Antarctica Fly-In/Out, Private Charter
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Overview
BEGIN THE NEW YEAR WITH THIS FLY-IN – FLY-OUT, SMALL-GROUP ANTARCTIC
PHOTO EXPEDITION ABOARD OUR PRIVATE VESSEL, M/V HANS HANSSON
Participant Testimonials:
Antarctica is unlike any other place on earth. This trip, with our amazing guides Justin Black and Chris Linder, offered an unforgettable experience that enriched our photographic skills and, most importantly, our appreciation of this fragile and unique environment. –Tim D. and Corene K. 2023 participants
It was a great experience, excellent crew, chef, leaders and photographers aboard the perfect vessel. Antarctica is magical, and the great effort of everyone on the voyage to ensure that we have the best time, best light, and best photo opportunities was greatly appreciated. I definitely recommend Visionary Wild and this great expedition! –Carla S., 2020 participant
TRIP REPORT: Click here to read what two of our clients from Germany thought of our 2023 Antarctica Expedition aboard Hans Hansson.
We are excited to offer an extraordinary opportunity to visit Antarctica aboard the Hans Hansson, operated by friends of ours who specialize in small-vessel Antarctic adventures. In an era when Antarctic expedition vessels are getting larger and larger, Hans Hansson offers a uniquely wonderful way to travel on a small-group expedition, on a comfortable and highly capable vessel that can get into locations that bigger ships can’t reach.
Chris Linder, one of your two co-leaders on this expedition, has spent nearly a year of his life on assignment in Antarctica documenting polar science. He has co-produced and filmed an hour-long documentary aboard a National Science Foundation icebreaker, shot a feature story on Adélie Penguins for Audubon magazine, produced three different month-long virtual educational experiences for school children, and was awarded an NSF Antarctic Artists and Writers grant for his photography project on South Polar skuas. His unique perspective having worked at U.S. research bases on the southern continent, and knowledge of recent scientific and conservation efforts will help to inform how we photograph the creatures and landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula. Justin Black, Visionary Wild’s founder, is a veteran IAATO-certified Antarctica guide who cherishes the opportunity to share the Antarctic experience with passionate photographers each year.
Our creative focus on this trip will be evenly divided between the wildlife spectacle and the sublime landscape. Our route will take us to colonies of Adélie, Chinstrap, and Gentoo penguins (plus the possibility of sighting the odd Emperor or Macaroni), and along the way we will encounter Leopard, Crab-Eater, and Weddell Seals, and an array of Antarctic birdlife. The dramatic landscape of glacier-covered mountains and islands rises from the various sheltered channels, dotted with immense icebergs. The light at this time of year is perfect for photography. When the weather is clear, golden light endures around sunrise and sunset, and dusk and dawn colors merge into one over the few hours when the sun dips below the horizon. Expect a mix of partly-cloudy and overcast conditions, the latter of which is perfect for close-up portraits of penguins, seals, and other wildlife.
Saving four days of at-sea transit time by flying across the Drake Passage both ways, we are able to make the most of almost two weeks on location at Antarctica, rather than wasting precious time “rockin’ and rollin’” in rough seas. As masters of the ship, Justin and Chris will work with the highly experienced captain and crew with whom we have developed an excellent working relationship on prior voyages, to choose the best itinerary and 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 leaders and the ship’s crew of seven. Two Superior Cabins have en suite private bathrooms, and the Standard Cabins share two surprisingly spacious bathrooms with toilet, shower (with plenty of hot water), changing bench, sink, and mirror.
More information about traveling to Antarctica on this expedition can be found in the Expectations session on this page.
Itinerary
January 14: ARRIVAL DAY
Arrive in Punta Arenas. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Hotel Almasur (meals not included today). This first day of the itinerary is included as a buffer, to allow for any flight delays, lost baggage, or other travel snafus, and to make sure you and all your gear are in Punta Arenas and ready to travel onward to meet our ship.
Overnight at Hotel Almasur
January 15: 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 at 4pm, followed by a group dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Overnight at Hotel Almasur, Punta Arenas. (B,D)
January 16: FLY TO KING GEORGE ISLAND, EMBARK ON OUR ADVENTURE
Group transfer to the airport for our quick and comfortable jet flight over the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn and the Drake Passage to King George Island at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where we board Hans Hansson and begin our adventure.
