Join us on this trip of a lifetime!
| TRIP DATES | AVAILABILITY | PRICE | SPACE LEFT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27/02/2023 - 17/03/2023 | Available | $26,407.00 |
10 Available |
Join me, Judy and our Girls On Tour small group, women-only tour for an in-depth discovery of The West Antarctic Peninsula and The Weddell Sea on board Aurora’s purpose-built “Greg Mortimer” plus a taste of Chile & Argentina.
I was overwhelmed and brought to tears when I first set foot on Antarctica and I’m sure you will be too. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would visit the coldest, driest, windiest and most beautiful place on earth. I hope you will fulfil your travel dreams and come along with me and another amazing group of inspirational, adventurous women to these diverse and magical destinations.
Fly one way over the Drake Passage on the “Penguin Express” from Punta Arenas to King George Island, one of the most remote places in the world and explore Antarctica and sail the other way on the luxurious and state-of-the-art Greg Mortimer. All GOT cabins are balcony cabins!
Download the brochure and booking form here or contact me direct if you need any assistance. I hope you’ll join me on this incredible adventure.
Check out ‘Greg Mortimer’ here by following the link Greg Mortimer
Itinerary
Expand/CloseDEPART FOR PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE – 2 NIGHTS
Depart Australia for Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival, transfer to our hotel and settle in for the night.
The morning is free to rest after our long flight before enjoying a 4 hour Punta Arenas and Magellan Straits tour. The city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history. Tonight we meet our fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing.
This morning we will transfer to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica. The flight takes about 1 ½ hours. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to board the vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings. King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing.
For the next 7 days we will explore the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day as we sail along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of the crews’ favourite spots along the peninsula. While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below.
In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. From the observation lounge you can enjoy spectacular views of Antarctica in all its splendor. Listen closely for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they calve their way from summit to sea and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
Central to the story of where Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance became trapped in formidable sea ice, the Weddell Sea certainly is high on the list for many polar adventurers. A small set of islands standing off to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula collectively form the Antarctic Sound – the gateway to the Weddell Sea. With a well-deserved reputation as being an iceberg alley, many large tabular bergs escape the Weddell Sea through the Antarctic Sound, often making navigation difficult. However, the rewards can be great. Fossils are a reminder of a more temperate era – gastropods, large clams, and spiral-shaped ammonites, all turned to stone.
Be spoiled for wildlife encounters as the Weddell boasts a large Adélie Penguin colony just outside the Antarctic Sound, some of which breed on the rocky slopes of a small volcanic island, where a large colony of Antarctic blue-eyed shags jostle for space with nest-building Wilson’s storm petrals. On thrilling Zodiac cruises keep watch for Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins as well as Humpback, Minke and Orca whales. Your camera is sure to get a solid work out during your time in the Weddell Sea but make sure you put the lens down too and just enjoy your surrounds.
Our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return to South America. On the way we will enjoy lectures and film presentations to complete our Our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return to South America. On the way we will enjoy lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience. As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to the legendary Cape Horn, weather and time Antarctic experience. As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to the legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will disembark. Sadly we farewell our expedition team and fellow passengers but excitingly we continue our onward journey. We will now enjoy 2 exciting days in Ushuaia located on Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the southernmost tip of South America and nicknamed the “End of the World.” This windswept town, perched on a steep hill, is surrounded by the Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel. The balance of today is ours to explore before checking in to our hotel offering splendid Beagle Channel views.
After breakfast we enjoy a private 4 hour tour to view the city sights and visit the southernmost National Park in the world, Tierra del Fuego. Admire the scenery during the drive including mountains, rivers, lakes and forests. Walk around Roca Lake, visit the Cormoranes Archipelago and see the Green Lagoon. The final stop is Lapataia Bay at the end of the Panamerican Highway. On our return to Ushuaia the afternoon is yours to enjoy and explore this quaint city.
After breakfast today we transfer to Ushuaia airport for our flight to the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel and have some free time to explore the historic Recoleta neighbourhood. Tonight a highlight as we enjoy dinner and show at La Ventana, a unique experience where 32 artists showcase the best of tango and Argentine folklore.
Today enjoy a four-hour city tour of this cosmopolitan city. Discover this unique city with its mix of colonial architecture and European influences. Visit the Plaza de Mayo and the colourful quarter of La Boca.
