Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile
Summary
This exciting new expedition is undoubtedly the most
comprehensive journey to Antarctica ever offered. Only scientists
and researchers, who spend many months working at the
numerous research stations in Antarctica, can claim to spend more
time 'down on the ice'. Over the course of three weeks, we spend
an unprecedented 16 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula,
South Shetland Islands, the spectacular, icy Weddell Sea region
and the wildlife‐rich Falkland Islands. In practical terms, this
voyage will provide you with more than thirty off‐ship excursions.
Over the durtion of the voyage, we visit wildlife colonies, historic
sites, science bases and spend plenty of time ashore enjoying
extended walks, many up to stunning viewpoints. In our Zodiac
boats, we cruise among the icefloes searching for whales and
seals, or admiring and photographing the deep blue icebergs.
18
22 DAYS
PRK
MIN AGE
LAND ONLY
TRIP CODE
At a glance
22 day expedition on the Akademik
Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Ship takes a maximum of 92 or 96
passengers plus expedition staff.
A choice of cabin types, all with shared
or en suite facilities
Full board whilst on the ship
Highlights
Visit the stunning Antarctic Peninsula
and South Shetland Islands
Explore the remote and seldom visited
Weddell Sea region
Discover the fascinating history of the
Falkland Islands
Spend an unprecedented 16 days
exploring with 30 off‐ship excursions
Incredible wildlife viewing including
seabirds, penguins, seals and whales
Travel on a small expedition vessel
Accompanied by extremely qualified
Expedition Staff
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
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incredible diversity and provides a huge variety of onshore
experiences, at dozens of unique landing sites.
Optional activities
On some occasions, space is limited on the optional activities and
needs to be booked in advance. Please ask our Polar Sales team
for more information if you are interested in one of the options
below.
Sea kayaking option
On many of our Antarctic voyages there is the chance for some
members of the party to take regular sea kayak excursions in
place of the Zodiac excursions. There are a limited number of
kayaks on each ship, and you must book and pay for this option in
advance. All kayak trips are expertly guided, and are subject to
suitable locations and weather conditions. Should the kayaking
not be possible, a place on a Zodiac is always available.
Travelling Conditions
The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking
advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as
passengers' wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The
atmosphere onboard is relaxed and friendly with expedition
staff, including naturalists and polar experts, on hand and the
opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world. The
ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet / mud room
in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next
adventure.
On the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time
with the potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind ‐ if
you are not dressed appropriately you will get cold. On the shore
excursions, the majority of landings are 'wet' which means that
the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle
deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington
boots are issued to all passengers). There are, of course, no
paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes
fairly deep snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each
adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then
relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger
from the bar.
About our combination voyage:
This 21‐night voyage is a combination of two different voyages.
Your trip starts and finishes in Punta Arenas, and includes the
flights to and from Stanley, in the Falkland Islands. On Day 11 the
ship will be anchored at King George Island. Some of your fellow
passengers will disembark here, at the completion of the 10‐night
voyage and fly back to South America. Others will join for the 11‐
night trip as we make our way back to the Falklands. As this
voyage is comprised of two shorter expeditions, it is likely we will
visit a number of our favourite locations for a second time, such
as Deception Island and Neko Harbour. These are such beautiful
spots, with a range of different shore activities of offer, it will be
a thrill to experience these places at different times, in different
weather and in different moods. This combination trip offers
All Polar itineraries should be treated as a guide only ‐ it is
possible that, amongst other things, the capricious nature of
wind, visibility and ice, intelligence from previous sailings,
changes in local landing regulations or the expert opinion of the
crew onboard may lead to adjustments to the route published.
The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals
included.
Day 1 ‐ Start Punta Arenas; fly to Port Stanley, embark
Our epic journey commences this morning in the southern Chilean
city of Punta Arenas. We meet at a central location before
transferring to the airport for our scheduled flight to Stanley in
the Falkland Islands. (This flight is included in the price of your
voyage). After a short 90‐minute journey we are met on arrival
and transferred to the pier. Stanley is currently home to just over
2,000 residents and is reminiscent of a rural town in coastal
Britain. It is charming with brightly coloured houses, pretty
flower‐filled gardens, a quaint cathedral and several local pubs.
