Voyage Overview
Skip the Drake and explore below the Antarctic Circle.
For expeditioners who prefer to focus their energy on adventures in Antarctica, flying over the Drake Passage in both directions is the ideal way to reach the white continent. In the safe hands of experienced pilots, your pulse will quicken as you glimpse the first icebergs in the Southern Ocean, where your vessel awaits, ready to take you on an exhilarating adventure. And venturing below the Antarctic Circle is about more than just earning bragging rights. It is the chance to enter a different world more rarely seen, it feels more isolated and colder than further north, with great swathes of pack-ice and dreamlike icebergs.
Trip Details
Duration: 12 Days
Ship: Greg Mortimer, Premium Ship, 130 Guests
Start: Punta Arenas, Chile
End: Punta Arenas, Chile
Highlights:
- 8 planned days in Antarctica
- Soar over the Drake Passage in both directions, soaking in the icy scenery below
- Celebrate the crossing of the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33′ South (approximately)
- Enjoy lengthy hours of daylight when the sun barely dips below the horizon, giving you extended time for exploration
- Witness cute, fluffy juvenile penguins moulting and preparing for their first taste of independence
- Gaze at sea-ice seals hauled out on ice floes away from the hungry jaws of predators
- Whales start to arrive in volume to feed on krill. Watch for the telltale fluke of a tail as it plunges to the depths of the ocean numbers
Trip Itinerary Overview:
Day 1: Arrive Punta Arenas
Day 2: Flight to King George Island & Embarkation
Days 3-10: Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle
Day 11: Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas, Chile
Day 12: Depart Punta Arenas
Tour Dates
- October 2025 to March 2026
| Dates | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
Jan 23 – Feb 3, 2026 (12 days) | Available | view pricing chart |
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of and transferred to the included group hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2:00pm so that you may attend our important briefing this evening. Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today). This evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.
Day 2: Flight to King George Island & Embarkation
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings. Note: 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. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our upmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to the terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.
Days 3-10: Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. 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. Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
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. We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises 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 our 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. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting!
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. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
On this voyage, conditions permitting, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located at the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33′ South (approximately). Crossing below The Circle is certainly a special highlight for many people, and the moment will be celebrated with a toast out on the deck (weather permitting). You have earned some boasting privileges, joining a small group of lucky adventurers who have ventured to this part of the world. As we approach and cross the Antarctic Circle, you will notice subtle changes in the landscape, and also in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill and we hope to see plenty of whales – particularly humpbacks and minkes and enjoy the spectacle of penguins feeding their ravenous chicks.
Day 11: Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas, Chile
As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our flight (approximately one hour forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here. On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel. Note: King George Island is located at the northern tip 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. We apologise in advance for any possible delays.
Day 12: Depart Punta Arenas
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare. Note: Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; you will remain on the ship until it is deemed achievable to return to Punta Arenas. Refer to the terms and conditions for further details.
In the spirit of expedition travel, we encourage you to adopt a flexible and adventurous attitude when joining our voyages. This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond our control. Trips with flights to and/or from Antarctica have a higher risk of having a trip delay or interruption due to weather.
Trips & Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime
Jan 23 – Feb 3, 2026 (12 days)
| Start: | Punta Arenas, Chile |
| End: | Punta Arenas, Chile |
| Cabin Category | Aurora Stateroom Triple | Aurora Stateroom Twin | Balcony Stateroom C | Balcony Stateroom B | Balcony Stateroom A | Balcony Stateroom Superior | Junior Suite | Captain’s Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $23,795 | $24,495 | $26,595 | $27,995 | $30,095 | $32,895 | $41,295 | $48,895 |
| Discount | Save 15% | Save 15% | Save 15% | Save 15% | Save 15% | Save 15% | Save 15% | Save 15% |
| Discounted Per Person Price | $20,226 | $20,821 | $22,606 | $23,796 | $25,581 | $27,961 | $35,101 | $41,561 |
| Availability | Full | Full | Open | Full | Open | Open | Open | Full |
Single Travelers:
- If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another passenger of the same gender to avoid a single supplement.
- Single occupancy price for a double/twin cabin is 1.5x the per person share price
- Starting the Arctic 2026 season there will be 6 dedicated Solo Balcony Stateroom A cabins, 2 Solo Balcony Stateroom B and 2 Solo Balcony Stateroom C cabins available with no single supplements. Pricing based on full brochure fare. See pricing grid for details.
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking Program – requires previous kayaking experience and an intermediate paddling level:
- 2025 pricing:
- $690/person on Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear (8 days)
- $830/person on Wild Landscapes of West Greenland
- $870/person on Jewels of the Arctic (12 day trips)
- $980/person on Svalbard Odyssey, Jewels of the Arctic (15 Days), Greenland Odyssey, Southern Greenland
- $1,190/person on Svalbard in Depth, Northwest Passage (16-17 day trips) & Northern Lights Explorer
- $1,660/person on Arctic Complete
- 2026 pricing:
- $495/person on Iceland Circumnavigation
- $595/person on Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear (8 days)
- $795/person on Wild Scotland and Scotland, Faroes & Iceland
- $895/person on Svalbard Odyssey, Jewels of the Arctic (15 Days)
- $1,395/person on Traversing the Northwest Passage
Single Travelers:
- If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another passenger of the same gender to avoid a single supplement.
