Antarctic Polar Circle in the M/V Sylvia Earle

13 days - 12 nights

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

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 11 - Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Polar Circle

During the next few days, we have a large number of options available, and depending on the ice and weather conditions, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. Our experienced expedition team, which has made countless trips to this area, will use their experience to design our day-to-day trip. This allows us to take full advantage of the climate, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18 to 20 hours of natural light and the days can be as busy as you want. Generally we will try two landings or excursions in zodiac boats. We will sail along spectacular ice cliffs, watching whales that feed near the surface and disembarking on the mainland and its islands on the coast to visit penguin colonies, historical ruins and some of our other favorite places along the peninsula.

There are many interesting places we can choose to visit and our itinerary is deliberately flexible to allow us to choose the best places of the day according to the ice and weather conditions. A sample of some of the types of places we can navigate, disembark, walk, photograph or see the spectacular wildlife include: Beautiful protected bays around the Antarctic Peninsula surrounded by magnificent peaks and spectacular glaciers, areas that are shelters for whales while we keep our eyes open to see humpback whales, killer whales, mink and crabeater seals, while we explore bays in Zodiacs.

Islands rich in wildlife where glaciers and mountains dominate the view and we can see large colonies of chinstrap penguins caught between basaltic turrets colored by yellow and orange lichens and where we often find sea lions and sea elephants on pebble beaches. It houses the home of Gentoo penguins and Weddell seals. The landscape is dramatic, the high mountains and glaciers looming around the harbor. The thundering crack of the glaciers as they open will surely stop you along the way.

Lemaire Channel: if the ice conditions allow it, stand on the observation platform of the M/V Syvlia Earle in silence while the ship sails along the narrow Lemaire Channel, could be one of the highlights of our trip. The cliffs rise to 700 meters / 2,296 feet that leave the ocean on both sides of the ship. The water can be so still that the mountain is reflected on the surface and it is clear why this channel is often called "Kodak Alley". Gigantic icebergs can clog the canal, creating navigation challenges for our Captain and crew, occasionally they may even obstruct our passage.

On this trip, we plan to cross the Antarctic Polar Circle, an imaginary line located in the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66 ° 33 'South. This is undoubtedly a special highlight for everyone, and the moment will be celebrated with a toast on the terrace. You have earned yourself some boasting privileges, joining a small group of lucky adventurers who have come to this part of the world. As we get closer and cross the circle, you will notice subtle changes in the landscape, the landscape and also in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich in krill and we look forward to seeing many whales, especially humpback and minkes, and enjoying the spectacle of penguins feeding their voracious chicks.

Day 12 - From King George Island to Punta Arenas

As we get closer to the Frei Base on King George Island, it's time to say goodbye to Antarctica and our incredible adventure before boarding our flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our preferred hotel in the city center.

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.

Day 13 - Punta Arenas

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as we all continue our travels, hopefully with a new sense of the immense power of nature.

Note: Please inform your Argentinian Explorer travel agent if you need an airport transfer, so that you can book in advance. Airport departure transfer is not included in the cost of your trip and will have an additional charge.

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.