Day 1 December 4: Shanghai → Transfer Point ★ Meeting Day at Shanghai Pudong International Airport
All day
Reference flights:
First leg: December 4, Air France AF111 PVG Pudong International Airport T1 - CDG Charles de Gaulle Airport T2E 22:05 - 05:50 (+1) (flight duration 14h45min)
17h30min layover in Paris with direct luggage transfer
Second leg: December 5th, Air France AF406 CDG Charles de Gaulle Airport T2E - SCL Arturo Merino Boníníz Airport T2 23:20 - 09:50 (+1) (flight duration 14h30min)
Warm reminder:
This itinerary does not require a group visa. It is recommended that you bring your own US visa. If you have plans to travel to Antarctica, you can make an appointment for a US visa first.
Day 2 December 5: Transit Day
All day
After the transfer, we continued to fly to Santiago, the capital of Chile.
Day 3 December 6: Transit Point → Santiago (Chile)
All day
Arrive in the morning and be met at the airport. After lunch, begin your city tour, heading to the famous tourist attraction, Mount Nossa Senhora, now known as "Capital Park," covering 712 square kilometers and a captivating park in Santiago. To the north of Mount Nossa Senhora lies a slum with no high-rise buildings, while to the east lies the bustling city. From Mount Nossa Senhora, you can overlook Santiago, taking in the panoramic views of the entire city and the endless snow-capped peaks of the Andes in the distance.
Then visit the city: Presidential Palace (exterior), Plaza de Armas, pedestrian street, etc.
After dinner, check in to the hotel to rest and adjust to the time difference.
Note: The Chilean land section is a group tour, and you may share a car, table, room, and tour guide with guests outside your group.
Day 4 December 7: Santiago → Punta Arenas (Reference flight: TBD)
All day
Transfer to Punta Arenas in the morning. Lunch upon arrival. Arrive at the designated 4-star hotel by 2:00 PM. Check in and try on shoes.
In the afternoon, attend the pre-trip briefing and get to know your fellow explorers.
As one of the southernmost cities in the world, Punta Arenas is not only the capital of the Chilean Antarctic Region and Magallanes Province, but also the last stop for Antarctic explorers departing from South America to rest. Its Croatian culture is unique in South America.
After the welcome dinner, return to the hotel to pack your luggage.
Note: The total luggage carried by each person shall not exceed 20 kg.
Day 5 December 8: Punta Arenas → King George Island (South Shetland Islands) → Ocean Nova
All day
Take flight BAE-146 to the Antarctic region and arrive at King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands. As soon as you step out of the cabin, you will feel the crisp polar wind blowing towards you.
We then walked about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) past the Chilean Ferre Station and the Russian Bellingshausen Research Station to the coast, where we boarded our boutique expedition cruise ship, Ocean Nova, by Zodiac.
Living on King George Island, humans are not the biggest rulers. This is the home of penguins and seals. Gentoo penguins and Adelie penguins will ignore everything. They stroll leisurely among the tourists and remain calm in the face of the clicks of various cameras. Some curious babies may follow you and then watch you board the ship to start your Antarctic cruise.
Day 6 December 9: → Antarctic Peninsula Cruise
All day
Over the next few days, we will explore the scenic spots between the South Shetland Islands and the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, cruising in this white land with thriving marine life, surrounded by glaciers, rich cultural and historical sites, and spectacular scenery.
As you marvel at the tranquil, snow-covered fjords and the eerie, blue, and ghostly icebergs of a thousand years old, you'll enjoy the company of Antarctica's iconic seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. You'll brush past seals and whales, and see Adélie penguins strolling freely. Each day, we'll trek across the frigid glaciers in a Zodiac with professional polar guides. We'll visit Antarctic research stations and see penguin and seal colonies, including chinstrap, gentoo, and Adélie penguins. Weed seals, humpback whales, and minke whales are also common sights in Antarctic waters, with curious minke whales drawn to our Zodiac.
Some attractions introduction:
Cuverville Island: This island is home to the largest colony of Gentoo penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula. It's also a great place to spot giant petrels, blue-eyed cormorants, black-backed gulls, southern gulls, and skuas. The shallow waters surrounding the island often cause icebergs to run aground, forming spectacular icebergs. Arriving at Cuverville Island, where the Gentoo penguins gather, you'll find yourself surrounded by ice and snow. Cuverville Island is actually a black rock island, nestled in the Errera Channel between northern Ronge Island and the Aktoski Peninsula. Black reefs can be seen along its washed shoreline.
Deception Island: A famous tourist destination in Antarctica, it is world-famous for its hot springs and krill. The mountains on the seashore are majestic and ancient, large flocks of seabirds roam on the sea, and a large number of krill are within easy reach on the shore.
Port Lockroy/British Station: Port Lockroy was established in 1941 as a British base. In 1996, the Antarctica Heritage Trust transformed it into a museum where you can experience life in Antarctica in the 1950s. More importantly, you can send authentic Antarctic postcards to friends and family from here.
Paradise Bay: Named for its stunning scenery, Paradise Bay protects the Gerlache Strait during storms, providing shelter for visitors. It's the perfect spot for viewing the Antarctic Peninsula.
Peterman Island and the Lemaire Channel: Peterman Island offers beautiful views of the Penola Channel, where you can watch whales swimming among the ice floes and experience the beauty of nature. Here are Adélie penguins, the blue-eyed cormorant empire, and the world's southernmost colony of Gentoo penguins.
Neko Harbour: Neko Harbour is an inlet on the Antarctic Peninsula in Andvord Bay, on the west coast of Graham Land. Neko Harbour was discovered in the early 20th century by Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache. It was named after the Scottish whaler Neko, which operated there from 1911 to 1924.
