South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula

Included

• Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
• All leaders, transport, landing fees, permits (except as indicated in Not Included), port taxes, and passenger fees, including the IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) passenger fee for all activities unless described as optional.
• Accommodations (double occupancy) for the night of November 11 in Ushuaia, Argentina.
• One night at Hotel Cabo de Hornos in Punta Arenas or similar with breakfast on November 28.
• Sixteen nights on board the Magellan Discoverer.
• Your flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, Chile on November 28.
• Meals from dinner on November 12 through lunch on November 28.
• Group transfer from the Punta Arenas dock to our hotel on November 28.
• Transfer from Hotel Cabo de Hornos to airport on November 29.
• Coffee and tea throughout the voyage.
• Trip Materials – information about flights, packing, entry and departure requirements, airport transfers, gratuities, etc.
• Expedition Log – after your voyage, you’ll receive a color booklet of the expedition.
• Waterproof boots while on board.
• Onboard lectures during sea days.

Not Included

• Accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary and as listed under Included.
• Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
• All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
• Visa fees for Chile, Argentina, and/or United Kingdom (for South Georgia), passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.
• Application fee for required entry permit to South Georgia.
• We can arrange divergent airport transfers and extra hotel nights for an extra cost.
• Gratuities.
• Optional day trips in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.
• Optional sea kayaking program.
• Mandatory emergency evacuation insurance.
• Optional trip cancellation insurance.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.

Climate

In Punta Arenas, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina the temperatures are about 37 to 50°F (3 to 10°C). On South Georgia the temperatures are about 32 to 50°F (0 to 10°C), while in the Antarctic Peninsula, temperatures are about 16 to 25°F (-9 to -4°C). Wet, penetrating cold is not usually a problem, but you will need to protect against wind and splash, especially when riding in the Zodiacs. Mittens, warm cap, layers of light, loose, warm clothing, a parka, and waterproof outer garments are necessary.

Fitness Level

Although participating in this voyage does not require a high level of physical fitness, you should know your limitations to manage the potential for very rough seas and slippery, rocky walks.

Make sure you can maintain balance while walking with the ship in motion and while getting in and out of moving Zodiacs. Staff and crew will assist you to keep you safe but set yourself up for success by working those balance muscles while you’re at home. If you know your balance is not what it used to be, and if the seas are rough, do not be afraid to crawl on the floor in your cabin to and from the bathroom, as this will keep you safe from bigger falls and potentially banging your head.

You should also be able to walk on unstable, rocky, and slippery terrain. The gangway and Zodiacs can be slippery as well as many landing sites and areas you traverse during your landing. If you know you may need assistance, plan to bring collapsible trekking poles for use while on shore and make sure they easily fit inside your dry bag.

Once on shore, you can choose to walk for short or long distances (within the specified guidelines), and we typically give you a debrief the night before of what to expect. Make sure you practice carrying the gear you plan to carry with you on shore. While you can typically stash gear at the landing site during the landing in a specified location, which you can return to if needed, it’s important that you can manage to carry it all together for the safety of yourself, our staff, and crew.

While on shore you will, at times, be surrounded by wildlife, so it’s important that while you may get easily enamored with the beauty of it all, you must remain vigilant as to which animals you are getting too close to or that may be approaching you. Larger animals like seals can easily cause you harm if you don’t pay attention, and minimum distances from wildlife must be maintained.

Balancing against the waves is not always possible without holding on to something.  Your upper body and hands should be strong enough that you can hold your own weight while leaning backward or sideways as far as possible.

Due to the strong likelihood that you will experience rough seas and other conditions that increase fall risk, anyone taking anticoagulants should reach out to us in advance before booking this trip.

Ultimately, it is important to know that no sophisticated medical facilities are available in the Antarctic, and you will be required to fill out a Medical Form that will be reviewed and vetted by the Ship Doctor before departure.

In summary, when you fill in your Reservation Form, please answer the following:

1. What activities requiring balance do you currently participate in?
2. How do you rate your balance – poor, average, or excellent?
3. What activities do you currently participate in that require walking on unstable, rocky, and slippery terrain?
4. Do you use trekking poles regularly?
5. What distances have you walked recently with the same amount of gear you plan to carry on shore?
6. Can you hold your own body weight while gripping a rail during rough seas?
7. Are you taking any anticoagulants currently that put you at increased risk should you lose balance or fall?

Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.

Flights

Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.

FAQ

Accommodations

Motion Sickness

Don’t let a fear of motion sickness keep you away! Even those who have experienced seasickness reported that the incredible wildlife and overall experience were well worth the temporary discomfort. For all but the most sensitive, motion sickness is only a problem during open ocean passages. Days and nights, when we are landing or cruising between landings, are quite calm because we are very close to land. The Southern Ocean has a reputation for the worst seas in the world, not because they are always rough (on the average day, the seas are quite calm!) but because their extremes are large. If we are hit by a storm during a crossing, the experience will be memorable. For this reason, unless you know you are immovable by the heavy seas, bring a good supply of medication and come prepared! The key to avoiding seasickness is to act before you experience nausea. Do your own research and consult your doctor before taking any medications. A good night of sleep, eating well, limiting alcohol, and using your favorite seasickness remedy is sufficient for most travelers. Find more information on our Coping with Seasickness webpage (this information is applicable to any form of motion sickness) and contact us if you have any questions.

Transportation

Conservation

Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:

• Ecotourism and Conservation for Antarctica.
• Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
• Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.

Conditions

Have any other questions about our terms? Read our current Terms and Conditions.