The journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, where we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport. From there, you will fly on our charter flight to King George Island in the South Shetlands, where MY Hans Hansson will be waiting for you at anchor. You will board the vessel via Zodiac from the beach and begin your 2-week expedition exploring the West Antarctic Peninsula (weather permitting).
The exploration area spans from King George Island in the South Shetlands down to the Lemaire Strait (weather and ice permitting), covering approximately 600 nautical miles. Along the way, you will land at several points of interest, including penguin colonies and historic sites. If you’ve ever wondered where do penguins live, this is the perfect opportunity to see them in their natural habitat, as Antarctica is home to some of the most iconic penguin species.
For the return journey, the vessel will sail back to King George Island to anchor and wait for the charter flight to take you back to Punta Arenas. Only 12 guests will join you on this experience, allowing for extensive landings, Zodiac tours, and quality time in Antarctica. This is an unforgettable adventure, perfect for anyone interested in trips to Antarctica that provide in-depth exploration and personal interaction with this pristine environment. On some trips, we will have a guest scientist onboard (please check with us before booking), and on all our trips, we will conduct citizen science projects (again, please check with us for details on the specific projects).
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By flying across the Drake Passage, all of our time is spent in Antarctica. The two weeks are two weeks in the ice, with the icebergs, the whales, and the penguins. If there are a few days of snow, then within two weeks there is a high chance you’ll get a few great days of sun. Hoping for a great high latitude sunset or two? By having two weeks, you increase your chances of experiencing it. Two weeks allows us the chance to feel the rhythm of Antarctica, to notice changes, and to observe the details and differences of each penguin colony.
Micro Cruises: Hans Hansson carries a maximum of 12 passengers and one guide. This means when going ashore to a penguin colony you are not crowded with 100 other passengers vying for the best view. It means that you can have space and quiet to explore Antarctica. It means on the deck of Hans Hansson you can have your space. No elbowing or hurrying on deck for the best spot.
With a maximum of 12 passengers, you leave with new friends. There is strong camaraderie onboard between guests and with crew!
From the moment you arrive in Punta Arenas, almost everything is taken care of. Your expedition includes airport transfers, two nights of pre-expedition accommodation, return charter flights between Punta Arenas and Antarctica, long-range Zodiac cruises, all scheduled expedition activities, opportunities to participate in Antarctic citizen science initiatives, Muck Boots, all meals onboard, wine with dinner, and even a gin & tonic with ancient Antarctic ice, collected together with your expedition team during a Zodiac cruise.
When you arrive in Antarctica, your focus should be on the experience, not the logistics. We’ll take care of the rest.
The vessel’s size means we can maneuver into small coves and passages. The crew and itinerary flexibility means that when there is an opportunity – we go for it.
The light is fantastic after dinner and a few passengers want to go for a Zodiac cruise – let’s go! Whales are bubble feeding? Let’s stay and watch. A leopard seal is on the hunt for a penguin – let’s slow down and see what happens. The afternoon is so amazing at a penguin colony that no one wants to rush back for dinner? We’ll push back dinner another hour to enjoy the time onshore.
Pre-trip: Please arrive at the departure city AT LEAST 48 hours prior to your trip start. Your expedition includes two nights of pre-expedition accommodation, giving you time to recover from your journey before the adventure begins. If your flight is delayed or your luggage is lost, you’ll have a much better chance of making the trip.
The night before your flight to Antarctica, there will be a mandatory Safety Briefing where we will explain how the next day will unfold. We will also hand you your boots so you can check the fit and exchange them if necessary. Before departure, we will provide vacuums for you to clean your backpacks and pockets for biosecurity reasons.
Sailing to remote areas means that we are away from everything! That also means that if we need medical assistance, it can be days away. It also means that we have limited access to emails, facebook, etc, for the duration of the trip, and there is NO access to phone lines.
Our expeditions provide many very good things, the main one being that we only take 8 to 12 guests, but we are not a luxury cruise with jacuzzi, sauna or cabins with balconies -our balcony is the main deck!.
Sailing on an Expedition Yacht means that the cabins and common places are very small, and we, all the crew and passengers, share pretty much everything. It can be considered as an Adventure in its true meaning!
