Expedition
Sylvia Earle - 126 Guests
Antarctica: Through the Lens
Punta Arenas, Chile - Ushuaia, Argentina

Welcome to Aurora Expeditions’ Antarctica: Through the Lens Fly/Sail photography expedition.  

Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life, and you’ll have the opportunity to do the same AND capture it all on your camera.

Experience the awe-inspiring immensity of Antarctica, reducing your time on the high seas by flying across the Drake Passage in one direction.

Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill. Zodiac cruise in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice, keep a close watch for the tail fluke of whales as they take a deep dive and find yourself surrounded by the world's greatest landscapes. 


PROMOTIONAL OFFER

Antarctica 2026/27 Season:

Save up to 25% on select cabin categories. Promotion is subject to change at anytime.

• Valid on new bookings only. Promotion can change at anytime and is subject to availability



 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Witness extraordinary wildlife including fledging penguin chicks. 
  • Photograph enormous glaciers and spectacularly shaped icebergs in various shades of blue. 
  • Snap a shot of the tail fluke of whales as they take a deep dive.
  • Observe porpoising penguins and ice seals such as Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on ice floes. 
  • Explore Antarctica side by side with some of the world's best photographers and enjoy an even more intimate experience.

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
Start DateEnd DateStateroom TripleStateroom TwinSuperior Stateroom TwinBalcony Stateroom CBalcony Stateroom BBalcony Stateroom ABalcony Stateroom Superior Junior SuiteCaptain's Suite
Jan 25, 2027Feb 05, 202720,895N/A22,79523,39524,59526,49528,89534,49539,395
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
Start DateEnd Date(Starting from)
Stateroom Triple
(Mid-range)
Balcony Stateroom B
(High-end)
Captain's Suite
Jan 25, 2027Feb 05, 202720,89524,59539,395


ITINERARY

Day 1 : Arrive Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2.00 pm so that you may attend our important briefing this evening.   

Please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items.   

Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today).  

At 7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.

Day 2 : Embarkation
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings.  

Note:  King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.

Days 3-9 : Antarctic Peninsula
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. 

Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. 

Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula. 

While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. Keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting!

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding.

This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.

Days 10-11 : Drake Passage Crossing
Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America.

With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here. 

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Days 12 : Disembark Ushuaia
During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.  

Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12:30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 12:30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.

Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.

Sylvia Earle (Luxury Expedition, 126-guests)

Due to sail in October 2021 our new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998 - this vessel pays tribute to Sylvia's long standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife. Sylvia Earle will be actively involved in the development of her namesake.

(Click image to view Ship details)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.  
  • One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Ushuaia on Day 1.  
  • Afternoon catamaran cruise in Ushuaia, on Day 2.
  • Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.  
  • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.  
  • Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.  
  • Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.  
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.  
  • Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.  
  • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).  
  • One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.  
  • Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.  
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information.  
  • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
  • Wi-Fi*.  
Note: Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.

Excluded from this voyage:
  • International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.  
  • Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.  
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes.
  • Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.  
  • Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.  
  • Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.  
  • Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.  
  • All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.  

ADVENTURE OPTIONS

Included Activities
  • Bird watching
  • Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
  • Near shore cruises
  • Photography
  • Polar plunge
  • Trips ashore
  • Walking
  • Whale and mammal spotting
  • Zodiac cruises


 

Contact Epic Polar!
We can assist in finding you the right trip, and provide exclusive discounts not advertised on our site. Find out more by completing the form or call toll free USA 1 888 423 4535 or Mobile/WhatsApp +1 604 970 0165
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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person and subject to change.