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CLASSIC ANTARCTICA AIR-CRUISE – Antarctica 21

from $11,495

DATES – Magellan Explorer:
2024 – Nov 26; Dec 01, 06, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31
2025 – Jan 09, 14, 19, 31; Feb 05, 10, 15, 20, 25; Mar 02

Ocean Nova:
2024 – Dec 02, 07, 12, 17, 22, 27
2025 – Jan 17, 22, 27; Feb 01, 06, 11

DURATION – 8 days/7 nights

SHIPS – OCEAN NOVA, MAGELLAN EXPLORER

FROM – $11,495 Double

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All about the CLASSIC ANTARCTICA AIR-CRUISE – Antarctica 21.

Antarctica21 was founded in 2003 by adventurers who believed there was a better way to travel to Antarctica. 2024 marks 21 years of successful operations for our company. From the invention of the Antarctic air-cruise to the building of the first Antarctica21 ship, we continue in our quest for innovation and sustainability.

The frozen continent at the end of the earth is well worth the wait. The coldest, highest and driest of all seven continents, Antarctica begs discovery. Be humbled by the solitude and emptiness, as pods of seals lazily bask on floes, waddles of penguins dive (and thrive) in the icy waters and humpbacks – the most magnificent of all maritime beasts; breach gracefully before your very eyes. Your Antarctic adventure begins as soon as you arrive in Punta Arenas. Enjoy meeting your fellow explorers during an evening briefing and welcome dinner before traveling the next day by private BAE146 aircraft to King George Island, where your ship and your life changing voyage await.

We use three similar aircraft for flight operations: the BAE 146-200, the AVRO RJ 85, and the AVRO RJ 100. These aircraft were manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). They are high-wing aircraft with short runway requirements, which make them particularly suited for this kind of destination. It is operated by Aerovías DAP, which has more than 25 years of experience flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.

Expedition Highlights
• Cross Drake Passage by Private jet in 2 hours, instead of two days.
• See snow-covered mountains, mighty glaciers and spectacular icebergs
• Encounter Rockhopper, Gentoo, Macaroni, King, Adelie, Magellanic and Chinstrap Penguins
• Watch for seals, dolphins, and whales
• Identify seabirds including albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels
• Visit historic sites of the early explorers and the remains of whaling operations

 

Please note: Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.

 

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The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • Included in the Rate
  • For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, Antarctica21-exclusive group transfers airport, one overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar, with a welcome dinner including drinks on Day 1.
  • One overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica.
  • For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, enjoy special access to Explorers House.
  • Antarctica21-exclusive group transfers airport/hotel on the day of the scheduled return flight
    from Antarctica, and Antarctica21-exclusive group transfers hotel/airport on the last day of
    the air-cruise.
  • 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 as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
  • Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board the ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
  • Dinner served daily on board the ship offering a choice between one of three main courses.
  • Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board.
  • Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship 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 in the event of weather delays
  • IAATO passenger fee

Whats not included in this tour.Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Pre- or post-cruise arrangements
  • Items of personal nature
  • Airfare
  • Anything that is not specifically listed under the “Included in the Rate” section. For example:
    · Accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage. Specifically, dinner in Punta Arenas upon return from Antarctica is not included.
  • Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
  • Internet connection on board the ship.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
  • Gratuities.
  • Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax,
    if applicable

  1. Day 1 Arrive Punta Arenas, Chile

    Start of the Air Cruise

    Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM where you are welcomed by Antarctica21 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.

  2. 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.

     

    As the largest of all the South Shetland Island, King George is considered the gateway to Antarctica. At just 120 kilometers from the Antarctic Peninsula and the only airport in the South Shetlands, it is the connection between “real life” and “Antarctic life”. More than 10 different nations have year-round or summer-only scientific research stations on the is- land (considering that 90% of the island is covered by snow and ice, that is quite an achievement!). Maintaining a base on the island allows membership of the Antarctic Treaty. There is even a Russian Orthodox church, with a permanent on-site priest. The is- land might be home to a few international scientists, but they are very much outnumbered by the diverse wildlife that considers King George Island rightfully theirs. Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins all commute to and from the Antarctic peninsula from the island, while Weddell and leopard seals are regular visitors and can be spotted either in the water or on the shore. Naturally, this brings a huge amount of birdlife: skuas and southern giant petrels are regular summer residents, attracted by the warm climate (warm being a relative term, average temperature is between 1.5 and -6.5 ̊C). The island was named after King George III after British explorer discovered it in 1819. Since then, the island has been claimed by both Chile (1940) and Argentina (1943) but remains part of British Antarctic Territory.

  3. Days 3-6 Exploring 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 seabirds, 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 views from the 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.

  4. Day 7 Return Flight to Punta Arenas

    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).

  5. Day 8 End of the Air Cruise

    After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.

MAGELLAN EXPLORER - OCEAN NOVA

MAGELLAN EXPLORER

Magellan Explorer is a modern expedition vessel custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises. The ship was constructed in Chile to the latest Polar Code specifications and launched in 2019. For our air-cruises, Magellan Explorer has seven categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. All cabins except Porthole Cabins feature private balconies. All double cabins, except four have two twin beds that can be configured as one  king-size bed. All cabins feature a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, a sitting area, and a private bathroom with a shower. The ship features a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, a spacious and stylish dining room, a well-stocked bar, a library, a meeting  room, a gym, a sauna, and a medical clinic. The forward-facing observation deck leads to the ship´s  bow, which is accessible to guests to offer  proximity to marine wildlife. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiacs that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching. The fitness center aboard Magellan Explorer has been designed and built by the professionals at Anytime Fitness, the world’s only fitness company with boutique gyms on all seven continents.

SPECIFICATIONS

Passengers: 76 maximum on air-cruises
Expedition Staff & Crew: 60
Lifeboats: 2, fully enclosed, capacity of 160 (in addition to 8 life rafts, capacity of 160)
Length: 90.7 m
Breadth: 16.2 m
Draft: 4.3 m
Propulsion: Diesel engines, 3,440 kW
Ice Class: LR PC6
Cruising Speed: 14 knots in open water

Magellan Explorer Deck plan
Magellan Explorer Cabin Descriptions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCEAN NOVA

OCEAN NOVA

Ocean Nova is a sturdy and nimble expedition vessel. This ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland. It has an ice-strengthened hull that is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica. Fully renovated in 2006, the ship has benefitted from annual upgrades and improvements since then. The ship´s outside cabins offer three categories of accommodation: dedicated Single Cabins, Twin Cabins, and Triple Cabins. All cabins feature a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower. In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and a presentation room, Ocean Nova also has a spacious dining room, a bar, a library, a small gym, and an infirmary. The ship has a fleet of 7 Zodiacs that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.

Specifications

Passengers: 67 maximum on air-cruises
Expedition Staff & Crew: 46
Lifeboats: 2, fully enclosed, capacity of 110 (in addition to 4 life rafts, capacity of 100)
Length: 73.0 m
Breadth: 11.0 m
Draft: 3.7 m
Propulsion: Diesel engines, 2,000-horsepower
Ice Class: 1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A)
Cruising Speed: 12 knots in open water

OCEAN NOVA 2
OCEAN NOVA 4

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