FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions at Victory Adventure Travel
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Contents
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Does Victory Yacht Cruises have Expeditions to Antarctica and South Georgia?
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What are the health requirements for the Expeditions and voyages?
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What is the season for Tierra Del Fuego and Cape Horn Voyages?
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What ages can children be to make the Tierra Del Fuego voyage?
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Will we sail with waves and rough weather in the Beagle channel?
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Are there any books and information available about the area?
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Q. Does Victory Yacht Cruises have Expeditions to Antarctica and South Georgia?
Yes, we represent about eighteen
specially built steel and aluminum Yachts that make expeditions to Antarctica
and South Georgia. We also have Antarctic expeditions by cruise boat and
airplane.
Q. What are the seasons for Antarctica and South Georgia?
The season for Antarctica is mid December until
mid March.
For South Georgia, from the end of October to April.
Q. Are these expedition yachts safe?
Yes, they are all specially designed to withstand
the rigors of ice and storm conditions. Their hulls are built of either very
durable Aluminum or steel, some with retractable keels. Their captains and
crew all have the experience sailing in these austral zones for many expeditions.
Q. What are the health requirements for the Expeditions and voyages?
An expedition member should be at least 7 or 8 years old,
be in good health and have an adventurous spirit. Smoking on deck only.
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Q. What clothes and equipment are necessary?
Personal equipment list
Cold weather clothes:
Waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, thermal underwear, hat, scarf, gloves, sun glasses, sun cream, trekking shoes (on most of our cruises, boots are provided).
To wear inside the vessel: anything cozy, slipper.
You may also bring binoculars, flashlight, photo camera, video camera, pen
and notebook, musical instruments. Use fast film as backgrounds are dark.
Q. What is the season for Tierra Del Fuego and Cape Horn?
The season for Cape Horn and Tierra Del Fuego
is from October through May 15.
Q. Where do I need to fly in order to board the
boat?
You may fly either to Ushuaia, Argentina or Puerto
Williams, Chile for any of the voyages. Some voyages can start in Ushuaia,
but always pass must through Puerto Williams before continuing the voyage.
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Q. What ages can children be to make the Tierra
Del Fuego voyage?
If the children are well behaved, they may be
as young as 7 or 8 years of age for the Tierra Del Fuego voyage. There is little
danger, because navigation is done inside channels and fjords where the sea
can not get rough. Cape Horn is done in protected waters via the new Murray
Channel route and is protected up until the tip of False Cape Horn. (See Map)
Q. Are there other points of interest in Patagonia?
Torres Del Paine National Park close to Punta
Arenas is one of the most lovely and untouched spots on earth. It is well
worth it, if time allows you, to visit it. It can be done both by backpacking,
staying in hostals or very nice hotels. Victory Adventure Travel can help
you with this part of your voyage also.
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Q. Weather and boat problems
In Cape Horn, Tierra Del Fuego & Antarctica, you may see the four seasons in a single day. Snow,
rain, wind, calm, sunshine and Williams; a very strong wind that comes down
from the mountains very suddenly, but last only a few minutes! The weather
in Tierra Del Fuego is very variable. That is one thing that adds even more
to the adventure. You may experience the same kind of weather that Charles
Darwin experienced more than 150 years ago here.Voyage of Darwin in Tierra
Del Fuego, Chapter 10
1a) The captain may use his discretion as to changing the itinerary if the
weather dictates this necessity.
2a) The beginning of and/or completion of voyages is not subject to "Acts
of God", war, earthquakes, storms, etc., which may be beyond the control of
the captain(s) and the capacities of the boat(s).
In the above case 2a), there will be no refund for voyages not begun or not
completed according to schedule.
3a) If there is a problem with the vessel or with the captain and the voyage
duration is not completed in it's entirety, you are guaranteed a refund on
a pro-rated basis for the number of days not completed.
Q. How long are the voyages?
Length of Voyages: Cape
Horn and Tierra Del Fuego glacier voyages are from one to two weeks.
Antarctic expeditions by yacht are for 28 days and South Georgia expeditions
for 41 days.
Cruises to Antarctica are from 10-20 days and by plane 1-4 days.
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Q. Will we sail with waves and rough weather in
the Beagle channel?
No, when sailing in Beagle channel and fjords,
the waves rarely get over a meter in height. When rough weather does set in,
we always anchor in a secluded and protected cove.
Q. Do I need sailing experience?
No sailing experience is necessary, however we
encourage you to get into the spirit of sailing and help with such things
as raising and lowering sails and anchoring, cooking, etc.
Q. Can I do any hiking?
Yes, you may hike every day for a time when we
anchor for the night. In South Georgia and Antarctica, mountain climbing is
part of the itinerary. There is a nice 3-4 hour hike recommended to see the
glacier at Caleta Holla when we anchor there.