- Single occupancy price is 1.5x the per person share price
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking Program: $1,330/person on 12-15 day Antarctica voyages, $1,745/person on 20+ day Antarctica & South Georgia voyages and $1,030/person on 9 day Express trip. Requires previous kayaking experience and an intermediate paddling level.
- Paddling: $640/person. $480/person on 9 day Express Trip.
- Camping: $165/person
- Snorkeling: $675/person on 12-14 day Antarctica voyages, $835/person on 20+ day Antarctica & South Georgia voyages and $515/person on 9 day Express trip.
- Alpine Trekking: $1260/person
- Snowshoeing: $370/person on 12-15 day Antarctica voyages and $440/person on 20+ day Antarctica & South Georgia voyages
- Ski/Snowboard Touring: $1395/person – experience required
- Shackleton Crossing on Skis: $2,220/person – experience required
Voyage Ship
Greg Mortimer
Centuries of collective experience were drawn on to map out the Greg Mortimer: purpose-built for expeditions to the most remote places on earth.
The first passenger ship to feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, this allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently, and with expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment, inviting communal areas and unsurpassed environmental credentials, the Greg Mortimer offers the perfect base camp for adventures at the outer limits of human exploration.
Greg Mortimer Cabins & Deck Plan
Captain’s Suite
DECK 4
The singular Captain’s Suite is the most spacious cabin on the Greg Mortimer and has a preferred low, mid-ship location. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you’ll need to book early to secure this suite. Additional amenities include 1 free pair of binoculars per suite, free stocked mini bar (replenished as needed), 1 free bottle of champagne and gratuity of $15/person per day for the crew included.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 479 sq. ft. (44.5m2 )
1-2
1 king or 2 twins
Junior Suite
DECK 7
The Greg Mortimer’s four Junior Suites take in some impressive scenery from their vantage points high on the ship. When you aren’t enjoying a landing, you can relax in the suites’ separate lounge area, or just watch the world float by from the private balcony. Additional inclusions feature 1 free pair of binoculars per suite, free stocked mini bar (stocked once only, not replenished), 1 free bottle of champagne and gratuity of $15/person per day for the crew included.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 419 sq. ft. (39m2)
1-2
1 king or 2 twins
Balcony Stateroom Superior
DECK 4
DECK 6
Balcony Stateroom Superiors feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area. The private balcony is much larger than most of the Balcony Staterooms. Two of these staterooms (#428 & 429) are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
Cabin & balcony combined: 303 – 432 sq. ft. (28.2 – 40.2m2 )
1-2
1 king or 2 twins
Balcony Stateroom A
DECK 4
DECK 6
The 23 Balcony Stateroom A cabins are a premium cabin and the most abundant on board. These cabins are located in preferred positions which provides easy access between decks via the internal stairs or elevator.
Cabin & balcony combined: 259 – 301 sq. ft. (24 – 28m2)
1-2
1 king or 2 twins
Balcony Stateroom B
DECK 4
DECK 6
The 21 Balcony Stateroom B Cabins are located at the fore and aft. Many are fitted with interconnecting features making them great for families or groups.
Cabin & balcony combined: 254 – 267 sq. ft. (23.6 – 24.8 m2 )
1-2
1 king or 2 twins
Balcony Stateroom C
DECK 4
DECK 6
The 14 Balcony Stateroom C’s are the most economical balcony cabins fitted with all the necessities and comfortable for up to 2 people. These cabins are either in the most forward or aft location or in a mid-ship location with a smaller cabin size.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 225 – 267 sq. ft. (21-24.8 m²)
1-2
1 king or 2 twins
Aurora Stateroom Twin
DECK 3
The Greg Mortimer features eight Aurora Stateroom Twin cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms, perfect for adventurers who are looking for a comfortable base that’s close to the action.
170 – 245 sq. ft. (15.8 – 22.8 m²)
1-2
1 king or 2 twins
Aurora Stateroom Triple
DECK 3
There are six Aurora Stateroom Triple cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms.
230 – 245 sq. ft. (21 – 23 m²)
3
3 twins or 1 king + 1 twin
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- Two night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 1 and Day 11.
- Roundtrip charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island.
- Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
- Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
- One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information.
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- WiFi – Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.
Exclusions:
- International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
Solo Travelers
An expedition cruise to the Polar regions is a fantastic trip for solo travelers. On most ships, there is the option to share a cabin with another guest of the same gender to keep the pricing down. Solo occupancy cabins are also an option for guests who prefer to have their own space. Please reach out for more information and pricing for solo travelers.
