Travel news: Take flight to the Antarctic with Secret Atlas’ Aureum Expedition Micro Cruise
Photo credit: Secret Atlas / Antarpply Expeditions.
The expedition micro cruise specialist Secret Atlas has revealed new Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air departures aboard the new Explorer Yacht Aureum, writes Travel News Blitz’s Zach Heynes.
The announcement, which provides departures for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons aboard Aureum, came on October 6.
Aureum is the Antarctic flagship of the Expedition Micro Cruise, an expedition category pioneered by Secret Atlas that offers exclusive guest sizes and tours led by Senior Polar Guides.
The 36-guest ship is remarkably the first of its size to operate in Antarctica and South Georgia.
Why “By Air”: Extra exploration days
The air departures will see guests take flight from the Secret Atlas expedition hub in Puerto Natales, Chile.
Heading to King George Island, the 2.5-hour flight skips the traditional two-day Drake Passage crossing to gain time in the Antarctic Peninsula, Gerlache Strait and Lemaire Channel.
"Crossing the Drake is a rite of passage but sailing it both ways takes four days out of a short Antarctic expedition," said Michele D'Agostino, Co-Founder and CEO of Secret Atlas.
He continued to explain how the air departures will repurpose those travelling days for exploration.
"With 36 guests on board, we can use every one of [the extra days]: everyone ashore at once, no queue for the Zodiacs, and a team small enough to change the plan when the ice or the wildlife asks us to."
READ MORE: Travel news: Secret Atlas announces industry-leading expedition vessel for Antarctica
The Aureum experience
Aureum is an ice-class vessel built for polar operations and a comfortable, insightful experience.
It’s unique, smaller capacity means that at 36 guests, there is one Senior Polar Guide for every six people.
On board features include daily cabin service, panoramic observation areas, and a programme of workshops on photography, conservation and wildlife.
Sightings that guests can expect include gentoo and Adélie penguins, leopard and Weddell seals, and humpback whales, with insights shared from expedition leaders and experts on hand.
Beyond the competitive group size and private experience, the ship itself boasts structural features that guarantee a smooth journey, such as fin stabilisers to keep it steady in open water.
Additionally, hybrid propulsion cuts emissions, and low-RPM running reduces underwater noise around marine wildlife.
Now open for bookings
Secret Atlas’s Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air departures aboard Aureum are now open for bookings for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons.
Available expeditions include the Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air, from £16,500 per person, or the Antarctic Circle Christmas Expedition Micro Cruise by Air, from £18,500 per person.
For more details or to book, visit www.secretatlas.com/expeditions/antarctic-circle-micro-fly-cruise.
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