New Year in Antarctica

Fly from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams. Enjoy lunch at a local lodge before a guided tour of the rustic port and beautiful surrounds. Embark Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon and set sail along the Beagle Channel.

Our Drake Passage crossing offers cape petrels darting about the ship, black-browed and wandering albatross soaring, and Wilson’s storm petrels flitting above the sea. Learn about Antarctica from our expert naturalist and safety and environmental guidelines from our expedition team as we prepare for our first landing, possibly late on Day 3.

An overnight passage along Gerlache Strait delivers us to the stunning Antarctic Peninsula, an ethereal wonderland of vast proportions. Aboard Zodiacs, we explore penguin rookeries, historic sites and scientific stations and cruise near exquisite icebergs. Our kayakers glide into secluded bays, enjoying up-close wildlife encounters and appreciating the immense landscape as they float silently in their crafts.

Stepping ashore on the continent itself creates an everlasting memory, especially if it involves a bum-slide down a steep snow slope! We immerse ourselves in nature, spontaneity and having fun, making sure to pause and celebrate as we bring in the New Year. We make the most of every day and a fair bit of each night as well. If the weather allows, we’ll have a sleep-out on the ice – reminiscent of explorers past.

We arrive at mountainous King George Island. If time and weather permit we explore penguin and seal-rich waters of Fildes Bay and visit the surprising Trinity Church at Bellingshausen Station, before catching our charter flight back to Punta Arenas in Chile. On arrival into Punta Arenas we will be transferred to our hotel, where tonight’s accommodation is included.

Enjoy breakfast with your fellow expeditioners in the hotel before saying your farewells and continuing with your own arrangements.