Ocean Tramp Charter - Quixote Expeditions

Fly-Cruise Antarctica

FULL Boat Charter

Expedition Sailboat

Charter expedition sailing vessel, Ocean Tramp, to explore the Antarctic Peninsula: penguins, whales, icebergs, Exploration History. Enjoy the flexibility and seclusion of a small vessel to take advantage of the polar wonders of Antarctica as they unfold. Charter includes flights to/from Punta Arenas – Antarctica (King George Island). Maximum 8 passengers. An excellent option for photography charters, family groups, or nature groups.

Note for some groups with high equipment requirements, we reccomend fewer than 8 in order to accomodate gear (photographers, scientists, etc)

Highlights:
Two weeks in Antarctica
No Drake Passage (fly both ways)
Flexibility of a small vessel
Intimate wildlife encounters
Passionate Crew

Duration:
14 Days

Costs:
enquire

Dates:

Dec 21, 2024
Jan 3, 2025
Jan 16, 2025
Feb 11, 2025

Dec 21, 2025
Jan 3, 2026
Jan 16, 2026
Feb 11, 2026

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What makes this trip Unique?

Quality Time

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.

Small Group

When we say small group, we mean small group. Ocean Tramp carries a maximum of 8 passengers. This means when going ashore to a penguin colony you are not crowded with 100 other passenger vying for the best view. It means that you can have space and quiet to explore Antarctica. It means on the deck of Ocean Tramp you can have your space. No elbowing or hurrying on deck for the best spot.

With maximum 8 passengers, you leave with new friends. There is strong camaraderie onboard between guests and with crew!

All Included

Once you step onboard, it’s all included: excursions, meals, kayaking, camping, wine with dinner, gin and tonics with glacier ice (collected by guests!).

When in Antarctica the focus should be on the experience – the whole experience.

Flexibility

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.

Itinerary

Pre Trip: Arrive AT LEAST one day prior to the trip in Punta Arenas. In the afternoon collect your Muckboots and attend a briefing about the flight for the next day. (hotel for this night not included)

Day 1

Depart from Punta Arenas and fly across the Drake Passage. Join the Expedition sailing yacht at King George Island and start your Antarctic Adventure.

Day 2-13

Explore Antarctica on an Expedition sailing yacht. Each day will be different and can include zodiac tours, landings at penguin colonies, exploring historic scientific bases and whaling sites, kayaking. The flexibility allows you to take full advantage of whatever Antarctica gives to us – be it an incredible southern sunset or a breaching whale. We can stop and enjoy – not just once, but every time.

While South there will be an Active scientist onboard, so all guests are invited to participate in real Antarctic research. In the evenings the scientist will present on their research, as well as pressing current Antarctic issues. The scientist will be a part of the team and ready to answer questions at dinner, or on deck!

Day 14

Return to King George Island and board your flight to Punta Arenas. Look out your window and get a last glimpse at the white continent.
Punta Arenas felt like the end of the world when you left and now it feels like a buzzing metropolis after 2 weeks of serenity in Antarctica

Inclusions

Included:

· Flights to/from Punta Arenas – Antarctica
· Muckboots for use in Antarctica
· Meals and Accommodation in Antarctica
· Wine with dinner
· Luggage up to 50lb/23kg

Not Included:

· Flights to/from home to Punta Arenas
· Insurance: medical, evacuation, travel
· Personal equipment and clothing
· Delays due to weather
· Meals and accommodation in Punta Arenas before and after the trip
· Communication charges

Inquire

FAQ’s

I’m a Photographer is this trip for me?

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!

How will I know what to bring?

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.

I’m not a sailor – is that ok?

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.

What are the cabins like?

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.

Will I get Seasick?

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.

How will we explore Antarctica?

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.

What sort of Food will we eat?

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.

What is included?

Once you are onboard everything is included – port fees, meals, wine with meals. We also provide your basic safety equipment including life jackets. Flights to/from Punta Arenas to Antarctica.

What is not included?

Flights to/from Punta Arenas, airport transfers, and REQUIRED evacuation insurance. Accommodation before and after the trip is not included.

Do I need to fill out a medical form?

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.

Will we have internet onboard?

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.

What is the alcohol policy onboard?

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.

Why is this trip so Expensive?

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.

Is this trip for me?

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 no access to emails, phone, facebook, etc, for the duration of the trip.

Sailing on an Expedition Yacht means that the cabins and common places are small and we all the crew and passengers share pretty much everything. It can be considered as an Adventure in its true meaning!
Having said that, we operate one of the biggest and more comfortable sailing boats in the area, with private double cabins, water maker, 4 bathrooms, hot showers now and then, and a 24/7 running heater keeping the inside dry, warm and cozy! 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 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/email/contact/etc with external people/family/etc for the length of your trip? (note: we have a satellite phone and we can send out facebook updates to family and friends, although the Sat phone is only for Weather download and any emergency)

Inquire