Antártica pelas lentes

The journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, where we prepare for a scenic charter flight to remote King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, gateway to the Antarctic Peninsula. From there, we spend several days exploring pristine bays, dramatic ice cliffs, and rugged shorelines by Zodiac and on foot, visiting penguin rookeries, seal haul-outs, historic huts, and breathtaking glacier vistas. Wildlife sightings may include whales, seabirds, and leopard seals, with unique opportunities for photography and even a polar plunge. We then cross the Drake Passage back toward South America, with the chance to pass legendary Cape Horn, before arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina, for disembarkation and onward travel.

Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2:00pm on this day. In addition to ensuring your arrival in time for our important pre-flight briefings, if weather conditions deem it necessary, we may depart for King George Island on Day 1 as opposed to Day 2.

Please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items.

Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today).

At 7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.

This morning, we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings.

Note: Luggage restrictions apply to our charter flight, 1 x checked piece (<20kg) + 1 x carry-on piece (<7kg). The overhead bins of a BAE146 are substantially smaller than those on a regular commercial flight. Dimensions are Height: 45 cm / Width: 40 cm / Depth: 20 cm

If your camera gear combined with your usual luggage means you may go over these weight limits, please let your reservations consultant know. As we have chartered the plane, we have some flexibility with the weight. If you would like to bring your camera gear on board with you, please take note of the overhead bin dimensions above, otherwise it will need to be placed under the seat in front of you or checked in. It is important to note that your checked luggage will be taken from the plane directly to the ship, and you will not have access to your checked luggage until it is brought to your cabin.

Note: King George Island is located at 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 safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.

Days 3-9 - Antarctic Peninsula

É quase impossível descrever a sensação de chegar à Antártica. Avistar o seu primeiro iceberg e respirar fundo um dos ares mais puros e frescos do planeta é uma experiência que vai ficar com você para sempre.

Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, in partnership with our team of photography experts, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, getting you in the best position based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. Flexibility is key on an Antarctic expedition, especially a photography expedition. Rest assured that if a wildlife event presents itself, or the light hits a glacier just right, the team will do what they can allow you more time to capture it, provided it is possible and safe to do so, of course!

Once we arrive, the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day, and the timings of these will depend on what the day brings us. We are planning to make some landings at sunrise and sunset where/when possible, but with approximately 18-24 hours of daylight this far south, these sunrise/sunset landings are rewarding but quite challenging!

You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. We have been known to have longer Zodiac excursions than originally planned... sometimes we are just presented with a special moment that cannot be missed. One can never know what wonders Mother Nature will serve up! And that is all part of the beauty and the fun of an expedition to the Antarctic. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. With the engine turned off, take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.

The Zodiac excursions are a major part of the expedition and on this voyage, we have reduced the passenger numbers on the voyage and in the Zodiacs. This will allow our photographers to manoeuvre around the Zodiacs to capture their subject matter with ease, as well as allow sufficient room for their gear. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.

While ashore, our expeditioners will be given a choice of how they would like to explore that site. Quite often, one of the options will be to hike up to a vantage point with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. The light can vary dramatically, depending on the weather on the day, but the view from the ridgeline never disappoints. If your focus is on the wildlife, you may choose to wander along pebbly beaches where you are likely to find a variety of penguins (in this area, mainly gentoo), seals, and birds. Occasionally you may capture a leopard seal coming close to shore to find a snack. Whichever option you choose, our team will be with you every step of the way.

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding.

This is a great time to enjoy the Glass Atrium Lounge inside the bow or the Observation Lounge, featuring huge windows and superb views. The bridge will be opened at the Captain’s discretion, which will give our photographers a different perspective of the running of an expedition through these waters. Of course, we will also offer the tradition of the polar plunge, where those who dare to will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting!

When we aren’t exploring by foot or Zodiac, we encourage all expeditioners to join as many lectures and workshops as they can. We will offer a variety of photography-focused workshops, but also offer lectures from our expedition team of naturalists, historians, marine biologists, etc as well.

Note: The scheduler, where Antarctic operators book their dates and sites, opens closer to departure. Once our sites are booked, we will be able to provide more information on places we are likely to visit on this voyage. Keeping in mind that this is an expedition and there is always an element of flexibility.

Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With any luck, you will be blessed with the ‘Drake Lake’!

With lectures, recaps and film 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 for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here. We hope the images you have captured during your adventure inspire, bring joy and continue to remind you of what is sure to be a life-changing experience.

Ao nos aproximarmos do extremo da América do Sul, o Capitão pode navegar perto do lendário Cabo Horn, se o tempo e o horário permitirem.

Days 12 - Disembark Ushuaia

No início da manhã, subimos o Canal de Beagle antes de atracar tranquilamente em Ushuaia, onde você pode desembarcar por volta das 8h. Despeça-se da equipe de expedição e dos outros passageiros enquanto todos seguem viagem, quem sabe com uma nova percepção do imenso poder da natureza.

Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12:30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 12:30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.

Observação: ao fim da viagem, não recomendamos reservar voos saindo de Ushuaia antes das 12h00 no dia do desembarque, caso haja atrasos.

INCLUÍDO NA EXPEDIÇÃO

• Todos os traslados de aeroporto mencionados no itinerário.
• Uma noite de hotel com café da manhã em Punta Arenas, no Dia 1.
• Voo fretado de Punta Arenas para a Ilha Rei George.
• Hospedagem a bordo durante a viagem, com arrumação diária da cabine.
• Todas as refeições, lanches, chá, café, refrigerantes e sucos durante a viagem.
• Cerveja e vinho da casa no jantar.
• Recepção de despedida do capitão, com jantar de quatro pratos, coquetéis da casa, cerveja e vinho da casa e bebidas não alcoólicas.
• Todas as excursões em terra e passeios de Zodiac.
• Palestras educativas e serviços de guia prestados pela equipe de expedição.
• Acesso gratuito ao médico de expedição e à clínica médica de bordo (consulta inicial).
• Uma jaqueta de expedição polar impermeável 3 em 1.
• Uso gratuito de botas Muck Boots durante a viagem.
• Informações completas antes da partida.
• Sobretaxas portuárias, licenças e taxas de desembarque.

• Wi-Fi*.

* Observe que viajamos para regiões remotas e, por isso, a conexão pode ser instável.

NÃO INCLUÍDO NA EXPEDIÇÃO

• Voos internacionais ou domésticos, a menos que especificados no itinerário.
• Traslados, a menos que especificados no itinerário.
• Taxas aeroportuárias de chegada ou partida.
• Taxas e custos de passaporte, visto, reciprocidade e vacinação.
• Seguro viagem ou custos de evacuação de emergência.
• Hospedagem em hotel e refeições, salvo indicação diferente no itinerário.
• Excursões opcionais e sobretaxas de atividades opcionais.
• Todos os itens de natureza pessoal, incluindo, entre outros, bebidas alcoólicas (fora do serviço de jantar), gorjetas, lavanderia, roupas pessoais, despesas médicas ou ligações telefônicas.

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