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Arrive in Punta Arenas and transfer to your downtown hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore this vibrant, historic seaport on the Strait of Magellan.
Welcome to the ice factory!
Thanks to vast ice shelves that calve monstrous tabular icebergs, waters rich in krill and otherworldly landscapes, the Weddell Sea is one of Antarctica’s unique regions. Our new expedition ship, Greg Mortimer, is ice-strengthened to take you safely and comfortably between the Weddell Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula’s west coast for the best of both worlds. Highlights - Vast tabular icebergs pass by in Antarctic Sound - Retrace some of Shackleton’s and Nordenskjöld’s route - Visit fascinating fossil fields with onboard palaeontologist - Capture Antarctic light with polar photography guide -Delight in Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins - Hunting orcas, feeding humpbacks and slinky minkes.
This voyage travel with the Australian Institute of Professional Photographer's (AIPP), Peter Eastway.
In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.
Day 1 - Punta Arenas: Arrival Day
Arrive in Punta Arenas and transfer to your downtown hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore this vibrant, historic seaport on the Strait of Magellan.
Day 2 - King George Island: Embarkation day
Enjoy scenic flight to King George Island, Antarctica, and transfer by Zodiac to your expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer.
Day 3/9 - Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea
After settling into shipboard life, we will head through the Antarctic Sound to the eastern side of the Peninsula to reach the Weddell Sea.
Access into the Weddell is heavily dependent on ice conditions, and our experienced leader will use their expertise to design our voyage from day to day. We aim to make landings or Zodiac excursions two to three times a day. Days will be spent cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales that are feeding near the surface, and landing on the continent and its off-shore islands to visit penguin rookies, seal haul outs, historic huts, and a few of our other favourite spots along the peninsula.
We will generally try for two landings or Zodiac excursions each day; cruising along spectacular ice cliffs; following whales that are feeding near the surface; and landing on the continent and its off-shore islands to visit penguin rookeries, seal haul outs, historic huts, and a few of our other favourite spots along the peninsula. There will be plenty of time for sleep when you get home!
Day 10 - King George Island & Charter Flight
As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our return flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our preferred downtown hotel.
NOTE: King George Island is located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is one of the most remote place on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required in order to take off and land safely. We apologise in advance if you experience any delays.
Day 11 - Punta Arenas: Departure Day
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
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.
To participate in our polar diving activity, all divers must be a trained, certified scuba divers with proof of certification beyond entry level, i.e. Advanced Diver certification or equivalent rating issued by a recognised scuba training organisation.
In addition to this, it is extremely important that adequate training and experience is gained in dry-suit diving, and in the use of other new and unfamiliar equipment to be used in polar waters. To ensure your safety and enjoyment and to avoid any unnecessary problems on the trip, recent diving experience and proof of a minimum of 20 logged dives using a dry-suit is required prior to joining the voyage.
Greg Mortimer - Discover the underwater world of Antarctica and the Arctic!
Witness wildlife and scenery unlike any other place on earth. Through crystal clear waters you'll discover the amazing mobility and speed of penguins entering and exiting from the ice, marvel at beautifully sculpted icebergs below the water and witness marine life such as crustaceans, isopods, starfish and nudibranchs!
One of the most unique ways to experience Antarctica and the Arctic.
The experience of sea kayaking in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica or the European Arctic is guaranteed to stir your soul. Paddle between brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes, skim past penguin rookeries or under soaring bird cliffs, or drift quietly as you watch wildlife unobtrusively, absorbing the majestic scenery.
Whale numbers swell in Antarctica over the southern summer. Arriving in Antarctica from November onwards, whale numbers reach their peak around December and January. Sightings and particularly breachings reach a pinnacle in February and March, when the Krill is closer to the surface. Some 10 species of whales are found in Antarctic water each summer, with the most abundant species being the Humpack.
A unique region of the Antarctic Peninsula and often little visited by expedition vessels. On the western coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula, it is here the many of the icebergs which roam the the Peninsula calve. The Weddell Sea region of Antarctica is home to huge glaciers and tabular icebergs, if natural beauty, landscapes and geology excite you, then our Weddell Sea voyages are definitely worth considering.
The region is rich in history, your expedition will visit historical sites and your expedition team will share with you the many stories of a bygone era of exploration in the region.
Don’t miss your chance for a whiskey or water refreshed by millenary Antarctic ice. While luxury bars in the world’s top cities can double the menu price for adding glacier ice on your whiskey, here it’s quite at hand. What could better than contemplating the latitude you have reached with a noble drink in hand as your expedition cruise heads back to port.
On board you will be provided with expedition boots and a highquality wind and waterproof expedition jacket
GREG MORTIMER
The Greg Mortimer, named after the Australian adventurer and Polar tourism pioneer (Greg Mortimer OAM), this unique vessel utilises some of the latest advancements in naval design & technology to revolutionise the small ship expedition cruising experience. The X-BOW makes sailing smoother and faster while protecting the vulnerable environments visited using a virtual anchoring system. Shore excursions are made easier, with four sea-level Zodiac loading decks & a specially-crafted activity platform, designed in close consultation with our world-renowned expedition & activity leaders. Unlike many new ships, the Greg Mortimer is not striving for absolute luxury. It will of course, be brand new, modern and comfortable in every way, but will stay true to a relaxed, comfortable and homely style of travel, purely focused on the expedition and destination. Ship Features: - Highly qualified and experienced expedition team and international crew - X-BOW® hull, designed to offer faster and more comfortable travel enabling the ship to pierce through waves and maintain speed of travel, lower fuel consumption and reduced air pollution emissions - All cabins feature twin or king bedding configuration and private bathroom. 80% of cabins include a private balcony. 60% of cabins can accommodate a third person - Purpose-built activities preparation areas including four Zodiac launching platforms for fast and safe transition off the ship as you embark on multiple daily excursions - Observation lounge and viewing platforms offer spectacular panoramic views of scenery and wildlife. - State-of-the-art lecture theatre, two hot tubs/plunge pools, art room, library, gym, wellness centre and more!
| Luxury star rating: | 4 |
| Guests #: | 120 |
| Crew #: | 62 |
| Ice Class: | 1A |
| Speed: | 12 |
| Refurbished: |
| Year built: | 2019 |
| Length: | 104m |
| Width: | 18 |
| Draft: | 5 |
| Tonnage: | 7400 |
| Registry: | Bahamas |
| Elec Outlets: | 220V 2 Round plug |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
