Adventure cruising specialists, Aurora Expeditions, have unveiled two exclusive earlybird Antarctic packages, offering travellers the opportunity to save $1,500 per person on the adventure of a lifetime. Allowing for a complete experience, the packages offer passengers the chance to experience the spectacular Antarctica Peninsula, while also enjoying a South American city stay.

Departing Australia in November and December 2015, both packages include an Antarctic expedition on board the 54-passenger expedition ship, Polar Pioneer, and return economy class airfares to South America. Other bonus inclusions such as internal flights within South America, accommodation, sightseeing tours and transfers have also been added, creating better value and a stress-free booking experience.

The Spirit of Antarctica earlybird package combines a 12-day Antarctic expedition with three nights in Argentina's vibrant capital city Buenos Aires, including a city sightseeing tour and a tango dinner show. Passengers will be blown away by Antarctica's wonders and abundant wildlife including penguins, seals and whales, and will also have the opportunity to camp on the ice explorer-style and join in on complimentary polar photography workshops. Other activities such as sea kayaking, mountaineering and polar snorkelling are also available for an additional surcharge for experienced adventurers.

For those looking for a longer Antarctic experience, the Scotia Sea Springtime earlybird package offers an opportunity to also explore snowy South Georgia and its spectacular concentration of wildlife such as king penguins, wandering albatross and elephant seals pups. This package teams three nights in stylish Santiago, including a panoramic city tour and winery visits, before embarking on the 18-day expedition. Along with Aurora Expeditions' team of polar experts and naturalist, a BirdLife Australia specialist will join the voyage to interpret the region's vast birdlife, with all passengers receiving a complimentary 12-month BirdLife Australia membership.

Passengers aboard the Scotia Sea Springtime voyage will also be treated to special centenary celebrations of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914-1917 Imperial Transantarctic Expeditions including a centenary expedition dinner, a graveside memorial at Shackleton's final resting place, and an opportunity to walk in his footsteps on the final leg of his heroic South Georgia crossing. 

Both Antarctic packages include daily shore excursions, a team of expert guides and naturalists and all onboard meals and accommodation. All passengers will also receive a complimentary hard-back memento photo book and a customised polar expedition jacket.

Travellers will need to be quick as each package is limited to just 16 places per voyage and are required to book and pay deposit before 28 February 2015 to receive the $1,500 discount.

The 18-day Spirit of Antarctica package departs Australia on 7 December 2015 and starts from AU$14,995 per person, twin share (including discount) and includes a 12-day Antarctic expedition, return economy class airfares ex Sydney, internal flights in South America, one night in Punta Arenas, three nights in Buenos Aires including city tour and tango show, and airport transfers.

The 24-day Scotia Sea Springtime package departs Australia on 18 November 2015 and starts from AU$23,295 per person, twin share (including discount) and includes an 18-day Antarctic and South Georgia expedition, return economy class airfares ex Sydney, internal flights in South America, three nights in Santiago including city tour and winery tour, one night in Punta Arenas, and airport transfers.

For more information on Aurora Expeditions' earlybird Antarctic packages call 02 9252 1033, email travel@auroraexpeditions.com.au or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

Editor Notes

• Prices are based on international airfares departing Sydney
• Surcharges apply for departures from other Australian capital cities
• Packages and prices are subject to availability and may change.
• Packages are based on the number of days between departing and arriving in Australia and include Antarctic expedition and other land arrangements.
• Discounted package price applies to all bookings made before 28 February 2015
• Package places are limited to 16 per voyage.
• Other terms and conditions apply and travellers should contact Aurora Expeditions for full details.

About Aurora Expeditions

Aurora Expeditions is an Australian-owned adventure company specialising in expedition cruises to wild and remote places. Always travelling in small groups of 54 or less, Aurora Expeditions provide their travellers with the chance to have an intimate experience in these regions with their flexible, innovative itineraries. The aim of each voyage is to provide as many landings as possible, allowing passengers to experience the destination first hand. Each voyage is led by an expedition team of expert naturalists, geologists, historians, staff and crew who 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 wilderness areas in turn creating ambassadors for their protection.