FLY THE DRAKE & CRUISE ANTARCTICA
8 Days Starting and ending in Punta Arenas, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile
Visiting: Punta Arenas, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Deception Island, Cuverville Island, Paradise Bay, Lemaire
Tour operator:
Ship Name:
Ocean AlbatrosGuide Type:
Fully Guided
Ship Capacity:
189
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Meat, Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Adventure Tours, Cruise, Expeditions, Luxury, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Encounter the 7th continent in comfort! Substituting the 2-day Drake passing, with a 2 hour flight, we can experience the incredible wildlife, stunning mountain scenery and gigantic icebergs in record time and comfort. Departing from Punta Arenas in Chile, we fly across the mighty Drake Passage and land at King George Island. From here we embark our wonderful ship and navigate around the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic peninsula. Throughout the following days we will be making Zodiac landings at penguin rookeries and fascinating lookouts. Continuing southward, deep into the inlets of Antarctica, we pass the famous Gerlache Strait, where 3000-ft ice cliffs rise straight out of the still water. Experiencing so much of the remote continent in comfort, and in so few days, is only possible in “Fly the Drake”. Any voyage to Antarctica is an adventure, but this cruise offers a unique experience for the few. Shore landings, excursions, lectures and Zodiac safaris are easily accommodated to help you enjoy an unrivalled expedition experience. Onboard our brand new strong, ice-classed expedition vessel, Ocean Albatros, we are sure to get close to the dramatic coastlines. Zodiac cruising and shore landings are an important and considerable part of the planned itinerary, hopefully enabling all expedition guests to set foot on the Antarctic continent, as well as the many surrounding islands.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Punta Arenas And Getting Ready For Our Expedition Cruise
Location: Punta Arenas
Arrive and check in at our hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile – the capital of southern Patagonia. The historic city with rolling hills surrounding it and the Strait of Magellan in front. Its past is rich in exciting events, from being a penal colony to becoming a sheep and gold rush colony with many European settlers. The present-day city remains home to a major port; and with the Andes mountains and a multitude of national parks close by, it’s a favored staging point for many wonderful adventures. Even our own adventure is beginning!
Our 4-star hotel is centrally located, which allows you to make full use of your time outside of the scheduled events.
If you plan to arrive early, you can even take your time to explore the historical city.
Our “journey” begins at 15:00 with all the necessary safety briefings, the latest weather forecasts and embarkation information needed to enjoy our upcoming expedition cruise and trans-Drake flight. All mandatory activities are held at the hotel and you will receive information about all these as you arrive to the hotel. We finish our daily schedule with a welcome dinner, where you can enjoy a typical Chilean meal.
Day 2 : Flying The Drake. Flight, King George Island, Embarkation And Possible First Zodiac Landing
Location: King George Island
We are packed-up, excited and ready-to-go from the very early morning, as we await information on the landing conditions on King George Island. Normally the flights take off early, but we are ready to wait in case the flights are postponed.
We keep ourselves close to the hotel and the Punta Arenas land team, and drive to the airport as soon as our chartered airline gives us the green light. The expectation of exploring the 7th Continent builds, as we have donned our parkas, warm clothes and boots.
Once the fasten your seatbelts sign lights up, it’s time to fly across the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We substitute 2 days of sailing with 2 hours of flying.
Our landing is smooth as the planes are built for these types of landings and runways. Our luggage is transported to the ship and we enjoy a 2 kilometer walk along the Chilean Eduardo Frei base and the neighboring Bellingshausen Russian research station. King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands and home to no less than 10 research stations, 2 churches and of course the Antarctic peninsula's only airstrip in use for commercially chartered flights. The expedition team is awaiting us with Zodiacs on the Fildes Bay beach and will ferry us to our ship.
Once onboard, the exciting Antarctic wildlife comes into view with our first sight of seals, penguins and albatrosses. In other words, it’s time to explore the Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way.
Day 3 - 6 : Exploring The South Shetland Islands And The Antarctic Peninsula
Location: South Shetland Islands, Deception Island, Cuverville Island, Paradise Bay, Lemaire
Over the next days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience our ancestors only dreamed of. During these days we will explore the Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way.
Weather permitting, our projected landfalls could include: Deception Island, an extinct volcano with waters warm enough for a polar swim. Half Moon Island with nesting Wilson's storm petrels and chinstrap penguins. But there are many other fascinating landing options.
