Compare Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake by Exodus Travels vs Antarctica Christmas Cruise by Adventure Unbound
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 12,806 | $ 12,695 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,601 | $ 1,154 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | All meals while on the ship included. Typical Meals The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks on sale from around the world. Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. Lunch: Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ. Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared. | N/A |
| Description |
This trip is the perfect short, introductory expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, the most pristine wilderness on earth. We reduce the Drake Passage crossing from two days to two hours by flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. We spend the next four days sailing between the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula, past towering glacier-capped mountains rising from a brilliant blue sea, dotted with ice floes, and enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. We hope to visit magnificent spots such as Petermann Island, Neko Harbour and the Gerlache Strait, and have the chance to scramble up to a high point for an unforgettable view of Port Lockeroy. On this adventure we will also visit penguin colonies, listen for calving glaciers, and visit both historic sites and research stations.Visit the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, but skip the Drake Passage crossing by flying instead |
Aboard the RCGS Resolute Experience an unforgettable “White Christmas” at the height of the Southern Hemisphere summer on this 10-night voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula. |
Day 1 Start Punta Arenas; overnight in hotel
Our adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern 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 you at the official starting point hotel, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day. Please note that you need to arrive at the hotel in Punta Arenas no later than 3pm today.
Day 2 Charter flight to King George Island; board ship and embark
A quick 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas lands on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. En route, from our bird's eye view, we can bid the Drake Passage a fond Bon Voyage. After exploring the portion of the island where the Chilean Research Base, Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva and the Russian Base, Bellingshausen, are located, we transfer to the ship by Zodiac to embark on our Antarctic adventure.
Day 3 - 6 Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As we approach 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. Our first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, and will alert us 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 our daily excursions to land. 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. We may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a Chinstrap rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night in Antarctica, each day offers exciting opportunities.
Day 7 Disembark on King George Island; charter flight to Punta Arenas and overnight in hotel
From King George Island, we will fly across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas and transfer to our hotel to spend the night.
Day 8 End Punta Arenas
After breakfast, you are welcome to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe
Arrive into the world’s most southerly city, Ushuaia, where you will board your expedition ship and get settled into your cabin. In the early evening, we’ll set sail along the Beagle Channel and into the Drake Passage, heading south towards the white continent of Antarctica.
Day 2-3: Drake Passage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe
The next couple of days will be sent sailing across the vast Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for giant petrels, Cape petrels and albatross which may follow the ship, together with whales and dolphins. A series of informative lectures will be presented by your polar experts on the environment, wildlife and history of Antarctica and you will have the opportunity to join the Captain on the bridge to learn about the operations of this modern research vessel.
Day 4-9: Antarctic Peninsula
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe
The next four days will be spent exploring the majestic landscapes of Antarctica, sailing through its deep bays and pristine coves and discovering its wildlife-rich islands. We’ll sail along the Gerlache coastline with its heavily glaciated mountains and visit Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguin rookeries along the rocky shores. Other destinations may include the beautiful Lemaire Channel which serves as the gateway to Petermann Island and the iceberg "graveyard" at Pleneau Island, as well as Paradise Harbour and nearby Neko Harbour. Encounters with seals, including leopard seals, are common, while humpback whales and minkes are known to frequent these waters.
Each day will include a range of fascinating hikes and zodiac excursions led by naturalist guides, with the opportunity to visit historic huts and working scientific research stations. Sea kayakers can slowly paddle through the pristine waters, while our resident photography guide will assist you in capturing impressive photos during this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We also plan to spend a night camping along the shores and falling asleep beneath the never-ending Antarctic night sky.
Day 10: South Shetland Islands and Deception Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe
After several days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, we’ll cruise towards the South Shetland Islands. If weather conditions are favorable, we’ll sail into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island and visit an old whaling station, with its rustic wooden buildings and old relics.
Day 11: King George Island and return to South America
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Punta Arenas Hotel
This morning we depart the ship to take our charter flight back to Punta Arenas on the mainland of Chile, this flight and your overnight hotel in punta arenas are included in the price of your itinerary. On arrival in Punta Arenas we will transfer you to your hotel to relax and perhaps explore the town.
Day 12: International Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight home or to continue your travels.
