For 35 years, Aurora Expeditions has been quietly and sometimes spectacularly rewriting the rulebook on how curious travellers reach the far edges of the map. Founded in Australia in 1991 by mountaineering legend Greg Mortimer, the company has built its reputation not on floating hotels or glossy theatrics, but on access, expertise and a deep respect for the places most people only ever see on a screen.
Now, to mark that milestone, Aurora is doing something refreshingly on brand: inviting travellers to follow in its wake. A global 35th-anniversary offer delivers savings of up to 35 per cent across a carefully selected range of expeditions for 2026 and 2027, spanning Antarctica, the Arctic, remote tropical waters, and a series of culturally rich small-ship voyages closer to home.
It is not a clearance sale. It is a statement of intent.
An Australian expedition original
Long before “expedition cruising” became an industry buzzword, Aurora was already putting small ships into polar waters, pioneering landings by Zodiac, and building voyages around scientists, historians and naturalists rather than bingo nights and buffet queues.
That philosophy still defines the company today. Aurora’s purpose-built vessels are designed to go where larger ships simply cannot, carrying fewer guests, deploying faster landings and spending more time ashore. The result is immersion rather than observation, an approach that has earned Aurora enduring credibility among seasoned expedition travellers.
The anniversary offer reflects that same thinking. Each discounted voyage has been selected not for volume, but for depth: journeys that showcase the company’s strongest regions, its most experienced expedition teams and its longstanding commitment to responsible exploration.
Antarctica: the main event
For many, Antarctica remains the ultimate expedition, and Aurora’s 35th anniversary savings open the door to some of the most compelling itineraries on the continent.
The Spirit of Antarctica voyage (27 February–10 March 2027) delivers a comprehensive Antarctic Peninsula experience, complete with daily Zodiac landings, cathedral-sized icebergs and wildlife encounters that rarely fail to stop first-timers mid-sentence. With prices now from $19,059 per person (down from $29,321), it is a significant saving on a bucket-list journey that has never been mass-market.
Those seeking something rarer may gravitate toward Wild Antarctica featuring the Weddell Sea (2–14 March 2027). The Weddell Sea is notorious for its ice and famous for its emperor penguins, making access both challenging and advantageous. Enriched by Aurora’s partnership with New Scientist Discovery Tours, this expedition blends hard science with raw polar drama, now from $22,387 per person.
Then there is the grand sweep of the Southern Ocean. South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctic Odyssey (9–29 March 2027) stitches together three of the planet’s most wildlife-rich regions in a 21-day voyage that feels almost unfair in its abundance: king penguins by the tens of thousands, elephant seals sprawled across beaches, and albatross soaring above some of the wildest seas on Earth.
For those drawn to history as much as ice, In Shackleton’s Footsteps (8–27 November 2026) retraces one of exploration’s most extraordinary survival stories. It is part expedition, part historical immersion and a reminder that the romance of Antarctica is inseparable from the people who first dared to go there.
The Arctic and far beyond
Aurora’s Arctic program offers a different rhythm: still remote, still rugged, but threaded with culture, colour and seasonal nuance.
In the North Atlantic, Historical Trails & Wilderness: Scotland, Faroes & Iceland (17–29 May 2026) weaves Viking history, island communities and dramatic coastlines into a journey that feels both ancient and alive. Meanwhile, Iceland: Into the Westfjords (9–15 June 2026) drills deep into one of the country’s least-visited regions, where seabird cliffs, fjords and geothermal landscapes dominate the horizon.
Timing, as ever, is everything. Arctic Golden Autumn & Northern Lights (18 August–3 September 2026) is calibrated for fall colours and aurora activity, a reminder that polar travel is not just about ice, but light.
And then there is the glorious curveball: Idyllic Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay (5–14 October 2026). Trading ice floes for coral gardens, this expedition plunges into one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth, with snorkelling, reef exploration and the rare chance to encounter whale sharks in warm, clear waters.
Small ships, big stories
Closer to Europe, Aurora’s small-ship journeys prove that expedition thinking works just as well in temperate waters.
From Madrid to Marrakech: An Atlantic Adventure, tracing historic ports along Europe and North Africa, to A Mediterranean Masterpiece, which blends art, architecture and lesser-known ports, these voyages prioritise cultural access over checkbox tourism.
Film buffs will appreciate The Godfather, a cinematic exploration of Sicily and southern Italy. At the same time, An Adriatic Renaissance and Sailing the Greek Islands focus on history, island life and those moments that only arrive when the ship is small and the schedule flexible.
An anniversary with substance
In an industry increasingly crowded with superlatives, Aurora’s 35th anniversary offer stands out for its restraint. The discounts are meaningful, the itineraries are proven, and the philosophy remains unchanged: travel with purpose, tread lightly, and leave with a deeper understanding of the world.
For travellers who value experience over excess and expertise over spectacle, this anniversary marks more than a birthday. It marks an invitation to join the next chapter of Australian-led exploration.
Details and availability are available at www.aurora-expeditions.com.
by Prae Lee – (c) 2026.
Read time: 5 minutes.
About the Writer.
You can tell a lot about a person by how they handle a busy Bangkok morning. Prae Lee doesn’t rush; she glides through it. There’s a calm certainty about her, the sort that comes from knowing where you come from and where you’re going.
Educated at Chulalongkorn University, she took her business degree with the quiet pride of someone who believes in doing things correctly. Her travels for further study in Singapore and Australia didn’t change her; they polished what was already there: curiosity, discipline, and grace.
She returned to her family business in Bangkok, breathing a little modern life into it. She handled social media with the intuition of someone who listens and sells with the gentle persistence the Thais do so well.
Prae doesn’t make a fuss, but everything she touches shines brighter.
Now part of the Global Travel Media family, Prae brings authenticity and quiet confidence to her writing, drawing from a life steeped in culture, travel, and connection.
