Air Cruise Classic Antarctica on the in the M/V Greg Mortimer - M/V Sylvia Earle

12/11 days - 11/10 nights

Air-Cruise to Antarctica: Aircraft-Ship - Departing from Punta Arenas by aircraft and returning to Ushuaia by ship

Day 1 - Punta Arenas

Once arrived in Punta Arenas, we will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this vibrant and historic seaport in the Strait of Magellan. Overlooking this strait, the city sits on one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep farmers to Portuguese sailors, and remains an absolutely fascinating testimony to Chile's rich history. Tonight, we will meet our expedition companions and a briefing on the first stage of our expedition - our flight to Antarctica!

Day 2 - King George Island, South Shetland

This morning, we will transfer to the 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 a 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 into your cabin before our important briefings.

Note: King George Island is located in the northern part 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 kilos.

Day 3 to 8/9 - Península Antártica

It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of reaching Antarctica. Discovering your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of the freshest and freshest air on earth is an experience that will accompany you forever. Once we arrive, we can explore the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, and we have a wealth of options available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you like. Their experienced expedition team, who have made countless trips to this area, will use their experience to design your day-to-day trip, choosing the best options based on the weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

We generally make landings in Zodiac boats twice a day. You'll want to get in shape before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or between land icebergs, watching for whales, seals, and dolphin penguins. We will also make landings where you can visit penguin colonies, discover historical cabins, and explore some of our favorite places along the peninsula. As we disembark, we want to stretch our legs, wander along pebble beaches, or perhaps climb up snow-capped ridges to strategic points with mountains rising above and ice-dotted oceans. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do it whenever conditions allow.

We can enter through the straits that separate the islands from the continental coast, or stay in scenic bays to see whales travel or feed. This is a good time to enjoy the observation room or head to the bridge to enjoy uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its glory. Watch for the crunches and deep roar of glaciers as they make their way from the summit to the sea, and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.

Day 9/10 to 10/11 - 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 the life that calls it home. 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 to the tip of South America, our Captain can sail near the legendary Cape Horn, weather permitting.

Day 11/12- Ushuaia

During the early morning, we sailed through the Beagle Channel, before descending silently to the dock in Ushuaia, where we could disembark around 8:00 a.m. Goodbye to your expedition team and fellow travelers as we all continue our journeys forward, hopefully with a new feeling for the immense power of nature. A transfer to the center of Ushuaia before continuing to the airport is included in the cost of the trip.

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.

Sample itinerary: All the itineraries described are only presented for reference. Programs may vary depending on the weather and ice conditions in the area, as well as accessibility to landings and the opportunity to observe local wildlife. The final route will be determined by the leader of the Expedition. Flexibility is the fundamental principle to enjoy the cruise expedition.