Christmas in Antarctica

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Christmas in Antarctica 12 days

Prices From £7,583pp
18 DEC, 2018 | Up to 11 nights
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Christmas in Antarctica 12 days

Aboard: Polar Pioneer

‘Tis the season...to be in Antarctica! Enjoy the ultimate White Christmas on a special celebratory season voyage. Penguin chicks hatch, skuas are on alert, and late-bloomers try to finish off their nests. With 24 hours of daylight, we pack in continental landings, visits to historic sites and scientific stations, and perhaps an after-dinner Zodiac cruise. You could share protected channels with minke and humpback whales, kayak amongst ice floes and drift near curious wildlife or sleep like a true Antarctic explorer when you camp out on the ice!

Highlights

  • Celebrate a white Christmas in Antarctica
  • Amazing wildlife including penguins, birds, seals and whales
  • Visit historic sites and working scientific stations
  • Camp out under the midnight sun
  • Adventure options such as kayaking, skiing and snowshoeing

What's Included

  • Full board accommodation on board ship
  • Traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings
  • Town tour and transfers in Puerto Williams
  • Flight from Puerto Williams to Punta Arenas
  • Zodiac landings and excursions
  • Programme of expert lectures
  • Loan of rubber boots
  • Polar parka

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Ushuaia
1Day

Ushuaia

Enjoy a warm, late afternoon welcome from your friendly expedition team and Russian crew. You'll have time to settle into your cabin and explore the ship before an evening departure. Excitement lifts as we lift anchor and set sail down the Beagle Channel, keeping watch for Magellanic penguins, dolphins and albatross.

Drake Passage
2 - 3Days

Drake Passage

Fall in love with gliding albatross or the heroics of tiny storm petrels as we cross the Drake Passage. Outer decks and our warm bridge offer excellent bird watching and our naturalist’s informative talks, safety and environmental guidelines prepare us for our Antarctic landings. We have time to meet fellow travellers, relax and prepare for the days ahead. Keen eyes watch for icebergs, and the appearance of penguins and seals in the waters around us herald our first landing in the South Shetland Islands.

Antarctic Peninsula
4 - 9Days

Antarctic Peninsula

If weather permits, early risers are rewarded with spectacular views of ice-clad mountains along the Danco Coast, then soaring Anvers Island as we reach the Antarctic Peninsula.

Over the next six days we explore penguin rookeries, historic sites and scientific stations and celebrate Christmas with our expedition 'family' in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. In Zodiacs, we cruise amongst an iceberg fantasia, where seals bask on floes and our kayakers glide into secluded bays. Off the ship is where we like to be, even camping out one night if conditions allow. Thanks to the small number of people on board, spontaneity and flexibility is possible, enhanced enjoyment the result.

Drake Passage
10 - 11Days

Drake Passage

As the Captain steers the ship north across Drake Passage, our minds and souls revel in rich Antarctic experiences. There’s time to watch for seabirds, enjoy entertaining talks, discuss what we’ve seen and learned, exchange photos and stories. With luck, we may make a ceremonial rounding of Cape Horn before sharing a farewell dinner with our newfound friends.

Puerto Williams to Punta Arenas
12Day

Puerto Williams to Punta Arenas

Dawn greets us in the Beagle Channel. After breakfast, we disembark for a tour of Puerto Williams before boarding our flight to Punta Arenas.

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A view from Above

All Aboard

Polar Pioneer
Adventure vessel

Polar Pioneer

Polar Pioneer was built in Finland as an ice-strengthened research ship with ice class 1A Super, making it perfect for navigation in Polar areas with heavy sea ice. With a legendary reputation as a strong and capable veteran expedition ship, it was refurbished in 2022 with a modernised lounge and upgraded cabins allowing for up to 48 guests to travel in comfort and in an intimate setting that offers an authentic expedition adventure. There is a mixture of cabins and suites, including suites and cabins with ensuite bathrooms and twin and triple cabins with shared facilities. All cabins have portholes or windows. Public areas include a refurbished lounge with bar, newly refurbished dining saloons, a sauna, and multiple viewing decks and raised decks for photography. There is an Open Bridge policy and, owing to its small guest numbers, all passengers are able to fit into the 5 Zodiacs at one time so there is no waiting to go on shore. This ship features the highest ice-class capable of exploring in ice and offers the smallest group size available for trips to Antarctica and South Georgia.

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we work hard to earn passionate reviews from our clients.

4.9
44 Google reviews

Now that I am back from my odyssey voyage, I thought I would let you know that after all that planning it really did exceed my expectations – we managed landings everywhere even on Tristan da Cuhna and had great bird sightings. The guides all knew what they were talking about too and made sure I got some great photos – still sorting them all out! Thanks for everything and see you at Birdfair!

Dave Martin

I want to thank you for all you did to make my recent Falklands trip run so smoothly and comfortably. Thank you for all your help over the diet too.

Dr Lorna Mairs

Just a quick note to express my sincere thanks to you and all your staff for making this an epic adventure of immense proportions. Everything went smoothly, pickups, hotels and most of all the expedition itself. Truly a mind blowing experience unlike any I have ever taken.

Mr J Borg, Malta

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Antarctica adventure for you.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.

Amy Lucas Travel Specialist

Amy’s abiding love of adventure travel has taken her to some of the most incredible wildlife-rich places on Earth. Her vast experience and genuine desire to share her knowledge makes her an outstanding and invaluable person to help you organise your wildlife adventure trip.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike lives and breathes adventure travel and has a wealth of experience in some of the most exciting and inspirational destinations in the world. His expertise and first-hand experience afford him the skills to help build holidays to remember.

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43 + 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Request a
callback

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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