Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile to Antarctica aboard a De Havilland DHC-7 (Dash-7) and cruise aboard the ‘Grigoriy Mikheev', a modern and comfortable research vessel of the Hydro-graphic Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival at Punta Arenas airport and transfer to hotel downtown. Introductory speech and welcome dinner in a listed Patagonian mansion, built in the 19th century.
Day 2. Transfer to Punta Arenas airport to board the plane and fly during a little over three hours to King George Island (South Shetlands). Visit to Eduardo Frei Chilean Base. Afternoon visit to 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.
Day 3. Morning 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. Afternoon 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.
Day 4. Morning 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.
Day 5. Early 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.
Day 6. A.M. Landing at Half Moon Island, habitat of large Antarctic Penguin colonies. P.M. 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.
Return to the Presidente Eduardo Frei Chilean Air Force Antarctic Base. Tour around the premises. Later, departure for Punta Arenas on board the Dash-7. End of tour.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price includes:
Transfer airport - hotel
1 night lodging in Punta Arenas , breakfast included.
Welcome Dinner
Flight Punta Arenas – King George Island – Punta Arenas
Sea voyage and lodging on board ship, in accordance with cabin chosen.
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks)
Shore excursions
Conferences and shipboard entertainment
Transfer airport - city
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Antarctica
Ecotourism
Glacier Tours
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