Hurtigruten is offering Antarctica All-Inclusive Packages with flights for Australians and New Zealanders – a first for the expedition specialist – with fares starting from $10,999* per person available until 18 December 2020.
The packages offer travellers the chance to experience the most remote location on the planet in a more sustainable way – an unforgettable frozen landscape of glaciers and icebergs teeming with wildlife, including gentoo penguins, Weddell seals and blue whales.
An array of unique itineraries is available across the 2021/22/23 seasons with more than 60 departures, which include the opportunity to spend the night on an Antarctic beach in a tent; to get up close and personal with playful penguins who have no fear of humans at the end of the world; and to hike among breathtaking landscapes. If conditions are right, other memorable adventures can include the possibility of seeing a solar eclipse in Antarctica with an expert astronomer, or kayaking and ice cruising in Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia.
“Adventure is at the heart of any Antarctic voyage and I think all travellers will be looking for a truly remote escape in the coming year,” says Damian Perry, Managing Director of Hurtigruten Asia Pacific.
“Antarctica is one of the last untouched regions on the planet, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience, learn, be awed and inspired. Our expedition team members are the best in the industry and have an in-depth knowledge of Antarctica gained from many years travelling and working on the frozen continent, plus we, as a company, have 125 years’ experience in polar waters.
“We wanted to make the White Continent more accessible to those who may have Antarctica on their bucket list but thought it was out of reach. The All-Inclusive Package is one of those rare opportunities to have flights from any major Australian or New Zealand city to South America included, as well as having transfers and pre and post accommodation taken care of. Our ‘Book With Confidence’ guarantee means travellers can plan their Antarctic voyage in advance with peace of mind,” Mr Perry says.
Sustainable sailings
Hurtigruten understands sailing in such pristine surroundings comes with a huge responsibility and the cruise line is committed to the highest standards of seamanship and an environmentally-friendly operation. Hurtigruten has one of the lowest CO2 footprints of all expedition voyages to the Antarctic region.
Guests can choose to sail on board the world’s first hybrid-powered expedition ships, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen. The beautifully designed Scandinavian ships are the first of their kind with lower emissions by using hybrid battery power propulsion. The innovative, sustainable technology reduces fuel consumption and CO2-emissions. Guests can also sail on the nimble and legendary MS Fram on longer sailings and alternative itineraries.
Citizen scientists
In addition to premium on-board dining, a pleasing Scandi aesthetic and modern facilities, the Science Centres on board Hurtigruten’s Antarctic expedition ships offer a comprehensive program of lectures from experts. Combined with state-of-the-art equipment, guests can be truly hands-on with scientific research.
An example of on-board research includes the Sea Leopard Project, a non-profit study aimed at better understanding the behaviour, ecology, and population dynamics of leopard seals on the Antarctic Peninsula. Hurtigruten travellers can choose to participate and support much of the citizen science work conducted on Antarctic journeys.
