Antarctica
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Overview
A Fly-In – Fly-Out, Small-Group Antarctic Photography Expedition Aboard M/V Hans Hansson
We are excited to once again offer an extraordinary opportunity to visit Antarctica aboard the Hans Hansson, operated by friends of ours at Quixote Expeditions who specialize in small-vessel Antarctic adventures. In an era when Antarctic expedition vessels are getting larger and larger, Hans Hansson offers a wonderful way to go with a very small group, on a comfortable vessel that can get into locations that bigger ships can’t reach. We will spend almost two weeks on location at Antarctica, rather than wasting precious days “rockin’ and rollin'” on the Drake Passage crossing. As masters of the ship, your leaders – award-winning polar photographer Daisy Gilardini and Justin Black of Visionary Wild – will work with the captain to choose the best route to maximize the photographic opportunities along the way, responding to local conditions of weather and ice as necessary. Our small but capable expedition vessel will sleep eleven guests in addition to your two photo leaders and the ship’s crew, in six cabins each with two bunks. Two Superior Cabins have en suite private bathrooms, and the other four Standard Cabins share two bathrooms/showers.
If you have any questions at all, please let us know. We hope you will join us on this Antarctic adventure!
Itinerary
- Jan 15: Arrive in Punta Arenas. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Hotel Cabo de Hornos (meals not included).
- Jan 16: The group will meet for an introduction and orientation session in the afternoon, followed by a group dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Overnight at Hotel Cabos de Hornos, Punta Arenas.
- Jan 17: Transfer to the airport for our quick and comfortable jet flight over Cape Horn and across the Drake Passage to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, where we board Hans Hansson and begin our adventure.
- Jan 18-28: Aboard Hans Hansson, photographing the wildlife, ice, and landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula, south to Lemaire Channel and Vernadsky Research Base, using our vessel’s size and maneuverability to access places that larger ships can’t get to.
- Jan 29: Disembark Hans Hansson for the flight back to Punta Arenas. Celebratory final group dinner at one of Punta Arena’s best restaurants, and overnight at Hotel Cabo De Hornos.
- Jan 30: Transfer to Punta Arenas airport to catch your departing flight.
SCHEDULING TRAVEL
It will not be possible to join the group once it departs for King George Island. The flight is scheduled for January 17, but the timing is weather dependent and is not decided until the day of travel, and it is possible that the group may need to leave on the night of January 16 if there is incoming bad weather. All guests should therefore plan to arrive in Punta Arenas on January 15. This will also allow some additional time in case of flight or baggage delays.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is also important to be aware that weather conditions do from time to time delay the flights to and from King George Island. Though delays are usually brief (and in some cases a few hours, or a day), a few years ago a large group operated by another company was delayed for several days due to uncommonly bad weather, resulting in outright cancellation of the trip. As a result, we strongly recommend obtaining of travel insurance that provides full coverage for the cost of your trip in the event of trip cancellation, as well as travel interruption or delays that may impact your arrival or departure from this expedition.
Instructors
Daisy Gilardini
- Daisy Gilardini is originally from Switzerland but now lives in British Columbia, Canada. She started taking photography seriously during her first trip to India in 1989, and since then has ...
Justin Black
- JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer, writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers (ILCW), a former executive director of the International ...
Gallery
Pricing
Superior
Standard
Individuals traveling alone are welcome to book at the double occupancy rate and we will match you with a cabin mate. We will attempt to match you with a cabin mate of the same sex, but due to the small group size, this cannot be guaranteed.
Superior Cabin: Twin bunks with a private bathroom. Sold out
Standard Cabin: Twin bunks, sharing two showers and toilets located in the corridor, very close to the cabins. Sold out
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
- 50% deposit is required upon registration
- Remaining 50% balance due by September 19, 2019
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
The following cancellation and refund schedule will apply, based on date cancellation notification is received:
- 121 or more days prior to expedition start date: Full refund (less any non-recoverable credit card processing fees)
- 120 to 91 days prior to start date: 25% of package cost non-refundable
- 90 to 61 days prior to start date: 50% of package cost non-refundable
- 60 days or less before start date: No refund
INCLUDED
- Attentive and personalized photographic instruction throughout by Daisy Gilardini and Justin Black
- Use of M/V Hans Hansson and its two Zodiacs, as well as the services of the experienced crew and expedition staff.
- Specially arranged round-trip flights on DAP Antarctic Airways, aboard a four-engine BAE 146 jet, from Punta Arenas to King George Island (seats on these flights typically cost between $6,000 and $8,000 per person).
- Three hotel nights in Punta Arenas (Jan 15, 16 and 29)
- All meals from dinner on Jan 16 to breakfast on Jan 30 (including wine/beer with dinners).
- All necessary transfers from arrival to departure in Punta Arenas, Chile.
NOT INCLUDED
- R/T airfare to our point of origin in Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Additional hotel nights, meals or other costs for arrivals prior to the start date or departures after the end date
- Cost of passports, any necessary entry visas or reciprocity fees, vaccinations, or other personal travel expenses
- Travel insurance, emergency medical insurance and evacuation insurance/coverage. Emergency medical and evacuation coverage are required for this expedition.
- Alcoholic beverages other than those offered at dinner
- Telephone or internet charges
- Any private excursions or services not included in the itinerary
- Gratuities for guides, expedition staff, and ship’s crew, at your discretion
- Personal purchases, souvenirs, additional activities, and anything else not listed as included
Highlights
- 12-night private charter of M/V Hans Hansson, one of very few capable charter vessels in Antarctic waters suitable for a group this size.
- Small group size, limited to no more than 11 guests
- Includes round-trip flights across the Drake Passage aboard a BAE 146 Jet. Flight duration is about two hours, which frees up an extra four days on location in Antarctica, significantly reduces the potential for seasickness, and increases general safety.
- Frequent landings to make the most of photographic opportunities along the coast and on the islands
- Excursions by Zodiac among the icebergs
- Generous and personalized photographic instruction throughout by Daisy Gilardini and Justin Black
Accommodations
- Punta Arenas, Chile, nights of January 16 and 29: Hotel Cabo De Hornos, an excellent and modern hotel located in central Punta Arenas, conveniently close to the best restaurants and the waterfront.
- Antarctica: 12 nights from January 17 t0 28, private charter vessel M/V Hans Hansson.
Travel
Antarctica
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