Antarctic Circle New Year Micro Cruise by Air | 11 Days

Celebrate the arrival of a new year in one of the world's most extraordinary wilderness regions on the Antarctic Circle New Year Expedition Micro Cruise by Air, an 11-day adventure combining charter flights, small-group exploration, and unforgettable Antarctic scenery. Beginning in Puerto Natales, Chile, with a stay at Weskar Lodge and a traditional Patagonian asado, the journey continues with an approximately 2.5-hour charter flight to King George Island, eliminating the need to sail across the Drake Passage. Aboard Aureum, an ice-class expedition vessel designed for just 36 guests, travelers enjoy the expertise of six senior polar guides, dedicated photography guidance, and excursions aboard four Zodiacs. The expedition aims to spend seven full days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, with possible visits to the South Shetland Islands, Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, Paradise Bay, Cuverville Island, and Lemaire Channel. Late December and early January bring active penguin colonies, opportunities to observe seals and whales, and extended summer daylight, creating a remarkable setting for New Year's Eve. Every departure attempts to reach the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S, with opportunities to discover remote southern landscapes and walk on sea ice when conditions permit. With departures spanning December 2027–January 2028 and December 2028–January 2029, this expedition offers an intimate and adventurous way to begin the year surrounded by Antarctica's immense icebergs, wildlife, and natural beauty.

11 Day Antarctica Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Natales and Patagonian Welcome

Your New Year Antarctic expedition begins in Puerto Natales, Chile, a gateway to the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia and the starting point for your journey toward the White Continent. Arrive at Weskar Lodge and complete check-in between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The lodge serves as the expedition's initial meeting point, where travelers gather before the charter flight to Antarctica. During the afternoon, the expedition team conducts pre-Antarctic briefings to introduce the journey, explain its operational approach, and prepare guests for exploration in a remote polar environment. Unlike conventional cruises with fixed schedules, this expedition emphasizes flexibility, allowing weather, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities to shape the experience. In the evening, join fellow travelers for a traditional Patagonian asado at the Weskar Lodge clubhouse. This welcome dinner officially marks the beginning of the expedition and offers an opportunity to meet the people who will share the adventure.

Meals Included: Lunch / Dinner

Day 2: Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island

Prepare for your journey to Antarctica aboard a private charter flight departing from Puerto Natales. The approximately 2.5-hour flight aboard a British Aerospace 146 aircraft connects Chilean Patagonia with King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. By traveling to Antarctica by air, guests avoid the traditional sea crossing through the Drake Passage, allowing more time for exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula. The expedition is ready to depart from Day 2 onward, but the exact flight time depends on a suitable weather window. The captain determines when conditions allow the safest possible crossing. If the flight cannot operate on the planned day, guests remain at Weskar Lodge while awaiting favorable conditions. The expedition's longer duration provides additional flexibility for these circumstances. Upon arrival at King George Island, the Antarctic adventure continues aboard Aureum, an expedition vessel purpose-designed for 36 guests, with six senior polar guides and four Zodiacs supporting exploration.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3: Discovering the Antarctic Peninsula

The expedition enters its planned seven-day Antarctic exploration period, offering opportunities to discover the dramatic coastlines, wildlife habitats, and remarkable ice formations of the Antarctic Peninsula. The route is intentionally flexible, with the expedition team selecting locations according to weather, sea ice, wildlife activity, and available landing opportunities. Possible exploration areas include the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, Paradise Bay, and Cuverville Island. The Peninsula's coastal environments support penguin colonies and several marine mammal species, creating opportunities for wildlife observation throughout the voyage. Zodiac excursions may allow guests to navigate among ice formations and explore coastal waters beyond the ship. With a maximum of 36 passengers and four Zodiacs operating simultaneously, the expedition is designed to avoid lengthy waiting periods and allow the group to explore together. Six senior polar guides provide interpretation and adapt activities to the conditions encountered.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4: Penguin Colonies and Antarctic Wildlife

Continue exploring the Antarctic Peninsula during a season of remarkable wildlife activity. Late December and early January coincide with an active period for penguin colonies. Gentoo and chinstrap penguin chicks begin growing more confident as they develop, while Adélie penguins are also among the species that may be encountered. The surrounding waters and drifting ice provide habitats for several seal species. Crabeater and Weddell seals may be observed resting on ice, while leopard seals move through nearby coastal waters. Potential exploration locations include Cierva Cove, Trinity Island, Mikkelsen Harbour, Hydrurga Rocks, and Hughes Bay. The precise sites visited will depend on the expedition's route and prevailing conditions. During Zodiac cruises and possible shore landings, guests may observe wildlife and photograph the surrounding scenery. A dedicated photography guide accompanies every departure, providing assistance with capturing wildlife, ice formations, and the distinctive natural light of the Antarctic summer.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5: Exploring the Gerlache Strait and Antarctic Bays

