Antarctica & Arctic Expedition Cruises View Basket

Intimate Expeditions - the Aurora heritage

ANTARCTICA, including Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Patagonia | ARCTIC, including Norway, Svalbard, Greenland, Russia's Franz Josef Land

For over 25 years, Aurora Expeditions has pioneered ship-based adventure and exploration in Antarctica and the Arctic, to become a leader in polar travel. These friendly, active, small-group voyages strive to connect with and protect the wild places visited.

This brochure includes all your favourite destinations – including the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands in the Southern Hemisphere; and Norway (including Svalbard) and Greenland in the north – as well as new regions to explore such as Russia's Franz Josef Land and Jan Mayen.

Aurora Expeditions offers a wide range of adventure activities, from ascending rarely trodden peaks in Antarctica and Greenland, to sea kayaking among porpoising penguins and seal pups, and much more.

Introducing the the state-of-the-art expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer

Aurora Expeditions' inaugural voyages of the state-of-the-art expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer, uses the latest innovations in naval technology. Exclusively designed for expedition cruising, the 104-metre vessel has been built to provide the authentic, small-ship experiences for which Aurora Expeditions is renowned .

Thanks to its unique, patented X-Bow®, it’s capable of fast, comfortable transit speeds using less fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Environmental preservation and expeditioner safety are always at the forefront of Aurora Expeditions' operations and the Greg Mortimer complies with the latest and most stringent Polar Code specifications, including the latest in sonar, satellite communications, ‘return-to- port’ technologies plus unique adventure activity preparation areas and sea-level Zodiac loading that make it easier to transfer to and from the ship.

Your floating base camp, the Greg Mortimer, offers unparalleled ease in getting you to your adventures and the friendliest atmosphere to welcome you back on board.

Welcome to a new era for Aurora Expeditions.

Why travel with Aurora Expeditions?

From the start, Aurora Expeditions was destined to be different. Co-founders Greg and Margaret Mortimer had a passion for adventure, exploring wild places and sharing the experience with friends.

More than two decades later, that pioneering spirit burns just as brightly, as does Aurora Expeditions' preference for small-group, personal expeditions. At sea, all Aurora Expeditions are on ships of 60-passengers or less. Aurora is one of the only companies operating trips of this size. Fewer people means more solitude and greater flexibility if tides, currents, ice or weather dictate a schedule change. And because Aurora Expeditions has fewer people to ferry ashore, it can often make more landings.

Small groups are best

At sea, Aurora Expeditions' high-latitude, expedition ship is small enough to go where others can't, often resulting in more landings. On land, Aurora's group size is limited to 16. Fewer people means a more personalised experience and a lasting camaraderie.

Consistently Aurora Expeditions.

Rather than book you onto another company's trip, Aurora Expeditions operate only its own expeditions, either on vessels that it charters, or working closely with local experts who share its ethos and style.

Aurora Expeditions' staff put you first

Your security, wellbeing and understanding of the places you visit are Aurora Expeditions' staff's priorities. Aurora's staff have a passion for sharing their knowledge and making everyone feel as if they are on the same team.

Enrichment through understanding

The more Aurora Expeditions' remote area specialists share their knowledge about the history and natural environments you encounter, the more rewarding the experience.

Environmental sensitivity

Aurora Expeditions' helped develop international environmental guidelines for the polar regions you visit, and consciously limits the number of people it takes to its destinations.

Flexibility and freedom

Aurora Expeditions stops for breaching whales! Enjoy your destinations in your own way, within the bounds of safety. Hike up a snow slope, take your time photographing wildlife, inspect historical huts or simply sit and admire the view.

Aurora Expeditions' spirit of adventure!

Photograph wind-plumes on Mt Everest, share the trail with gauchos, yak-herders or rarely-visited rainforest hunters. Scuba dive or snorkel with leopard seals, sea kayak with whales or enjoy a feast of tundra berries. Ponder ancient rock paintings or lift your spirits in a Buddhist monastery. No matter where in the world, Aurora Expeditions encourages a true sense of exploration.

Aurora Expeditions has fun

Aurora Expeditions loves what it does and believes that everyone involved, from expeditioners to staff, ship's crews to trekking teams, shares the same goal – the best expedition imaginable!

Many inclusions

Whether it's a stylish jacket and photo journal memento to keep, or gumboots to wear on our polar voyages; flights for our fly/sail Antarctic program; linking flights in Iceland, Alaska, Ecuador, Nepal and Africa or Everest heliflights, our inclusions are what most others would consider extras.

Environmental Stewardship

From Aurora's very first Antarctic voyage in 1992, it has been committed to environmentally responsible tourism practices. Founding Australian members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), Aurora supports research, donates funds, and allocates resources to ensure it leaves places it visits as it found them – or better. As you travel with Aurora,it hopes you develop a deeper understanding of the natural forces shaping our world. By creating lifelong environmental ambassadors, Aurora aims to preserve the wild places for future generations.

If you're a solo traveller, welcome on board!

Aurora Expeditions welcomes many solo travellers on its trips, and their numbers are increasing each year. Maybe it's simply the nature of the expeditions, but Aurora understands what a big step it is for many to set off on their own. To address this, Aurora has developed its informal 'cabin-mate finding service' that matches solo travellers with a cabin mate of the same gender. And it has had great success so far! Aurora Expeditions' small groups and relaxed atmosphere make it easy to make new friends (and remember everyone's name!), and the inspiring destinations are a great conversation starter. Plus, by sharing a cabin you'll also avoid paying any extra 'single supplements'. You might arrive alone, but Aurora can guarantee that you'll go home with lifelong friends.