Aurora Expeditions brings home the Alexandra Shackleton

Expedition cruise company Aurora Expeditions is proud to be supporting the recent ‘Shackleton Epic Expedition’ by returning the vessel used in the re-enactment, the Alexandra Shackleton, to its native homeland in the UK.

The replica of Shackleton’s original lifeboat, the James Caird, is currently on board Aurora Expeditions’ ship, the Polar Pioneer, heading north along the Argentinean coast as the ship makes its way north to start its 2013 tour of the European Arctic. The public can monitor the progress of the Alexandra Shackleton’s journey home by visiting the Polar Pioneer tracker here.

Aurora Expeditions also supported the ‘Shackleton Epic Expedition’ by repositioning the 22.5-foot (6.9m) boat down to Antarctica in November last year.

“We couldn’t have embarked upon the Shackleton Epic Expedition without Aurora’s incredible support to safely transport our boat, Alexandra Shackleton to Antarctica. She was delivered safe and sound to Arctowski Base, King George Island giving us time to conduct sea trials and prepare her for the 800 nautical mile crossing from Elephant Island to South Georgia. And now Aurora is playing another vital role to transport her back to Europe where she’ll go on display at different events around the UK and hopefully in the USA and Australia in the future.” Tim Jarvis AM, Shackleton Epic Expedition Leader.

In 2014 Aurora Expeditions is offering Shackleton enthusiasts the opportunity to pay their respects on a pilgrimage to Shackleton’s final resting place in South Georgia. Experience hikers will also have the opportunity to join the ‘Shackleton Crossing’, an option to attempt to cross the jagged peaks of South Georgia from King Haakon Bay to Stromness – the final route of Shackleton’s epic and life-saving expedition in 1916.

Aurora Expeditions 20 day ‘In Shackleton’s Footsteps’ departs 11 March 2013 on board the 54-passenger Polar Pioneer. Prices start from US$12,415 per person.

A range of other exciting expeditions to South Georgia and the Antarctica Peninsula will depart from November 2013 through to March 2014. For more information contact Aurora Expeditions on +61 (0) 2 9252 1033 or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.