The Chilean Fjords and Antarctica
A nineteen day voyage from Buenos Aires to Santiago
via Antarctica
Many people dream of visiting the mysterious 'White Continent'
of Antarctica, with its dramatic scenery and unique wildlife.
Now you can make that dream come alive, by joining us for
this fantastic voyage on board the MS Nordnorge, one of
our new generation ships.
We'll spend four unforgettable days exploring Antarctica,
visiting places few tourists have ever seen, such as Half
Moon Island, the Lemaire Channel, Port Lockroy and Paradise
Island.
Our voyage also includes a cruise along the Chilean coastal
region of Patagonia - the 'silent south' - famous for its
mountain scenery, archipelagos, majestic fjords and mighty
glaciers. The itinerary is full of landmarks reminiscent
of the great explorers, including the Magellan Strait,
Cape Horn and Drake's Passage. And for a complete contrast
to the awe-inspiring tranquility of the vast, uninhabited
region of Antarctica, your trip also includes brief encounters
with the colourful cities of Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Throughout this very special cruise in one of the most
exciting and least known corners of the globe, you will
be in the capable hands of our experienced crew and expert
travel guides and lecturers.
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The
cruise price includes
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| • |
Scheduled flights
from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires or Santiago,
and from Santiago or Buenos Aires to London Heathrow |
| |
One night bed and
breakfast accommodation in Santiago at a first
class hotel |
| • |
One night bed and
breakfast accommodation in Beunos Aires at a
first class hotel |
| • |
Sightseeing tours
as stated |
| • |
Transfers as stated |
| • |
On board lectures
and talks |
| • |
13 nights full board
accommodation on board MS Nordnorge |
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Departure
dates from UK for 2004
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|
Jan 2004
|
Feb 2004
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14
|
11
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|
28
|
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*Itineraries operate in reverse
direction
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|
Chilean
Fjords and Antarctica
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| Cabin (price per
person) |
5, 19 Nov;
3 Dec
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17 Dec
|
31 Dec
14, 28 Jan
11 Feb
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| M
Suite |
£5500
|
£6655
|
£5900
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| Q
Mini Suite |
£5025
|
£6055
|
£5650
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| P
Outside Large Twin Cabin |
£4125
|
£4935
|
£4650
|
| N
Outside Large Twin Cabin |
£3895
|
£4630
|
£4400
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| T
Outside Twin Cabin |
£3805
|
£4535
|
£4100
|
| I
Inside Twin Cabin |
£3120
|
£3675
|
£3400
|
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The MS Nordnorge
Built in 1997, MS Nordnorge is certified for international
navigation and built to negotiate shallow and narrow waters
as well as open seas. She is classified for light ice conditions.
Although licensed to carry 460 passengers, the Nordnorge
will carry a maximum of 350 on this voyage to ensure the
highest levels of service and personal attention. The ships
eight zodiacs will be used for going ashore and close encounters
with Antarctica!
Check availability of this
cruise 
 Back
to main Chilean Fjords page
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DAY 1
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Depart from UK on an evening
flights via Madrid or Frankfurt, for Buenos Aires. |
DAY 2
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Arrive early in morning
and transfer to your hotel, where you will have the
rest of the day to relax. A city sightseeing tour is
included in your stay. |
| DAY 3 |
After breakfast, leave
for the airport for the flight to Ushuaia, famous as
the world's southern most city. After a brief tour,
board MS Nordnorge. There will be an information meeting
where your guides will tell you about the programme
for the next 14 days. This evening we start our journey
for Antarctica, heading towards Drake's Passage. |
DAY 4
and 5 |
Day spent crossing Drake's
Passage, during which there will be a presentation
about the Antarctica. You'll learn about the historic
expeditions, flora and fauna, and the issues facing
the Antarctic today. The carefully controlled tourism
we are engaging in helps to keep the Antarctic as unspoilt
as possible. |
| DAYS 6, 7 and 8 |
We arrive at the Antarctic
and can look forward to our four days in this continent,
the same size as North America. We'll visit the northern
tip of the continent, the Antarctic Peninsula, and
conditions permitting, we will visit Half Moon Island,
the Lemaire and Naymayer Channels, Port Lockroy and
Paradise Harbour. To avoid adversely affecting the
fragile wildlife, and for safety reasons, no more than
100 passengers go ashore at the same time. |
| DAYS 9, 10 |
We leave the region again
via Drake's Passage. It's 800 kilometres from the Antarctic
Peninsula to Cape Horn, and our crossing will take
35 hours. We plan our departure according to the changing
winds so that the journey is as comfortable as possible. |
| DAY 11 |
After passing Cape Horn,
we sail the Moray Channel towards southern Patagonia,
entering the Beagle Channel, with impressive views
of the region. If time permits, there will be a lecture
on board about the early settlers here and current
activities in this area of South America. |
| DAY 12 |
We arrive at our first
large Chilean city, Punta Arenas, a centre for Chilean
Antarctic research, where trade and industry centres
on sheep farms or 'estancias'. A short sightseeing
tour of the town is included, and as it's tax free
- great for a little shopping! |
| DAY 13 |
A feast for the senses,
fjords and mountains dominate our experiences today.
We will enter a fjord for a closer look at one of the
many glaciers that calve directly into the ocean. If
the conditions are favourable we'll be able to go ashore
to study the glacier and wildlife. During the day there
will be talks on board about the geology of the region.
We sail through the Magellan Strait, a safer alternative
to the notorious Cape Horn. |
| DAY 14 |
You'll also learn about
the history of Puerto Eden, only accesssible by sea.
After our visit, we sail through narrow straits in
an area of outstanding natural beauty, where the ship's
comfortable panorama lounges are ideal for appreciating
the wonderful sweeping vistas. We cross a stretch of
open sea to more sheltered waters en route for Puerto
Chacabuco during the night. |
| DAY 15 |
We'll spend most of the
day in Chacabuco, where there's an optional excursionby
bus through a dramatic valley between soaring mountains,
with rushing waterfalls and several small settlements,
to the modern city of Coihaique. |
| DAY 16 |
The ship continues to Castro
on the 'Spanish' island of Chiloe, a strongly religious
community of 20,000 inhabitants. Afternoon lectures
will be given on the influence of the Christian Church
in the region. |
| DAY 17 |
Bid farewell to MS Nordnorge
and head for the airport for the flight to Santiago.
Transfer to the hotel and enjoy a city sightseeing
tour. |
| DAY 18 |
Return flight to the UK,
arriving early the following day. |
This cruise is operated in conjunction
with Norwegian Coastal Voyages, ATOL 3584, ABTA V7545.
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