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11 days

Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle 2013-14

Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle 2013-14

Trip rating

  • Overview

    Enjoy Antarctica in style – by flying and then cruising south of the Antarctic Circle! A short three-hour flight is all it takes to travel between Punta Arenas, Chile and King George Island in Antarctica. Skipping all the extra days at sea, you’ll enjoy only the best scenery and wildlife experiences of the Antarctic. Prepare yourself for a sensory overload, as you’ll be inundated by the sheer beauty and dramatic landscapes of the white continent. Soon after, our team of Polar Experts on the ship will have you searching for penguins and whales in Antarctica.

    Note: Weather, ice and other mitigating factors may result in changes to our itinerary and alteration to certain shore excursions.

    Itinerary

    Day 1 - Punta Arenas, Chile

    Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a Quark Expeditions representative will meet everyone at the official starting point hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
    Dinner

    Day 2 - Embarkation Day

    Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few hours. Far below, the ship is approaching King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctica landscapes will be from a very unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetlands. After landing, stretch your legs and spend some time exploring the island before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship. Meet the rest of your shipmates and set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 3-5 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

    There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the white continent, don’t be surprised if you are overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through the human eye. Your first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region. Even more exciting are your daily excursions to land. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a beach that is dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica. Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new sightings and photo opportunities and it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between an Adelie, gentoo or chinstrap penguin. You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night while camping on the ice in Antarctica, you’ll welcome each day with the excitement and energy of a young child. Our Expedition Team will be with you all along, providing insights into the places you visit and offering photography tips to get the most out of your expedition.
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 6-7 - The Antarctic Circle

    Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’ S. You and your shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne! With a toast to the first explorers who ventured this far south, you can take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world still visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home to the midnight sun, Weddell seals and some of the most magical, odd ice formations you’ll see anywhere in Antarctica.
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 8-9 - Northbound Along the Peninsula

    If you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs by now, you’ll surely be satisfied by the time we return to the Drake Passage. We’ll continue to journey onto land and out by Zodiac twice daily as we travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Your Expedition Team will always be on the lookout for any species of penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded you on the journey south.
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 10 - Disembarkation & Fly to Punta Arenas

    After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to the Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your three-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile brings your adventure to an end. After we transfer you from the airport to the hotel, you can enjoy a final dinner in the city to reminisce about all the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 11 - Trip Concludes

    Say farewell to your new friends as the trip ends this morning.
    Breakfast
    Download detailed trip notes

  • Details

    What to Know

    What's Included

      • One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas as indicated in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available)
      • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
      • All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
      • All shore landings per the daily program.
      • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.
      • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
      • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
      • Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage.
      • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
      • An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep.
      • Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock.
      • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin.
      • Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.
      • A group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from the ship to the local airport.
      • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
      • All luggage handling aboard ship.
      • Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person.
      • All flights between Punta Arenas (PUQ) and Antarctica (KGI) as specified in the itinerary.
      • One night pre-night and one-post night expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast in Punta Arenas.
      • A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the included hotel.
      • Included lunch in Punta Arenas prior to boarding, or on the charter flight to Antarctica.
      • Group transfers between the hotel and airport in conjunction with the charter flight to/ from Antarctica.

    Not Included

      • Any airfare unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
      • Passport and visa expenses.
      • Government arrival and departure taxes.
      • Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation and lunch on specified Fly and Cruise programs.
      • Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
      • Excess baggage charges.
      • Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified.
      • Telecommunications charges.
      • The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.

    Safety Information

    Safety is paramount on a Peregrine voyage. Due to new International Security Regulations, you will not be able to approach the ship on your own. You will have to arrive with the rest of the group, accompanied by a Peregrine representative. Full details of embarkation/disembarkation procedures will be supplied with your final documentation. On board you will be asked to participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. We will also conduct important briefings on landing procedures and Zodiac operations.

  • Map

    Map Itinerary

  • Ships

    Our Ships

    Sea Adventurer (formerly the Clipper Adventurer)

    Sea Adventurer (formerly the Clipper Adventurer)

    This Polar Adventure Ship was built in 1975. Sea Adventurer (formerly know as the Clipper Adventurer) underwent a $13 million conversion in 1998. Her proud reputation is complimented by her well-appointed, elegance. Sea Adventurer is the perfect expedition ship for people who enjoy soft adventures and creature comforts. All cabins have outside views and facilities en suite.

    Sea Adventurer is equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings and ocean level cruising, yet offers fine dining, and cabins with exterior views and facilities en suite.

    Departure Dates for the Sea Adventurer (formerly the Clipper Adventurer)

    • 22 Dec 2013 - 01 Jan 2014

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From US $10995.00
*Per Person, Twin Share

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Trip at a glance

Trip Code PPSA
Start City: Punta Arenas
End City: Punta Arenas

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