There is time to explore the town, before we make our way to
the ship for embarkation. After settling in to our cabins and
exploring the ship, we meet our expedition team and fellow
passengers. Excitement is in the air as we enjoy a welcome
cocktail, dinner and cast off, bound for Antarctica ‐ and the
adventure of a lifetime. (Dinner)
Days 2‐3 ‐ At sea towards Antarctica
We chart a southerly course for Antarctica. This stretch of the
South Atlantic is rich in marine life and showcases an abundance
of wildlife. We will be joined by hundreds of seabirds including
the wandering albatross. Giant petrels and smaller Cape petrels
are also constant companions as make our way south.
Photographing these magnificent birds from the deck of the ship
takes patience and skill and our photography expert will be on
hand to show you the best techniques. Join the ship's Captain on
the bridge and learn about the operations of
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
our modern research vessel. Throughout the day our onboard
experts educate us with a series of presentations about the
environment, the wildlife and history and the locations we hope
to visit in the coming days. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Days 4‐5 ‐ King George Island and Antarctic Peninsula
This morning we are in position at the northern end of King
George Island ‐ the largest in the South Shetlands group. There
are two potential landing sites here and a visit depends on the
prevailing weather conditions. Penguin Island and nearby Turret
Point offer good opportunities for shore landings to view Adelie,
chinstrap and gentoo penguins. Southern giant petrels, kelp gulls
and Antarctic terns are also known to nest here. This afternoon
we continue our journey south making our way ever closer to the
Antarctic coastline. Large icebergs will be present from this point
onwards and make for striking photographs in the evening light.
By morning, the towering mountain peaks of the Antarctic
continent loom into view and we should make landfall around
Wilhelmina Bay. We navigate under the towering cliffs of Spigot
Peak and into the Errera Channel hoping for a shore landing at
Cuverville Island ‐ home to a rookery of Gentoo penguins. It's a
fantastic location for a Zodiac cruise or a paddle in the sea
kayaks. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Days 6‐8 ‐ Towards the Antarctic Circle
We encourage you to spend time on the outer decks soaking up
the scenery as we navigate south. We pass through the ice strewn
waters making our way towards out ultimate objective, the
Antarctic Circle. Given favourable ice conditions, our first goal
will be to sail south of the Antarctic Circle and into Crystal Sound.
A favoured landing site here is Detaille Island, home to an
abandoned British science hut from the 1950's. This vicinity marks
our turnaround point and from now on, we return in a northerly
direction exploring the dramatic coastline of the Antarctic
Peninsula. We hope to visit a working scientific base to learn
something of the important climate‐related research happening
here. A hike over the snowy saddle of nearby Winter Island allows
us to stretch our legs and explore a historic British Antarctic
Survey hut. If the conditions are right, we aim to offer our
overnight camping program to all adventurers somewhere in this
vicinity. We have all the gear onboard and an experienced team
to make this a night to remember!
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Petermann Island is home to an Adelie penguin rookery. Adelies ‐
the smallest of the Antarctic penguins nest here and share the
location with Gentoo penguins and Imperial cormorants. The
view to the north of Mount Shackleton and Mount Scott is
impressive. These towering granite sentinels mark the southern
entrance to the nearby Lemaire Channel. Pleneau Island offers
more opportunities for shore landings. Just off shore, massive
icebergs run aground in the shallows. Constant wind and wave
action sculpt these gargantuan chunks of ice into fantastic
shapes, revealing more shades of blue than you can possibly
imagine. For many, a Zodiac cruise here may well be a highlight
of the voyage. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Days 9‐10 ‐ Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
We cruise north towards Paradise Harbour. This may be the first
opportunity to step foot on the continent of Antarctica itself.
Nearby Neko Harbour offers another continental landing. Both
locations offer terrific hiking opportunities up to panoramic view
points. For the sea kayakers, the paddling opportunities here are
endless. Expect to be in full sensory overload by this time of the
voyage.
