Wild Focus 'Air-Cruise' Expedition

Join Wild Focus Expeditions on what the world considers one of the greatest adventures: the Antarctic. Our unique air-cruise expedition takes you from Punta Arenas, Chile within southern Patagonia by plane to King George Island in Antarctica saving TWO DAYS OF CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE. You will board the ship and sail through nutrient-rich waters of the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and each day disembark on land before continuing on to South Georgia Island, the wildlife crown-jewel of the Antarctic. We end our adventure sailing through Tierro del Fuego and disembark in Ushuaia, Argentina known as the "end of the world".

Our home for 18 days will be the Magellan Explorer. Because it accommodates only 73 passengers, it is more like a private yacht, offering direct access to areas along the Antarctic shore that the larger ships simply cannot reach. Because of its smaller size, you can get on shore faster and stay longer savoring every moment of experience unlike any other.  On ships larger than 100 guests the passengers have to be divided into two groups (or more) that cannot go to shore at the same time. Also, the time on shore for these larger ships will be half (or even less) of what the passengers on our ship will be allowed to.

We will begin our expedition in Antarctica exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. In March, “winter is coming”. The melt has stopped and snow banks swathed in pink and green algae will soon be covered with fresh snow. The sun will be lower and a peace is settling, complete with magical long sunsets. Temperatures will slowly start to decrease and snow flurries could be possible.

March is the best time to travel to Antarctica for cetaceans especially humpbacks. They’ve been feasting on abundant krill all summer and by March they are loafing, relaxing and getting some last minute meals while preparing for the big migration north. These mighty, magnificent beasts are best viewed from a zodiac or kayak, and March is when you are most likely to get this opportunity.

Many of the penguins that we see will be moulting, losing their feathers and growing new ones so that they can return to the sea to feed. There will be adorable chicks who are intensely curious. The gentoo chicks will be abundant and “chicky-chases” will be observed when the demanding and hungry chicks pursue and harass parents down to the sea. Chicks often line the shore where they test the water while waiting for their returning parent who hopefully will come with food. Leopard seals will be ready and waiting here to take advantage of this naivety.

Leopard seals are sleek and have a sinister appearance. They have tyrannosaurus-like heads, wide-grinning mouths and long pointed teeth. Most leopard seals eat krill but they prefer a tasty fish, seal or penguin. Chick-fledging time is the ideal time of plenty. Leopard seals can easily intercept a floating fluff ball (the chicks struggle to submerge at this time), or casually pluck an inquisitive chick from the shore.

We continue our expedition by sailing to South Georgia Island and follow in the footsteps of famous Antarctic explorers such as Ernest Shackleton. South Georgia is located in the Southern Ocean and is only accessible by ship. It is more challenging to get to than almost any other place on earth. During the breeding season, there is said to be more wildlife per square foot/meter than in any other place on the planet. On our voyage to this stunningly beautiful island, you will experience the greatest density of wildlife on earth that is devoid of fear of humans which leads to some of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on the planet.

While we are there in the fall season, there are gangs of playful fur pup seals covering the beaches. Elephant seals are moulting in wallows – piled on top of one another. King penguins and their chicks (called oakum boys) will be seen in massive colonies. Chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins will have chicks fledging in large groups. Humpbacks, orcas, fin whales, minkes and occasionally blue whales can be seen at this time of year on a feeding frenzy before they start their migration north to beat the upcoming winter.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Come with us as we learn what it would be like to have been on expedition with Ernest Shackleton. Get a taste of life as an early explorer as we sail past massive azure-blue icebergs while watching the water as a whale fluke descends into the lower depths.

Come with us to experience the magic of the Antarctic!

Travel Different’ with Wild Focus Expeditions