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- 27/12
- Ushuaia, Argentina
- Hotel
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- 28/12
- Ushuaia, Argentina
- Embark
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- 29/12
- Drake Passage
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- 30/12
- Drake Passage
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- 31/12
- Antarctic Peninsula
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- 04/01
- Port Lockroy, Antarctica
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- 05/01
- Antarctic Peninsula
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- 06/01
- King George Island, South Shetland Islands
- Disembark
- Flight to Punta Arenas
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- 06/01
- Punta Arenas, Chile
- Hotel
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- 07/01
- Punta Arenas, Chile
9 Night Cruise sailing from Ushuaia to King George Island aboard Greg Mortimer. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Ushuaia and post-cruise in Punta Arenas.
Aurora’s unique ‘Fly -Sail’ option makes Antarctica more accessible than ever. Fly one way, or both, to experience everything the stunning west coast of the continent’s peninsula has to offer. View mountains disgorging glaciers to the sea, whale species feasting on mountains of krill and hungry leopard seals stalking busy penguin colonies, waiting for their time to strike. This is nature at its most raw and unspoilt, where survival is a constant struggle. All of this awaits, simply choose your dates and let the adventure begin.
Highlights of this cruise:
Ushuaia
Aurora’s unique ‘Fly -Sail’ option makes Antarctica more accessible than ever. Fly one way, or both, to experience everything the stunning west coast of the continent’s peninsula has to offer. View mountains disgorging glaciers to the sea, whale species feasting on mountains of krill and hungry leopard seals stalking busy penguin colonies, waiting for their time to strike. This is nature at its most raw and unspoilt, where survival is a constant struggle. All of this awaits, simply choose your dates and let the adventure begin.
South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are a string of islands located 960 k m south of Tierra del Fuego at the tip of Sth America. They are currently covered by the Antarctic Treaty where all territorial claims are suspended. The islands are largely ice covered and there are eight permanently manned research bases run by various countries. Tourist cruise ships frequently visit the islands.
The South Shetland Islands consist of eleven major islands and several minor ones. Between 80 and 90 percent of the land area is permanently glaciated. The highest point on the island chain is Mount Irving on Clarence Island at 2,300 metres (7,546 ft) above sea level.
King George Island is the largest of the group and the least isolated. There are twelve bases established here. Other major islands include Elephant and Clarence Islands; Nelson Islands; Robert, Greenwich, Livingston, Snow, and Deception Islands; Smith and Low Islands.
Port Lockroy
Port Lockroy is a natural harbour on the Antarctic Peninsula of the British Antarctic Territory. After its discovery in 1903 by the French Antarctic Expedition it was used for whaling and British military operations (Operation Tabarin) during World War II and then continued to operate as a British research station until 1962.
In 1996 Port Lockroy was renovated and is now a museum and post office operated by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. It is designated as Historic Site no. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Antarctica. Proceeds from the small souvenir shop fund the upkeep of the site and other historic sites and monuments in Antarctica.
King George Island
King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands. It is located 120 kilmeters off the coast of Antarctica in the Southern Ocean. The island was discovered in 1819 and over 90% of its surface is permanently glaciated.
The coastal areas of the island are home to a comparatively diverse selection of vegetation and animal life, including Elephant, Weddell and Leopard seals, and Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins.
Human habitation of King George Island is limited to research stations belonging to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, South Korea, Peru, Poland, Russia, and Uruguay. Most of these stations are permanently manned, carrying out research into areas as diverse as biology, ecology, geology, and palaeontology.