By morning we arrive in the South Shetland Islands. Whalers Bay
at Deception Island is a very dramatic place and history is all
around us as we explore the old whaling station, with the rusted
boilers and dilapidated wooden huts. At the far end of the beach
is an old aircraft hangar. This is where Australian explorer and
pioneer aviator, Sir Hubert Wilkins made the very first flight in
Antarctica in 1928. There is also an outstanding hike, high up
onto the rim of the crater. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 ‐ King George Island
This morning we are anchored off King George Island. You will say
farewell to many of your fellow passengers as they disembark,
transfer to the airstrip and board their charter flight back to
South America. There will be an opportunity to go ashore, or you
may wish to relax on board, updating the diary or visit the multi‐
media room to download and back up your images. New guests
are welcomed aboard the ship and we are soon underway ‐ for
the second leg of our epic adventure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
Days 12‐14 ‐ Antarctic Peninsula exploration
For the next three days we have a varied itinerary exploring the
Gerlache coastline. This whole region is one large polar
'playground' with a great variety of landing sites. As always the
weather and ice will dictate our route. Planned visits could
include Port Charcot, Orne Harbour or Andvord Bay. All three
locations offer excellent hiking opportunities, or a cruise through
the Errera Channel to and land on Danco Island ‐ a large dome
shaped island affording terrific views of the whole region from its
summit. Wilhelmina Bay is another favourite location we could
stop at for a second visit, as we frequently encounter pods of
humpback whales in this area. If the channel south of Brooklyn
island is ice‐free, we may ship cruise through here as we push to
the north into the broad expanse of the Gerlache Strait. Cierva
Cove and Mikkelsen Harbour are also possible locations we could
visit ‐ both providing good Zodiac cruising opportunities.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 15 ‐ South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
We are now on our way towards Antarctic Sound ‐ the gateway
into the icy Weddell Sea. On our port side, will be the South
Shetland Islands. It won't be the first time you have cruised these
waters, but there are some terrific sites here which we may go
and explore. Half Moon Island is nearby and is home to a sizeable
chinstrap penguin rookery. Across the MacFarlane Strait is Yankee
Harbour ‐ with its broad pebble beach ‐ a known location for
Weddell seals. If the weather is good a second visit to Deception
Island is also a possibility. It's always a thrill to navigate the ship
into 'Neptune's Bellows' ‐ and to explore inside the submerged
volcanic caldera by ship and Zodiac. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Days 16‐17 ‐ Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea
At about 25 nautical miles long and about 10 nautical miles wide,
the Antarctic Sound separates Joinville Island from the northern
tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. As we sail into the sound we
witness, for the first time the vast sweep of the Antarctic icecap
becomes an awe‐inspiring sight. Heading into the Weddell Sea we
notice a significant increase in the number of huge tabular
icebergs and the presence of sea ice. These massive icebergs
break from the huge ice shelves to the south and drift north on
the currents. This always makes for exciting navigation ‐ and
stunning photographic opportunities in the soft Antarctic twilight.
This is wild and remote Antarctica and has a distinctly different
feel from locations visited so far.
The Weddell Sea region is home to Adelie penguin rookeries of
staggering size ‐ some contain more than 100,000 nesting birds.
Such colonies dwarf the rookeries we have visited so far. Weather
permitting, excursions may include Hope Bay, Paulet Island and
Brown Bluff. All eyes will be trained on the ice floes through
which we navigate the ship. We have enjoyed successful sightings
of emperor penguins in this area in recent years. Based on the
size and plumage, our naturalists believe them to be juveniles
out exploring and fishing ‐ and possible residents of the known
emperor colony on the southern side of Snow Hill Island.
The history of exploration in this region is incredibly rich.