Special note: The above referenced docking, cruise, and landing locations are for reference only and cannot be used as the basis for the final trip. Due to the special nature of Antarctica, factors such as weather, wind and ice conditions, and booking status (without further notice) will determine our final itinerary plan and schedule. We do not make any promises about the number of landings, cruises, island introductions, and the order of visits. The captain and expedition team will carefully analyze the daily situation and flexibly arrange daily activities, including landing and cruises by landing boat, visits to wildlife habitats, scientific research stations of various countries, or historical sites. All landings, cruises, and onboard activities are subject to the notification of the captain and expedition leader.
Day 7 December 10: → Antarctic Peninsula Cruise
All day
We will continue to cruise through this white land where marine life is thriving, glaciers are everywhere, cultural and historical sites are abundant, and extreme natural scenery can be seen everywhere.
As you marvel at the tranquil, snow-covered fjords and the eerie, blue, and ghostly icebergs of a thousand years old, you'll enjoy the company of Antarctica's iconic seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. You'll brush past seals and whales, and see Adélie penguins strolling freely. Each day, we'll trek across the frigid glaciers in a Zodiac with professional polar guides. We'll visit Antarctic research stations and see penguin and seal colonies, including chinstrap, Gentoo, and Adélie penguins, as well as Weed seals. Humpback and minke whales are common sights in Antarctic waters, and curious minke whales will be drawn closer by our Zodiac.
Special note: Due to the particularity of Antarctic tourism, the itinerary of each Antarctic expedition will not remain the same. The ship will design a corresponding itinerary based on the ever-changing actual weather and ice conditions of nature and combined with years of rich professional expedition experience to create a unique Antarctic adventure experience for you.
Day 8 December 11: → Antarctic Peninsula Cruise
All day
We will continue to cruise through this white land where marine life is thriving, glaciers are everywhere, cultural and historical sites are abundant, and extreme natural scenery can be seen everywhere.
As you marvel at the tranquil, snow-covered fjords and the eerie, blue, and ghostly icebergs of a thousand years old, you'll enjoy the company of Antarctica's iconic seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. You'll brush past seals and whales, and see Adélie penguins strolling freely. Each day, we'll trek across the frigid glaciers in a Zodiac with professional polar guides. We'll visit Antarctic research stations and see penguin and seal colonies, including chinstrap, Gentoo, and Adélie penguins, as well as Weed seals. Humpback and minke whales are common sights in Antarctic waters, and curious minke whales will be drawn closer by our Zodiac.
Special note: Due to the particularity of Antarctic tourism, the itinerary of each Antarctic expedition will not remain the same. The ship will design a corresponding itinerary based on the ever-changing actual weather and ice conditions of nature and combined with years of rich professional expedition experience to create a unique Antarctic adventure experience for you.
Day 9 December 12: → Antarctic Peninsula Cruise
All day
We will continue to cruise through this white land where marine life is thriving, glaciers are everywhere, cultural and historical sites are abundant, and extreme natural scenery can be seen everywhere.
As you marvel at the tranquil, snow-covered fjords and the eerie, blue, and ghostly icebergs of a thousand years old, you'll enjoy the company of Antarctica's iconic seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. You'll brush past seals and whales, and see Adélie penguins strolling freely. Each day, we'll trek across the frigid glaciers in a Zodiac with professional polar guides. We'll visit Antarctic research stations and see penguin and seal colonies, including chinstrap, Gentoo, and Adélie penguins, as well as Weed seals. Humpback and minke whales are common sights in Antarctic waters, and curious minke whales will be drawn closer by our Zodiac.
Special note: Due to the particularity of Antarctic tourism, the itinerary of each Antarctic expedition will not remain the same. The ship will design a corresponding itinerary based on the ever-changing actual weather and ice conditions of nature and combined with years of rich professional expedition experience to create a unique Antarctic adventure experience for you.
Day 10 December 13: → King George Island → Punta Arenas
All day
Today our cruise ship will return to King George Island, bid farewell to the Antarctic continent, and board the flight to Punta Arenas.
After arriving in Punta Arenas, return to the hotel to rest. If it is still early, you can have free time.
Note: Due to the unique nature of Antarctic travel, flight availability is subject to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. This constitutes force majeure and cannot be planned in advance. If force majeure impacts subsequent itineraries or return flights, our agency will adjust the itinerary accordingly and reserves the right to charge any additional airfare, hotel, meal, and other expenses.
Day 11 December 14: Punta Arenas → Santiago (Reference flight: TBD)
All day
After breakfast, transfer to the airport back to Santiago, the capital of Chile. Upon arrival, have dinner and check into the hotel.
Day 12 December 15: San Diego → Transfer Point
All day
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport in advance according to the flight time and check in for your flight back home.
Reference flights:
First leg: December 15, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL702, SCL Arturo Merino Boníníz Airport T2 - AMS Schiphol Airport, 12:15 PM - 9:45 AM (+1 minute) (17 hours flight time (including a 1 hour and 50 minute stopover in Buenos Aires))
6-hour layover in Amsterdam with direct luggage transfer
Second leg: December 16, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL895AMS from Schiphol Airport to PVG Pudong International Airport T1, 3:40 PM - 10:50 AM (+1 minute) (flight duration: 12 hours and 10 minutes)
Day 13 December 16: Transfer
All day
After transferring, continue to fly to the motherland.
Day 14 December 17: Transit Point → Shanghai ★ Shanghai Pudong International Airport Dismissal Day
All day
Arrived at Shanghai Pudong Airport, concluding our dreamy, magical, magnificent, and delightful photography trip to Antarctica and South America. Remember to come back and share your wonderful photos on China-TravelNote Photography Network!