As the white shimmer of Antarctica looms on our horizon, the presence of wildlife multiples with many species of lively penguins, inquisitive seals, nesting birds and the spray of marine mammals. Wildlife abounds along our planned route along the Antarctic Peninsula: leopard, fur and Weddell seals of Cuverville Island; humpback whales of Gerlache Strait and Paradise Bay; the dramatic Lemaire Channel's orcas and much more.
The itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings.
Please note that all the outings and landings rely on weather, sea and ice conditions being favorable both for the ship to access the areas, as for the Zodiacs and kayaks to maneuver under adequate conditions, ensuring the safety of all our guests and staff.
For this reason, during moments of harsh weather and throughout the entire trip, our ships offer excellent public areas such as wellness/sauna, restaurant, bar and a library for our guests to spend their spare time. Our ships are staffed by experts in the field who will also share great lectures along the way, ranging from exploration history to biology, geology, ice and wildlife.
Day 7 : Depart Antarctica – Back To Punta Arenas
Location: Punta Arenas, King George Island
Today it’s time to disembark and revisit King George Island. We follow the same procedures as when we were doing the reverse route. Having walked to the airport, we calmly await the sight of airplanes landing on the legendary airstrip.
We depart from Antarctica and spend the 2-hour flight time realizing what a truly spectacular adventure we have just completed.
Once we land in Chile, we are transferred to our hotel and enjoy an overnight stay.
Day 8 : Punta Arenas
Location: Punta Arenas
This morning concludes our fly-cruise expedition, and you can continue your adventures or begin your return home.
Ship Details
Ocean Albatros
Ship Overview
This stylish cruise ship, ideally suited for our business model of small ship expeditions, will be deployed and dedicated to varied Antarctic region voyages, with sales launching from November 2021. With a total of 93 comfortable staterooms for our guests, all with a view of the ocean, (and 90% with their own balcony), several restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other amenities, the vessel will also be environmentally-friendly onboard, with an implementation of the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests.
Ship Details
Ship Name:
Ocean Albatros
Adults Only Areas:
N/A
Ship Children Facilities:
N/A (Due to safety precautions, children under 12 years of age will be taken into consideration on each landing. It is entirely at the Expedition Leader’s discretion to permit children on excursions and shore landings.)
Ship Nursery:
N/A
Smoking Areas:
Designated outdoor areas
Ship Size:
104.4m
Ship Class:
Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A. Solas 2012 classification
Ship Style:
Expedition
Ship Type:
Exploration Passenger Ship
Ship Kind:
Expedition
Ship Currency:
Shipboard account
Ship Language:
English
Ship Capacity:
189
Ship Crew Count:
100
Number of Decks:
9
Number of Cabins:
93
Number of Large Cabins:
93
Number of Wheelchair-Friendy Cabins:
2
Ship Launch Year:
2021
Ship Gross Tonnage:
8500
Ship Length (Meters):
104 M
Ship Width (Meters):
18 M
Ship Speed (Knots):
16 Kn
What's Included
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Return flight to King George Island from Punta Arenas, in standard seats
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6-day cruise with accommodation in a shared outside double stateroom with private facilities
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2 overnights in centrally located hotel in Punta Arenas in a shared double room (pre and post cruise)
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All Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
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Transfers to/from Punta Arenas airport in connection with the King George Island flights
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Expedition parka
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Rubber boots on a loan basis
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Guiding, briefing and lectures by our expedition leader and team
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Special photo workshop
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English-speaking expedition team
What's Not Included
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Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
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Single room supplement and stateroom upgrades
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Comfort seat upgrade on the flight (see prices separately)
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Meals not on board the ship
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Meals on day 7 (after returning to Punta Arenas)
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Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
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Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
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Personal expenses
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Transfer to/from the airport in relation to international flights
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Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No. Please see the What's Included page.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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How long has the tour company been trading?
SInce 1986
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
As well as supporting numerous projects, we have a program of onboard fundraising to projects, that have a global and local positive impact on the areas we operate. This program includes raffles, auctions and donations.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Albatros Expeditions, we recognize our responsibility to contribute positively to a social, environmental and economically sustainable development. We will comply with all applicable laws regarding human rights, environment and corruption, and apply internationally recognized principles when local laws and regulations set lower standards.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We recommend that you always check the latest updates, advice, or travel policy from Albatros Expeditions, your own government, and the country of embarkation, as learnings and scientific insight, and travel advice changes regularly.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your cruise Ticket, Embarkation Letter (Containing embarkation/disembarkation procedures, times, places), Pre-Departure Guide/Important Information Guide, Participant Declaration Form (Here you can state your dietary needs and insurance details to comply with health protocols), Covid Guest Briefing
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Albatros Expeditions requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of albatros expeditions charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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