Remnants of Nordenskjöld's Swedish expedition of
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1901‐1904 are found in several locations in this area. The epic
century‐old story of Shackleton and the HMS Endurance
expedition has strong links to the region. It was here that he and
his men drifted north on the ice after their ship had been lost in
the ice months earlier. As we head north and out of the Weddell
Sea, the lavender pink sunset off the port quarter of the ship will
make some of us pause to consider the bravery (or foolhardiness)
of those early explorers who travelled these waters a hundred
years before us. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 18 ‐ Elephant Island, Antarctica
We approach Elephant Island from the south. Point Lookout, on
the southern tip of the island, is home to an impressive chinstrap
penguin colony. Macaroni penguins also breed here and are a
species we have yet to encounter to date. Both southern
elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals are hauled out on the
beaches in large numbers. If conditions permit, we may visit the
fabled location of Point Wild on the north coast of Elephant
Island. It is here that Shackleton and his men were encamped
under their upturned life boats, before five men set off on a
rescue mission to South Georgia in their tiny lifeboat. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
Days 19‐20 ‐ At sea towards Falkland Islands
While sailing north to the Falkland Islands our onboard polar
experts will recap on our Weddell Sea adventures and prepare us
for the final days ahead. The spectacular seabirds including
several albatross and petrel species once again join us and are
our constant companions as they soar above the ship. Our
onboard educational program continues and our experts
entertain us with presentations and lead lively discussions.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 21 ‐ West Point Island & Saunders Island
Arriving into the Falkland Islands overnight, we explore the
islands of West Point and Saunders, both in the West Falkland
archipelago. West Point is known for its rockhopper penguin
rookeries and large nesting black browed albatross colony. The
opportunity to observe these spectacular birds in close proximity
on the nest is an immense privilege and an experience not easy
forgotten. One final highlight awaits ‐ a visit to the wildliferich
Saunders Island. Along the white sand beaches and in the tussock
grass we hope to encounter no less than four penguin species
living in close quarters including gentoo, magellanic and
rockhopper ‐ and our ultimate goal during the Falkland Island
visit, observing the impressive king penguin. Saunders is a fitting
end to an epic Antarctic adventure. Charting a course for the port
of Stanley in early evening light, we enjoy a special dinner
attended by the Captain of the ship and reflect on one of life's
great travel experiences. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 22 ‐ Disembark in Stanley; fly to Punta Arenas.
In the early morning, we navigate through the narrows and into
our port. Stanley is currently home to just over 2,000 residents
and is reminiscent of a rural town in coastal England or Scotland.
It is charming with brightly coloured houses, pretty flower‐filled
gardens, a quaint cathedral and several local pubs.
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
There is time to explore the town, before we make our way to
the airport for our return flight to Punta Arenas in southern Chile
(this flight is included in the price of your voyage). It will be
possible to connect to flights through to Santiago or other
destinations in Chile. If you are staying in Punta Arenas, a
transfer will be provided to several downtown locations.
(Breakfast)
This voyage is offered on the Akademik Ioffe and the Akademik
Sergey Vavilov which is a Polar Adventure Ships. Please visit our
website to view Ship Information and Deck Plans.
Polar Adventure Ships
These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters.
Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like‐minded
passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like
flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities
include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking and many
hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about
accessing. Food and staff are excellent and every guest benefits
from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our
Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their
experience sensitively in the Poles.
Food
Typical Meals
The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine
throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus
including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of
drinks on sale from around the world.
Breakfast: Buffet style ‐ unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of
fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a
selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit
and cereal.
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Lunch: Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ.
Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or
salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and
a dessert, with tea and coffee.
Transport
During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that
are accessible only by Zodiac landing craft. Designed for
expedition work, these large and heavy‐duty inflatable vessels
are extremely safe.
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
Page 5
The Polar Environment
We take extremely seriously our responsibility to minimise our
impact on these pristine areas.
Exodus is an Associate Member of the International Association of
Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and has agreed to abide by
one of the tourism world's most conscientious codes of conduct.
Our ship operators in Spitsbergen are also members of the
Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), which
covers operations in Spitsbergen.
Exodus support various conservation initiatives:
Late Spring and Early Summer ‐ October & November
Penguin Lifelines
The start of the season and the most adventurous time to travel.
You'll encounter truly breathtaking, exquisitely sculpted icebergs
emerging from their frozen hibernation. Many of these blue bergs
house courting, nesting and brooding penguins. In the Falklands
flowers are coming into bloom.
As part of Exodus' commitment to conservation and responsible
travel, we have supported Penguin Lifelines, a conservation
project set up by the Zoological Society of London and Oxford
University to understand the impact of climate change and
fisheries on Antarctic penguins and to design a protected area
network. Penguinologist Tom Hart travels on a number of trips to
Antarctica each season, picking up feathers and setting time‐
lapse cameras, in order to research threats to penguins and to
identify protected areas for them.