Overnight aboard M/V Hans Hansson (B,L,D)
January 17-28: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Aboard Hans Hansson, photographing the wildlife, ice, and mountainous landscapes and archipelagos 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 Hans Hansson (B,L,D)
January 29: RETURN TO PUNTA ARENAS
Disembark Hans Hansson for the flight back to Punta Arenas. Celebratory final group dinner at one of Punta Arena’s fine restaurants.
Overnight at Hotel Almasur (B,L,D)
January 30: DEPARTURE DAY
Transfer to Punta Arenas airport to catch your departing flight. (B)
Instructors
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 ...
Chris Linder
- Chris Linder is an award-winning professional photographer, filmmaker, workshop leader, and lecturer. Chris earned a master’s degree in oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods ...
Gallery
Pricing
Superior
Standard
All costs are per person.
Superior Cabin: Larger cabin (approx. 100 sq ft / 9.25 sq m) on the upper deck with twin bunks, a private en suite bathroom, desk, wardrobe, and portholes with exterior views.
Standard Cabin: Standard size cabin (avg 45 sq ft / 4.2 sq m) on the lower deck with twin bunks, a wash basin, desk, storage space, and portholes with exterior views, sharing two spacious bathrooms located in the corridor, very close to the cabins.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Due to our exclusive charter of the Hans Hansson and the fact that our group’s flight reservations have to be contracted for in advance by the ship’s operator based on the maximum possible number of guests (that is, on the flights we have to pay upfront for two seats per ship’s cabin, regardless of whether the cabin is ultimately occupied by one or two guests), the rates for single-occupancy bookings have to be nearly double the rate for double-occupancy cabins.
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 Hans Hansson. We will attempt to match cabin mates of the same sex, but due to the small group size this cannot be guaranteed. Individuals booking double-occupancy can have single-occupancy hotel rooms in Punta Arenas for a $500 supplement, which will be added to the final payment. 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 19, 2023
- 40% final payment due by Sept 15, 2023
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.
INCLUDED
- Photographic instruction throughout by Justin Black and Chris Linder
- Private charter of M/V Hans Hansson and its two Zodiacs
- Services of ship’s crew and expedition staff
- Specially arranged round-trip flights on DAP Antarctic Airways, aboard four-engine BAE146 jet, from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island (the included seats on these flights normally cost between $6,500 and $9,000).
- Three hotel nights in Punta Arenas (Jan 14, 15 and 29, 2024)
- All meals and beverages (including wine, beer, cocktails with dinner) from dinner on January 15 to breakfast on January 30
- All necessary group ground transfers in Punta Arenas
- 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)
- 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 M/V Hans Hansson, a very rare capable charter vessel in Antarctic waters suitable for a group this small.
- Generous, personalized instruction and guiding throughout by Justin Black and Chris Linder, with support by the Hansson’s excellent crew of seven.
- 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 each way, 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
- Image reviews and constructive critiques in the ship’s salon during down-time, to help ensure you make the most of this special opportunity.
- The Hansson’s shallow draft enables us to anchor in calm, sheltered coves overnight, to ensure a restful sleep.
Accommodations
- Three nights (Jan 14, 15, and 29) at Hotel Almasur in central Punta Arenas
- 13 nights, (Jan 16 – 28) on private charter vessel M/V Hans Hansson
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 though the crew has access to satellite email, there will be little to no communications with family, friends or others while on board Hans Hansson (except in emergencies). 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 wave action
- Walk a mile on uneven and somewhat 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 the operators of Hans Hansson – 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 in 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 meeting a cruise ship at King George Island 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 costs incurred due to weather or travel delays.
Emergency medical treatment and evacuation coverage (minimum US$300,000) are required for this expedition.
BOOKING TRAVEL
It will not be possible to join the group once our flight departs for King George Island. The flight is scheduled for January 16, but the timing is weather dependent and is not decided until the day of travel. It is also possible that in order to get ahead of incoming bad weather, our group may need to fly earlier than planned on the night of January 15. All guests should therefore plan to arrive in Punta Arenas on January 14. This will also allow some additional time in case of flight or baggage delays.
We recommend that you book your flights to Punta Arenas 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 Hans Hansson 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 rebook flights on your behalf in the event of such a delay.
Outcomes
TRIP REPORT
TRIP REPORT: Click here to read what two of our clients from Germany thought of their experience on our 2023 Antarctica expeditions aboard Hans Hansson.
Antarctica Fly-In/Out, Private Charter
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