Description

Bonus: Free upgrade to Premium class flights and double cabin category upgrade

  Your Fly, Stay & Cruise package includes: 

·      Return Premum economy class flights from Sydney to Punta Arenas

·      1 night accommodation in Punta Arenas

·      10 night Antarctic Circle cruise onboard the Polar Pioneer

-      Includes all meals, entry fees, education lectures and much more

·      1 night accommodation in Punta Arenas

·      Port charges, fees and airline taxes

Cruise Itinerary

2 Mar 2019 – Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams

We strongly advise that you arrive into Punta Arenas at least one day prior to your expedition departure date.

Our voyage begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the southern-most city on Earth. Overlooking the Straits of

Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history.

A transfer will be available from downtown Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas airport, where we’ll board our midday charter flight to the small town of Puerto Williams. The flight will take approximately 35 minutes and will provide a bird’s-eye view of the breath-taking landscape of Cordillera Darwin with its magnificent glaciers, narrow austral channels and hidden coloured lagoons.

On arrival into Puerto Williams, enjoy lunch at a local lodge before embarking on a tour of the town and its natural surroundings. In the early afternoon, you will be greeted by your expedition team and Russian crew as you embark Polar Pioneer for your trip of a lifetime. As Polar Pioneer pulls away from port, we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Puerto Williams and the Beagle Channel.

A complimentary transfer is included on Day 1 from downtown Punta Arenas to the airport. Timings and pick up locations will be provided in your final documentation.

3- 4 March 2019 – Drake Passage

As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures, and start our lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment.

Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following in our wake. They rise and fall skilfully, using air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

Nearing the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula towards the end of day three, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on the bridge watching for our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime.

5-10 March 2019 – Antarctic Peninsula

A peek out of the porthole very early this morning should confirm that you have reached Antarctica.

Over the next six days a host of choices are open to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. Our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design our voyage from day to day. This allows us to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities.

Because we are so far south, you will experience approximately 18-20 hours' daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. We will generally make landings or Zodiac excursions two to three times a day; cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales that are feeding near the surface and landing on the continent and its off-shore islands to visit penguin rookies, seal haul outs, historic huts and a few of our other favourite spots along the peninsula. There is plenty of time for sleep when you get home!

During this voyage, we’ll attempt to cross the invisible line of the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33' South – this is certainly a special highlight for all of us and we plan to celebrate with a toast out on the deck. In order to reach the Antarctic circle, our ship will motor south every night and during meal times or when we are not ashore exploring. 

As we reach and cross the circle, we notice subtle changes in the Antarctic land and icescapes, and also in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill and so we are hopeful of seeing whales, particularly humpbacks and minkes, and enjoy watching as penguin chicks learn to swim. 

As we head north again, we understand more about the effect of southerly latitudes on Antarctic wildlife.

There are many exciting places we can choose to visit. A sample of some of the places where we may land, hike, photograph or view spectacular wildlife follows:

Livingston Island

A unique landing place on the Peninsula – tiny toes of land that are literally alive with wildlife. Here we will find two species of penguins breeding, chinstrap and gentoo. It is not uncommon to find wallows of elephant seals that are 60 beasts strong. Giant petrels nest on the ridgeline. The vegetation consists of mosses, lichens, and a grass species Deschampsia antarctica that grows in Antarctica. All this is set against a stunning backdrop underneath long black scree slopes at the foot of the mountains and glaciers of Livingston Island.

Paradise Harbour

A protected bay surrounded by magnificent peaks and spectacular glaciers, the rocky cliffs of this unforgettable piece of heaven provide perfect nesting sites for blue-eyed shags, terns, and gulls. The serenity of Paradise Harbour envelops us once the sound of the dropping anchor fades from our ears. This is a haven for whales and we keep our eyes open for humpbacks, orcas and minkes, as well as crabeater seals, as we explore the bay in Zodiacs. Imagine being so close to a whale that when it surfaces to blow, the fishy spray of his exhalation momentarily blurs your vision – a truly rare experience.

Hydrurga Rocks

This group of low-lying unprotected granitic rocks protrude from the sea, swept by ocean swells. At first these rocks appear uninteresting, but on closer investigation, calm channels lead to a hidden interior where Weddell Seals are hauled out on protected snow beds and noisy Chinstrap Penguins raise their families on rocky platforms. Hydrurga is Latin for leopard seal, and on occasions we see some skulking in the shallows. There are many places to simply sit and watch the rise and fall of clear green water and listen to the magic sounds and calls of the wildlife.

Half Moon Island

This wildlife-rich island is tucked into a neat bay at the eastern end of Livingston Island. On a clear day, the glaciers and mountains of Livingston Island dominate the vista. There is a large chinstrap penguin rookery tucked in between basaltic turrets coloured by yellow and orange lichens. Gulls nest on these turrets and there are often fur seals and elephant seals hauled out on the pebble beaches. At one extremity of the island there is a large colony of nesting blue-eyed shags. At the other end lies a small Argentine station that is sometimes occupied by scientists conducting research on the penguin colony and surrounding waterways.

Lemaire Channel

If ice conditions allow, standing on the bow of Polar Pioneer and quietly moving through the narrow Lemaire Channel could be one of the highlights of our voyage. Cliffs tower 700 metres directly above the ship. The water can be so still that perfect reflections are mirrored on the surface. Gigantic icebergs may clog the channel, creating navigational challenges for our captain and crew; occasionally they may even obstruct our passage.

Port Lockroy

Located on Goudier Island, British Port Lockroy is an important site for both scientific research and visitors to the Antarctic continent. Designated a historic site in 1994 and opened to the Antarctic tourism industry in 1996, it was discovered in 1904 and used by the whaling industry in the first half of the 1900’s, was part of the British Operation Tabarin during World War II, and was later used as a British Research Station. Today, Pork Lockroy is manned by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and operates as a museum and gift shop for visitors from passing Antarctic expeditions. You can even send a post card home from the Penguin Post Office, the world’s most southern Post Office!

Deception Island

Visiting Deception Island is like making a journey to the moon. We sail through the narrow opening of Neptune's Bellows to enter the flooded volcanic crater. The inside of the crater is an unworldly scene, virtually devoid of life. Glaciers flow down from the edge of the crater, littered by black volcanic ash.

We can explore the lifeless remains of a derelict whaling station and a vacant British base, or climb to the rim of the crater. Steam rises from the shore indicating that the water is actually warm enough for swimming - for those who dare. Outside the crater, if conditions allow, we might land at Bailey Head to explore the enormous chinstrap penguin rookery that featured in David Attenborough's Life in the Freezer series.

Robert Point

A fine example of the South Shetland Islands – tiny toes of land that are literally alive with wildlife. Here we will find two species of penguins breeding, chinstrap and gentoo. It is not uncommon to find wallows of elephant seals that are 60 beasts strong. Giant petrels nest on the ridgeline.

Other places we may visit around the Antarctic Peninsula are:

Pleneau Island

Neko Harbour

Vernadsky; a Ukrainian scientific base

Petermann Island

Penola Strait

Antarctic Sound

Cuverville Island

Danco Island

Enterprise Island

Melchior Islands

Argentine Islands

Fish Islands

Detaille Island

Crystal Sound

11 Mar 19 – King George Island

Today, our landings come to an end. As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica before commencing the short walk to the airstrip to board our flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival into Punta Arenas you’ll be transferred to our group hotel where we’ll enjoy a final group dinner tonight, celebrating and sharing stories of our unforgettable adventure together.

12 Mar 2019 – Punta Arenas, Chile

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow expeditioners and new-found friends, before continuing on with your travel arrangements.