Crystal Cruises Visits the Antarctic
Many seasoned travelers dream of one day visiting Antarctica, but now a handful of Crystal Cruise guests will get to experience the below freezing temperatures first-hand by embarking on a new two-day excursion to King George Island.
Six brave Crystal guests on the Symphony’s 19-day Antarctic Holiday cruise departing December 20 from Buenos Aires will get to take part in the “Extreme Overnight Adventure in Antarctica”. These bold adventurers will trek through remote villages and a petrified arctic forest once covered by glaciers, to scientific research bases, and to the breeding and stomping grounds of three species of penguin, elephant seals and fur seals.
“Brace for a once-in-a-lifetime excursion that literally exemplifies the type of highly unusual, off-the-beaten-path experiential adventures our guests are seeking,” says John Stoll, director, land programs. “Only a handful of people will ever have the chance to see this remarkable region so intimately.”
The adventure departs from Ushuaia, Argentina and rejoins Crystal Symphony in Punta Arenas, Chile. Highlights depend on weather conditions, and include:
• Travel by King Air beach craft from Ushuaia to King George Island;
• Overnight accommodations at the Chilean Antarctic Institute;
• Visits to the Chilean Eduardo Frei Antarctic Base and the Uruguayan Base Artigas;
• Snow coach trek to Collins Glacier, which once covered 90 percent of the island;
• Zodiac excursion to Ardley Island and a penguin breeding ground; and
• Two-hour hiking expedition to observe elephant and fur seals, and Villa Las Estrellas.
The remaining guests onboard the cruise will get to experience three days cruising Antarctica en route to Valparaiso, Chile. Other adventures ashore you can participate in include a helicopter ride to a humpback whale sanctuary, a 4 x 4 expedition to a King penguin colony, and trekking the mountains of Chile.
Take advantage of the Verandah sale on this Crystal Antarctic Cruise