Antarctica by Yacht 2022
Overview
A FLY-IN – FLY-OUT, ANTARCTIC PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION ABOARD S/V OCEAN TRAMP
We are pleased to offer this intimate private-charter photographic expedition, including round trip flights across the Drake Passage, 13-nights aboard S/V Ocean Tramp, and instruction and guiding throughout by award-winning photographer and polar specialist Daisy Gilardini. This will be the third expedition that Daisy has led for Visionary Wild aboard the Ocean Tramp.
Ocean Tramp is a 20-meter motor-sail yacht (specifically, a ketch) which is operated by personal friends of Visionary Wild founder Justin Black, whose company Quixote Expeditions specializes in small-vessel Antarctic adventures. In an era when Antarctic expedition vessels are getting larger and larger, Ocean Tramp offers a wonderful way to go with a very small group of just six guests, on a comfortable vessel that can get into locations that bigger ships can’t reach.
Spend almost two weeks on location at Antarctica, rather than wasting precious days “rockin’ and rollin’” on the Drake Passage crossing. As master of the boat, Daisy will work with the captain to choose the best route to maximize the photographic opportunities at destinations along the way, responding to local conditions of weather and ice. Ocean Tramp’s experienced captain, first mate and cook have an excellent track record of delivering exceptional Antarctic experiences for their guests.
Ocean Tramp normally sleeps eight guests in four cabins, but we are limiting the group size to six to eliminate crowding on board, in the Zodiac, and at landing sites. The boat’s Shackleton Suite features an en-suite private bathroom, while the other three cabins share two bathrooms.
More information about traveling to Antarctica on this expedition can be found in the Expectations session on this page. If you have any questions at all, please let us know. We hope you will join us on this Antarctic adventure!
VIDEO OF S/V OCEAN TRAMP IN ANTARCTICA
VIDEO TOUR OF INTERIOR OF S/V OCEAN TRAMP, by our friend Laura Smith of Quixote-Expeditions
Itinerary
January 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Arrive in Punta Arenas. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Hotel Cabo de Hornos (meals not included).
Overnight at Hotel Cabo de Hornos
January 2: PUNTA ARENAS
You are free to explore Punta Arenas or relax in the hotel during the day. The group will meet for an introduction and orientation session in the late afternoon, followed by a group dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Overnight at Hotel Cabos de Hornos (B,D)
January 3: FLY TO KING GEORGE ISLAND, EMBARK ON OUR ADVENTURE
Group transfer to the airport for our quick and comfortable jet flight over Cape Horn and across the Drake Passage to King George Island at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where we board Ocean Tramp and begin our adventure.
Overnight aboard M/V Ocean Tramp (B,L,D)
January 4-15: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Aboard Ocean Tramp, photographing the wildlife, ice, and mountainous landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula, south to Lemaire Channel and Vernadsky Research Base, making the most of our vessel’s size and maneuverability to access compelling locations that larger ships can’t reach.
Overnight aboard M/V Ocean Tramp (B,L,D)
January 16: RETURN TO PUNTA ARENAS
Disembark Ocean Tramp for the flight back to Punta Arenas. Daisy will remain at King George Island to meet the next group arriving for our voyage on M/V Hans Hansson. In Punta Arenas, you will be met by a trusted local guide who will coordinate your transfer to Hotel Cabo De Hornos, where you will enjoy a final group dinner.
Overnight at Hotel Cabo De Hornos (B,L,D)
January 17: DEPARTURE DAY
Transfer to Punta Arenas airport to catch your departing flight. (B)
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 ...
Gallery
Pricing
Shackleton Suite
Cabin #3
Cabin #2
Cabin #4
All costs are per person.
CABINS
Shackleton Suite is the second largest cabin on board and the only cabin with an en-suite bathroom. Sold out
Cabin 3 is the largest cabin, located in the bow. It can be booked by individuals or people traveling together. Sold out
Cabin 2 (third most spacious) and Cabin 4 (smallest cabin) are available for single occupancy booking only. Sold out
All cabins have bunk beds. Cabins 2, 3, and 4 share two common bathrooms with showers, located very close to the cabins.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
In order to limit our group to six people, the smaller cabins – cabins 2 and 4 – are available for single occupancy booking only. The Shackleton Suite and Cabin 3 are available for double occupancy booking. If you wish to book Shackleton Suite or Cabin 3 as single occupancy, contact us for rates. Please be aware that due to the fact that we are required to to pay for the full cost of the charter and six seats on the DAP flights regardless of the number of guests on the expedition, the rates for single occupancy bookings for Shackleton Suite and Cabin 3 will be nearly double the rate of double occupancy bookings.