There is a very nice 4 day trekking circuit in Puerto Williams.
There is climbing to the Highest Mountain in Tierra Del Fuego, Mount Darwin.
Q. What is included
on these voyages?
We include all water transportation, 4 meals/day,
beverages, coffee, tea and guided tours.
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Q. What are the hotel costs in Chile?
Hotels in Chile cost US$120-200/night for a double.
A nice English speaking Hostal in Punta Arenas is only US$40/night/person.
Q. Is Chile a safe country to travel?
Chile is one of the safest, and most stable countries
in the Southern Hemisphere.
Because of this, Chile is considered by many entrepreneurs to be a very good
country for investment.
Chileans love foreigners and try to copy them in every way.
They will make you feel very much at home even if you do not speak Spanish.
Q. What is adventure tourism?
Adventure Tourism in contrast to luxury or soft tourism as found aboard the
large tour boats can be compared to something like camping out in areas inaccessible
by other means.
Victory Adventure Travel makes this "camping out" very comfortable for most
persons, although the extreme weather conditions in Tierra del Fuego will
still always make the voyage an adventure.
Q. If I cancel the voyage will
I lose my booking fee?
We must have firm bookings in order to be able to continue serving our passengers.
If you have a cancellation with little time left before departure, it is
very difficult to obtain a replacement at the last minute.
If there is a problem with making a departure date, and give us notice ahead of time, we can probably reschedule
your voyage for the same season or the following season.
If you do cancel the voyage for some reason, the cancellation charges of
the total cost of the voyage are as follows:
Cancellations for Cape Horn and Tierra Del Fuego:
700-121 days before sailing: 20%
120-91 days before sailing: 30%
90-71 days before sailing: 40%
70-60 days before sailing: 50%
59-30 days before sailing: 70%
29-15 days before sailing: 90%
14-00 days before sailing: 100%
If the voyage is cancelled by Victory Adventure Expeditions and/or their adventure provider, 100% of the total deposit will be returned to the passenger. (This has never happened in 16 years of being in the adventure expedition business.)
Cancellations for Antarctica and the Arctic aboard vessels:
700-121 days before sailing: 30%
120-91 days before sailing: 35%
90-71 days before sailing: 45%
70-60 days before sailing: 50%
59-30 days before sailing: 70%
29-15 days before sailing: 90%
14-00 days before sailing: 100%
For example, if you cancel out more than 121 days before the voyage you be charged 30% of the total cost.
If you cancel out at the last minute 14-00 days before sailing you will be charged 100% of the money paid as it will be to late to replace you with another passenger.
If the voyage is cancelled by Victory Adventure Expeditions and/or their adventure provider, 100% of the total deposit will be returned to the passenger. (This has never happened in 16 years of being in the adventure expedition business.)
Flights to Antarctica terms and conditions
Cancellations for Charters:
In case of a cancellation, the 50% deposit already paid remains with the boat and for the broker's commission and the amounts unpaid remain due to be paid according this schedule :
For cancellations more than 2 months before the departure; 30 % of the balance for the cruise is due . If less than 2 months; 50 %.
If the voyage is cancelled by Victory Adventure Expeditions and/or their adventure provider, 100% of the total deposit will be returned to the passenger. (This has never happened in 16 years of being in the adventure expedition business.)
Q. Are there any books and information available about the area?
A good list of books is found
here.
Q. What are the costs of the Tierra Del Fuego and Cape Horn Tours?
From US$300 /day/pax. depending on the yacht
Back to Tour of Tierra Del Fuego
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Breathtaking, Exhilarating, Awesome...
Adventures You Will Never Forget.
What do other Adventurers think?
Beverly Beth Morse
Austin, Texas 78745
What an adventure! Not only did we 'round the Horn, we doubled it, didn't
we!
Although we were bucking through some hefty waves with the wind moaning and
the rain blowing sideways, wild horses could not have dragged any of us off
the deck.
The Victory did you proud, sailing through flying sea foam like the splendid
Cape Horner she is.
Cape Horn is one of the most dramatic places in the world.
I heartily recommend this voyage to anyone who is compelled to go on a pilgrimage to the ends of the earth.
More Testimonials here.
Ready to do something unique, different, daring, adventurous?. A trip that will make the adrenaline move through your body like never before? Something only a true adventurer would do? Are you one of those Adventurers? If you are...
What you need to do to join us on a unique adventure.
It's simple, just contact us with a rough outline of your requirements and let me, Captain Ben, and my Crew to do the rest for you.
Finally there isn't much we cannot cope with. Individuals or larger parties. Just let us know. "Navigating the Beagle Channel since 1990."
Ring us direct by Telephone at 5661-227098 / 227702
Or, for further information on expeditions or flights Patagonia, Antarctica, South Georgia, Cape Horn, and Tierra Del Fuego, please
Contact Us