Taste of Antarctica - 5 - $8,914
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- Discover the End of the Americas
- Fly over the Magellan Strait, Beagle Channel and Cape Horn
- Fly to King George Island and spend the day exploring Antarctica
- Sail the Beagle Channel
- Wildlife spotting
- Visit remote tribes and communities
Start from Punta Arenas and end at Punta Arenas
Landmarks visited on Taste of Antarctica
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Puerto Williams
You will meet in either Punta Arenas or Ushuaia and catch a flight to Puerto Williams, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the 'End of the World'. You will fly over the Magellan Strait, Darwin Mountain Range, glaciers, channels and lakes. The flight will last 1 hour 20 minutes.
You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to your lodge on Navarino Island.
After lunch, you will visit the Omora Etno-Botanical Park. The tour will lead you along paths through coastal coigue forests, lenga parks, nirre forests, peat bogs, invasive beaver wetlands and alpine heath. You will be equipped with a magnifying glass to examine the peculiar flora in more detail.
Return to the lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge, Puerto Williams
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Set foot on Antarctic land
The day begins with a guided flight over Navarino Island, enjoying from the air the rivers, hidden lakes and baron mountain ranges. The flight will continue over the mythical Cape Horn and Drake Passage. You will touchdown on King George Island, known as the 'Gateway to the White Continent'.
Your expert Antarctic guide will meet you and take you to the Villa Las Estrellas which was the first settlement inhabited by civilians in Antarctica. Several Chilean families still live here year round.
Next, you will board a Zodiac boat and visit Ardley Island to visit some penguin colonies and explore the Collins Glacier.
You will also visit a remote Russian Orthodox Church at Bellingshausen Station.
Your flight will then be waiting to take you back over Cape Horn and safely return to the comfortable lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge, Puerto Williams
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Sail around Wulaia Bay
Today you will sail around Wulaia Bay which is well known not only for it's wonderful landscape but also as the location where the young Darwin met with local communities, laying the foundation for modern evolutionary psychology.
Following in Darwin's trail, sailing along the Beagle Channel and up the narrow but picturesque Murray Channel. You will also explore the beaches of Button Island. Throughout the day you'll be on the lookout for pelagic birds, seals, dolphins and penguins.
Sail back to the lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge, Puerto Williams
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Short hike with Beagle Channel views
Lace up your walking boots as you embark on a hike to the Bandera Hill Lookout Point not far from the lodge. It is a well-marked trail through the lichen-covered woods and you'll learn about wild fruits and orchids on our way up. YOur efforts will be rewarded with views of the Beagle Channel and Puerto Williams.
Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Yamana people who originally inhabited this area of the world long before Darwin and other European explorers set foot here. You'll be shown around the Ukika village and visit the Martin Gusinde Museum.
Return to the lodge for a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Lodge, Puerto Williams
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
At the agreed time, meet your flight at the airstrip and either fly back to Punta Arenas or Ushuaia.
Meals: Breakfast
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
This trip can run as a group trip, with prices starting from $8,914 per person for a complete group. If you are looking to join a group or you are a solo traveller we will help to form likeminded groups of travellers. Please let us know your travel plans.
The trip can also run on a private basis to fit around your plans. Departures may be tailored and can be set up on a date of your choice. Please note that there is a higher price for smaller groups. Please enquire for further details.
Includes
- Flights to and from Punta Arenas or Ushuaia
- Meals and accommodation as detailed in itinerary
- 4 nights in secluded lodge - the southernmost hotel in the world
- All activities/excursions as detailed in itinerary
- Antarctic Adventure Diploma
Excludes
- Long haul flights
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Personal expenses and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses