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Travel in the footsteps of explorer Ernest Shackleton to the extremes of the Southern Hemisphere! Visit the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia aboard Magellan Explorer. Enjoy views of spectacular mountains and towering icebergs, and visit extraordinary snowy landscapes and remote penguin rookeries. This will be the Magellan Explorer's first voyage to South Georgia!
Day 1 - Arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile
We welcome you in Punta Arenas, Chile (Please arrive before 2 PM). Transfer to your hotel and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. A welcome dinner introduces you to the local gastronomy as you meet fellow adventurers from around the world.
Day 2 - 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.
Day 3/5 - Exploring Antarctica
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.
Day 6 - 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.
Day 7/8 - Sailing to South Georgia
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.
Day 9/11 - 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. 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.
Day 12/14 - Sailing towards South America
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.
Day 15 - 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.
Day 16 - Ushuaia, Argentina
We arrive this morning into Ushuaia, where your journey ends.
Flights out of Ushuaia are not to be booked prior to 12 PM.
Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
See Antarctica from the unique vantage point of a sea kayak. Join a small group of participants and paddle in Antarctica under the leadership of an experienced Kayak Master.
Gain greater mobility and see more of the Antarctic landscape with our hiking and snowshoeing program.
***Please note the cost of Snowshoeing is USD$85 per person per excursion.
Offering priority boarding, a guaranteed window or aisle seat at the front of the aircraft and an extra level of comfort.
Carefully selected this Signature Expedition Jacket, BR2 Offshore Waterproof Jackets by MUSTO so you're well protected against the elements and can enjoy your Antarctic expedition of a lifetime to the fullest. Truly waterproof and breathable, this is your foul weather protection when spending a considerable amount of time on the water.
The double cuffs, adjustable hem, double storm flap with a drainage channel over the zip, the high collar and the roll away fluorescent hood work together to keep you completely dry. The sleeves are articulated to allow complete freedom of movement, the fleece-lined collar, hood, and hand warmer pockets add warmth, and the prismatic reflectors provide visibility for safety in low light.
Taking centre stage on your Antarctic Peninsula expedition, are the Brushtail penguin species. These photogenic and intriguing species include, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. The species are in abundance across Peninsula and are always performing.
On board voyages in our other details you may come across Rockhopper, Macaroni, Magellanic, King and Emperor penguins.
Early season, is one of our favourite times in Antarctica. Its when the Antarctic landscape is at its most pristine, the sea ice is still abundant, the winters snow is still draped ever so delicately over the landscape and the twilight hues create the best photographs.
Our Fly/Cruise programs an excellent choice to navigate the Drake Passage quickly. This expedition comprises of 1 or 2 charter flights across the Drake Passage, so you need not worry about crossing the passage by sea. These expeditions are great options and often allow for an increased amount of time around the continent.
Arrival and departure transfers are provided as per the itinerary. Pre and post-cruise accommodation is provided in Punta Arenas
Your return flights from Punta Arenas to King George Island is included in the cost of your expedition cabin
M/V Magellan Explorer, a brand new expedition vessel, will join the Antarctica fleet for the 2019-20 season.
MV Magellan Explorer features 50 passenger suites and cabins in five categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. The cabins are very spacious, ranging in size from 40 m2 (440 sq. ft.) to 20 m2 (220 sq. ft.). All double cabins have two twin beds that can be configured as one queen-size bed, offering great flexibility to our guests. 42 cabins feature a large window and a private balcony, while 8 cabins feature a porthole. All cabins feature a private bathroom and a sitting area.
Public areas include a large, forward-facing observation lounge, an observation deck, a dining room that accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting, two meeting rooms, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests to offer expansive views during exploration. Optional adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available.
Specific measures have been taken to minimize MV Magellan Explorer’s carbon footprint, including state-of-the-art engines that meet MARPOL’s stringent Tier III emission standards. To minimize fuel consumption, a waste heat recovery system recycles the heat produced by the ship’s engines and repurposes it to power the ship’s heating system and to warm the water used on board.
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.
The Vessel's Features
The ship is being 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.
| Luxury star rating: | 5 |
| Guests #: | 69 |
| Crew #: | 60 |
| Ice Class: | PC 6 |
| Speed: | 14 |
| Refurbished: |
| Year built: | 2019 |
| Length: | 90m |
| Width: | 16 |
| Draft: | 4 |
| Tonnage: | 4900 |
| Registry: | Bahamas |
| Elec Outlets: |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
