Antarctica and South Georgia Air-Cruise

Antarctica and South Georgia Air-Cruise

Travel in the footstep of explorer Ernest Shackleton to the extremes of the Southern Hemisphere! Magellan Explorer is one of the newest and most modern vessels custom-built for polar adventures. With capacity for just 73 guests the ship offers a state of the art expedition experience with an array of comforts. Enjoy views of spectacular mountains and towering icebergs, and visit extraordinary snowy landscapes and remote penguin rookeries.

Itinerary & Adventure Highlights

Day 1: Start of the Air Cruise

Antarctica21 staff welcome you in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM. Transfer to your hotel and attend a briefing that provides important information about your voyage. A welcome dinner introduces you to the local gastronomy as you meet fellow adventures from around the world.

Day 2: Scheduled flight to Antarctica

A smooth two-hour flight takes you efficiently from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the airplane and 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 3-5: 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. 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.

Day 6: Elephant Island

Sailing north of the Antarctic Peninsula, we hope to stop at Elephant Island. It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on in a small open lifeboat, crossing 1,300 km of open sea to South Georgia in order to arrange the rescue of their comrades. While the stormy conditions of this area rarely allow a shore landing, you will be able to see the island from the ship.

Day 7-8: Sailing to South Georgia

As we sail north, our exert guides offer a series presentations. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge and to be inspired by tales of exploration, while keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife.

Day 9-12: South Georgia

The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay, be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 King Penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. If the weather is favorable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.

Day 13-15: Sailing towards South America

Approach South America and sail along the Beagle Channel. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego and Navarino Island as you head to Ushuaia.

Day 16: At Sea and Beagle Channel

Approach the South American continent and sail along the Beagle Channel. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego to the north and Navarino Island to the south as you make your way to Ushuaia.

Day 17: Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrival to Ushuaia, where your journey ends.


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