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VOYAGE NO LONGER AVAILABLE: This voyage has now been privately chartered. For more bespoke Antarctica cruise options, please contact us at [email protected]
Our small 12-passenger exploration boat, Hans Hansson, allows us to visit the incredible remote islands of the Antarctic Peninsula that larger vessels simply don’t visit. Fewer passengers means more intimacy and flexibility when exploring the Antarctic, plus adventures tailored to meet the expectations of participants, as well as greater face time with the crew. Daily landings provide adventures to last a lifetime: enjoy the company of penguins, seabirds, whales and seals in the unparalleled beauty of the pristine waters and calm bays around the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 1 - Punta Arenas: Embarkation Day
Meet our team at your hotel in Punta Arenas and get ready for the ride to the airport, board the plane and fasten your seat belt, while enjoying crossing the Drake Passage in just a couple of hours, arriving at King George Island, on the Shetlands.
Offload your bags and meet the crew of the Expedition Yacht Hans Hansson.
*** NOTE: You must arrive in Punta Arenas (PUQ) on the 16 JAN 2020. ***
Day 2/12 - Exploring Antarctica
This trip is an excellent introduction to the Great White Continent, offering various landings on the islands and on the mainland. During these sailing days in the Antarctic Peninsula, we will visit many sites including The South Shetland Islands, Half Moon Island, Livingstone ... These are the places popular with penguin colonies, seals and elephant seals. Deception Island, this caldera where the still active volcano shelters on its flanks a colony of several hundreds of thousands of chinstrap penguins. Visit the remains of the whaling base. It was also from this island that several exploratory flights departed to the South Pole. Danco Islands, Cuverville. Beautiful landscapes of glaciers and penguin colonies. In this region, the navigations between the ice cliffs and the frost-cut mountains give among the most impressive landscapes. Pettermann Island: Captain Charcot wintered there with his crew in 1903-1905 and 1907-1908. He mapped the area there. Port Neko and Paradise Bay: these landings on the continent will bring us closer to the large ice caps and cliffs that flow from the summits seracs and towers. Spectacular sailing in the Neumayer and Lemaire Straits encased between the impressive peaks and glaciers. Visit of scientific bases. For miles, the coast is only ice cliffs. These waters are also known for their populations of orcas, whales and seals, including the leopard seal, the predator of penguins. Further south, mountains and sea ice marry in infinite horizons and fascinating panoramas of beauty. The journey is rich with animals and alpine peaks, and near the scientific station Vernadsky, if weather allows, we may cross the Antarctic Polar Circle by 66 ° 33 South. This region is also famous for the presence of large tabular icebergs. "Flexibility" is the key word of such a trip, we will explore and land based on weather and sea ice conditions.
A family atmosphere thanks to the small size of the group (12 passengers only). Antarctica has a real fascination, it is the continent of the extreme, covered with 99% of ice and populated with millions of penguins. It is famous for its sumptuous landscapes and its gigantic dimensions: some icebergs measure several hundreds of km², the highest peaks exceed 5,000 meters of altitude ...
*** Please consider the actual number of days in Antarctica may vary depending on weather conditions. ***
About the Hans Hansson:
Hans Hansson has a long history. Built-in 1960 in Norway for the Sea Rescue Association, she sailed 25 years in the North, providing assistance to 704 boats and saving 106 lives. For another 10 years, she will rescue 243 boats and save 55 people. In 1998, it was acquired by a private owner who expanded his superstructure and turned her into a very comfortable boat. In 2005, it underwent a profound transformation, to bring her up to the "SOLAS" standards.
The boat has a length of 26.5 meters, a width of 7.1 for a draft of 3.4 meters. The hull is reinforced for ice and aluminium superstructure. Its cruising speed is 8.5 knots.
Access to the outer decks and the bridge is free whenever the vessel is not under mooring operations. The boat has a wide outer forward and aft decks for observation.
The crew consist of a Captain, an Expedition Leader, a First Mate, a Chief Engineer and a Chef.
Day 13 - Punta Arenas: Departure day
On our last day, we’ll return to King George Island where you’ll board your flight back to Punta Arenas. Look out your window and get a last glimpse at the white continent.
*** NOTE: Do not book a flight out of Punta Arenas prior to 1700 on 30 JAN. We recommend overnighting in Punta Arenas on the 29th and 30th Jan. ***
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.
You will also have the option to Kayak on certain excursions in Antarctica for a unique and intimate experience.
One of our most popular activities, camping offers you the unique opportunity to roll out your sleeping mat and wriggle into your thermal sleeping bag for a night out on the ice – no camping experience necessary! Once you’ve settled in, prepare to witness the stunning beauty of the Antarctic night sky, as well as the sounds of ice cracking in the distance and wildlife carrying on their busy schedule around you. This is the activity for the ultimate bragging rights!
In a continent of stunning views, Lemaire Channel has been called the Kodak Gap. Locked between the rocky vertical cliffs of Booth Island and the continent this one kilometer wide passage is one of the most photographed attractions of Antarctica. You will be glad your camera is digital.
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.
This British base, established in 1944, on arrival you will receive a warm accolade both by the volunteers of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and the colony of Gentoo penguins that nestles just by the old timber structure. Get small denomination US$ notes to buy a few postcards and send them home with Antarctic stamps from one of the southernmost Post Offices in the world.
Return charter flights are provided from Punta Arenas to King George Island to meet the Hans Hansson
HANS HANSSON
Only 12 guests and 7 crew members. Fly-Cruise -cross the Drake passage in 2 hours and spend 2 full weeks in Antarctica! Kayaking and Camping included. Citizen science onboard. Extended landings and zodiac cruises.
No waiting time for landings.
Hans Hansson emerges as the ultimate vessel for an Antarctic expedition, offering an intimate size and cozy ambiance that ensures a personalized and
immersive experience. With a maximum capacity of just 12 guests, it underscores comfort and functionality, enabling close encounters with Antarctica's mesmerizing landscapes and captivating wildlife. The boats distinctive style cultivates camaraderie among guests, elevating the sense of adventure and making landings and zodiac tours genuinely exceptional.
Additionally, the advantage of its smaller guest capacity guarantees swift access to shores, facilitating unhurried wildlife encounters and an intimate
exploration of Antarctica's breathtaking landscapes. Hans Hansson stands out by not only allowing extensive zodiac cruises but also offering unlimited time for shore landings, granting you the freedom to thoroughly absorb the grandeur of this frozen realm. All these unparalleled experiences,
complemented by the warmth of a family-style atmosphere, promise an unforgettable Antarctic voyage.
| Luxury star rating: | 3 |
| Guests #: | 12 |
| Crew #: | 6 |
| Ice Class: | ICE-C |
| Speed: | 11 |
| Refurbished: |
| Year built: | |
| Length: | 26m |
| Width: | 7 |
| Draft: | |
| Tonnage: | 146 |
| Registry: | |
| Elec Outlets: | 220V / 2 Round Pin |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