INDIVIDUAL TRAVELERS BOOKING DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
Individuals traveling alone are welcome to book at the double occupancy rate and we will match you with a cabin mate on Ocean Tramp. We will attempt to match cabin mates of the same sex, but due to the small group size this cannot be guaranteed. Hotel rooms in Punta Arenas will be single occupancy for individuals booking double occupancy. There is a $500 supplement for this registration option. If you have pre-arranged to share a room with another participant, you can book at the double occupancy rate.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
- 30% deposit is required upon registration
- 30% payment due by April 6, 2021
- 40% final payment due by September 3, 2021
Please note that due to the significant commitments involved in chartering the vessel for this expedition, deposits and all payments are non-refundable. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended to enable recovery of deposits in the event of a need to cancel participation for medical or personal reasons covered by the policy. Other terms and conditions apply.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Attentive and personalized photographic instruction throughout by Daisy Gilardini
- Use of S/V Ocean Tramp and its Zodiac, as well as the services of the experienced crew
- 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 1, 2 and 16)
- Breakfast on January 2 and all meals from dinner on Jan 2 to breakfast on Jan 17 (including wine/beer with dinners).
- All necessary transfers from arrival to departure in Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Luggage transfers at King George Island, airstrip – ship – airstrip
NOT INCLUDED
- R/T airfare to and from our starting and ending point 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 from the Antarctic Peninsula. (REQUIRED – please confirm suitable coverage with insurance provider)
- Alcoholic beverages other than those offered at dinner
- Telephone or internet charges
- Any private excursions, activities, or services not included in the itinerary
- Personal purchases, souvenirs, additional activities, and anything else not listed as included
- Gratuities for the ship’s crew and expedition staff, at your discretion
Highlights
- 13-night private charter of S/V Ocean Tramp, a comfortable and capable 20-meter ketch perfectly suited to small-group Antarctic exploration
- Small group size, limited to no more than 6 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
Travel
Expectations
TRAVELING TO ANTARCTICA
The photographic opportunities and the experience of exploring the Antarctic in a small vessel are unparalleled, but it is important to be aware of the conditions of this expedition and ensure that it is suitable for you. We will be traveling to remote destinations and will be far from medical facilities, and there will be little to no communications with family, friends or others while on board Ocean Tramp. Although participating in this expedition does not require a high level of physical fitness, you should be able to:
- Be without medical assistance for up to 30 days
- Swim or float on your back
- Get in and out of a Zodiac boat on a beach with a little wave action
- Walk a mile on uneven and slightly hilly terrain at a steady pace without getting exhausted
- Climb a 6 ft (2m) step ladder
You will be required to submit a medical history form to Quixote Expeditions as well as a confirmation from your physician that you are fit enough to participate in this expedition. If you have any questions or concerns about the nature of this expedition or any health or fitness concerns that may present a challenge to participating on it, please contact us.
INSURANCE
It is important to be aware that weather conditions – most commonly poor visibility due to fog – do from time to time delay the flights to and from King George Island. Though delays are usually brief (minutes, a few hours, or perhaps one 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. It is also possible that the flight will be delayed returning to Punta Arenas, which may necessitate additional hotel nights and rebooking flights. We strongly recommend obtaining 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. Visionary Wild is not responsible for additional costs incurred due to travel delays.
Emergency medical treatment and evacuation (minimum US$300,000) are required for this expedition.
BOOKING TRAVEL
It will not be possible to join the group once it departs for King George Island. The flight is scheduled for January 3, 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 2 if there is incoming bad weather. All guests should therefore plan to arrive in Punta Arenas on January 1. This will also allow some additional time in case of flight or baggage delays.
We recommend that you book your flights for this expedition through a travel agent. As mentioned, it is possible that the return flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas can be delayed by weather. Delays are usually brief, but there is a chance that the flight can be delayed overnight or longer, and from Ocean Tramp or King George Island there is not a way to communicate directly with airlines to rebook flights if that becomes necessary as communications are very limited. It is possible to email your travel agent from the vessel, who would then be able to work on rebooking flights on your behalf in the event of such a delay.
