Antarctic Classic Air Cruise

with Magellan Explorer

Itinerary details

Voyage:
Antarctic Classic Air-Cruise
Duration:
7 nights / 8 days
Embarkation:
Punta Arenas
Disembarkation:
Punta Arenas
Vessel:
Magellan Explorer

Season 2023/2024


CodeDateTriple SuitePorthole CabinVeranda CabinDeluxe Veranda CabinPenthouse SuiteGrand SuiteSingle Veranda Cabin
MAG16-CA23-24Jan 19, 2024
Jan 26, 2024
SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUTUS$20,795SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
MAG20-CA23-24Feb 10, 2024
Feb 17, 2024
SOLD OUTSOLD OUTUS$19,795SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
MAG23-CA23-24Feb 25, 2024
Mar 04, 2024
SOLD OUTUS$15,295SOLD OUTUS$19,395US$22,795US$25,995SOLD OUT
MAG24-CA23-24Mar 01, 2024
Mar 08, 2024
SOLD OUTUS$15,295US$17,995US$19,395SOLD OUTUS$25,995SOLD OUT


Antarctic Classic Air Cruise

Fly the Drake

A two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas, in the Chilean Patagonia, directly to Antarctica where you board your expedition ship. You thereby avoid the stormy seas of the Drake Passage – and the potential seasickness – and experience only the best Antarctica has to offer.

Cruise Antarctica

We offer a boutique-style wilderness adventure, not a cruise. Feeling more like private yachts than cruise ships, our small expedition vessels give you privileged access to Antarctica, taking you where larger ships cannot. With a smaller number of passengers, disembarkation is fast and efficient so you spend time exploring, not waiting.

Key benefits

COMFORT: Avoid storms in the Drake Passage

SPEED: Get to Antarctica quickly and save time

SIZE: Enjoy a small-ship, yacht-like experience

 

Itinerary

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, we take you to one of the most spectacular places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent – Antarctica.

Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise – Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you are welcomed by our staff and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you attend a briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.

Day 2: Scheduled Flight to Antarctica – Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the airplane, 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 to 6: 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 sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass- enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.

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, crafting a unique and extraordinary

experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places.

Day 7: Scheduled Return Flight from Antarctica – Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).

Day 8: End of Air-Cruise – After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.

 

Unique Features

Veteran Antarctic aircraft pilots, experienced sea captains, an international team of polar guides and academics, and a team of seasoned travel professionals come together to create the experience. With passion, creativity and dedicated teamwork, we handcraft every expedition to be unique and personal.

Experience and Expertise

Our product pioneered the Antarctic Air-Cruise model. We are the world’s leader in this unique style of travel to Antarctica. We have completed over 140 fly and cruise departures, more than any other company in the world, by far.

One flight per expedition

We use a single flight to carry all travellers to and from Antarctica for each of our expeditions. This makes our operation fast and efficient while reducing the chance of weather-related delays compared to the alternatives.

Antarctic vehicle

Unique in its kind, “Bigfoot” was specially designed and built for our air-cruises. Its traction system can adapt to the changeable conditions of the Antarctic terrain.

High staff/traveller radio

Travel with a well-staffed team of at least twelve professional polar guides. Passionate and engaging, they will make your trip memorable.

Small is beautiful

Our air-cruises only operates small ships. With a small group of travellers, disembarkation is fast and efficient so you can spend more time exploring and less time waiting.

Itinerary details

Voyage:
Antarctic Classic Air-Cruise
Duration:
7 nights / 8 days
Embarkation:
Punta Arenas
Disembarkation:
Punta Arenas
Vessel:
Magellan Explorer

