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Antarctica & South Georgia Air Cruise | Magellan Explorer

18 Days
From NZD 31,025

STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise

Trip Code: ACTSASGA

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Punta Arenas, Chile

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

SHIP: Magellan Explorer

DestinationDestination

Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia

DestinationDeparture Date

07/03/2027

MealsMeals

Welcome dinner, Breakfast at hotel, & all meals on board the ship, including wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, water, & snacks

TransportTransport

Group transfers throughout & charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island

TransportAccommodation

Hotel & Cabin On board a Ship



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Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Daily Antarctica Excursions, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team

 

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions 

OVERVIEW

This incredible 18-day Fly-Cruise Antarctic adventure sees you taking a flight across the Drake Passage between Punta Arenas and King George Island and cruising around Antarctica and South Georgia. Remote and magical, the Antarctic Peninsula offers breath-taking landscapes of majestic mountains, imposing glaciers and vast towering icebergs. Close encounters with penguins and seals will leave you spellbound. Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton as you visit Elephant Island and South Georgia, the final resting place of Shackleton. South Georgia will overwhelm you with its rugged beauty, diverse landscapes and amazing wildlife including vast king penguin colonies. This is a remarkable voyage of discovery.

 

ITINERARY

Arrive in Punta Arenas

Staff members will welcome you on arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile. Transfer to your hotel, then visit the Explorers House, and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise, and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. At Explorers House, enjoy local gastronomy dinner as you meet your fellow adventurers.

Scheduled flight to Antarctica

A smooth two-hour flight takes you efficiently from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the airplane and 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.

Exploring Antarctica - Day 3 to 6

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 seabirds, 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 the lounge 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 in the Gerlache Strait that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.

Elephant Island

Sailing north of the Antarctic Peninsula, 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 in a small open lifeboat, crossing 1,300 km of open sea to South Georgia in order to arrange the rescue of their comrades. While the stormy conditions of this area rarely allow a shore landing, you will be able to see the island from the ship.

Sailing to South Georgia - Day 8 & 9

As we sail on northward, our historian and our naturalists offer presentations and informal chats. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge and to be inspired by tales of exploration, while keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife.

South Georgia - Day 10 to 13

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. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 King Penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. If the weather is favourable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.

Sailing towards South America - Day 14 to 16

As the ship heads to South America, the Expedition Team continue their program of presentations. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history: Enjoy the collection of themed books in the library, attend film screenings, and spend time socializing in the ship’s lounge. Take your binoculars to the outside observation decks and spot for the great wondering albatross that may be soaring in the proximity of the ship.

At sea and Beagle Channel

Approach the South American continent and sail along the Beagle Channel. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego to the north and Navarino Island to the south as you make your way to Ushuaia.

Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrival to Ushuaia, where your journey ends.

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDF
Magellan Explorer

Magellan Explorer

The Magellan Explorer, is a modern and elegant base from which to explore the polar regions, combining boutique hospitality with top class expedition facilities. It is the ideal platform for air-cruise operations and several international polar expedition experts were involved in the design process. Working with engineers, naval architects and designers, the expedition experience of guests was always kept in mind. Built in Chile, the Magellan Explorer has a capacity of 73 passengers providing an intimate small ship cruising experience. All cabins include feature private batrooms and heaeted floors and all cabins except Porthole cabins feature private balconies.

The ship has a fleet of 10 zodiacs to ensure all guests can disembark the ship and enjoy time on the icy landscapes or drift through glacial waters in search of unique wildlife. The ship contains a glass observation lounge and presentation room that boasts state-of-the-art visual and audio equipment for presentations conduct by the expert expedition crew. Onboard you will enjoy fitness facilities including a gym, sauna and well stocked bar. 

Ice Class: Length: 90.7 m (298 ft.)
Breadth: 16.2 m (53 ft.)Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 14 knots
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:
100

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Accommodation

We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.

Kayaking

Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.

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Pricing per person & date

Antarctica & South Georgia Air Cruise | Magellan Explorer from NZD 31,025
Departing Ending Duration
07 Mar 202724 Mar 202718

Important Information

  • Prices are based on per person, and may be based off quad/triple/ or twin share cabins* (please contact us for more details) 

    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.  

    Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.

  • INCLUSIONS

    Group transfers from the airport and hotel on day one for guests arriving in Punta Arenas and from the hotel to the airport on the last day of the air-cruise itinerary.
    One night stay with breakfast in Punta Arenas on day one.
    Welcome dinner at the Explorers House.
    Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
    Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.
    Charter flights from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
    Accommodation on board during your voyage.
    Daily buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship.
    Loan of waterproof boots for excursions in Antarctica, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.
    All guided excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.

     

    EXCLUSIONS

    International or domestic flights, unless specified
    Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary 
    Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable) 
    Airport arrival or departure taxes
    Vaccination charges
    Travel insurance
    Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
    Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
    Optional activity surcharges
    All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to gratuities, select drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges. 

    From 2026/27 Antarctic season onward standard internet service provided on a complimentary basis. (Guests booked in Penthouse Suites on Magellan Explorer and Grand Veranda Suites on Magellan Discoverer enjoy complimentary premium internet service.)

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available upon request, contact us for more details. 

  • Departure Date, Fuel Surcharges, Cabin Category, Currency Fluctuations, Seasonality & Availability.