Details
8 DAYS FROM 14000 PP
Best time to go
dec - feb
This expedition is great for those with a limited amount of time, combining a short flight between Punta Arenas and the Chilean Frei Station on King George Island, with a ship cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula. The coldest, driest, windiest and most remote continent on earth, here you will explore vast icy seas and meet the unique wildlife from zodiacs and on foot on this 8-day itinerary. Explore ice-filled fjords and cruise among spectacular icebergs, visit vast penguin colonies and have the opportunity to stand on the continent of Antarctica (conditions permitting). As with many of our safaris in the Polar Regions, flexibility is the key and your exact itinerary will depend on nature and weather conditions.
A wonderful way in which to explore Antarctica without having to transit the notorious Drake Passage crossing, avoiding the roughest seas and saving time travelling to Antarctica. You will fly to King George Island before boarding your expedition ship and exploring the Great White Continent. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.
Day 1 - Arrive Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you are welcomed by our guides and transferred to a comfortable hotel. In the afternoon, attend a briefing before gathering for a welcome dinner, where you will meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.
The best time to visit Antarctica is during the the austral summer and Antarctic travel season run from mid-October through to March. Outside these times, it is not possible to travel to Antarctica. Weather, sea conditions, sunlight and wildlife sightings vary greatly as the continent’s climate can change from minute to minute, a true wilderness.
Day 2 - Punta Arenas - King George Island
Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, before boarding your expedition ship which will be home for the following days. (B, L, D)
Set parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula, across a stretch of ocean of 540 kilometres, this archipelago is formed of some 20 islands and islets, first discovered in February 1819.
Days 3 - 6 - South Shetland & The Antarctic
Each day disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape with expert polar guides. Sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. (B, L, D)
Following in the footprints of explorers such as Shackleton and Scott, you can experience incredible wildlife in Antarctica, which seems surprising on first glance in this land of superlatives – the coldest, windiest and driest location on Earth.
Day 7 - King George Island - Puntas Arenas
Today you bid farewell to Antarctica and return to King George Island before flying back to Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon arrival, transfer back to your hotel for the night. (B, L)
Day 8 - Depart Punta Arenas
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward journey. (B)
The remote region of Antarctica is a photographer's paradise. From stunning ice statues to peppy penguins.
Please Note
No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache Strait, and the Penola Strait.
| Date | Ship | Passengers | Trip Length | Trip Style | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22 - Dec 29 2026 | Magellan Discoverer | 76 | 8 Days | Small Group Safari | 24795 | |
| Jan 06 - Jan 13 2027 | Magellan Discoverer | 76 | 8 Days | Small Group Safari | 22995 | |
| Dec 27 - Jan 03 2027 | Magellan Discoverer | 76 | 8 Days | Small Group Safari | 24795 | |
| Feb 22- Mar 01 2027 | Magellan Discoverer | 76 | 8 Days | Small Group Safari | 22995 | |
| Feb 27 - Mar 06 2027 | Magellan Discoverer | 76 | 8 Days | Small Group Safari | 19495 |
The landscape was breath taking, loved the historical perspective and of course the magnificent wildlife. Hiking was an added bonus. We especially loved the staff always so attentive and kind. We were so impressed how so many staff members by the first day knew our names and quickly anticipated our needs. Eugene a kind and very professional waiter brought me a cup of chamomile tea every day no matter where i sat never having to ask him. The expedition staff worked so hard to assure that we all had a safe and wonderful experience regardless of the time of day. In fact one day we set out on the zodiacs at 4am so that we would have a least one landing before the weather turned inclement . So impressive knowing the prep it takes for each outing. Everyone seemed to love their jobs. When the guys were off loading the zodiacs they were so attentive yet smiling and sometimes joking. I t was fun watching them. We also made lifelong friends and 2 of whom will travel with us on a future aurora expedition that we already booked.
We had an amazing experience traveling with Aurora Expeditions to Antarctica. Just look at the photos, and there are many more!
We took the option to fly from, and then back to, Punta Arenas, Chile. This saved us time and the effort of crossing the Drake passage as our adult children could not easily take as much time off. We did have a one day delay due to weather. That is a risk of the flying option.
In addition to the normal daily activities, we signed up and paid extra to snorkel while there. It was incredible! We were in the water in our dry suits every day. We sometimes just explored the ice and the plant life. But we did swim with seals, penguins and whales not far away.
The whales and the penguins were all around us in the water all of our trip (mid-February to March 2). Most meals you could look out the dining room window and see some. Most of the zodiac landings had wildlife there.
The place is like another planet. Hard to describe. Ocean, ice, snow, massive glaciers, and a lot of wildlife
The ship, the Greg Mortimer, is super stable, luxurious and modern. The food is buffet at breakfast and lunch and à la Carte at dinner. My wife and I are vegetarians, and they were very accommodating. They would show us the menu in advance and ask if it was acceptable. If not, they were willing to make almost anything for us. Our adult children eat everything and thought the food was very good.
Not cheap, but highly recommended. I have mixed feelings about encouraging people to go here as it is truly pristine, but climate change is having its effects. We got the impression that Aurora try and respect the environment through their choices of equipment and where they go.
An awesome and life-changing experience. The two weeks in Antarctica will be treasured and I certainly hope to visit that continent again in the future. NWS and their counterparts at One Expedition were helpful at every step of the way.
I loved every minute of it! The whole trip was well organised, from booking through to the actual trip. The guiding was very professional and always with an eye to protecting the wildlife and the environment to the max. All done with great humour. NWS Staff are friendly, knowledgeable and professional, which is important to me.
