Antarctica Fly & Adventure Cruise Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Andre Belem

Andre earned a degree in Oceanography and spent his first Antarctic winter on board the R/V Nathaniel Palmer cruising the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas. This expedition reached the furthest south position for a ship in these waters! Andre then went on to earn a PhD in Polar Oceanography at the Alfred-Wegener Institute. For the last 20 years he has studied Antarctica's role in global climate change, working with other scientists focusing on physical and biological processes in sea ice. When he isn't leading trips, André is Professor of Earth Sciences at Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, leading his research as part of the international team of Past Climate Change Group.

Nigel Millus

Nigel has always had an interest in the outdoors and wildlife, initially visiting Antarctica as a chef where he spent six summers and three winters at British research stations. He eventually learned to scuba dive and bird-watch, and proceeded to work as an ornithologist and naturalist on expedition cruise ships in the Polar regions. He has completed over 140 voyages in the past 18 years all over Antarctica! Nigel is passionate about all things Antarctic and is looking forward to sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge with MT Sobek travelers.

Allison Cusick

Originally from Seattle, Allison holds an MSc in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation and BSc in Biology with a minor in Earth & Space Sciences. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography and her research focuses on understanding phytoplankton within polar fjords and how melting glaciers influence the ecosystem. As lead scientist to the citizen science project FjordPhyto, she hopes to engage travelers in her research. She first travelled to Antarctica in 2013 on a research ice-breaker in the Ross Sea and has spent her Austral summers on the Antarctic Peninsula. When not doing science, you can find Allison scuba diving or ultra-running, she even ran a marathon in Antarctica, dressed as a banana!

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
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Receive a warm welcome in Punta Arenas, Chile, and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, gather for a briefing on important voyage information and essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. In the evening, raise a toast to the trip with your fellow adventurers while dining on regional fare.
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                    [Headline] => Fly to Antarctica
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A quick flight whisks you from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. Step off the plane and breathe in the clear Antarctic air for the very first time, then have the chance to explore Chile\'s Frei Station and Russia\'s Bellingshausen station. Finally, board a Zodiac to embark for your expedition vessel.
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                    [Headline] => Explore the Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
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On Days 3 to 6, cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Sail through ice-filled channels and among spectacular icebergs, enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Disembark by Zodiac and explore with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend engaging lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge. 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.
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                    [Headline] => Discover Deception Island & Whaler\'s Bay
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While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, opportunities abound to discover the best possible overview of the Antarctic environment. These magnificent places include Deception Island, Orne Harbor, Cuverville Island, Paradise Bay, the Lemaire Channel, Paulet Harbor, and more.

Deception Island is one of the few volcanic calderas in the world that large ships can
sail into and anchor. Explore abandoned whaling stations at Whaler\'s Bay, hike to a scenic viewpoint, or take the intrepid Polar plunge in the protected waters of the bay. See more than 100,000 chinstrap penguins at Baily Head.

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                    [Headline] => Visit Orne Harbor, Cuverville Island & Paradise Bay
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A steep climb to the summit of Orne Island along Gerlache Strait provides a 360-degree view of the straight, surrounding islands and mountains.

Visit the peninsula\'s largest gentoo penguin colony, with 5,000 nesting pairs, on Cuverville Island\'s rocky shores. Cruise by Zodiac or sea kayak among bergs and curious leopard seals.

Paradise Bay is one of the Antarctic Peninsula\'s best-known locations! Land on the continent itself, enjoy sweeping hilltop views (and have fun sliding back down!), and see nesting seabirds and whales in the bay.

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                    [Headline] => Cruise \"Kodak Gap\"
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A cruise through a breathtakingly narrow Lemaire Channel, with mountain walls rising thousands of feet straight out of the water, is one of the highlights of a trip to Antarctica. Minkes, humpbacks, and orcas are occasionally spotted, and leopard and crabeater seals sometimes frequent the ice floes. This channel runs between Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the most stunning locations on the western coast of Antarctica. The 6.8 miles may become impassable when ice fills the narrow passageway.
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                    [Headline] => Fly from Antarctica to Punta Arenas
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Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas, then transfer to your hotel for the night.
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After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight. Due to the possibility of delay returning from Antarctica, we recommend reserving your outward bound flight for an afternoon departure.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => You can expect 1 or 2 half-day excursions for each day in Antarctica depending on weather conditions. During guided shore excursions, guests break up into smaller special interest groups with several options ranging from an easy shoreline walk to a strenuous hike (1-3 hours.) Excursions may include a Zodiac cruise to observe icebergs and wildlife (1-1.5 hours.)
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Accommodations

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Stylish and well-appointed polar expedition ships offer a luxurious way to explore Antarctica. The Hotel Cabo del Hornos awaits in Punta Arenas.

Ocean Nova-Polar Expedition Ship

Luxury Ship

Clean, crisp Scandinavian styling define this well-reputed Arctic ship. It was built in Denmark in 1992 to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The ship has since been upgraded twice and includes a glass-enclosed top-deck observation lounge. The Ocean Nova offers outside cabins, a spacious dining room and a comfortable library.

Hotel Cabo de Hornos-Punta Arenas

Comfortable Hotel

Recently renovated in modern European style, this large hotel offers comfortable, spacious rooms — some with sea views. Modern amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, cable TV and room service are provided. There is a restaurant on-site, but the flavors of Punta Arenas await just outside your door, as do museums and other attractions.

Magellan Explorer

Luxury Ship

The Magellan Explorer is the world's first expedition ship custom designed for Antarctic air-cruise operations. The ship provides a stylish base and boutique hospitality for up to 69 passengers, and includes dining areas and observation decks with expansive views — plus a gym and sauna. The ship is being built to the latest Polar Code specifications for safety and maneuverability.

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