The cabins on our sailing boat Ocean Tramp are very small, one of them with barely space to stand inside, still they can be considered big for sailboats standards. Also, sailing boats have hatches on deck for ventilation, light and as an emergency escape route, but the downside is that sometimes when is very cold outside and warm inside, condensation will occur in the inside of the hatch, sometimes dripping if not dried -nothing that cannot be solved with a rag, or if weather allows by crack opening the hatch -ask our crew and they will do it for you.
The cabins on our motor Yacht Hans Hansson are slightly bigger compared to those on Ocean Tramp, but still small compared to regular cruise ships.
An important question to ask yourself is “Am I in good shape for participating on these expeditions?” If your answer to the questions below are YES, then yes! You are fit to join us! Any questions, Please ask us!!
• Can you stay without external medical assistance for the duration of the expedition? -it could be up to 20 days
• Can you swim or float?
• Do you have good balance: Can you stay standing on a bus/metro/train with little to minimum holding in normal conditions?
• Can you embark/disembark from a zodiac to a beach with little swell?
• Can you walk 10 blocks/half a mile/ 1 km, without getting exhausted?
• Can you climb a 6ft / 2m vertical ladder?
• Are you aware that you are going to a remote area, with no phone access? (note, we now have Starlink onboard, so under normal conditions you should able to purchase internet access, but given that we have no control over the satellite system, we cannot guarantee its functionality over the duration of the trip)
• Am I a flexible person who can deal with changes and adjust to new situations? Do I understand that in Antarctica everything is weather permitting and plans not always goes according to plan?
• Do I understand that I am joining a sailing boat, where spaces are small, ventilation is limited, water supply is limited, hot water is limited, and I am supposed to share my space with other guests?
Any questions, Please, ask us!!
More time in Antarctica means more opportunities. Weather, sea ice and wildlife conditions change constantly, and flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of a longer expedition. With 14 days in Antarctica, we have more time to adapt our plans, explore a greater variety of locations and make the most of every opportunity the environment offers.
It also gives you more time to slow down, observe wildlife, enjoy unforgettable landscapes and truly experience Antarctica the way it was meant to be explored.
Our Zodiac cruises are one of the highlights of every expedition. Unlike a simple transfer from ship to shore, they are an opportunity to explore Antarctica from sea level, getting closer to icebergs, glaciers and wildlife.
Our fleet is equipped with integrated 90-litre fuel tanks, allowing us to travel further, stay out longer and explore more of Antarctica’s spectacular coastline.
Every Zodiac is also fitted with AIS (Automatic Identification System) and navigation lights, enabling the bridge team to continuously monitor each Zodiac’s position and ensuring an additional layer of safety throughout every excursion.
The result is greater flexibility, more time exploring, and the freedom to make the most of whatever Antarctica has to offer.
This is a great trip for photographers, especially those looking to get the perfect shot. Our size offers us incredible flexibility. We can help you get some great shots and we can take advantage of the weather and the light!
Don’t worry – we will send you a list of gear you will need. If you have winter clothes, most of it you will already have. A must have are some Arctic Muck boots – insulated rubber boots. They are amazing.
YES! Please join us. Anyone with a sense of adventure and a desire to spend quality time in Antarctica will find our trips enjoyable. We teach you everything you need to know. Sailors and non-sailors alike both have incredible experiences.
Our cabins are some of the most comfortable available for sailboats. We have private double cabins, and even one with a private bathroom. Each cabin has a door that can be closed, they are fitted with warm and cozy duvets and storage space for your things. A luxury suite it is not, however each cabin gives you a place to call your own for the duration of the journey.
Everyone is a little different, but we highly recommend bringing some seasickness pills with you. While you will not be sailing across the Drake there could be a rough day to two down south. We recommend having a chat with your doctor and bringing some seasickness pills with you.
When we are in Antarctica Ocean Tramp will act like a base camp. Some days we will travel other days we will stay put. Once we are anchored we will launch the zodiac to explore. Sometimes we will cruise around the in the zodiac exploring the area, other times we will use the zodiac to bring us to shore. Sometime on shore we will be able to freely move around, explore and hike, other times we may be limited due to the wildlife and limiting our impact on them. We also bring kayaks and can use them to explore at eye level.
