Revel in the excitement of crossing the famed Drake Passage after embarking from Ushuaia, with the convenience of a northbound return flight at the end of your expedition. Minke and humpback whales or Adélie penguins floating on ice floes may greet you as you pass, enroute to the northernmost tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The surreal silence in this vast wilderness may at first overwhelm, but playful, charismatic wildlife and your intrepid traveling companions keep you grounded. You’ll develop a new appreciation and understanding of Antarctica’s extreme contrasts - harsh, rugged mountain peaks and fragile ecosystems; stark, lonely icescapes and populous, gregarious penguins.
Antarktis Express: Hinfahrt per Schiff, Rückflug
Arriving in Buenos Aires and Hotel Night | Buenos Aires, Argentina
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, make your way to the included group hotel, which is part of your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. A presentation room will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. for luggage weighing and tagging. A Quark Expeditions representative will be available to answer your questions and provide information about the next day's flight and ship embarkation. After an early breakfast the following morning, your group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.
Arrival in Ushuaia and Embarkation | Cruising
Your Charter Flight and Hotel package will allow for some free time to explore this quaint port town at the bottom of South America. Steeped in marine history, this walkable Argentine city has plenty of museums, galleries and historic sites to visit quite easily. We will transfer the group to the ship for embarkation around 4 p.m.
Days 3 and 4: Crossing the Drake Passage | Cruising
Legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, you may get lucky and have surprisingly calm seas through the Drake Passage. Spend your time in the lounge or chatting with your fellow travelers. As you develop your sea legs during the crossing, our Expedition Team will begin their series of presentations to help prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac and land excursions. You officially enter Antarctica when your ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, a biological boundary that fluctuates around 60° south.
Days 5 to 8: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula | Cruising
The most common reaction upon reaching the 7th Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other—creating a unique, personal experience. Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore glaciated bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a research station or observing chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins, all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals as well as curious whales, such as humpbacks, minkes, or perhaps orcas while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new array of creatures to fascinate you and keep your camera busy. Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier. Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.
Disembark & Fly to Punta Arenas | Cruising
With only the Drake Passage ahead, you’ll disembark on King George Island before flying to Punta Arenas, Chile. Once you’re in Punta Arenas, we’ll transfer you from the airport to your designated group hotel. You’re then free to explore Punta Arenas and enjoy a final dinner on your own.
Depart Punta Arenas | Punta Arenas, Chile
After breakfast, you are free to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flight.
Enthalten
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible.)
- Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
- Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
- A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
- One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast.
- bus
- hotel
- ship-outline
- flight
- hotel
Zusätzlich
- Charter Flight & Hotel Package* (when applicable – please review trip-specific details below)
- International airfare
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone charges may vary by location
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
- Reiserücktritts- und Reiseabbruchversicherung (empfohlen)
- Auslandskranken- und Notfallversicherung inklusive Krankenrücktransport (obligatorisch)
- Trinkgelder an Bord
- Sitzplatzreservierung im Flugzeug
- Visa- und Passgebühren (falls erforderlich)
- Nicht ausdrücklich genannte Transfers
- Eventuell anfallende örtliche Taxen, direkt vor Ort zu begleichen
Hinweise
- ›Bei einer Expedition kann eine Änderung des Fahrplans notwendig werden. Je nach Wetter- und Eisbedingungen entscheidet der Expeditionsleiter und der Kapitän über die bestmögliche Alternative. Begegnungen mit den erwähnten Tieren können nicht garantiert werden.
WORLD VOYAGER
Antarktis Express: Hinfahrt per Schiff, Rückflug