Wildlife Photography
Fly and Cruise Expedition
The 7th Continent at the edge of the world, with a flyover the notorious Drake Passage and concentrated quality time in Antarctica
The southern most continent has alway fascinated the great explorers, from Shackleton, to Scott and Amundsen. Everyone‘s imagination was fired by the great unknown land in the south, some even gave their lives for it.
It‘s the most inhospitable land on the planet, and yet this is the magic and appeal for those who have seen it all, almost…
We invite you on this adventure, to conquer and set foot on the last of the 7 continents, a must have experience of a lifetime.
What's Special about our
ANTARCTIC
EXPEDITION
LATITUDE: 90°-60° south
SIZE: 14,000,000 km2 (5,500,000 sq mi)
HUMAN POPULATION: 1,000
UNDER ICE: 97.6%
COLDEST TEMP.: -90°
TEMP. DURING STAY: +5°C / 40°F
FLY OVER
THE DRAKE
Avoid the "Washing Machine" experience
The Drake Passage is the roughest sea on earth. Named after Sir Francis Drake, it’s notorious for sea vessels with waves over 40 feet too often. The 2.5 day long journey on a boat through this “washing machine” experience, is not for the weak stomaches.
Luckily, you won’t have to know for yourself!
We fly conveniently for a couple of hours, and we’re in Antarctica. Our ship will meet us there.
We have chartered the wonderful Ocean Nova. This lovely boat is intimate and sturdy, especially for the Antarctic waters. Built in 1992 and fully refurbished in 2006 with several improvements later on.
65 passengers only, can be a part of this wonderful adventure and with 3 different levels of cabin comfort. All cabins enjoy large windows on the picturesque views, desk an chair, and of course comfortable beds, individually controlled heating and private bathroom with a shower.
Our super-pro staff is consisted by world renowned guides. From biologists and naturalists to historian and geologist to give talks during our cruising time and guide us on our landings.
3 award-winning wildlife photographers will make sure you’ll make the most of your camera and photographic aspirations onboard.
We will make those landings with our 7 Zodiac boats to make the most of each location.
Oh, yeah… there’s also great food and dining room, a bar, an observation lounge, library, gym etc.
“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position
in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”
- Bill Bryson
OUR SHIP - THE OCEAN NOVA
WILDLIFE
 ELEPHANT SEALThe southern elephant seal is the world’s largest seal. It is a heavy-built, long-body seal with proportionately small flippers and some skin folds just behind the head. The dark eyes are large and round. The adults have short stiff hair, usually dark grey dorsally and paler ventrally. Males have squarer and larger heads, with a conspicuous proboscis, while females have more rounded heads with no proboscis. Breeding males may weigh up to a sixth that of a breeding female. Males can grow to 4.5-6 |  Weddell SealOne of the toughest seals around, reaches all the way south to 78 degrees S, can dive for over an hour and reach over 600 meters down |  Crabeater SealThey are relatively slim and flexible, typically with an elongated, square-shaped head, protruding dog-like snout, a long mouth opening and large flippers. Their eyes are dark and small. The coloration is predominantly dark brown dorsally becoming blond ventrally, with a marked seasonal and individual variation in coat color. With age, fur gradually becomes uniformly blond after the molt. Many are deeply scarred on the back and body-sides due to attacks by leopard seals and killer whales. Crabea |  LEOPARD SEALThese seals have long slim bodies, with an almost serpentine appearance and comparatively large reptilian heads with a long snout, powerful jaws, broad gape and relatively small dark eyes. Fore flippers are rather large, situated near the centre of the body. They are colored with dark on the back, almost black or blue-grey on the flanks, and paler ventral colouration; a light area variably spotted with darker grey. They have very long canine teeth, with long pointed cusps on the molar teeth. Fem |
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 Adelie penguinThe Adelie is the archetypical penguin, named after French explorer Dumont D’Urville’s wife. They are purely black and white, with a characteristic angular head, a distinctive white eye-ring and a tiny bill. Females are smaller in size, but like all penguins, the sexes are alike. The downy chick is uniformly grey. |  GENTOO PENGUINGentoo is the largest of all Pygoscelis penguins. It can be easily recognized by the wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of its head and the red bill. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts. They are the fastest underwater swimming penguins, reaching speeds of 36 km/h. They feed mainly on krill, but also on fish and squid. They are the most numerous penguins nesting in the Antarctic region. |  Magellanic PanguinThe most numerous type of Penguin. We might encounter them on the way out of Punta Arenas |  Chinstrap PenguinChinstraps are similar to Adelies in that they are black and white, but they are slightly smaller and have a distinctive black line connecting the black cap to the part below the chin. The chicks are uniform brownish-grey and paler below. On average, the female’s flipper and bill length is smaller than the male’s. They are highly gregarious and monogamous. It is believed they form long-lasting bonds with their mates. They nest in the Antarctic Peninsula area and on Subantarctic Islands. Their po |