On-board you will eat hearty well-made delicious home cooked food. Lunch is often warm soups and sandwiches, while dinner is the big meal of the day and can be a wide ranging based on the cook and crews’ favorites. The food might be described as healthy, comforting fare. We also always have snacks available during the day and water ready for coffee or tea. If you do have any special snacks or teas that you can’t live without, we recommend bringing some with you.
Passengers with dietary needs: The vessel is small and not a full-scale restaurant with multi options each meal. Our cooks will make their best effort to try to meet your needs, but some flexibility and understanding is also asked. We are a small boat, with only a fortnightly resupply by plane
Your expedition includes two nights of pre-expedition accommodation in Punta Arenas, return charter flights between Punta Arenas and Antarctica, all meals onboard, wine with dinner, port fees, Muck Boots for use throughout your expedition, all scheduled onboard lectures and expedition activities, including Zodiac cruises, shore landings and other activities specific to your vessel, and all essential safety equipment, including life jackets. Activities are always subject to weather, sea and operational conditions.
International flights to and from Punta Arenas, airport transfers outside the scheduled expedition programme, required travel and evacuation insurance, and accommodation after the expedition are not included.
Yes. The places we go are quite remote and while what we do is safe, it does require some physical activity and advanced care could be days away. Once you sign up for a trip we will require you to fill out a medical form and have it signed by a doctor.
One of the wonderful aspects of this trip is it allows you to unplug and get away from emails, phone calls, etc. We do have a connection to the internet via our satellite phone. We use this for weather updates, email to update our position, emergencies, and facebook and blog updates. We encourage everyone to tell their friends and families to subscribe to our blog and like us on facebook. Then they can get updates while you are here with us. Our guests and their families have appreciated these “news” updates in the past.
Alcohol consumption is that the discretion of the captain. If we are underway sailing then we do not drink, as it is not in the interest of safety for crew and guests. If we are comfortably in a cove for the night then indeed, we all enjoy a nice glass of Argentine wine with our meal.
Inebriation will not be tolerated onboard and the Captain has the right to cancel a trip should guests not adhere to this policy.
We recognize that this trip is not cheap. When shopping around for Antarctica Trips consider how many days a vessel is actually in Antarctica. Many have two days crossing the Drake each way (or 4 days each way in a sailboat). Our trips are 14 days in ANTARCTICA. If you look at cost per day of actually being in Antarctica – our costs aren’t so different. In addition, our vessels only carry 8 or 12 passengers and we need to charter a plane.
IAATO (the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) was established to promote safe and environmentally responsible travel to Antarctica.
As an IAATO member, we operate in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty System and IAATO’s comprehensive operational guidelines. This includes strict environmental standards, wildlife protection, biosecurity measures, safety procedures and responsible visitor management.
Travelling with an IAATO member means choosing an operator committed to protecting Antarctica while delivering a safe, responsible and unforgettable expedition experience.
We recommend arriving in Punta Arenas at least 48 hours before departure, and your expedition includes two nights of pre-expedition accommodation to make this easy.
This extra time provides a buffer in case of airline delays or misplaced luggage, while also giving you the opportunity to rest after a long journey before your expedition begins.
The day before departure, you’ll attend our mandatory Safety Briefing, collect and try on your Muck Boots, and complete the required biosecurity procedures to ensure you’re fully prepared for Antarctica.
At 60 South, we believe the people onboard make all the difference.
Our expeditions are led by qualified maritime professionals and experienced expedition leaders, all of whom hold the certifications and seafarer qualifications required for their roles. Safety, professionalism and responsible operations are at the heart of everything we do.
With a maximum of just 8 or 12 guests, you’ll quickly get to know the team. Our small group sizes create a relaxed, highly personalised atmosphere where the crew has the time to share their knowledge, answer your questions and help you make the most of every moment in Antarctica.
For us, the crew are not simply there to operate the expedition; they’re there to be part of your journey.
Please fill out the form, and we’ll be delighted to have you join our next trip. We look forward to seeing you!
Please fill out the form, and we’ll be delighted to have you join our next trip. We look forward to seeing you!
