Antarctic Express: Crossing The Circle
Highlights
- Fly over the Drake Passage and experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica.
- Marvel at Antarctic Peninsula highlights, including crossing the Antarctic Circle.
- Witness iconic Antarctic wildlife, such as penguins, seals and whales.
Embark on an extraordinary adventure and achieve a remarkable travel milestone as you cross the Antarctic Circle, a feat few travelers have accomplished. Take your Antarctic experience to new heights by sea kayaking through mesmerizing channels adorned with majestic icebergs. Enhance your expedition by bypassing the ocean transit and soaring over the notorious Drake Passage aboard a charter plane, allowing you to maximize your time exploring the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula and venture even further south to reach the remarkable latitude of 66°33′ south.
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an awe-inspiring and impressive achievement, granting you access to the raw and pristine beauty of Antarctica’s southernmost regions. As you reach this renowned latitude, you’ll raise a glass in a toast to the courageous explorers who first ventured to this remote part of the world. Take pride in knowing that you’ve joined the select few who have set foot in this extraordinary realm. Prepare to immerse yourself in the land of the midnight sun, encounter fascinating Weddell seals, and have unparalleled opportunities to witness the captivating sea ice that forms the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
Ships
Ocean Adventurer
Standard Activities
About the Antarctic Express: Crossing The Circle
Embark on an extraordinary adventure and achieve a remarkable travel milestone as you cross the Antarctic Circle, a feat few travelers have accomplished. Take your Antarctic experience to new heights by sea kayaking through mesmerizing channels adorned with majestic icebergs. Enhance your expedition by bypassing the ocean transit and soaring over the notorious Drake Passage aboard a charter plane, allowing you to maximize your time exploring the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula and venture even further south to reach the remarkable latitude of 66°33′ south.
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an awe-inspiring and impressive achievement, granting you access to the raw and pristine beauty of Antarctica’s southernmost regions. As you reach this renowned latitude, you’ll raise a glass in a toast to the courageous explorers who first ventured to this remote part of the world. Take pride in knowing that you’ve joined the select few who have set foot in this extraordinary realm. Prepare to immerse yourself in the land of the midnight sun, encounter fascinating Weddell seals, and have unparalleled opportunities to witness the captivating sea ice that forms the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
Itinerary Day to Day
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a cruise representative will meet you at the official starting point hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
Fly to King George Island and Embarkation
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
Antarctic Circle
Northbound Along the Peninsula
Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas
Depart Punta Arenas
Route Map
Extra 10% Off When Pay In Full
Guests will receive 10% additional savings on select Antarctic departures between November 2024 and March 2025 if full payment is received at the time of booking. The full payment includes the voyage fare and any outstanding balances on the booking (air, hotels, transfers, Adventure Options, pre/post tours and insur...
Save up to 30%
We offer a range of last–minute polar expeditions departing in the 2024-25 austral summer season, with special discounts on select itineraries and ships. Explore breathtaking polar landscapes and observe iconic wildlife in their natural habitats.
Guests will receive 10% additional savings on select Antarctic departures between November 2024 and March 2025 if full payment is received at the time of booking. The full payment includes the voyage fare and any outstanding balances on the booking (air, hotels, transfers, Adventure Options, pre/post tours and insurance).
Terms & Conditions
- — Offer valid for new bookings made between July 5, 2023 and September 27, 2023 on select voyages and limited cabins.
- — Must quote promo code PIF10 at time of booking.
- — Bookings made after the promotion period will not qualify for the savings.
- — Rates/savings per person.
- — 10% discount applies to the price after any other combinable promotions have already been applied.
- — Not applicable to Transfer Package, Adventure Options, additional hotel accommodation, pre/post tours, insurance, flights, or group bookings.
- — We keep the right to limit, change or discontinue the promotion at any time.
We offer a range of last–minute polar expeditions departing in the 2024-25 austral summer season, with special discounts on select itineraries and ships. Explore breathtaking polar landscapes and observe iconic wildlife in their natural habitats.
Terms & Conditions
- — Offer valid for new bookings made between July 5, 2023 and September 27, 2023 for Antarctica departures between November 2024 and March 2025 on select voyages
- — Bookings made after the promotion period will not qualify for the savings.
- — Rates/savings per person.
- — Only combinable with Payin-Full Savings
- — Not applicable to Transfer Package, Adventure Options, additional hotel accommodation, pre/post tours, insurance, flights, or group bookings.
- — We keep the right to limit, change or discontinue the promotion at any time.
- — No cash value
ositioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions—at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Program enables a small group of like-minded individuals to forge bonds as they explore fjords, glacial faces or mazes of sea ice.
