Classic Antarctica Air – Cruise – Magellan Explorer, Feb 2025

Itinerary Map

Trip Summary

Dates:

Feb 10, 2025 -

Feb 17, 2025

Duration:

8 Days

Ship:

Magellan Explorer

Adventure
options:

Kayaking

Starts & ends in Punta Arenas

Starting at: $ 19,795.00

$19.795

$17.995

$21.995

$23.995

$27.495

$28.995

$28.995

About the Classic Air Cruise itinerary

For those who don’t have the time or are not interested in cruising across the Drake Passage, this is the trip for you. Take a three-hour flight over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, landing you on one of the most spectacular places on earth: the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent – Antarctica. Once you arrive to the South Shetland Islands, embark on your expedition vessel to explore the White Continent in-depth. Voyages aim to make two excursions per day, highlighting the wildlife, geography, history and importance of the last continent.

Want to fly one Drake Passage and cruise the other? Check out the Fly & Cruise the Drake itineraries.

* Itineraries on our website are intended only as a guide and you should consult our team for detailed itineraries on specific voyages.

Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you attend a briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.

Your Antarctic adventure begins with a three-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the airplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel.

Antarctica Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from ship while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.

No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. 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. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places.

Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. The program ends upon arrival at the airport in Punta Arenas. Note: Transfer to the city will be available for passengers staying overnight in Punta Arenas. One complimentary hotel night in Punta Arenas is offered upon request on Day 7 of the Travel Program.

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

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

A21_MAG01_BB_ MAG_2019_TomArbanPhotography exteriors raw (222)

A21_MAG01_BB_ MAG_2019_TomArbanPhotography Cabins (26)

A21_MAG01_BB_ MAG_2019_TomArbanPhotography exteriors raw (011)

A21_MAG01_BB_ MAG_2019_TomArbanPhotography Details (11)

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