High Summer
Close to the solstice you'll experience almost perpetual daylight.
These are the mildest months when the first Adelie and Gentoo
penguin chicks are hatched. It's also the time to encounter seal
pups on South Georgia. As the water warms the whale sightings
also improve.
Late Summer
February & March
This is the time for some incredible encounters with whales,
especially Minkes and Humpbacks. The receding ice allows for
further exploration and penguin colonies are very active with
adults feeding their chicks.
http://www.exodus.co.uk/responsible‐travel/penguin‐lifelines?
Polar Bear Study
The Polar bear's migratory patterns have long been a mystery to
conservationists. With money raised from expeditions and
donations, we have made valuable contributions to the purchase
of the expensive tracking collars ‐ critical in monitoring their
hunting and mating patterns.
Albatross Campaign
Almost half a million US dollars has been raised through staff and
passengers towards the 'Get the Albatross off the Hook' campaign,
aimed at stopping the butchery of albatrosses by long‐line fishing.
22 days, normally start Punta Arenas Sat, end Punta Arenas Sat
Scott Polar Research Institute
Itinerary Start
Exodus supports the work of the Scott Polar Research Institute at
Cambridge. The Institute is the oldest international centre for
Polar Research within a university.
Your journey commences this morning in the southern Chilean
port city of Punta Arenas. We gather at a central location and
transfer to the airport for the two‐hour flight across the Drake
Passage to Antarctica (this flight is included in the price of your
voyage). Details of how to reach the start point are provided in
the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks
before departure.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will
be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do
not receive thiese at least a week before departure, or require
them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit:
www.exodus.co.uk/responsible‐travel
Passports and Visas
All nationalities require a full passport that must
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is
your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to
obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the
regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below
is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities
should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies.
We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and
customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and
any subsequent effects.
Antarctica
Page 6
strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a
Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up‐to‐
date information.
Insurance ‐ are you adequately covered?
You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining
a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are
covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are
resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel
insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on
your trip.
No visa required.
Local Time
Falkland Islands
GMT ‐ 3 hours
No visa required.
Electricity
Chile
on most ships is 220v 50Hz
British, most European and most other nationalities, including
Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders, do not require visas.
All other nationalities should contact the nearest Chilean
Embassy if in doubt. Citizens of Australia pay a fee on first entry
into Chile by air (cash US Dollars only, no credit cards or cheques)
$95 ‐ valid for only 90 days). There is no fee for other
nationalities at the time of writing. The one‐time charge is valid
for the life of your passport so keep the stub stapled in.
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the
current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is
required.
Vaccinations and Health
Travel health can often be something people forget about before
going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long
way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.
There are no specific health risks on this trip.
The above information can change at short notice; as we are not
qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we
Group, Staff and Support
The Exodus group forms part of the ship's complement, enjoying
the relaxed, intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks
into smaller groups to facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer
these cruises in conjunction with our partner, One Ocean
Expeditions, and Exodus participants will join an international
group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally
some of these may be younger than 18 years old, the Exodus'
stated minimum age for this trip.
We work with many fine Expedition Leaders and Polar Experts,
bringing a diversity of interests including zoology, Polar history,
geology, ornithology and ocean sciences. The ship's operating
crew is Russian and have many years of experience in Polar
Regions and are committed to ensuring a safe and memorable
journey. Each day your cabin will be serviced by the
housekeeping crew, and your meals served by the friendly and
attentive restaurant staff. There is also a resident medical
officer.
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
The minimum age of clients on this trip is 18 years.
Currency Information
The national currency of Falkland Islands is the British Pound
(GBP), with an exchange rate at the time of publication of
approximately 1 to the UK£ and 0.76 to the US$.
The national currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP), with an
exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 820 to
the UK£ and 646 to the US$.
Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication.
On board the ships all transactions are in US dollars. Dollars can
also be used in Chile, although local currency is preferred. In the
Falkland Islands Sterling notes and coins are accepted, although
you may get your change in the Falkland equivalents.
Page 7
Outer Clothing ‐ Pack woollen or fleece jumpers and tops, plus
several turtlenecks for layering.
