Antarctic Polar Circle Air Cruise

with Ocean Nova
CRAFT INFORMATION

Voyage:

Antarctic Polar Circle Air-Cruise
Duration:
9 nights / 10 days
Embarkation:
Punta Arenas
Disembarkation:
Punta Arenas
Vessel:
Ocean Nova

Season 2023/2024


CodeDateTripleTwinSingle
OCN18-PC23-24Feb 16, 2024
Feb 25, 2024
US$15,995US$18,495US$26,395


Antarctic Polar Circle 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 and remotest places on earth – Antarctica. Sail to the far south, and be on of the few adventurous travellers to cross the Antarctic Circle.

Day 1: START OF THE AIR-CRUISE – our staff welcomes you in Punta Arenas, Chile. Transfer to your hotel and attend a briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. A welcome dinner introduces you to the local gastronomy as you meet fellow adventurers from around the world. 

Day 2: SCHEDULED FLIGHT TO ANTARCTICA – A smooth two-hour flight takes you efficiently from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the airplane and 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 8: EXPLORING ANTARCTICA – Sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Visit the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, disembarking by Zodiac each day. In small groups, hike to extraordinary sites and take part in exploratory Zodiac excursions to otherwise inaccessible areas. Expert polar guides share their passion for Antarctica through an engaging program of illustrated presentations, and lead you ashore to interpret the wildlife, the history and the many wonders of the Antarctic environment. From the glass- enclosed lounge, enjoy spectacular views while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests over a drink. The goal of the expedition is to sail far south in the attempt of reaching the Polar Circle. The Expedition Team sets the

specific voyage route based on local conditions, and takes advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature. Flexibility will be the key to a successful voyage. Your expedition may include visits to sites such as Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, the Lemaire Channel, Prospect Point or other magnificent places. Each voyage is unique and each is crafted to provide the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.

Day 9: SCHEDULED RETURN FLIGHT FROM ANTARCTICA – Back at King George Island, bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight 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 10: END OF THE 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.

CRAFT INFORMATION

Voyage:

Antarctic Polar Circle Air-Cruise
Duration:
9 nights / 10 days
Embarkation:
Punta Arenas
Disembarkation:
Punta Arenas
Vessel:
Ocean Nova

Season 2023/2024


CodeDateTripleTwinSingle
OCN18-PC23-24Feb 16, 2024
Feb 25, 2024
US$15,995US$18,495US$26,395


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.