Grand Antarctica

(7 days / 6 nights)

The Antarctic Peninsula is a promontory of land and ice that breaks the apparent radial symmetrical shape of the white continent. It begins approximately at 75°S, extending northwards to 62°S, almost reaching the southern tip of South America. Therefore, the Peninsula is the most accessible region of the Antarctic and is possible to visit only by sailing for a couple of days through the stormy Drake Passage. That is. before this program was designed! We now offer you the possibility of visiting the most pristine corner on Earth via this unique itinerary, which combines a short and comfortable 3-hour flight from Punta Arenas to South Shetland Islands and the comfort of a small 50-passenger expedition cruise across the calm waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Join us on the most innovative circuit to discover the landscapes and wildlife of the white continent.

Dr Kenney really enjoyed being with Enrique and had a very nice trip - he took 6000 images and 6 different penguins!”

 


- K Johnson, USA
Falklands trip Jan 2007


Arrival to Punta Arenas, Chile

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, Fantástico Sur invites you to a unique experience that will take you to one of the most remote places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most inhospitable continent - Antarctica. In a little over three hours of flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island, the largest Island of the South Shetland Archipielago, you will be at the gates of the white continent.

From King George Island we will navigate for six days and five nights along the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting the most wonderful places and enjoying the best wildlife sites of Antarctica. During the whole journey we will be giving different lectures to introduce and inform you about this wonderful Continent. We are sure this will be the trip of your lifetime.

Arrival to the city of Punta Arenas and transfer to your hotel. During the afternoon, before dinner, you will receive instructions in relation with the strict environmental guidelines that should be followed in Antarctica and about the embarkation and disembarkation procedures. Later, you will enjoy our welcome dinner at the Hotel José Nogueira, a centenary French-style mansion, where you will have the chance to meet your expedition companions. Hotel José Nogueira or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). Next »

Flight to South Shetland Islands
Board M/V Grigoriy Mikheev

After a brief city tour in Punta Arenas, we will head towards the picturesque coastal town of Puerto Natales. There are gorgeous vistas of the fjord with tens of stunning Black-necked Swans feeding along the shore. During the afternoon we will visit Mylodon Cave, an outstanding natural formation that sheltered a large number of Pleistocene mammal species about 12,000 years ago, when most of the surrounding area was covered by the glaciers. Weskar Lodge, Puerto Natales (3*).

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Antarctic Peninsula
M/V Grigoriy Mikheev

As we cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and between spectacular icebergs, we will enjoy the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Our journey towards the south will include visits to some of the most magnificent spots in the white continent such as: Hannah Point, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville and Deception Islands amongst others. Our adventure will be full, with daily landings and zodiac cruises, selected lectures and enjoyable time on board.

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Antarctic Peninsula
M/V Grigoriy Mikheev

Hannah Point, on Livingston Island, home of the Antarctic and Gentoo penguins. Possible sighting of the Macaroni Penguin, Southern Elephant Seal and Antarctic Fur Seal.

Visit to Aitcho Island and its Gentoo and Antarctic Penguin colonies. Sighting of other sea birds, like the Southern Giant Petrel. Sighting of other mammals like the Weddell Seal and the Southern Elephant Seal.

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Antarctic Peninsula
M/V Grigoriy Mikheev

Visit to Deception Island, of volcanic origin. Sailing into the flooded crater. Visit to the ruins of the former Norwegian Whaling Station and the BAS (British Antarctic Survey) shelter, evacuated in 1967 after a volcanic eruption. Guided tour to Neptune's Bellows, nesting site of the Cape Petrel. If the weather is suitable, there will be a dip in hot volcanic waters.

Visit to Port Lockroy on Wiencke Island, used by whalers almost one hundred years ago, where you can still see remains of whale skeletons. It is now a museum extremely well kept by Great Britain. Whales and other mammals are frequently seen around the island. The abundant fauna includes Gentoo Penguins and King Cormorants, as well as Minke and Humpback whales. Afternoon visit to beautiful Paradise Bay. If the weather allows it, there will be zodiac boat expeditions to the icebergs. Visit to the Chilean Air Force President Gabriel González Videla base. The members of the base live surrounded by a population of Gentoo penguins. Among these it is possible to see some rare albinos.

