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Antarctic Explorer – Fly and Sail Expedition

Antarctic Explorer – Fly and Sail Expedition

From USD $17,195

Description

Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life. Experience the awe-inspiring immensity of Antarctica, reducing your time on the high seas by flying across the Drake Passage in one direction. Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill.  

Trip Name
Antarctic Explorer - Fly and Sail Expedition
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Expedition Passenger Capacity: 154 Lenght: 104.4 m Built: 2025 Designed for global discovery Adventure has a new name. Setting sail in 2025, our new state-of-the-art ship, the Douglas Mawson, is the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, our new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes on average 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts our most extensive range of cabins yet, including a range of single cabins. The Douglas Mawson features a host of amenities to help you connect with like-minded travellers and elevate your time onboard our floating base camp for adventure. After a long day of exploring, head to the back deck to swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool, find a sun bed to read on, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis. Work up a sweat in the gym before unwinding in the sauna, resolve to learn something new in the Citizen Science Centre, then enjoy a delicious meal with new and old friends in one of two restaurants. Or, with multiple observation areas throughout the ship, simply relax in comfort while you keep watch for wildlife or incredible landscapes unfold before you. While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, you can rest assured that our aim to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through our unique activities program remains unchanged. Newest Ulstein X-BOW® The Douglas Mawson features the newest streamlined Ulstein X-BOW®, designed for global discovery. The revolutionary design cuts through the swell, offering unrivalled stability on ocean crossings and helping to reduce fuel consumption. It’s just one of the many sustainability features that helps us travel more responsibly. Heated Pool, Jacuzzis & Sauna In between landings, enjoy access to the onboard gym or unwind in the sauna. Or head to the back deck to swim in the heated outdoor pool, enjoy a drink at the pool bar, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis, watching the world go by. Leading Technology The Douglas Mawson is at the cutting edge of nautical technology, fitted with industry-leading technology including world-class return-to-port equipment. The ship also features a medical clinic designed for use in remote areas. Built for Adventure The Douglas Mawson features Zodiac access points and an activities platform, making boarding the Zodiacs as quick, efficient and safe as possible, minimising wait times and getting you closer to the action for longer. In our mudroom you will have access to lockers to store gear & boots and rapid drying areas for clothing. More Cabin Choices The Douglas Mawson features 11 different types of cabins, including a range of spacious single berth cabins – all adorned with elegant Nordic interior design features. Multiple Observation Areas As you explore the ship you will find indoor lounge areas with floor-to ceiling windows, and multiple open decks with expansive 270-360 degree views. The Glass Atrium Lounge inside the bow is a fantastic place to sit and watch for wildlife – with a drink in hand. There is no shortage of spaces to take in the majesty of the incredible world outside! Lecture Theatre On all expeditions you will meet naturalists and local specialists, who offer presentations on their area of expertise to enhance your appreciation of the destination you are exploring. Join the team in the lecture theatre for presentations covering a broad range of topics to suit every interest, from history and culture to biology and climate change. Regardless of the topic, they all have one thing in common: they all aim to engage, educate, entertain and turn you into an ambassador for the planet. Citizen Science Center & Lounge Learn more about the world and the unique destinations Aurora visits by visiting the onboard naturalist and Expedition Team in the world-class Citizen Science Center. You will be rewarded for your thirst for knowledge with one of the best views on the ship. Library With floor-to-ceiling windows, the library is a peaceful sanctuary where you can find non-fiction books to read up on the day’s destinations, use a public laptop to organise your photos or play board games with newfound friends. Choose from our range of informative non-fiction titles, wildlife guidebooks, travel journals, novels and a selection of children’s books and board games. Wildlife guides, books and binoculars can also be found on the observation lounge on Deck 7. Mudroom No need to take your wet expedition gear back to your cabin to dry. Keep your cabin warm and cosy by leaving your outer jackets and pants in the mudroom. The mudroom is your launchpad for all shore excursions and activities. Here, you will have access to a locker when you can hang your gear up to dry, and store your boots between excursions. Swimming Pool & Jacuzzis  There are two Jacuzzis on the top outside deck which offer amazing views of the world outside, a heated outdoor pool surrounded by sun beds you can relax on after a long day of exploring, and a pool bar. Gym & Sauna During your voyage, enjoy complimentary access to the gym or visit our sauna, which we highly recommend after the Polar Plunge! Restaurants One of the most important parts of any expedition is the food! Whatever adventures the day holds, you will be fuelled-up with hearty meals and delicious morning/afternoon teas cooked by our onboard chefs. Meals are a great time to soak up the expedition camaraderie in our open seating dining area. Share stories with your fellow travellers and ask our expedition team questions that may have come up during the day. Tea, coffee and snacks are available 24 hours a day, and our chefs offer different menu options and courses for each meal. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild. We also invite you to join your captain and expedition team for informal Captain’s Farewell drinks, with complimentary beverages and cocktail appetisers, followed by a 3 course meal. Bars & Lounges Communal meeting areas have always played a major role in fostering the warm camaraderie on board our ships. They are the heart of the expedition, where people meet to share tales from the day, swap photos, keep an eye out for wildlife and watch the sun go down. The bars and lounges on board are refined yet inviting places to gather, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views, and of course friendly bartenders to shoot the breeze with.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Arrive Punta Arenas
 Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2.00 pm so that you may attend our important briefing this evening.   Please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between 10.00 am – 6.00 pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items.   Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today).  At 7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.   
Day 2 - Day 2 Embarkation
 This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings.   Note:  King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation. 
Day 3 - Days 3-9 Antarctic Peninsula
 It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.  Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.  Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.  While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding.  This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
Day 4 - Days 10-11 Drake Passage Crossing
 Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.  As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting. 
Day 5 - Days 12 Disembark Ushuaia
 During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.   Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12:30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 12:30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation. Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
Day 6 - Please Note:
In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.
Day 7 - Day 11 Punta Arenas
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included).NOTE: Please advise your Reservations Consultant or travel agent if you require an airport transfer, so it can be booked in advance. The departure airport transfer is not included in your voyage cost and will be at an additional charge.
Day 8 - Please Note:
In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $19,895Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $21,695Aurora Stateroom Superior
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $22,295Balcony Stateroom Category C
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $23,495Balcony Stateroom Category B
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $25,195Balcony Stateroom Category A
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $27,495Balcony Stateroom Superior
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $34,595Junior Suite
19-01-202531-01-2025USD $40,995Captain’s Suite
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $22,295Balcony Stateroom - C
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $23,495Balcony Stateroom - B
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $25,195Balcony Stateroom - A
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $27,495Balcony Stateroom Superior
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $34,595Junior Suite
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $40,995Captain's Suite
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $19,895Aurora Stateroom Triple
26-01-202507-02-2025USD $20,495Aurora Stateroom Twin
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $19,295Aurora Stateroom Triple
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $19,795Aurora Stateroom Twin
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $21,495Balcony Stateroom - C
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $22,695Balcony Stateroom - B
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $24,395Balcony Stateroom - A
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $26,595Balcony Stateroom Superior
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $33,395Junior Suite
12-02-202524-02-2025USD $39,595Captain's Suite
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $17,195Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $18,695Aurora Stateroom Superior
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $19,195Balcony Stateroom Category C
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $20,195Balcony Stateroom Category B
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $21,695Balcony Stateroom Category A
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $23,695Balcony Stateroom Superior
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $29,795Junior Suite
20-02-202502-03-2025USD $35,295Captain’s Suite
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $17,895Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $19,495Aurora Stateroom Superior
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $19,995Balcony Stateroom Category C
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $20,995Balcony Stateroom Category B
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $22,595Balcony Stateroom Category A
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $24,695Balcony Stateroom Superior
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $30,995Junior Suite
17-03-202628-03-2026USD $36,795Captain’s Suite
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $20,395Aurora Stateroom Triple
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $20,995Aurora Stateroom Twin
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $22,195Aurora Stateroom Superior
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $22,795Balcony Stateroom Category C
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $23,995Balcony Stateroom Category B
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $24,595Aurora Stateroom Single
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $25,795Balcony Stateroom Category A
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $26,995Aurora Stateroom Superior Single
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $28,195Balcony Stateroom Superior
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $33,595Junior Suite
20-01-202731-01-2027USD $38,395Captain's Suite

Inclusions

    • Witness extraordinary wildlife including fledging penguin chicks.
    • Zodiac cruise in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice and photograph enormous glaciers and spectacularly shaped icebergs in various shades of blue.
    • Keep a close watch for the tail fluke of whales as they take a deep dive, see porpoising penguins ice seals such as Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on ice floes.
    • Observe skuas patrolling penguin colonies preying on vulnerable juveniles.

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