Underclothing ‐ Pack silk or polypropylene underwear since it will
keep you warm without adding bulk.
Knapsack or Backpack ‐ To keep your hands free for shooting
photographs, bring a water resistant or waterproof knapsack or
backpack.
Shoes ‐ Non‐slip shoes for walking around the vessel.
Optional items
Swimsuit
Sunglasses
Binoculars
Camera, extra batteries, film or memory cards
Protective sunscreen
Electric converter with adapter plug set, 220V/110V
Small medical kit containing prescription medicines and over‐the‐
counter medication for basic ailments such as stomach upsets,
allergies, headaches and seasickness
Snow poles or trekking poles
At the conclusion of your voyage, you will be presented with an
account. This will include any drinks from the bar, laundry or
ship's shop purchases for which you have signed. You may pay for
this in US Dollars cash, credit card (Visa or MasterCard ONLY) or
US dollars Traveller's Cheques.
Baggage and Baggage Allowance
ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold
luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline's
website for the latest information prior to your departure.
There are ATMs in and Punta Arenas which dispense Chilean
currency; there are no ATMs in the Falkland Islands. Credit cards
are widely accepted and can be used to settle your account on
the ship.
Tipping (leader and local staff)
The appropriate amount to tip the staff and crew is a personal
matter but it is customary to provide an end‐of‐cruise gratuity (as
a rough guide approximately US$13‐15 per day per passenger
would be appreciated).
Essential Equipment and Clothing
Boots ‐ Rubber boots are essential for a Polar Expedition, but to
eliminate these from your packing list we will loan you a pair for
the duration of the voyage.
Parkas ‐ We recommend one with a wind and waterproof shell ‐
free wetskin rental is provided.
Trousers ‐ Waterproof trousers are essential for Zodiac travel as
well as activities on shorel ‐ free wetskin rental is provided.
Gloves ‐ To keep your hands warm and dry, pack a minimum of
two pairs of gloves: a pair of thin polypropylene gloves to be
worn underneath warm outer gloves.
Hat and Scarf ‐ Pack a warm, woollen hat or cap that covers your
ears, as well as a scarf, neck gaiter or other face protection.
Socks ‐ For maximum warmth, we suggest that you wear two pairs
of socks to wear inside the rubber boots.
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on
the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We
recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage.
Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can
view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write‐ups
which have featured in the national media and take advantage
of some special deals on travel gear and equipment.
In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge
where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you
depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to
upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This
helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll
be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition.
To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My Exodus.
It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting
for?
http://www.exodus.co.uk/community
In booking this trip you should be confident in your ability to
participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you
have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Exodus
office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & Chile • Fly & Cruise ‐ Epic Antarctica
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different
capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone's ability to
safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people's
enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in
some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that
activity.
Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to
section 16 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our
leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we
will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered
alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided
for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional
costs incurred.
In an emergency, please contact our 24 hour out of hours service
on +44 (0) 844 326 7041.
Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to
read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or
at www.exodus.co.uk/about‐exodus/essential‐information?
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and
details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you
approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not
receive these at least a week before departure, or require them
earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Page 8
1. Check availability
Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
2. Secure your place
You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for
between three and seven days.
3. Complete your booking and payment
When you're ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online
booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking
form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all
major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book
with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour
operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number
2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association
(IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators
(FTO) and ABTA ‐ The Travel Association. This means you can
book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to
us for your trip are fully protected.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where
differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current
brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and
website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in
order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where
necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be
possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a
variety of reasons ‐ climatic, political, physical or other. In these
circumstances we will make the best possible alternative
arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and
airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder
than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we
endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily
fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of
date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of
our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice
Service advises British tourists on the potential dangers they
might experience when travelling overseas. We liaise closely with
them and adhere to their travel advice. For up‐to‐date advice on
all countries, please visit www.gov.uk/foreign‐travel‐advice.
Should there be any change to advice prior to or during travel,
we may have to cancel or curtail a tour at short notice, or re‐
route an itinerary part way through.
Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of
publication. The most up‐to‐date prices can be found on the
Exodus website.
© Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO
Edition No. KT 1 2017‐2018