Season 2023/2024


CodeDateTriple SuitePorthole CabinVeranda CabinDeluxe Veranda CabinPenthouse SuiteGrand SuiteSingle Veranda Cabin
MAG16-CA23-24Jan 19, 2024
Jan 26, 2024
SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUTUS$20,795SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
MAG20-CA23-24Feb 10, 2024
Feb 17, 2024
SOLD OUTSOLD OUTUS$19,795SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
MAG23-CA23-24Feb 25, 2024
Mar 04, 2024
SOLD OUTUS$15,295SOLD OUTUS$19,395US$22,795US$25,995SOLD OUT
MAG24-CA23-24Mar 01, 2024
Mar 08, 2024
SOLD OUTUS$15,295US$17,995US$19,395SOLD OUTUS$25,995SOLD OUT


INCLUDED IN THE RATE

  • For Air-Cruises starting in Punta Arenas, group transfers airport/hotel on Day 1.
  • For Air-Cruises starting in Punta Arenas, 1 overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar, with a welcome dinner including drinks on Day 1.
  • 1 overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on the Day of the Scheduled Return Flight from Antarctica.
  • Transfers airport/hotel on the Day of the Scheduled Return Flight from Antarctica, and transfers hotel/airport on last Day of the Air-Cruise Program.
  • Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
  • Ship cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
  • Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
  • Daily served dinner on board ship offering a choice of three main courses.
  • Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board ship
  • Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks on board ship throughout the expedition.
  • All guided shore excursions.
  • Lectures and entertainment on board.
  • Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
  • Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
  • Contingency Plan as described below.
  • IAATO passenger fee.

 

SPECIFICALLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE RATE

  • Accommodation, meals, excursions and transfers other than those included in the itinerary and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage. Specifically, dinner in Punta Arenas upon return from Antarctica is not included.
  • Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
  • Personal insurance.
  • Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
  • Gratuities.
  • Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Hotel and Transfer Packages

Preferred Seating on the Antarctic Flight

Expedition Jacket

CHILDREN

Children are admitted from the age of 8 years if accompanied by a fully responsible adult. A 5% discount on the rate per person is offered for children up to 12 years of age.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS

Single travellers can choose between:

* Booking a dedicated Single Cabin. No supplement is applied for single use of dedicated Single Cabins.

* Booking a Twin Cabin for single use. An 85% supplement will be added to the rate per person when booking in a limited number of Porthole and Veranda Cabins on Magellan Explorer, Twin Cabins on Ocean Nova, and Window Suites and Promenade Suites on Hebridean Sky. A 100% supplement applies when booking all other categories.

* Sharing a cabin with another passenger of the same gender. This is available on Magellan Explorer in Porthole and Veranda Cabins, on Ocean Nova in Twin Cabins, and on Hebridean Sky in Window Suites and Promenade Suites. We will take care of finding the matching companion. Passengers who book a Twin Cabin on a shared basis are accommodated in single rooms at the hotel in Punta Arenas and must pay a Single Hotel Room Supplement that varies based on the departure selected. Please inquire at time of reservation. Note: Single travellers who use CPAP machines or other assistive devices, as well as those who have conditions that can be disrupting to others (loud snoring, sleepwalking etc.) can only book their Air-Cruise in a Single Cabins or in a Twin Cabin for single use. They cannot book on a twin-share basis.

INSURANCE

Passengers are required to be adequately covered by a travel insurance policy that covers aero-medical evacuation from Antarctica as a result of a medical emergency during the trips, including emergencies related to pre-existing health conditions.

We strongly recommend all passengers to purchase a travel cancellation and interruption insurance as protection against an unforeseen event which may force them to cancel their booking before departure or leave a tour while it is in progress.

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT

An initial deposit of US$3,000 per person is required to book a cabin.

The balance is due in full 120 days prior to departure. Payments can be made by wire transfer, by major credit card vía PayPal or by PayPal account. Payments by credit card and by PayPal account are subject to a 2.5% fee (however the 2.5% fee is not charged on the deposit).

Flexible Booking Policy Promotion

Individual reservations for our 2021-22 departures can be confirmed upon payment of a $500 deposit per person. The deposit is fully refundable until April 30, 2021. On May 1, 2021 the balance of the deposit will be due and from there on the standard booking conditions as indicated in the 2021-22 brochure will apply. The Flexible Booking Policy Promotion applies to new individual bookings, on all available departures and all available categories of accommodation.