The Sea Kayak Program is a voyage-length program available in Antarctica, in which kayakers (those who have minimal experience as well as seasoned paddlers) will enjoy the polar regions from a unique perspective.
Conditions and logistics permitting, your kayak guide(s) will endeavor to have you paddling as often as possible throughout the voyage. Typically, sea kayakers are shuttled by Zodiac from the ship to an ideal starting point, where the kayak excursion begins. Guests return to the ship by Zodiac at the end of their paddling experience. Some kayak excursions are designed so guests can go ashore and explore.
In addition to the kayak guides, a safety driver in a Zodiac will always stay nearby to offer assistance if required. Excursions typically last one and a half to three hours.
Note: Due to its popularity and limited space, if you want to ensure a space in the Sea Kayak program, please register when you book your expedition. While the program routinely fills up well before the voyage, if there are vacant spaces when you board the vessel you may sign up. The guides will attempt to lead guests on as many sea kayak excursions as possible, but the number of excursions will depend on weather and sea conditions as well as logistical factors. Be prepared to paddle in a double or single kayak depending on availability.
Is Kayaking Experience Necessary?
The Sea Kayak program was developed to accommodate kayakers with a range of experience. Please don’t hesitate to consult with our polar travel advisors if you have any questions.
Provided gear
- Sea kayaks (single or double)
- Paddle
- Spray-skirt
- Drysuit
- Insulated rubber gloves and pogies*
- PFD (personal flotation device)
- Neoprene booties
- 10L dry bag
- Water bottle (provided in rooms upon embarkation)
Other recommended gear/clothing
- Thermal base layer top and bottom (synthetic or wool, no cotton)
- Thin fleece 200 weight top or wool sweater
- Fleece pants
- Liner socks
- Thick wool socks
- Neck warmer
- Thin fleece or wool liner glove to wear under rubber gloves (if you wish)
- Warm hat
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen
- Camera (either waterproof, in exterior waterproof housing, or stored in a dry bag)
- Waterproof backpack or a dry bag
Every sweep of the paddle as your craft glides through the pristine polar waters creates an incredible soundtrack: the jostle of glacial ice, the lapping of waves against the rocky shore, the perpetual drip from your paddle, the call of seabirds, and the occasional splash as wildlife break the surface of the water.
Our Paddle Excursion Program provides sit-on-top, two-person, inflatable kayaks that provide guests with an intimate, water-level experience in unforgettable locations in both the Arctic and Antarctica. These stable, rugged and comfortable crafts are an ideal way to see the polar regions from a different perspective. On-ship, you’ll be provided with instruction and equipment including dry suits, personal flotation devices (PFDs), and waterproof gloves. Experienced guides will lead you safely throughout the paddling excursion. Your group will always be escorted by a safety driver in another kayak who will stay close by to provide additional support.
Excursions last a minimum of one hour and are offered to participants once per voyage. Each group includes 10 paddlers, 1 guide and 1 one safety Zodiac driver. The wind, weather and water conditions determine the timing and location of Paddling Excursions.
Is Kaying Experience Necessary?
The Paddle Excursion was created for guests with little or no paddling experience, or for those who want a single paddle experience to add variety to their expedition. Participants must be fit enough to enter and exit the kayak from the Zodiac, and to maneuver with your paddle.
Provided Gear
- Inflatable Super Lynx sit-on-top kayak
- Paddle
- Drysuit
- Insulated rubber gloves
- PFD (personal flotation device)
- Neoprene booties
- 10L dry bag
- Water bottle
Other recommended gear/clothing
- Thermal base layer (top and bottom)
- Thin fleece or wool sweater
- Fleece pants
- Liner socks
- Thick wool socks
- Neck warmer
- Warm hat
- Brimmed hat
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen and lip balm
- Camera (either waterproof, in exterior waterproof housing, or stored in a dry bag)**
- Waterproof backpack
Tip: It’s a good idea to protect any camera gear in a dry bag. Small waterproof cameras should be attached to your PFD with a string and carabiner.
What's Included
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Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
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All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
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All shore landings as per the daily program
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Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
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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. (Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
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Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
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Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
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A photographic journal documenting the expedition
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A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
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A parka to keep
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Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
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All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
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All luggage handling aboard the ship
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Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
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A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
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One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
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A briefing dinner on Day 1 in Punta Arenas
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A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the hotel to the airport
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Flights to and from King George Island
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A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
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One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast
What's Excluded
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International airfare
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Passport and applicable visa expenses
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Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
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Meals unless otherwise specified
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Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
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Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
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Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
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Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
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Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
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Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
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Additional overnight accommodation
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Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering The 7th Continent
In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition
South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica - Basecamp
Antarctic Circle Expedition
Antarctic Express: Fly The Drake
Spirit of Antarctica
Highlights of Antarctica