The expedition may navigate the Gerlache Strait, a spectacular Antarctic waterway bordered by rugged mountain peaks and dramatic coastal scenery. This region offers numerous possibilities for exploration, including Wilhelmina Bay, Cuverville Island, Errera Channel, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, and the area around Almirante Brown Station. Each location provides opportunities to appreciate the extraordinary geography of the Antarctic Peninsula. The summer season also brings increasing numbers of whales into Antarctic waters. Humpback and minke whales may be encountered in the channels, where seasonal krill blooms provide feeding opportunities. Depending on conditions, guests may participate in Zodiac cruises, wildlife observation, photography, and authorized shore landings. The expedition team can adjust the itinerary when a particularly rewarding wildlife encounter or exploration opportunity arises. Aureum's open decks, forward observation deck, and bridge lounge provide additional vantage points for enjoying the surrounding landscapes.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6: Icebergs, Remote Channels, and Polar Exploration

Continue discovering Antarctica through its extensive network of channels, bays, and islands, where enormous icebergs and dramatic coastlines create remarkable natural scenery. Possible destinations during the Peninsula exploration period include Dallman Bay, the Melchior Islands, Neumayer Channel, Port Lockroy, and Lemaire Channel. These locations form part of the expedition's potential navigation range and are not guaranteed stops. Zodiac excursions may offer opportunities to explore ice-filled waters and observe the landscape from a different perspective. When conditions and permissions allow, shore landings provide additional opportunities to experience the Antarctic environment. The expedition's small-group format allows the guides to respond quickly to changing conditions, whether that means extending a wildlife encounter or exploring an area of particular interest. Aureum's ice-class construction, fin stabilizers, and hybrid propulsion support the expedition's operations, while its observation spaces allow guests to appreciate the scenery throughout the voyage.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 7: Expedition Toward the Antarctic Circle

One of the principal objectives of this expedition is an attempt to reach the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33'S. The Antarctic Circle represents a significant geographic milestone, and the expedition team aims to travel toward it on every departure. However, reaching this latitude depends on weather, sea ice, and safe navigation conditions. When the southern route is accessible, the scenery may include enormous icebergs, frozen channels, and increasingly remote Antarctic landscapes. Potential exploration locations within the broader southern range include Port Charcot, Petermann Island, the Argentine Islands, Wordie House, Crystal Sound, and Detaille Island. The voyage takes place during the Antarctic midsummer period, when daylight extends late into the night and the sun's light changes gradually around midnight. Whether the ship reaches the Antarctic Circle or must adjust its route, the expedition team continues seeking opportunities for wildlife observation, photography, and meaningful exploration.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8: Remote Southern Landscapes and Sea Ice Exploration

If conditions permit the expedition to continue farther south, travelers may discover some of the Antarctic Peninsula's most isolated environments. Beyond the Antarctic Circle, the landscape can include frozen waterways, immense icebergs, and extensive areas of sea ice. Under suitable circumstances, guests may have the opportunity to step directly onto sea ice and walk among icebergs that have remained stationary for extended periods. Possible southern exploration areas include Lallemand Fjord, The Gullet, and Marguerite Bay. These remote waters also provide a small possibility of encountering unusual Antarctic wildlife. Ross seals and emperor penguins inhabit the deeper southern regions, although sightings of either species are extremely uncommon and cannot be guaranteed. With only 36 guests aboard, the expedition team can adapt activities to make the most of favorable conditions and unexpected wildlife opportunities. All landings depend on environmental conditions, site availability, permissions, and Antarctic regulations.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9: Final Antarctic Exploration and New Year Reflections

The final planned day of Antarctic Peninsula exploration provides further opportunities to experience the region's wildlife, ice formations, and extraordinary coastal landscapes. Depending on the vessel's location and prevailing conditions, possible exploration areas include Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbour, Whalers Bay, Baily Head, and Deception Island. These destinations are part of the expedition's wider potential route rather than confirmed daily stops. Guests may participate in Zodiac excursions, authorized shore landings, wildlife observation, or photography activities as conditions permit. The expedition's flexible approach allows the team to spend additional time in locations offering exceptional opportunities rather than following a rigid schedule. The New Year celebration is a defining feature of this voyage, with December 31 spent in the Antarctic region according to the published departure dates. The source describes the occasion as an experience of Antarctic summer light and natural surroundings rather than a conventional celebration with fireworks. As the exploration period approaches its conclusion, the expedition prepares for the return journey toward King George Island.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 10: Return Flight from Antarctica to Puerto Natales

