Breakfast: 13
Lunch: 12
Dinner: 13
Naturalist(s)
Expedition Crew
Le Commandant Charcot
Zodiac
12 nights premium boat
1 nights comfortable hotel
Relaxed
Arrive into Santiago and transfer to your included hotel in Santiago, where you will be greeted by a local representative. Check-in is available from late morning onwards. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Hotel in Santiago to be confirmed
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
A light morning breakfast will be served before leaving for the airport for your flight from Santiago to Ushuaia - approximate flying time is 3 hours. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the ship, ready for embarkation at 4 p.m.
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed El fin del mundo by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary.
Grade: Premium Boat
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to know about the Zodiac outings.
Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about this magical region, where every voyage offers a unique experience. Join the naturalist-guides on your ship's exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
Succumb to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of this incredible region.
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula. Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.
Impassable, extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell Sea, much of which is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice. It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. Polar exploration finds its full meaning here. Heading towards the South is a real quest, with the promise of highly-charged encounters with the continent's endemic fauna. This is the kingdom of the emperor penguin, the largest penguin in the world, renowned for its elegance. Unlike other penguins that live on the rocks, the emperor nests on the ice floe which it needs for its reproductive cycle. It is therefore on the ice floe that you will be able to observe it walking around with its characteristic gait.
In this southern sea, where the ice changes and is transformed continuously. You will sail into the heart of the immaculate ice floe, which is densely packed into an alley of icebergs. Among them are immense blocks of ice, tabular icebergs, that drift and illuminate the ocean with their cerulean blue halos. Aboard, on shore, on the ice, you will be as close as possible to the colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, Mink whales, orcas, snow petrels and with some luck, you will catch a glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage or of emperor penguins, waddling along the edge of the ice floe. A sight that is as fascinating, as it is emotional.
Throughout your time in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you will find yourself in the heart of spectacular scenery, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. You will sail through the Antarctic Sound, named after Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjold's ship, which was trapped by the ice during an important scientific expedition in 1902. The gateway to the Weddell Sea, this sound is filled with gigantic tabular icebergs and plates of sea ice drifting northward from the coastal areas of this vast sea. It is home to Adelie penguins and a great many leopard seals.
On shore, or from your Zodiac, you will be as close as possible to the wildlife and will have plenty of time to explore this glacial wilderness.
There is an abundance of wildlife here; colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, Minke whales and orcas to name a few. There is also exceptional birdlife which you will learn more about in the informative on-board lectures. With some luck, you might catch a glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage and hopefully, some emperor penguins, waddling along the edge of the ice floe.
Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, the Drake Passage is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent by travelling this unpredictable stretch of water.
As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, the Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.
We arrive into Ushuaia in the early morning and will disembark after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago, where your trip comes to a close. We recommend that you book your International flights for a day later incase there are any delays back to Ushuaia.
GMT-03:00
Type C (European) - Two round pins
Roman Catholic
Le Commandant Charcot is a newly-built, state-of-the-art, hybrid, Icebreaker ship. It is the very first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas and has been built with the greatest attention to detail in terms of safety and respect for the environment. In refined surroundings, complete with luxurious extras, this fine and sturdy vessel will transport you into the domain of the great polar explorers. Each of the common areas have been designed with discreet luxury and have been carefully planned so that all spaces are open to the extraordinary polar landscapes and scenery. There are seven cabin types available, ranging from Stateroom cabins to the Owner's Suite, all providing en-suite facilities, spacious comfort and balconies to enjoy the passing views. The wellness area offers a variety of treatments and has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and snow room, which can be enjoyed over the sea days or after a busy day of exploration.
Equipped with 123 suites and staterooms with private balcony or terrace, Le Commandant Charcot offers 7 cabin varieties to suit all passenger needs. Prices on the website are based on the lead-in cabin type which is s Prestige Stateroom (decks 6,7 and 8), comprising of a king- size bed(or two single beds), a bathroom with shower, a panoramic sliding bay window and a 5m² glazed private balcony. Other cabin types are as follows:- Prestige Stateroom (decks 6,7 and 8) - A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) - A bathroom with shower - A panoramic sliding bay window - A 5 m² glazed private balcony Deluxe Suite (decks 6,7 and 8) - A lounge area with chaise longue and two armchairs - A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) - A bathroom with shower - A panoramic sliding bay window - A 5 m² glazed private balcony Prestige Suite (decks 7 and 8) - A lounge with sofa, armchair, TV and sliding courtesy door - A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) - Two bathrooms with shower - Two panoramic sliding bay windows - A 10 m² glazed private balcony Grand Prestige Suite (deck 6) - Priority boarding - Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival - Butler service - An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day - A lounge area with chaise longue and second TV - A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi - A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) - A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub - A panoramic sliding bay window - A 5 m² glazed private balcony - Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars Privelege Suite (deck 8) - Priority boarding - Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival - Butler service - An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day - A lounge with sofa bed, armchair, and sliding courtesy door - A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi - A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) - A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub - Two panoramic sliding doors and rectangular porthole - A 12.5 m² glazed private balcony - Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars Duplex Suite (deck 6) - Private return transfer - Priority boarding - Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival - Butler service - An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and a basket of fruit every day - A lounge with armchairs, sofa bed, steam fireplace and TV - A dining room with a 6-seater table - A minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses - A Samsung tablet connected to Wi-Fi - A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV - A bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub - Five panoramic windows and a glazed panoramic swing door - A private 26 m² terrace: outdoor lounge with sofa and armchairs, jacuzzi - Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars Owner's Suite - Private return transfer - Priority boarding - Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival - Butler service - An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day - A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) - A living room with armchairs, two sofa beds, steam fireplace, and second TV - A desk and bookcase - A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi - A dining room with a 6-seater table - A minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses - A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub - A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer - A private 186 m² terrace: outdoor lounge with deckchairs, hot tub, two sofas, and dining table - Two panoramic sliding bay windows - Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars - A Swarovski Optik ST VISTA telescope
Meals are served in the large, spacious dining room with an open seating arrangement, perfect for swapping stories with your extended expedition family. A range of courses is offered at each meal time and you can enjoy a variety of wines, beers and soft drinks which are included within the voyage cost. Complimentary coffee, tea and snacks are available throughout the day, as well as drinks from the bar. Nuna - the 484 m² gastronomic restaurant at the rear of deck 5, can seat all the ship's passengers at a single sitting, offering an a la carte dining experience at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ship's second bridge is located at the back of the restaurant: behind its large windows, you will have a front row seat to observe the crew during their operations. Sila - in a more relaxed atmosphere, a 320 m² restaurant located at deck 9 will welcome you for your breakfasts, buffet lunches and themed dinners. This restaurant takes a maximum of 142 people. Inneq - At the open-air bar, you can enjoy a varied and refined range of international sweet and savoury dishes throughout the day (11 am-6 pm) as well as a something from its everyday menu. Capacity is fixed at 62 for dining.
Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
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