| Aurora doubles Antarctic capacity

Aurora Expeditions has released
its 2012/13 Antarctica program
with two small ships.
THE Akademik Shokalskiy has been added to
Aurora’s next Antarctic Peninsula program,
allowing a greater variety of voyage lengths,
from eight to 20 days, and more kayaking
activities.
Next season includes 20 voyages
encompassing the peninsula, Weddell Sea,
South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.
Aurora has also brought back its Fly & Sail
options in 2012/13, cutting out one sea
crossing so that passengers can see more in a
shorter amount of time.
These expeditions will include either a flight
in from Santiago or Punta Arenas in Chile, or a
flight out from King George Island or Stanley
in the Falkland Islands.
Celebrating one of the greatest survival
stories in Antarctic exploration, the line has
also created a new voyage that will follow in
the wake of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton:
‘South Georgia & Weddell Sea – Shackleton’s
Odyssey’,
Another option, ‘Shackleton’s Crossing’, is an
alpine traverse of South Georgia’s interior
from King Haakon Bay to Stromness.
Aurora Expeditions’ voyages are limited to
54 passengers and offer optional adventures
such as scuba diving, kayaking, photography,
camping and ice climbing.
Prices for the 2012/13 Antarctic season start
at US$6365 per person based on a triple cabin
for an eight-day cruise.
Bookings made before 31 December 2011
will receive a 10% early bird discount – valid
on the first 15 bookings on each voyage only.
See www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.