Antarctica & South Georgia – Magellan Explorer, Nov. 2023
Antarctica & South Georgia – Magellan Explorer, Nov. 2023
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Trip Summary
About the Cruise/Fly back - South Georgia and Antarctica Itinerary
Summer comes to South Georgia’s remote, untamed landscape like a freight train. Famed for its abandoned whaling stations and Shackleton’s heroic journey, South Georgia is home to millions of fur seals and penguins, wallows of elephant seals, and nesting albatross. We arrive at the breeding cycle peak, as chicks become juveniles, parents shuttle fish and […]
Itinerary Map
Pricing Information
About the Cruise/Fly back - South Georgia and Antarctica Itinerary
Summer comes to South Georgia’s remote, untamed landscape like a freight train. Famed for its abandoned whaling stations and Shackleton’s heroic journey, South Georgia is home to millions of fur seals and penguins, wallows of elephant seals, and nesting albatross. We arrive at the breeding cycle peak, as chicks become juveniles, parents shuttle fish and seal pups thrill with mock charges. Retracing Shackleton’s boat voyage, we visit Elephant Island before continuing south along the Antarctic Peninsula. Days remain long, and filled with humpback and minke whales, penguins and leopard seals, historic sites and scientific stations Voyage Highlights South Georgia
- Witness the incredible wildlife of South Georgia, one of the greatest wildlife concentrations on the planet
- Visit some of the world’s largest king penguin rookeries and search for wandering albatross on nests
- See beaches thick with elephant and fur seals
- Cruise past Elephant Island’s dramatic north coast (weather permitting)
- Trace the final leg of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous journey from Fortuna Bay to Stromness
- Pay your respects to the great explorer at a visit to his gravesite at Grytviken
- Explore the most accessible and wildlife-rich region of Antarctica
- Daily shore visits and Zodiac cruises offer close encounters with penguins, whales, seals and sea birds
- Visit historic research huts and working scientific stations
- Cruise past massive icebergs and ancient glaciers
- Enjoy the pristine beauty and vast landscapes
- Witness the endless sunlight of the midnight sun
- Learn about Antarctica’s unique geology, history and wildlife from our expert team
- Kayakers will glide through narrow sheltered waterways and fjords, paddle amongst ice floes and drift quietly alongside wildlife
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Sail from Ushuaia, Argentina.
Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards South Georgia.
Days 2-3: At Sea bound for South Georgia
As you sail toward South Georgia, the historians and our naturalists offer a series of presentations. ere is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge, while keeping an eye out for the region’s birdlife.
Days 4-8: South Georgia
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. Depending on conditions, possible stops can include St. Andrew’s Bay where you could be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins and Cooper Island to see the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses and a large colony of macaroni penguins. If the weather is favorable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.
Days 9-10: Sailing to the Antarctic Peninsula
As the ship heads to Antarctica, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history.
Day 11: Elephant Island
Sailing south, we hope to stop at Elephant Island.
It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on to South Georgia. While stormy conditions rarely allow a shore landing, you will see the island from the ship.
Days 12-15: Antarctic Peninsula
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs. Each day disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides.
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. You will explore several sites in the Gerlache Strait that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.
Day 16:Antarctica and scheduled return flight to Punta Arenas
Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay. A 2-km (1.25-miles) walk takes you through Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to the aircraft. Bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight back 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 17: End of the Air-Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
Welcome Aboard the Magellan Explorer
Magellan Explorer is the world’s first expedition ship custom designed for Antarctic air-cruise operations. The ship provides a stylish base for our guests’ adventures, combining excellence in expedition and boutique hospitality.
The ship has been built to the latest Polar Code specifications and carries a Polar Class 6 ice-class (Lloyd’s Register PC6). For comfortable navigation, the ship features stabilizers; for maneuverability, she features bow and stern thrusters. For safety in navigation, there is an ice-detecting radar. And to reduce the environmental footprint, the vessel is equipped with an energy-recovery system that recycles the heat produced by the engines to warm up the ship and its water supply.
Technical Specs
TECHNICAL FEATURES
· Retractable stabilizers
· Double hull construction
· Bulb designed for polar navigation
· Bow and stern thrusters
· State-of-the-art navigation equipment
· Latest ice radar technology
· Two mid-ship gangways for Zodiac operations
· Large expedition warehouse
· Tier III compliance, the most stringent emission standard
· Heat recycling system
· Fleet of 10 Zodiac boats
Specifications:
• Passengers: 100 maximum*
• Staff and crew: 60
• Length: 90.7 m (298 ft.)
• Breadth: 16.2 m (53 ft.)
• Draft: 4.3 m (14 ft.)
• Gross tonnage: 4,900
• Ice-class: LR PC6
• Propulsion: 2X MAN main engines, total 3,440 kW
• Speed: 14 knots
Flag: Bahamas
* Maximum of 69 guests for air-cruise operation
Cabins & Amenities
Cabins:
Five different accommodation categories are available to guests. Accommodations are spacious, ranging in size from 40 sq. mt. (440 sq ft) to 20 sq. mt. (220 sq ft.). All suites and most cabins offer a private balcony. Sleeping arrangements can be configured as either one king-size bed or two twin beds, in most cases.
Amenities & Services:
Public areas include a spacious forward-facing observation lounge and bar that is also used to deliver briefings and educational presentations. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests; together with the outdoor observation deck it offers expansive views and close contact with the natural environment during exploration. The dining room accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting. There is also a meeting room, a library, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. Adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available.
DINING FEATURES
· Main dining room offers buffet breakfast and lunch, and table service dinner
· The BBQ deck offers al fresco dining, weather permitting
· Express Lunch option available daily in the Library
· Selection of premium Chilean wines served with lunch and dinner
· Snacks and drinks during welcome and farewell celebrations
· Complimentary self-service coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, and water offered 24/7 in the library and bar
GUEST FEATURES
· A bar offering a selection on Chilean domestic and international drinks
· Gym with panoramic windows, and sauna
· Well stocked library with a collection of Antarctic-themed books in multiple languages
· Local intranet with daily programs, international news, etc. accessible wirelessly throughout the ship
· Meeting Room with multimedia resources and interactive science lab
· Satellite internet service available at a charge and accessible wirelessly throughout the ship
· Forward observation deck and accessible bow
· Zodiac embarkation area equipped with hangers, lockers and sitting facilities
Notes
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
Sea Kayaking in Antarctica $995 per person
Hiking and Snowshoeing in Antarctica $85 per person-per excursion
Hotel and Transfer Packages
Preferred Seating on the Antarctic Flight
Expedition Jacket $ 349
