Aurora to launch Antarctica 22/23

AURORA Expeditions will tomorrow launch its Antarctica 2022/23 itineraries, following a successful pre-registration (CW 18 Jan).

Bookings with earlybird savings of up to 30% off will be available, with Aurora celebrating its 30th year with the highest number of trips it has operated in one Antarctic season, with 26 departures across Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle (CW 12 Nov 2020).

Aurora is calling the program one if its “most diverse and immersive” ever, with add-on activities to include snorkeling, diving, ice camping, Shackleton’s Crossing, ski touring, kayaking, snowshoeing and more.

Highlights of the new 22/23 program include the 12-day Spirit of Antarctica itinerary, which features a sailing across the Drake Passage, and the chance to Zodiac-cruise through pack ice (pictured), set foot on the continent, choose from a range of adventure options and camp under polar skies.

Also available is the Across the Antarctic Circle voyage, which ventures below the Antarctic Circle through drift ice, icebergs, and narrow channels, to witness feeding whales and penguin colonies.

Another option is the Wild Antarctic trip, which takes travellers through the Weddell Sea, where they will explore the west Antarctic Peninsula, and attempt to venture east towards the Sea’s icy perimeter, which often features impenetrable drift ice.

These three trips, as well as the Antarctic Explorer and South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey, all feature departures on either Mortimer or Earle, with Aurora also offering bespoke departures available on a specific ship, such as the Subantarctic Safari and Antarctica Complete journeys (Earle) and the Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula trips (Mortimer).

The official launch will take place tomorrow at 9am, when voyages will be able to be booked.