 Humpback WhaleHumpbacks may be recognized by their enormous flippers, which can reach a third of their total body length. They are normally black, but the undersides of flippers and flukes have varying amounts of white and can be used as aids for individual recognition. They measure 11 to 19 meters and weigh 25.4-35.5 tonnes. Males are usually slightly shorter than females. |  Emperor PenguinThe tallest penguin in the world, and one of two species that can survive Antarctic Winter! |  King PenguinClosest relative to the Emperor and second tallest penguin on Earth. They nest mostly in South Georgia Islands. |  Antarctic ShagMember of the Cormorant family, these are the southernmost of them. Nesting on the peninsula, with those beautiful blue eyes. |
ITINERARY
5 Days Before
Pre-trip activities
Being at the end of the world, in this beautiful wilderness is an amazing opportunity to explore and photograph. We can offer you optional day cruise for landscape or a visit of the Magellanic penguins or even a 5 day wildlife photography workshop with our team and the wild Pumas of Torres del Paine. If you’re interested in learning more, go to page 11 for the details. limited availability.
Day 1
Punta Arenas Arrival
Arrive in Punta Arenas before 2:00 pm, where you will be welcomed by the our staff and transferred to your hotel. Today, you will have a mandatory briefing with important trip information. In the evening, enjoy dinner of typical Chilean food with your fellow adventurers.
Day 2
Flight to Antarctica
Begin your Antarctic air-cruise with a scheduled two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island in Antarctica. Upon landing the clear Antarctic air will fill your lungs. You then walk, passing Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Station, to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel.
Day 3, 4, 5, 6
Exploring The Antarctic Peninsula
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing among the spectacular landscapes Antarctica offers. Each day, you disembark by Zodiac and explore the continent with our expert guides. On board, you will enjoy educational programs and presentations. No journey is the same and flexibility is key to success in Antarctica.
Day 8
Morning Farewell
After breakfast we will transfer you to the Punta Arenas Airport for your journey home, or your continuous exploration of Tierra Del Fuego in the southern tip of South America.
Day 7
Flight to Punta Arenas
We will sail back to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding your flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival from the 7th continent, transfer to your hotel for the night and enjoy an evening at your own leisure.
Day 9-14
Post-Trip Activities
If you prefer your exploration after our amazing trip, we offer the same activities post trip as well. Join our team on a 5 day wildlife photography workshop with the Pumas of Torres Del-Paine, or just quick daily trips around. Further info below.
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Special Chartered flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island
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Special Chartered flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
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Ship expedition cruise onboard the Ocean Nova.
Boarding on day 2, disembarking on day 7. -
Daily buffet breakfast and lunch onboard ship, wide choice of dishes.
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Daily served dinner onboard ship, a choice of 3 main courses.
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Wine, beer, juice and soft drinks served at lunch and dinner onboard.
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Coffee, tea, cappuccino, snacks onboard ship throughout cruise.
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All guided shore excursions, lectures and entertainment onboard.
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Loan of waterproof boots for shore landings
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IAATO passengers fees for Antarctic alliance
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Day 1 - Punta Arenas - hotel, transfers, dinner and breakfast
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Day 7 - Punta Arenas - hotel, transfers, dinner and breakfast
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Geographic and Photographic guidance by Roie Galitz and other
members of Phototeva team -
All boat expenses (Fuel, Insurance, Docking fees etc.)
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Preparation meeting and post trip meeting online.
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International travel
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Boutique consumptions
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Phone, internet, e-mails
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Insurance which you must have
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Gratuity for ship’s crew
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All items not described in
“included in the above charter rates”