The expedition vessel Aureum remains in Maxwell Bay near King George Island while awaiting suitable conditions for the return charter flight to Chile. Once a safe weather window becomes available, travelers board the aircraft for the approximately 2.5-hour flight back to Puerto Natales. The exact departure time depends on Antarctic weather conditions, and the expedition maintains flexibility if the flight schedule changes. If the return flight cannot operate immediately, the voyage continues in Antarctica until conditions permit departure. This approach allows the expedition to adapt to the realities of travel in a remote polar environment. Upon returning to Puerto Natales, guests spend their final scheduled night at Weskar Lodge. A farewell dinner provides an opportunity to reflect on the landscapes, wildlife encounters, and experiences shared during the expedition. The evening marks the conclusion of the principal Antarctic exploration program.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 11: Final Day in Puerto Natales, Chile

Your expedition concludes in Puerto Natales, where the final day offers an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of Chilean Patagonia. This frontier town is known for its relaxed pace, distinctive character, and local seafood. Travelers wishing to spend additional time in the region may consider exploring nearby Torres del Paine National Park, which forms part of the UNESCO Torres del Paine Biosphere Reserve. The park is recognized for its granite towers, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and remarkable wildlife. The expedition operator also provides its Peace of Mind Programme for Antarctica by Air journeys. Under the program's published terms, up to three additional nights of accommodation with breakfast in Puerto Natales may be available when applicable, providing flexibility around weather-dependent Antarctic flight operations. After an extraordinary journey through the landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula, the scheduled 11-day expedition comes to an end in Puerto Natales.

Meals Included: Breakfast

11 Day Antarctica Itinerary Includes

Accommodation aboard the MV Aureum in the selected cabin category.

Full-board dining throughout the expedition.

Tea, coffee, drinking water, and selected beverages with meals.

Daily cabin housekeeping service.

Guided Zodiac cruises and shore landings, subject to weather and ice conditions.

Expert expedition leadership and professional polar guides.

Educational lectures, presentations, and workshops.

Wildlife observation and photography guidance.

Complimentary use of rubber expedition boots during shore excursions.

Starlink Wi-Fi access, subject to availability in remote polar regions.

Access to onboard medical facilities and the expedition doctor (consultations and treatment may incur additional charges).

Applicable expedition permits, port charges, and operational fees.

Pre-departure information and assistance from the Secret Atlas team.

11 Day Antarctica Itinerary Does not Include

International and domestic flights unless specifically included in the selected itinerary.

Passport, visa, vaccination, and other entry-related expenses.

Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage.

Additional hotel accommodation before or after the expedition unless expressly included.

Meals and transfers not specified in the confirmed itinerary.

Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone calls, and premium internet services.

Alcoholic beverages and bar purchases outside the included beverage service.

Personal clothing and expedition equipment not expressly provided.

Medical treatment, medication, evacuation, and repatriation expenses.

Excess baggage fees and additional luggage charges.

Optional activities, private excursions, and independent arrangements not included in the itinerary.

Gratuities for the ship's crew and expedition team.

Additional services not expressly included in the confirmed booking.

11 Day Antarctica Itinerary Highlights

New Year's Eve in Antarctica: Welcome the new year surrounded by the extraordinary landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula, with extended summer daylight replacing traditional fireworks.

Exclusive 36-guest expedition: Explore aboard Aureum with a small group, six senior polar guides, and four Zodiacs.

Antarctic Circle exploration: Attempt to reach latitude 66°33'S, depending on weather, sea ice, and navigation conditions.

Fly to Antarctica: Avoid the Drake Passage sea crossing with approximately 2.5-hour charter flights between Puerto Natales and King George Island.

Seven planned days on the Peninsula: Discover Antarctic waterways, islands, bays, and wildlife habitats through a flexible expedition program.

Remarkable wildlife encounters: Look for gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, several seal species, humpback whales, and minke whales.

Zodiac adventures and landings: Explore remote coastal areas and Antarctic waterways with guidance from an experienced expedition team.

Photography guidance: Capture wildlife, dramatic ice formations, and Antarctic summer light with support from a dedicated photography guide.

Potential sea ice exploration: Walk on Antarctic sea ice among enormous icebergs when conditions permit.

Purpose-designed expedition vessel: Travel aboard Aureum, featuring hybrid propulsion, fin stabilizers, observation areas, and an experienced crew.

Optional specialist activities on selected departures: Sea kayaking and light mountaineering programs may be available subject to conditions, availability, and approval.

11 Day Antarctica cruise activities

Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.

Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.

Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.

Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.

Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.

It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.