Go farther into Antarctica's remote southern wilderness on the Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air, an 11-day adventure that replaces the traditional Drake Passage crossing with private charter flights from Puerto Natales, Chile, to King George Island and back. The journey includes seven planned days of exploration aboard Aureum, an ice-class expedition vessel accommodating a maximum of 36 guests, with four Zodiacs and an experienced team of senior polar guides. Every departure sets out with the objective of reaching the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S, navigating toward an extraordinary world of immense icebergs, frozen channels, and rarely visited coastal landscapes whenever conditions allow. Along the way, the expedition may discover the South Shetland Islands, Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, Paradise Bay, and Lemaire Channel before potentially advancing farther south toward Crystal Sound, Detaille Island, Lallemand Fjord, The Gullet, and Marguerite Bay. Wildlife encounters may include gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, leopard, Weddell, and crabeater seals, and humpback whales, with rare possibilities of observing Ross seals and emperor penguins in the deeper south. Zodiac cruises, authorized landings, photography guidance, and possible walks on sea ice allow travelers to experience Antarctica beyond the ship. The expedition begins and ends with included accommodation at Weskar Lodge in Puerto Natales, Patagonian welcome and farewell dinners, and access to the operator's Peace of Mind Programme when applicable. Combining small-group exploration, adaptable routing, and direct flights between Patagonia and Antarctica, this voyage offers an exceptional opportunity to discover the Antarctic Circle region.
Day by day
Cruise Includes
Accommodation aboard the MV Aureum in the selected cabin category.
Full-board dining throughout the expedition.
Tea, coffee, drinking water, and selected beverages with meals.
Daily cabin housekeeping service.
Guided Zodiac cruises and shore landings, subject to weather and ice conditions.
Expert expedition leadership and professional polar guides.
Educational lectures, presentations, and workshops.
Wildlife observation and photography guidance.
Complimentary use of rubber expedition boots during shore excursions.
Starlink Wi-Fi access, subject to availability in remote polar regions.
Access to onboard medical facilities and the expedition doctor (consultations and treatment may incur additional charges).
Applicable expedition permits, port charges, and operational fees.
Pre-departure information and assistance from the Secret Atlas team.
Return private charter flights between Puerto Natales and Antarctica.
One pre-expedition and one post-expedition hotel night at Weskar Lodge, including breakfast, as specified in the itinerary.
Patagonian welcome and farewell dinners at Weskar Lodge.
Scheduled transfers between Puerto Natales Airport, the included lodge, and the Antarctic charter flight, as described in the itinerary.
Secret Atlas Peace of Mind Programme, including up to three additional nights with breakfast in Puerto Natales when applicable and subject to its published terms.
Leadership throughout the voyage by the experienced Expedition Team, including lectures, workshops, Zodiac cruising, and shore landings.
All scheduled Zodiac cruises, transfers, and shore landings, subject to weather, sea, ice, and operational conditions.
Shipboard accommodation with daily cabin service.
Full-board meals aboard Aureum, including tea, coffee, and drinking water.
Selected beverages served with meals.
Starlink Wi-Fi when available, although connectivity and speed cannot be guaranteed in remote polar regions.
Complimentary use of rubber expedition boots for shore landings.
Access to the vessel's medical facilities and expedition doctor; treatment and medication may incur additional charges.
Sea kayaking and light mountaineering programs on selected departures, subject to conditions, availability, and approval by the Expedition Leader and specialist guides.
Photography guidance and workshops.
IAATO fees, permits, landing fees, port charges, and applicable operational fees.
Comprehensive pre-departure information and assistance from the Secret Atlas team.
Cruise does not include
International and domestic flights unless specifically included in the selected itinerary.
Passport, visa, vaccination, and other entry-related expenses.
Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage.
Additional hotel accommodation before or after the expedition unless expressly included.
Meals and transfers not specified in the confirmed itinerary.
Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone calls, and premium internet services.
Alcoholic beverages and bar purchases outside the included beverage service.
Personal clothing and expedition equipment not expressly provided.
Medical treatment, medication, evacuation, and repatriation expenses.
Excess baggage fees and additional luggage charges.
Optional activities, private excursions, and independent arrangements not included in the itinerary.
Gratuities for the ship's crew and expedition team.
Additional services not expressly included in the confirmed booking.
International and domestic flights not expressly listed as included in the itinerary.
Passport, visa, vaccination, reciprocity, and other entry requirements or associated charges.
Comprehensive travel insurance, required under Secret Atlas Terms and Conditions.
Excess baggage charges and luggage exceeding the published charter flight allowance; transportation of excess baggage cannot be guaranteed.
Additional accommodation, meals, and transfers not expressly included or covered by the Peace of Mind Programme.
Additional accommodation, meals, transfers, or other personal expenses resulting from Antarctic charter flight disruptions, except where expressly covered by the Peace of Mind Programme.
Personal expenses, including laundry, bar purchases outside the included service, telephone charges, and optional premium internet services.
Personal clothing and equipment not specifically listed as provided.
Medical treatment, medication, evacuation, and repatriation costs.
Optional activities, private arrangements, or independent excursions not expressly included.
Gratuities for the shipboard crew and Expedition Team.
Additional taxes, government charges, or supplier surcharges, according to the operator's Terms and Conditions.
Any service not expressly identified as included in the confirmed itinerary or booking confirmation.
Highlights
A dedicated Antarctic Circle objective: Every departure aims to reach 66°33'S, subject to weather, sea ice, and safe navigation conditions.
Seven planned days of Antarctic exploration: Discover the Peninsula and potentially reach rarely visited southern locations.
Fly directly between Patagonia and Antarctica: Avoid the Drake Passage with private charter flights lasting approximately 2.5 hours each way.
Exclusive small-group experience: Explore aboard Aureum with a maximum of 36 guests, four Zodiacs, and experienced polar guides.
Remote southern landscapes: Potential destinations include Crystal Sound, Detaille Island, Lallemand Fjord, The Gullet, and Marguerite Bay.
Possible sea ice walks: Experience the opportunity to walk among large icebergs on sea ice when conditions allow.
Antarctic wildlife encounters: Look for gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, leopard, Weddell, and crabeater seals, and humpback whales.
Rare wildlife possibilities: Ross seals and emperor penguins may be encountered farther south, although sightings are exceptionally uncommon.
Zodiac cruises and authorized landings: Explore Antarctic coastal environments with experienced polar guides.
Photography guidance and workshops: Benefit from dedicated photographic support throughout the expedition.
Purpose-designed expedition vessel: Travel aboard Aureum, equipped with an ice-class hull, fin stabilizers, hybrid propulsion, and observation areas.
Patagonian welcome and farewell: Enjoy accommodation at Weskar Lodge and included dinners before and after the expedition.
Activities
Sea Kayaking
Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.
Ice Camping
Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.
Snowshoeing
Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.
Photography
Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air
From USD 20995,00
