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Antarctica Express AirCruise: Hebridean Sky

Antarctic Peninsula

This air-cruise Antarctica expedition takes you to the most spectacular place on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent. Sail southwards from Ushuaia, Argentina via Cape Horn. After a brief exploration of penguin colonies on the South Shetland Islands you fly directly back from King George Island to Punta Arenas in Chile. *Some departures operate in reverse: Fly from Punta Arenas and sail back to Ushuaia

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  • World's shortest Antarctica expedition - sail there and and fly back!
  • Just 71 passengers for an intimate and luxurious experience exploring Antarctica
  • Expert guides and modern, comfortable ice-class vessel
  • Highly experienced flight operator takes you direct to King George Island in Antarctica
  • Chance of a lifetime to visit Antarctica!

At A Glance

Trip Quick Facts

Prices from: 4995.00
Duration: 6 days
Location: Antarctic Peninsula
Start: Ushuaia, Argentina*
Finish: Punta Arenas, Chile*
Availability: December/January

Photo copyright info
Photos on this page copyright: Antarctica XXI, Stewart Campbell

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Jan 10 2019
 
The sense of adventure was at all times present. Nothing else like this.
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Stewart's Take

Antarctica and back in just 5 days! For those very short on time or with a tight budget this unique program offers a glimpse of Antarctica and will maybe have you back wanting more.

Overview

This air-cruise Antarctica expedition takes you to the most spectacular place on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent. Sail southwards from Ushuaia, Argentina via Cape Horn. After a brief exploration of penguin colonies on the South Shetland Islands you fly directly back from King George Island to Punta Arenas in Chile.
*Some departures operate in reverse: Fly from Punta Arenas and sail back to Ushuaia
Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. Board Ocean Nova and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn. N.B. Due to port operations, boarding in Ushuaia is exclusively between 15:00 hr and 16:00 hr. At 16:00 hr. boarding will close. Please be on time. Keep your passport at hand and allow enough time to clear port security and to reach the vessel. Day 2 - Cape Horn, Chile After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honour of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th century British explorer. Day 3 - Drake Passage As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the glass-enclosed lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent sea birds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica. Day 4 - South Shetland Islands After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Taking advantage of the endless Antarctic daylight, exploration will continue well into the evening. Day 5 - King George Island Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay and explore the area, such as the Chilean Base Frei and the Russian Base Bellingshausen. Bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. 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 6 - Punta Arenas After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight. ITINERARY Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned program. However, it must be realized that with this type of adventurous travel to Antarctica, changes to the itinerary may occur due to severe and unpredictable weather. We need to emphasize the fact that weather conditions are unpredictable and that safety is always the paramount concern on any Antarctic voyage. For this reason the vessel operator reserves the right to change the itinerary here described due to weather conditions or other factors beyond control without consulting the participants.

Expedition Vessel: M/V Hebridean Sky

Hebridean Sky was built in 1991 in Italy and underwent extensive refitting and modernization in 2005 and again in 2016. In all ways she is an excellent expedition ship—equipped like a classic luxury yacht with attractive, spacious cabins and stylish common areas, all outfitted with an eye for details. In all, there are 57 cabins, of which 12 are suites with their own balconies, on the ship. With a crew of 70 persons the service on board is unsurpassed, and as icing on the cake the ship's cooks provide for exquisite culinary indulgence in the ship's restaurant. The ship has a large lounge, in which the trip organizers hold informational meetings and lectures, and a great deal of outdoor deck space from which we can enjoy both whales and unique nature between landfalls. On the ship there are a number of Zodiac rubber boats, which are used for most landings, as it only possible to dock a few places.

For Antarctica Fly/Cruises the aircraft BAE-146 is used in combination with the ship. It was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace. It is a high-wing aircraft with very short runaway requirements which make it particularly suited for these kind of destinations. It is operated by Aerovías DAP, which has more than 20 years of experience of flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included
  • Transfers airport/hotel/airport in Punta Arenas foreseen on the first and last day of the voyage (in case of using the complimentary hotel night upon return from Antarctica, no transfer is included the following day).
  • 1 complimentary hotel night upon request in Punta Arenas on the day of return from Antarctica.
  • Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
  • Ship cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
  • Daily buffet breakfast and lunch offering a wide choice of dishes
  • Daily served dinner offering a choice of three main courses
  • A selection of wines, beers, and soft drinks served with lunch, dinner, and at the bar
  • Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks throughout the expedition
  • All guided shore excursions.
  • Lectures and entertainment on board.
  • Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
  • Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
  • Contingency Plan for air-cruise departures as foreseen for each voyage (see further on).
Excluded
  • Accommodation, meals, excursions and transfers other than those included in the Travel Program and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage.
  • Personal insurance.
  • Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
  • Tips (suggested USD 10 per person per day).
  • Visas or Passport expenses and/or any other arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE The maximum weight allowed on the flights to and from Antarctica is 20 kg per passenger, including hand luggage. Exceeding luggage will be kept in custody and will be returned to passengers upon their return from Antarctica at Punta Arenas airport.
Deposits - Reservations require a deposit of $1500 per person at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card alternatively bank transfer. Bookings within 120 days of departure require full payment. Final Payments - Balances are due 120 days prior to departure. Final payment can be made by calling us (final payment cannot be made online) and may be paid by major credit card (however subject to a 2% surcharge) or bank transfer. Cancellations - All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. Cancellation received up to 180 days prior to departure: there will be a full refund of the program cost less a $500 USD per person processing fee. Cancellation received between 179 days prior to departure and the departure date: there will be no refund whatsoever. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Booking Terms - Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Antarctica XXI and you additionally travel under their terms and conditions as the operator as well as of the Shipping Company/transport carrier. Details will be forwarded to you at the time of booking. Single travellers Single travellers can choose between:
  • Booking a dedicated single cabin. No supplement is applied for single use of dedicated single cabins.
  • Booking a twin cabin for single use. An 85% supplement will be added to the rate per person in twin cabin.
  • Sharing a twin cabin with another passenger (male or female). No supplement is applied, and the shipping company will take care of finding the matching companion.
N.B.: In case of sharing the cabin with another passenger, this also implies sharing any other hotel accommodation foreseen in the Travel Program of each voyage. FLIGHT CONNECTIONS A tight time-schedule connection with an Antarctic expedition is unwise. For this reason, we strongly suggest that a flexible air ticket be held for your journey home, and in any case not to book a flight on the same day of the return flight from Antarctica. CONTINGENCY PLAN In case that the flight to or from Antarctica cannot take place due to unfavourable weather conditions either at point of origin and/or destination, Antarctica XXI will apply the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage (details available on request).
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Antarctica Express AirCruise: Hebridean Sky

December/January

6 days

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10th December 2019 - 15th December 2019: 6 days

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2nd January 2020 - 8th January 2020: 7 days

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