Antarctic Air-Cruises
Antarctic Experience
Airplane 'BAe 146-200' and the ice-strengthened Vessel Ocean Nova
- Ocean Nova - 8 days 17 - 24 Jan 2012
Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, we invite 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.
Day 1
Punta Arenas
Arrival at the city of Punta Arenas where you will be met by our staff, to be transferred to Hotel Rey Don Felipe. During the afternoon, you will meet your expedition mates and receive instructions concerning the guidelines that should be followed in Antarctica and the procedures for Zodiac boat embarkation and disembarkation. Later, you will enjoy our welcome dinner at the José Nogueira Hotel, a French-style mansion that is over one hundred years old. Passengers should be in Punta Arenas at 15:00 hours, at the latest.
Day 2
King George Island
Our Antarctic adventure will begin with the flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The flight takes a little over one and half hour. Upon arrival, we will be able to tour around the area where the Frei Chilean Base and the Bellingshausen Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation by Zodiac boats on board our expedition vessel.
Days 3-4
South Shetland Islands - Antarctic Peninsula
While cruising between the South Shetland Islands and the western coat of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and between spectacular icebergs, we will enjoy the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Our adventure will be very active, with several daily landings and cruises in Zodiac boats, lectures and a very enjoyable time on board.
Day 5
Drake Passage
After a last visit in the region, in the afternoon our ship will set sail northwards across the famous Drake Passage en route to Ushuaia.
Day 6
At sea
We invite you to relax and enjoy life on board and to take the time to watch wildlife from the bridge or outside decks. We may spot magnificent birds such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as Humpback and Minke whales swimming on their way down to Antarctica.
Day 7
Cape Horn - Beagle Channel
After spending the last hours sailing through the Drake Passage, we will finally have Cape Horn and the American continent in sight. Our ship will sail along the calm waters of the Beagle Channel towards the southernmost Chilean settlement of Puerto Williams, located on Navarino Island. Here, we will have the time to tour around before sailing during the in the night towards Ushuaia.
Day 8
Ushuaia
In the morning, arrival at the port of Ushuaia and disembarkation. End of the program.
