at your disposal to assist you in your transfer by Zodiac boats to the M / V Greg Mortimer expedition ship. You will have time to settle in your cabin before our important briefings.
Note:
Nota: King George Island is located in the northern region of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for the plane to take off and land safely. We apologize in advance for any delay. Please note that the baggage allowance is 20 kilograms of checked baggage plus one piece of hand luggage that does not weigh more than seven kg.
Day 3 to 10 - Weddell Sea & West Coast of Antarctic Peninsula
After settling into life aboard the ship, we will head through the Antarctic sound to the east side of the peninsula to reach the Weddell Sea. Access to Weddell depends on ice conditions, and our experienced leader will use your experience to design our overnight trip. Our goal is to make landings or excursions in Zodiac boats twice a day. We will spend days sailing through spectacular ice cliffs, following the whales that feed near the surface, and descending on the mainland and its coastal islands such as the island of Gourdin for example or arriving at Brown Bluff to observe rookie penguins, seals, historical ruins and some of our other favorite places along the peninsula.
The sounds of Antarctica: Marine scientists have long studied the sound that is heard in the cold waters of Antarctica, more precisely in the Weddell Sea. It is a strangely repetitive sound. It is in a series of pulses with an interval of 3.1 seconds in two series. The whales of the Antarctic region (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) produce these sounds. Currently the behavior of this species of cetaceans is studied, sensors have been placed to capture the acoustics of whales.
Day 11 to 12 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Today, our landings come to an end when we enter the Drake Passage for our return trip to South America. With lectures and movie presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and its wildlife. There is time to reflect and debate on what we have seen and experienced, and the impact this journey has had on our outlook on life. As we get closer of South America, our Captain can sail near the legendary Cape Horn, if time and weather permit.
Day 13 - Ushuaia
During the early morning, we sail along the Beagle Channel. We arrive at the dock of the port of Ushuaia, where we begin to disembark around 8:00 am. We say goodbye to the expedition team and fellow travelers while we all continue our future trips, hopefully with a new sense of the immense power of nature. The cost of the trip includes a transfer to the center of Ushuaia or to the airport.
Note: At the end of the trip, we do not recommend booking flights that leave Ushuaia before 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case of delays.
Referential itineraries: The detailed itinerary is for reference only, since the exact route, destinations and programs can be modified in order to get the best climatic advantages, watching wildlife and ice conditions present in the zone. All changes are determined by the captain and the expedition leader to guarantee the maximum benefit and take advantage of the result of the trip. Flexibility is the key; the program will be posted daily and distributed to all passengers on board.
Map of Route
Services
Services included
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- Accommodation night the day before departure.
- Transfer from the hotel to the airport on the day of boarding
- Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island. Please note that the baggage allowance is 20 kilograms of checked baggage plus one piece of hand luggage that does not weigh more than seven kilos.
- Transfer from the pier to the city center or to the airport, when you disembark.
- Onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Free access to our onboard doctor for consultations relating to sea-sickness. A standard fee of US $60.00 (reclaimable through your travel insurance provider) applies for medical consultations not related to sea-sickness
- A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
Services not included
- International or domestic flights to or within South America, unless specified
- Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Passport, visa, reciprocity 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 surcharges
- All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges