Aurora Expeditions
Atividades oferecidas
A partir de US$ 44.895US$ 40.406 por pessoa
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The expedition begins in Hobart, Australia, where guests embark and sail south through the Southern Ocean, following the historic route of early Antarctic explorers. After several days at sea, the voyage reaches Macquarie Island, a subantarctic wildlife haven teeming with penguins, seals, and seabirds. Continuing south, the ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence and enters Antarctic waters, marked by icebergs and dramatic seascapes. The journey then explores the remote and pristine Ross Sea region, including the Victoria Land Coast, home to vast penguin colonies, seals, whales, and historic exploration sites. Landings may include iconic locations such as the Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound, Cape Adare, and Cape Hallett, where human history and polar wilderness intertwine. After leaving Antarctica, the voyage heads north through the Southern Ocean toward New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands. These remote islands offer rich biodiversity, rare birdlife, and striking landscapes shaped by wind, ice, and sea. The journey concludes with a final sea crossing and disembarkation in Dunedin, New Zealand, bringing an epic polar adventure to a close.
Arrive in Hobart, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Hobart, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby to collect your luggage tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.
Enjoy your evening in Australia’s southernmost capital city. You may like to indulge in a sumptuous meal at one of Hobart’s celebrated restaurants, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the historic waterfront.
Hospedagem designada: a confirmar
This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. By 11.00 am, take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.
A manhã é livre para você explorar Hobart.
Settle into your beautifully appointed cabin and discover the many public spaces designed with your comfort in mind. This luxurious vessel is yours to explore! As we throw the lines and set sail down the Derwent River, join your expedition team on deck to enjoy panoramic views of the Hobart foreshore, and the dramatic fluted columns of the Tasman Peninsula. From Storm Bay we set a southerly course, following in the wake of the vessel Aurora, which carried Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) 100 years ago.
On an expedition such as this, the journey is as significant as the destination. Sea days are a wonderful opportunity to relax, meet your fellow travellers and learn about the history, environment and local wildlife in this fascinating corner of the globe.
As you acclimatise to life on board, your expedition team is available to answer any questions you may have and offer pro-tips on photography and birdwatching. With decades of collective experience in the region, they love to share their expertise and enthusiasm with fellow travellers. Specialists across a range of fields will offer entertaining talks and presentations on the local wildlife and history, which you won’t want to miss!
Once you’ve settled in, you may like to pamper yourself with a sauna, or work out at the onboard gym. For the bookworms, our well-equipped polar library is the perfect place to while away the hours at sea, and the bar is a vibrant social hub to get to know your fellow expeditioners.
As you take in the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean, spare a thought for Mawson and his party, who made this transit aboard the Aurora, a wooden vessel no longer than an Olympic swimming pool! Mawson reported sightings of many whales and albatross in these waters, so spend some time out on deck with your binoculars - or grab a ‘cuppa’ and find a vantage point in one of our spacious observation lounges.
“Penguins were in thousands on the uprising cliffs, and from rookeries near and far came an incessant din . . . seabirds of many varieties gave warning of our near approach to their nests” Douglas Mawson, 1911.
As they sailed towards Antarctica, Mawson and his men encountered ‘an exquisite scene’. Macquarie Island (known affectionately as Macca) rises steeply from the Southern Ocean in a series of emerald summits: a beautifully fierce, elemental landscape teeming with life.
Keep your binoculars handy because this subantarctic refuge is home to 3.5 million breeding seabirds, including no less than four species of penguin! Alongside boisterous colonies of tuxedoed kings, charming gentoos, robust rockhoppers and endemic royal penguins, you’ll find three types of fur seals and a large proportion of the world’s elephant seals. Layer up and head out on deck to experience the sound, sight (and smell!) as you approach one of the largest concentrations of life in the Southern Ocean.
Remember to keep an eye out for Macca’s kelp forests—these remarkable underwater ecosystems are quite mesmerising as their fronds sway back and forth on the water’s surface.
In addition to being a globally recognised and protected wildlife refuge, Macquarie Island played an important role in Antarctic history. It was here, in 1911, that five men disembarked Mawson’s Aurora and established a radio relay station which would transmit the first communication from Antarctica to the outside world.
As Macquarie Island slips over the horizon, keep watch for wandering, grey-headed, black-browed and light-mantled albatross, which may follow the ship to bid you farewell as you continue south.
Close observers may notice a subtle change in the character of the sea as you cross the Antarctic Convergence. Beyond this zone where the waters of the north and south mix, the sea surface temperature drops by about 4°C (39°F), signalling your entry into the Antarctic. This transition zone is known for its nutrient waters, so keep watch for porpoising penguins, flocks of fluttering Antarctic petrels, or perhaps the more solitary snow petrel. You’re not far from the Antarctic Circle, so your first iceberg can’t be far away!
Sea days are a great opportunity for some R & R as you digest your subantarctic experiences and prepare for the next phase of your voyage. Relax and unwind your way, perhaps meeting newfound friends at the bar, treating yourself to a sauna, or editing some images in the comfort of your cabin. And join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations on the charismatic wildlife and extraordinary adventures that took place along the epic Antarctic coastline you are about to experience.
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in this storied, ice-bound sector of Antarctica. Stepping outside and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience to cherish forever.
The Ross Sea region is a globally significant wildlife sanctuary. Its nutrient-rich waters support an astonishing array of uniquely adapted Antarctic species, including Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels and South Pacific Weddell seals. It is also home to Antarctica’s largest Adélie penguin colony, and many of the largest emperor penguin colonies. The unique biodiversity of the Ross Sea has been protected within the world’s largest marine protected area since 2016.
The human heritage of the Ross Sea coast is equally impressive. Since James Clark Ross discovered the region in 1841, countless expeditions have built base camps on scattered ice-free slivers of land, using them as staging posts for bold forays across the polar plateau. Many of them departed in a hurry, leaving artefacts, scientific equipment and sometimes entire huts behind. Today these sites are preserved as open-air museums and protected under the Antarctic Treaty System.
Embrace the spirit of exploration as your expedition team designs your voyage from day to day, bringing decades of experience to selecting the ideal sites based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
Alguns lugares que podemos visitar:
Plataforma de Gelo Ross
Find a spot on deck as we cruise perfectly cleaved ice cliffs towering some 30 metres above the crystalline waters of the Ross Sea. This is the floating edge of the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, which covers an area the size of France. Watch for elegant emperor penguins, sweet-faced Weddell seals hauled out on ice floes, and the unmistakable ‘pouf’ of an orca’s exhalation.
Ilha Franklin
This delightful ice-free outpost with a rookery of rambunctious Adélie penguins is well worth a visit. Stretch your legs as you stroll up a gentle incline past the colony to a high point, where panoramic views of the Ross archipelago and the ice shelf unfurl.
Estreito de McMurdo
Enter a realm of exquisite beauty, an otherworldly icescape set against a backdrop of gleaming glaciers, shimmering mountains, and the polar ice sheet itself. McMurdo Sound is the historic gateway to the South Pole and remains a busy working harbour today, serving as a logistics hub for the extensive scientific operations taking place at the McMurdo and Scott Research bases on Ross Island.
It is here, in this achingly barren landscape, that early explorers established their base camps and struck out for the South Pole. If conditions allow, we aim to land at one (or more) of their beautifully preserved huts, many of which still stand, to dwell for a moment amongst the artefacts of a distant time, and reflect on the triumphs and tragedies of those who brought them here.
Cabo Washington, Baía Terra Nova
Bounded by soaring peaks and fed by immense glaciers, Terra Nova Bay supports an abundance of polar wildlife, including the rarely sighted Arnoux's Beaked Whale. Fast ice anchored to the bay’s northern shore in the shelter of Cape Washington is home to one of the largest known emperor penguin colonies. Some 20,000 males huddle here each winter, incubating their eggs and awaiting the sun’s return. Weather and ice permitting, visit the bustling rookery to witness the delightful emperors and their fledging chicks.
Cabo Hallett
The snow-capped Admiralty Mountains rise dramatically from the gravelly spit of Cape Hallett, where we hope to land. This is the site of a decommissioned scientific base and an abundance of Antarctic mosses, lichens and invertebrates, protected by the Antarctic Treaty System.
Amble across gently undulating terrain, taking care to give resting Weddell seals a wide berth. The Adélie penguin rookery here can host close to 50,000 breeding pairs, while snow petrels, Wilson’s storm petrels and South Polar skuas breed in the rocky crevices nearby.
Cape Hallett also has a special significance for Aurora. It was from this rocky foothold that Greg Mortimer, co-founder of Aurora Expeditions, launched the Australian Bicentennial Antarctic Expedition in 1988. Cape Hallett provided access to the glaciated coastal ranges beyond, where the six-man team completed the first ascent of Mt Minto (4,165 metres).
Cabo Adare
Cape Adare lies 100 km (62 miles) north of Cape Hallet, at the western entrance to the Ross Sea. A rare ice-free refuge on this icebound coastline, Cape Adare is home to Antarctica’s largest Adélie penguin colony. Ice and weather permitting, wend your way through the pack ice to land on the flat, cobbled spit where more than 250,000 breeding pairs of Adélies gather to busily breed, feed and raise their chicks in the short southern summer.
First visited by James Clark Ross in 1841, this rocky promontory played an important role in the pioneering expeditions of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. It was here in 1899 that the Southern Cross expedition, led by Carsten Borchgrevink, became the first to winter over in Antarctica and establish the first human structures on the continent.
The remnants of these pioneering constructions, and thousands of artefacts scattered in their vicinity, remain virtually untouched and protected under the Antarctic Treaty System. We hope to enter Borchgrevink’s living quarters to experience the awe and imagine the perils of conducting science here, as they did, through an Antarctic winter.
We leave the grandeur of the ice to the seals and penguins and head northwards, but our voyage is far from over. In the days ahead there is plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. If the mood takes you, join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations and polar film showings, or meet your new travel mates in the bar, library or observation deck to reminisce on your Antarctic experiences.
These days at sea also offer time and space to reflect on the emotions and special moments you’ve lived over the past two weeks. You may like to review your photos, jot some notes in a journal, mark your passage on a map, and reflect on your journey so far.
As you approach the rugged New Zealand subantarctic islands you have a rare opportunity to spot the endemic white-capped mollymawk (a type of albatross) in flight. The largest of the mollymawk family, over ninety percent of its population breeds on the Auckland Islands. Keep an eye out also for the playful New Zealand sea lion and southern right whale, which are known to frolic in these waters.
First visited by Māori navigators centuries ago, these islands are of great significance to Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand’s South Island. Their natural beauty and astonishing biodiversity have now been recognised globally, but few have had the privilege to visit these far-flung shores, which are now yours to explore.
Ilhas Auckland (Maungahuka / Motu Maha)
Born of fire, scoured by ancient glaciers and shaped by the fierce hand of the Southern Ocean, there is an exquisite ruggedness to this group of weather-worn islands. This apparent bleakness belies the extraordinary abundance of life that thrives here. Roughly half of the world’s yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), most of the world’s white-capped mollymawks, and the entire population of Auckland Islands wandering albatross find shelter on these shores.
Embrace the spirit of exploration as your expedition team designs your voyage from day to day, bringing decades of experience to selecting ideal sites based on the prevailing conditions and wildlife opportunities.
Alguns lugares que podemos visitar:
Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay is home to a breeding colony of rare New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lions and an enchanting rātā forest where yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) make their nests.
Carnley Harbour, Erlangen Clearing
Carnley Harbour offers superb Zodiac cruising through a landscape rich in human history. In 1864, five men became stranded here after their schooner, the Grafton, was wrecked, putting a sudden end to their sealing and tin prospecting ambitions. We hope to see the skeletal remnants of the Grafton, and the moss-covered remains of the Epigwaitt Hut, where they sheltered for 20 months.
Passagem Victoria
Victoria Passage is a lively channel separating Auckland Island from the mountainous Adams Island to the south. We may Zodiac cruise these scenic waters, watching for sooty shearwaters, penguins and sea-lions frolicking in the pure waters.
Ilha Campbell (Motu Ihupuku)
Wind and weather permitting, we will Zodiac cruise sheltered harbours and coves in search of Campbell Island snipes and teals, yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), and New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lions (whakahao).
We hope to land at Beeman Cove, Perseverance Harbour, where an old meteorological station stands vigil on the windswept shoreline. Follow a boardwalk through tussock and upland tundra, then enter an otherworldly landscape where large-leaved megaherbs abound. Wonder at the Ross Lily, Campbell Island Daisy and Campbell Island carrot, whose brilliant flowers would look more at home in the tropics than these southern climes. Continue towards the nesting grounds of majestic southern royal albatross, whose wingspans can exceed three metres (10 feet). It is truly humbling to be in the presence of these great wanderers of the southern seas. Find a spot to quietly observe these marvellous birds as they go about their daily duties, undisturbed by their human visitors.
As your journey draws to a close, take some time to reflect on the experiences of the past few weeks. Perhaps take some time to organise your photos, jot some more notes in your journal or simply relax and soak up the ambiance on board as you farewell your travel mates . . . until next time!
We hope you become ambassadors for the great Southern Ocean, advocating for its conservation and preservation, and share your experiences with your loved ones, so they might visit and become ambassadors themselves.
After breakfast, farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
* Observe que viajamos para regiões remotas e, por isso, a conexão pode ser instável.
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
É exigido um sinal não reembolsável de US$ 2.500 por pessoa em até 7 dias úteis após a reserva. O pagamento final deve ser feito pelo menos 90 dias antes da data de partida da expedição
Preços por pessoa
Os preços são definidos pelas operadoras e mudam com a procura, às vezes de um dia para o outro. Valores em dólar, por pessoa.
Our 23 Balcony Stateroom A rooms are our premium and most abundant option on board. Strategically located in prime positions on Decks 4 and 6, they offer easy access to other levels via internal stairs or the elevator.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Perched on Deck 7, the Greg Mortimer's four Junior Suites offer stunning views. When not out exploring, unwind in the private lounge area or take in the scenery from your own balcony.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Our 14 Balcony Stateroom C rooms are the most budget-friendly option, equipped with essential amenities and comfortably accommodating up to two guests. These staterooms are conveniently located across Decks 4 and 6.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Esgotada
Our two Balcony Stateroom C - Solo rooms are the most budget-friendly option, equipped with essential amenities and conveniently located across Deck 6.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Esgotada
Our 21 Balcony Stateroom B rooms are our standard option, with many featuring interconnecting doors—ideal for families or groups. These staterooms are located at the front and rear of Decks 4 and 6.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Esgotada
Nossas duas Cabines com varanda B - Individual são a opção padrão, localizadas na parte da frente do Deck 6.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Esgotada
Our six Balcony Stateroom A - Solo rooms are our premium and most abundant solo option on board. Strategically located in prime spots on Decks 4 and 6, they offer easy access to other levels via internal stairs or the elevator.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Esgotada
Com espaço extra para relaxar, as Cabines Superiores com varanda são ideais para aventureiros polares que viajam com bastante equipamento.
Localizadas nos decks 4 e 6, estas cabines têm janelas do chão ao teto, banheiro privativo e uma área de trabalho confortável. Algumas cabines também têm banheiro acessível para cadeira de rodas.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Esgotada
The Greg Mortimer’s exclusive Captain’s Suite is the largest and most luxurious room on board, offering the ultimate in style and comfort for your polar adventure. Featuring a spacious lounge area, private balcony, walk-in wardrobe, and en-suite, this suite is in high demand—so be sure to book early.
Observação: todas as imagens de cabines do Greg Mortimer são ilustrações artísticas, e o projeto final pode variar.
Esgotada
Opcionais
One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond. Sea kayaking holidays in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica, the Arctic, and some of the world’s most biodiverse regions, are guaranteed to stir your soul. Paddle around brash ice and near icebergs of all shapes and sizes, absorbing the majestic scenery as it unfolds before you.
This Kayaking Program was created by kayakers for kayakers! Our program style offers the chance to develop and enhance your skills and to connect with our expert guides and your fellow Expeditioners. Participating with the small group through your voyage will minimise wasted time with briefings and equipment tryouts and maximise time on the water.
All of our Expert Guides are professional kayak guides, who have led trips around the world, specialise in the Polar Regions and have been chosen for their passion for the sport. Kayaking is one of the best ways to access and intimately explore the beautiful coastlines we visit and make the most of your time in the wild and remote destinations we visit. You have the option to discuss with the guides what you want out of your trip and they will help with recommendations on when to paddle, when to go ashore and when it’s possible to do both in one outing.
Saiba mais sobre a nossa atividade de caiaque no mar e como você pode participar.
‘Getting out amongst it’ is our philosophy, and that is exactly what we do. Weather permitting, the sea kayaking activity is normally available anytime the other expeditioners go out.
