A trip to Antarctica is a trip of a lifetime for all ages.  Witness firsthand this amazing place of breathtaking, untouched landscapes!  Latin Excursions is offering a new expedition concept for visitors to this land of endless ice, fascinating wildlife, dramatic mountains, and glaciers. This excursion is geared toward activity-minded people who have a passion for exploring unknown terrain.

“Basecamp Plancius” will be your vessel as you sail the Antarctic, and serve as your base-camp, the starting point from which all major expeditions will begin. Time spent aboard the Plancius is kept brief,  allowing you to take advantage of as many shore expeditions as possible. The vessel stops for 2-3 days at each location, serving as a comfortable center from which to explore the many wonders of the Antarctic.

The unique approach of this excursion is that it includes amazing activities like hiking, kayaking, glacier walking, mountaineering, snowshoeing, camping and photography expeditions.  This is ideal for adventurous travelers looking for the most in-depth, extreme way to experience Antarctica.  Worried about the budget?  Don’t be!  All these extra activities are already included in the cruise rate. Guests are able to modify the type of experiences they wish to have by choosing the activities that appeal to them most.  While some may prefer the mountaineering, others in your group might enjoy kayaking amongst dramatic glaciers instead, while some may simply want to take in the serenity of those surroundings.  With a travel program such as this, there is something enjoyable for all ages and activity levels!

The excursions are led by expert guides who are passionate about sharing their knowledge with guests.  The guides really want each of the guests to get the most out of their Antarctic experience.  Each guide is prepared, qualified, and trained in every activity.

What most distinguishes this new expedition from others is that the voyages are supplemented with entertaining lectures, briefings and field descriptions.  Some of these informative sessions cover marine biology, geography, and glaciology, for example. The briefings give guests a better understanding of the unique environment they are discovering, creating a magical connection between man and nature. Guests are free to take part in any or all workshops, as they like.  For instance, those guests who are interested in photography, whether beginners or experienced shutterbugs, are encouraged to join in on a photo workshop that teaches lessons on composition and gives a greater insight on how to get that elusive perfect shot.

This amazing Antarctic voyage begins in March of 2011. Contact Latin Excursions for more details at our Trip Planner page.

The Antarctic Continent is a land of incomparable beauty, with many unexpected surprises waiting to be discovered. Its distant location and rules against tourism have historically made this wondrous white continent inaccessible to most adventure travel enthusiasts, until now. For those travelers who crave being in the ultimate wilderness, surrounded by breathtaking pristine landscapes, an excursion to the White Continent is ideal. In the upcoming season, take advantage of this unique opportunity to watching wildlife among the extraordinary setting of glaciers and icebergs.

There is a unique new way to see this part of the world. You begin your trip in Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of Chile, where you have a welcoming dinner at a 100-year old mansion, meet your fellow expedition mates and be briefed about the vessel and its guidelines. The next day, a short flight carries you directly to King George Island, jumping over the Drake Passage crossing, where your Antarctic adventure begins! Once aboard the Ocean Nova you’ll discover firsthand how special this air and cruise combination is, as you embark upon the ultimate sailing experience — a pleasant cruise that leaves more time to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. The Ocean Nova is a 62-passenger vessel both equipped and ideally suited for travel in Antarctica.

The voyage makes several stops to the most remarkable sites, each day being very active, yet still having plenty of time to relax on board. Days are filled with sites of unimaginable icebergs, penguins, playful seals, and breaching whales. This is an extraordinary adventure, one you won’t want to miss!

The dates for the Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise are:

December 13- 19, 2010

December 18-24, 2010

December 23-29, 2010

December 28-January 3, 2011

January 2-8, 2011

January 7-13, 2011

January 12-18, 2011

Contact Latin Excursions for your next excursion to one of the most remote places on Earth at http://www.latinexcursions.com/forms/contact_us.asp

Board your cruise vessel in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, before spending two days crossing the legendary Drake Passage. From there, you’ll have several days to cruise around the Antarctic Peninsula, with activities and visits to areas like the South Shetland Islands, the Gentoo Penguin colony on Cuverville Island, Danco Island for wildlife watching and Neko Harbour for your first step on the Antarctic Continent. There will also be zodiac cruises to Foyn Harbour, inNeko Harbour, and between icebergs on the way to Paradise Bay. You’ll also visit stations on the continent to get an idea of modern life for scientists living in Antarctica.

Finish the trip by sailing back through the Drake Passage, and returning to Argentina.

Ask us about extending your time in Argentina, and details on booking this trip!

Begin your Antarctica adventure with a flight to King George Island, where you’ll board your expedition vessel to begin a four day cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula to visit the stunning landscapes and the best wildlife areas.

Explore glacial landscapes, enormous penguin colonies, and go whale and bird watching with land excursions each day, led by professional guides. Cruise between the South Shetland Islands, through ice-filled fjords and between imposing icebergs. Possible destinations, depending on weather, include Hannah Point, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Cuverville and Deception Islands.

This itinerary is perfect for travelers short on time, with a total of seven nights in Chile, including an arrival night in Santiago. Contact us for details on reserving this trip!