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Antarctic Peninsula
M/V Grigoriy Mikheev

Cruise through the Lemaire Channel, one of the most beautiful places in the world, known as the Kodak Gap. Landing and sighting of Petermann Island, the southernmost spot in our trip. In this island you will see the beauty of big granite walls and much snow. It is the home of Gentoo and Adelie Penguins and of a colony of King Cormorants. In the afternoon, we will explore Cuverville Island, nesting place of the Gentoo Penguin.

Landing at Half Moon Island, habitat of large Antarctic Penguin colonies. Visit to the Henry Arctowski Polish Academy of Science Antarctic Base. The scientific personnel, a very warm, welcoming group, is engaged in the study of many species, birds and mammals, as well as the sea fauna of this area.

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Flight to Punta Arenas
End of the tour

Return to King George Island where we will disembark in zodiac boats at Fildes Bay and head to the "Teniente Marsh" air strip to take our flight back to Punta Arenas. The program ends upon arrival to Punta Arenas airport.

NOTE: Flights scheduled and Antarctic itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions. At the end of the program, a free transfer to the city will be available at the airport for all passengers staying overnight.

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Extensions

Grand Atacama can be combined with the following optional extension in mainland Chile:

. Cruise to the Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego (5 and 4 days from US$ 990 / £ 505 per person); journey to the fjords, glaciers and history of the southern tip of South America. Leaving from Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina.
. Torres del Paine Photo Safari or Torres del Paine Explorer (4 days/3 nights from US$ 1,270 / £ 650 per person); adventure and natural history trip to Patagonia's premier mountain and wildlife destination. Leaving from Punta Arenas, Chile.

Dates & Prices

2008 Dates . 5 Departures!
Trip A: Tue Nov 25 - Mon Dec 1, 2008
Trip B: Sun Nov 30 - Sat Dec 6, 2008
Trip C: Fri Dec 5 - Thu 11, 2008
Trip D: Wed Dec 10 - Tue 16, 2008
Trip E: Mon Dec 15 - Sun 21, 2008
Trip F: Sat Dec 20 - Thu 26, 2008
Extended 10-day New Year's Cruise: Thu Dec 25, 2008 - Sat Jan 3, 2009

Main Trip:7 days / 6 nights
Meet/Depart: Punta Arenas, Chile.
Group Size: Trips are guaranteed to depart with no minimum of participants.

 

RATES:
Superior Cabin @ US$ TBA / £ TBA per person, in double occupancy.
Twin Cabin (with private facilities) @ US$ TBA / £ TBA per person, in double occupancy.
Twin Cabin (with wash basin / shared facilities) @ US$ TBA / £ TBA per person, in double occupancy.

What the trip includes/excludes
The above price is per person in US$/£, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement (85% of cabin rate) will be added if single accommodations are requested or forced.

The trip price includes:
Welcome dinner, one hotel night in Punta Arenas, airport transfers, flight Punta Arenas - King George Island - Punta Arenas, expedition cruise accommodations and activities on full-board basis, drinks, shore excursions in zodiac boats, lectures, shipboard entertainment and expedition guide services.

The trip price excludes:
Tipping, visa and/or Passport expenses, arrival and departure taxes, lodging and meals other than those offered in the program, personal insurance, extra baggage charges, additional expenses, such as: laundry service, telephone calls, use of Internet or other means of communication, etc.

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas?
Domestic flight tickets Santiago - Punta Arenas - Santiago, approximately US$ XXX to US$ XXX, per person respectively / £ XXX to XXX).
Duration of the flight: 4 hours approximately. .



TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the FANTASTICO SUR registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of US$ 700 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 300 / £ 155 is refundable. If cancellation is made between 120 and 90 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fewer than 90 days before departure date, no refund is available. This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.