Polar Circle Air-Cruise - 10 Days
Aboard Ocean Nova – 67 passengers
The Polar Circle air-cruise is a couple days longer than most fly cruises and will attempt to sail further south to more off the beaten track areas. Our main objective on this expedition is to try and reach the Antarctic Polar Circle located at approximately 66° south of the equator. The Expedition Team handcrafts every voyage depending on the Antarctic weather and each day of the Polar Circle air-cruise is filled with ample opportunities to explore.
Highlights
- Fly over the Drake both ways to save time and avoid potential rough sea crossings.
- Sailing on a boutique ship with just 67 passengers onboard means more time on shore and less waiting time.
- Have the chance to see 3 species of brushtail penguins, seals and whales.
- Experience incredible icescapes as you sail south across the Antarctic Circle
Tour Dates
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Jan 1 - Jan 10, 2025 (10 days)
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Feb 16 - Feb 25, 2025 (10 days)
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Jan 1 - Jan 10, 2026 (10 days)
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Feb 1 - Feb 10, 2026 (10 days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival into Punta Arenas, Chile
Staff members welcome you in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM. Transfer to your hotel, visit Explorers House, and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. A welcome dinner introduces you to the local gastronomy as you meet fellow adventurers from around the world.
Day 2: Scheduled flight to Antarctica
A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the airplane, and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. You then walk 2-kms (1.25-miles), passing Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel.
Day 3-8: Exploring Antarctica
Sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Visit the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, disembarking by Zodiac each day. In small groups, hike to extraordinary sites and take part in exploratory Zodiac excursions to otherwise inaccessible areas. Our expert polar guides share their passion for Antarctica through an engaging program of illustrated presentations, and lead you ashore to interpret the wildlife, the history, and the many wonders of the Antarctic environment. Enjoy spectacular views, from the glass-enclosed lounge, while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests over a drink.
The goal of this expedition is to sail far south in the attempt to reach the Polar Circle. The Expedition Team plans the specific voyage route based on local conditions and takes advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature. Flexibility will be the key to a successful voyage. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache and Penola Straits, and the Crystal Sound. Each voyage is unique and crafted to provide the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.
Day 9: Scheduled return flight from Antarctica
Back at King George Island, bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).
Day 10: End of the air-cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
Please note the itinerary and route map are only tentative outlines of what you may experience. No specific itinerary, routing or landing sites can be guaranteed in advance. Where the ship actually sails will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, the weather & ice conditions and the captain & expedition leader. Every trip is different, which adds to the excitement of expedition cruising in the polar regions. Trips with flights to and/or from Antarctica have a higher risk of having a trip delay or interruption due to weather.
Route Map
Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Single Travelers:
- Can book a dedicated single cabin Single Cabin prices above
- Can book a Twin Cabin for single use at 1.85x the per person share price in Twin Cabins.
- If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another passenger of the same gender in either a Twin Cabin. Passengers who book a twin cabin on a shared basis are accommodated in single rooms at the hotel in Punta Arenas. Those passengers must pay a Single Hotel Room Supplement which is $790/person for the 2024-25 season and $830/person for the 2024-25 season. Note: Single travelers who use CPAP machines or other assistive devices, as well as those who have conditions that can be disrupting to others (loud snoring, sleepwalking, etc.), can only book their air-cruise in a Single Cabin or a Twin Cabin for single use. They cannot book on a twin-share basis.
Adventure Options:
- Full Kayaking program: $895/person for 2024-25 season & $695/person for 2025-26 season. Experience required, must be booked in advance as spots are limited. Starting the 2025-26 season there will be 2 separate groups of 10 kayakers, with each group kayaking on an alternating basis.
- Snowshoeing/Hiking: $85/person per excursion, only bookable onboard the ship
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
Single Cabin
Located on deck 3 featuring one lower single bed, a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower.
87 sq. ft / 8 sq. m.
Twin Cabin
Located on deck 3 & deck 4 featuring two twin beds or one queen bed (most have two twins), a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower. Note – in the cabins that do have one queen bed, the bed is pushed up against one of the walls.
106 sq. ft / 10 sq. m.
Triple Cabin
Located on deck 3 these cabins feature two lower beds and one upper bed, a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with a shower.
150 sq. ft / 14 sq. m.
Deck Plan
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, exclusive group transfers airport/hotel on Day 1.
- For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, one overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar, with a welcome dinner including drinks on Day 1.
- One overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica.
- For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, enjoy special access to Explorers House.
- Exclusive group transfers airport/hotel on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica, and exclusive group transfers hotel/airport on the last day of the air-cruise.
- Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
- Ship cruise as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
- Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board the ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
- Dinner served daily on board the ship offering a choice between one of three main courses.
- Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board.
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship throughout the expedition.
- All guided shore excursions.
- Lectures and entertainment on board.
- Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
- Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
- Contingency Plan
- IAATO passenger fee.
Exclusions:
Anything that is not specifically listed under the “Included in the Rate” section. For example:
- Accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage. Specifically, dinner in Punta Arenas upon return from Antarctica is not included.
- Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
- Internet connection on board the ship.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
- Gratuities.
- Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.