Australia's first and only owned and operated small ship expedition company, Aurora Expeditions, is celebrating 25 years since its first expedition to Antarctica later this year.

2017 marks a quarter of a century since Aurora Expeditions first took a small group of intrepid adventurers on a breathtaking expedition to the icy continent back in 1992. Since that inaugural adventure, the company has operated over 200 expeditions to Antarctica, offering everyday travellers the chance to discover the continent's remote wilderness and walk in the footsteps of some of the world's greatest explorers.

To mark the momentous occasion, the company has launched a special '25 Year Anniversary' expedition to Antarctica and South Georgia to pay homage to Aurora Expeditions' founders, Greg and Margaret Mortimer, as well as the long list of Antarctic explorers and adventurers that came before, and after, them.

Over 18 days, travellers will sail from South America onboard the intimate, 54-passenger Polar Pioneer and explore the Antarctic Peninsula, landing ashore daily to walk amidst the snow-capped peaks and shorelines teeming with wildlife. In the magnificent wildlife paradise of South Georgia, travellers can expect to witness colonies of 500,000 king penguins, feisty fur seals and the wandering albatross – one of the largest seabirds on the planet.

Travellers on the '25 Year Anniversary' expedition will also receive a series of exclusive added extras such as a special onboard anniversary dinner, a limited-edition anniversary explorer patch, and commemorative book highlighting photographs and stories of Aurora from the past 25 years.

The expedition will be led by one of Aurora Expeditions' original expedition leaders, Dr Gary Miller, who has been travelling and leading expeditions to Antarctica for over 30 years. Gary will be joined by a top-notch team including a naturalist, historian and polar specialists.

The '25 Year Anniversary' expedition to Antarctica & South Georgia will depart Ushuaia, Argentina on 27 December 2017, and finish in Santiago, Chile on 13 January 2017.

SPECIAL '25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY' PACKAGE OFFER

Aurora Expeditions have created a special '25 Year Anniversary' package offer for anyone wanting to join this exclusive expedition. The package is a fully-inclusive festive experience, featuring return international airfares to South America, a Christmas stopover in Buenos Areas including a Christmas Day tango show and dinner, and the 18-day anniversary expedition to Antarctica & South Georgia.

The 24-day package departs 23 December 2017 and starts from AU$24,900 per person, twin share.

For more information on Aurora Expeditions' '25 Year Anniversary' expedition or package offer call 1300 061 490, email info@auroraexpeditions.com.au or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

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EDITOR NOTES

Package price is based on return flights from Sydney, Australia. Add on prices for other cities are as follows.

• Ex MEL/BNE/CBR $180
• Ex ADL/CNS/HBA $360
• Ex PER/DRW $650

GARY MILLER BIOGRAPHY

A wildlife fanatic, Expedition Leader Gary Miller has been exploring and working in the Polar Regions for well over 30 years, initially studying Polar Bears for his MA in Zoology.

Gary worked on a number of wildlife research projects, including bowhead and gray whales and desert bighorn sheep, before finding his passion for poles whilst carrying out research on penguins and skuas in Antarctica. Gary went on to spend 10 summers and a winter in Antarctica studying the behaviour, genetics and ecology of the south polar skua as well as Adélie, gentoo, chinstrap, royal, king and emperor penguins.

Over the years Gary has amassed first-hand experience of over half the world's different penguin species, published over 30 scientific articles, and is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, focusing on the presence and consequences of diseases to penguins and skuas in Antarctica.

With almost 30 years' experience in Antarctica (and 15 in the Arctic), Gary's knowledge and passion for the continent's wildlife and nature is second to none.

ABOUT AURORA EXPEDITIONS
Aurora Expeditions is an Australian-owned and -operated adventure company specialising in small-group expedition style travel to the Polar Regions and other wild and remote places. A world leader in expedition travel, Aurora offers their passengers the chance to have an intimate experience of the destination through a range of flexible, innovative itineraries. On some voyages, mountain climbing, sea kayaking, photography and scuba diving options are available and their expert naturalists, geologists, historians, polar specialists and crew help to unlock the wonders of these special places. Deeply committed to education and preservation of the environment, Aurora Expeditions' philosophy is to respectfully visit these wilderness areas in turn creating ambassadors for their protection. For more information visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au