We paddle between 5 to 15 kilometres (2 to 4 hours) per outing, often offering a combination of both kayaking and onshore landings so you won’t miss out. Each small group of kayakers (up to 10 per guide) will have their own intimate exploration of the small hidden bays and coasts that are inaccessible to Zodiacs. Of course, we also make time for your own shore excursions and wildlife encounters. The elements play an important role in our sea kayaking program. It is important that you have an adventurous attitude and understand that the weather can impact our kayaking time.
Aurora Expeditions will be providing kayak booties and dry suits. If you prefer to bring your own dry suit for this activity, please contact our Activity Specialist to discuss the suitability of your equipment.
O navio
Drawing on centuries of experience, they designed the Greg Mortimer as a purpose-built vessel for exploring the wildest and most remote places on Earth.
As the first passenger ship to feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, it crosses oceans more smoothly and efficiently. Expansive observation decks bring travelers closer to nature, while inviting communal spaces and industry-leading environmental credentials make it the perfect base camp for exploration.
Accommodating up to 130 expeditioners per voyage, the ship offers 76 cozy, ocean-view staterooms—85% with private balconies. It also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a Wellness Centre, gym, sauna, Jacuzzis, a mudroom, and more, ensuring both comfort and adventure at every turn.
Crossing the notorious Drake Passage or Denmark Strait, their expeditions encounter some of nature’s most intense conditions. The Greg Mortimer, at the forefront of nautical technology, is built to handle the challenge with power, stability, and efficiency.
Used in over 100 commercial vessels, the streamlined Ulstein X-BOW® cuts through the swell for smoother crossings, reducing vibrations and disturbances while improving fuel efficiency. Combined with Rolls Royce dynamic stabilizers, it offers unmatched stability and comfort* on ocean voyages.
*A Aurora Expeditions não afirma que isso vá prevenir ou curar o enjoo.
The ship carries 15 Zodiacs, accessible via four dedicated boarding doors for fast, safe, and efficient transfers, minimizing wait times and maximizing time spent exploring.
From kayaking and diving to climbing and ski touring, the Greg Mortimer supports a range of adventure activities. Spacious preparation and loading areas, designed in consultation with expert guides, make transitioning from ship to sea or shore smooth and efficient. Dedicated lockers and rapid-drying areas ensure wetsuits and dry suits are ready for the next excursion.
In addition to onboard observation areas, the ship features unique hydraulic viewing platforms, designed with Greg Mortimer himself. These fold-out platforms provide unobstructed views of marine life and seabirds during calm cruising or when stationary in favorable weather.
The Greg Mortimer was designed with sustainability in mind, operating with low energy consumption, high fuel efficiency, and a streamlined structure that reduces emissions.
The ship also features virtual anchoring technology, which uses GPS, steering, propellers, and thrusters to hold position without damaging the sea floor with conventional anchors.
Equipped with industry-leading safety technology, the Greg Mortimer exceeds the requirements for a ship of its size. Its world-class return-to-port system duplicates propulsion, allowing continued operation in the event of engine failure.
The ship is Ice Class 1A and Polar Code 6 compliant, holds a BV* classification, and fully meets the latest SOLAS safety requirements. A fully stocked medical clinic ensures the highest level of care, even in remote locations.
Perguntas frequentes
Sim!!! Quando a viagem começar, o grande objetivo do Capitão, do Líder da Expedição e da Equipe de Expedição será garantir que a gente saia do navio o máximo possível. Você vai participar de desembarques, passeios de Zodiac e de qualquer atividade extra em que tenha se inscrito. Veja o “Itinerário detalhado da viagem” para mais detalhes sobre cada saída.
O preço mostrado é o preço "tudo incluído”, com todos os impostos, taxas, taxas portuárias e licenças exigidas, que são administrados pela operadora. Os únicos custos adicionais importantes serão o seguro viagem obrigatório, a gorjeta opcional e as atividades adicionais.
Não necessariamente! Nossas viagens em grupo costumam ter cerca de 50% de viajantes sozinhos! Os preços são sempre por pessoa, por cama. Se você viaja sozinho, vamos combinar você com alguém do mesmo gênero do nosso grupo para dividir a cabine. Também existe a opção de cabine individual em algumas viagens. Mande uma mensagem para a gente sobre cabines individuais se essa for sua preferência.
Fale com a nossa equipe. A gente confirma a disponibilidade com a operadora e responde por email.
Pedir informações desta viagemOdisseia no Mar de Ross · 14 dez 2026
