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ANTARCTIC EXPERIENCE AIRCRUISE

Aero-Crucero Antartica Express, Antástica, Chile

General

Price From	US$ 9260 pp
Duration	8 Days / 7 Nights
Zone	Antartic
Validity	Jan 17, 2012
Season	Jan 2012

Related Tours
Antarctic Express Aircruise Antarctic Dream
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DESCRIPTION

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, Antarctica XXI invites you to a unique experience that will take you to one of the most remote places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most inhospitable continent - Antarctica.

HIGHLIGHTS

Puerto Williams, Cabo de Hornos, South Shetland Island, Drake Sea, Beagle Channel, Deception Island, Petermann, Island, Wiencke Island - Port Lockroy

Itinerary

Day 1.

Arrival at the city of Punta Arenas where you will be met by Antarctica XXI staff, to be transferred to Hotel Rey Don Felipe. During the afternoon, you will meet your expedition mates and receive instructions concerning the guidelines that should be followed in Antarctica and the procedures for Zodiac boat embarkation and disembarkation. Later, you will enjoy our welcome dinner at the José Nogueira Hotel, a French-style mansion that is over one hundred years old.

IMPORTANT: Passengers should be in Punta Arenas at 15:00 hours, at the latest.

Day 2.

Our Antarctic adventure will begin with the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The flight takes a little over one and half hour. Upon arrival, we will be able to tour around the area where the Frei Chilean Base and the Bellingshausen Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation by Zodiac boats on board our expedition vessel.

Day 3 and 4.

While cruising between the South Shetland Islands and the western coat of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and between spectacular icebergs, we will enjoy the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Our adventure will be very active, with several daily landings and cruises in Zodiac boats, lectures and a very enjoyable time on board.

Day 5.

After a last visit in the region, in the afternoon our ship will set sail northwards across the famous Drake Passage en route to Ushuaia.

Day 6.

We invite you to relax and enjoy life on board and to take the time to watch wildlife from the bridge or outside decks. We may spot magnificent birds such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as Humpback and Minke whales swimming on their way down to Antarctica.

Day 7.

After spending the last hours sailing through the Drake Passage, we will finally have Cape Horn and the American continent in sight. Our ship will sail along the calm waters of the Beagle Channel towards the southernmost Chilean settlement of Puerto Williams, located on Navarino Island. Here, we will have the time to tour around before sailing during the in the night towards Ushuaia.

Day 8.

In the morning, arrival at the port of Ushuaia and disembarkation. End of the programme.

Included Excursions

South Shetlands
An archipelago located in the South Antarctic Ocean, and north of the great Antarctic Peninsula, as part of the highest, driest and coldest continent on the planet. The beauty of this remote destination is created by its imposing glaciers, magnificent channels and the impressive fauna that inhabits the area. Voyaging to this far location can turn out to be an adventure that cannot be surpassed, given the scenic beauty, the spectacular white landscape and the nuances of the eternal ice. Hannah Point is a surprising spot where you will find a great variety of species, among which your attention will be captivated by Chinstrap, Gentoo and the magnificent Macaroni penguins, with their distinctive orange/yellow crests. Elephant seals, Antarctic Giant Petrels and Snowy Sheathbill are also to be seen.

Decepcion Island
An impressive volcano, still considered active and famous for its incomplete crater which is at sea level. Sailing and walking in this zone can result in a fabulous experience. One of the greatest attractions of this island is the combination of rock towers that come out of the sea. This amazing geological formation is known as "Neptune´s Bellows".
In this outstanding place, whose shape is like a horseshoe, you may have a bath in the warm coastal waters which can get close to 65° C, in contrast with the freezing surrounding waters in this corner of the world. Here you will also visit Whalers Bay, where we will see the remains of a former wailing station.

Petermann Island
This island is endowed with a unique beauty due to its immense granite walls and the abundant snow that composes the scenery. It also has the largest and southernmost colony of Adelie and Gentoo penguins, migratory species typical of Antarctica.
On Petermann Island you will be able to see a colony of Antarctic Blue Eyed Shag, a species much appreciated for its solemn stance and singular presence. In summer, Elephant Seals come out in groups to enjoy the sun, taking it lying on their sides, over the rocks of the island.

Wiencke Island - Port Lockroy
A bay that is 800 meters, located on the southwestern point of Wiencke Island. This place is particular because it was used by whalers almost one century ago. At present, it will not be strange to see Minke and Humpback Whale cruising along the coast. There is an old British scientific base which is now a museum.

The Ship

OCEAN NOVA

The Ocean Nova is a modern and comfortable vessel. She was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, and her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica. The Ocean Nova's has capacity for 62 passengers accommodated in comfortable outside cabins, all with private facilities, including dedicated single, twin and triple cabins.

In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, a spacious dining room, a bar and library, she also has an infirmary and an exercise room. The ship has Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.

Expedition Staff & Crew: 38
Passengers: 62
Lifeboats: 2 fully enclosed, capacity of 90
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

Images

The Plane: BAE-146

The BAe 146 was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems).
It is a high-wing aircraft with very short runaway requirements which makes it particularly suited for this kind of destinations. It is operated by Aerovías DAP,which has more than 20 years of experience of flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Model: BAe 146-200
Engines: 4 turbofans Honeywell ALF 502R-5
Length: 93 ft 8 in (28,55 m)
Wingspan: 86 ft 5 in (26,34 m)
Cruise speed: 465 mph (750 km/h)
Service ceiling: 31,200 ft (9.500 m)
Capacity: 50 passengers

Rates

Rates are per passenger and expressed in American dollars

CABIN TYPE	RATE
Single with private bathroom	US$ 12350
Double with private bathroom	US$ 9260
Triple with private bathroom	US$ 8230

Fees are per person per program, in U.S. dollars (US$) and equivalent in Chilean pesos (CL).
Fees may be subject to change without previous notification. These DO NOT apply to events, conferences and fairs.
Please, read our Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Cancellation Policy read here

Included services

The program includes

Transfers airport/hotel foreseen on the first and last day of the voyage, as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
1 overnight in Punta Arenas at Hotel Rey Don Felipe on Day 1.
Welcome Dinner at Jose Nogueira Hotel in Punta Arenas.
Accommodation in the Ship cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
Full board including all drinks on board (open-bar).
All guided shore excursions.
Lectures and entertainment on board.
Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.

The program does not include

Accommodation and meals other than those included in the program.
Visa and/or Passport expenses.
Arrival and/or departures taxes.
Communication expenses.
Laundry expenses.
Gratuities.
Personal insurance.

Important
Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned program, however it must be realized that with this type of adventurous travel to Antarctica, changes to the itinerary may occur due to severe and unpredictable weather. We need to emphasize the fact that weather conditions are unpredictable and that safety is always the paramount concern on any Antarctic voyage.

For this reason Antarctica XXI reserves the right to change the itinerary here described due to weather conditions or other factors beyond Antarctica XXI’s control without consulting the participants. Any change to the planned itinerary will be made exclusively and absolutely according to the judgment of the Captain of the aircraft or the vessel. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the best interests of all the passengers and with regard to the safety of the vessel and the aircraft.

Notes
Baggage Allowance:
The maximum weight allowed on the flights to and from Antarctica is 20 kg per passenger, including hand luggage. The excess baggage will be transferred to Ushuaia free of charge and will be delivered to passengers upon return from Antarctica.