Classic Antarctica AirCruise: Hebridean Sky

Antarctic Peninsula

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, this fly/cruise expedition takes you to one of the most spectacular places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent - Antarctica

Unique combination of flying and sailing to Antarctica
Save time and comfort by skipping the Drake Passage
Just 71 passengers for an intimate experience exploring Antarctica
Expert guides and modern, comfortable ice-class vessel
Highly experienced flight operator takes you direct to King George Island in Antarctica
Memorable journey, experience of a lifetime

The Antarctic Air-Cruise Model

Fly over Cape Horn and the Drake Passage to reach Antarctica quickly and in comfort! There was a time when adventure travellers who wanted to reach the Antarctic Peninsula had only one option: to sail across the tempestuous Drake Passage. This expedition gives you a more comfortable alternative.

FLY THE DRAKE

A two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas, in the Chilean Patagonia, directly to Antarctica where you board your expedition ship. You thereby avoid the stormy seas of the Drake Passage – and the potential seasickness - and experience only the best Antarctica has to offer.

CRUISE ANTARCTICA

This is a boutique-style wilderness adventure, not a cruise. Feeling more like private yachts than cruise ships, the small expedition vessel gives you privileged access to Antarctica, taking you where larger ships cannot. With a smaller number of passengers, disembarkation is fast and efficient so you spend time exploring, not waiting.

KEY BENEFITS

COMFORT: Avoid storms in the Drake Passage
SPEED: Get to Antarctica quickly and save time
SIZE: Enjoy a small-ship, yacht-like experience

Stewart's Take

Antarctica and back in one week! A new, more luxurious ship for this Classic itinerary.

Overview

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, this fly/cruise expedition takes you to one of the most spectacular places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent - Antarctica.

Day 1 - Arrive Punta Arenas, Chile Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM where you are welcomed by the expedition staff and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your voyage 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 2 - Scheduled flight to Antarctica 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. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel. Days 3 to 6 - Antarctica 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 sea birds, 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 lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places. Day 7 - Scheduled return flight from Antarctica 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 8 - Depart 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.

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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 overnight in Punta Arenas at a four star hotel and a welcome dinner including drinks on Day 1 (except ANTARCTICA EXPRESS Air-Cruise).
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 $2500 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).