The new Aurora Expeditions Antarctica 2024/2025 program was launched yesterday, and it includes voyages to hitherto unexplored Chilean fjords and channels.

Twenty-five cruises ranging in length from nine to twenty-three days are included in the programme, and destinations include Chile, the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia.

The new Aurora vessel Sylvia Earle will be the first to explore the intricate network of waterways in Chile, home to a wide variety of marine species framed by towering snow-capped mountains.

The 14-day fly/sail Antarctic Explorer adventure (departing 1 March 2025) and the 13-day Spirit of Antarctic expedition (departing 13 March 2025) include time in the fjords. In addition, a brand-new 20-day epic adventure voyage called “In Shackleton’s Footsteps” will set sail on 16 March 2025 and follow in the footsteps of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917.

The voyage will travel to Elephant Island in the Weddell Sea, a steep ice-covered island where the Expedition sought temporary shelter. After crossing the Scotia Sea, the Expedition arrives at South Georgia, where Shackleton eventually arranges the rescue of his crew.

The Spirit of Antarctica, a 13-day photography expedition, will sail on 12 November 2024. Aurora’s expert photographers will give entertaining and educational talks to teach passengers all the insider tactics of the trade.

Aurora provides eight fly/sail or sail/fly combinations in January and February 2025, perfect for time-crunched travellers or those who want to minimise their exposure to the Drake Passage. A special early-bird discount of up to 25% is being made available in conjunction with introducing the new Antarctic programme.