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arksen pelorus explorers rally

Yacht Expeditions

Arksen Explorers Rally Powered by Pelorus

A rally like no other, born from two companies commitment to ocean conservation, exploration and a desire to expand the horizons of luxury yacht travel.

The Arksen Explorers Rally Powered by Pelorus will see a variety of yachts set off on three separate rallies, the Viking, the Middle Seas and the South Seas Rally, paving the way for new explorers, young and old, to discover these locations in a unique way while playing their part in protecting and conserving our oceans.

How did the Arksen Rally come about?

Seeing a gap in the yachting rally market, Arksen founder Jasper Smith approached Pelorus with the idea of creating this unique event. Its purpose; to spread awareness of ocean conservation projects and to bring together like minded yacht owners who are seeking to push the boundaries of yachting travel, two philosophies that lie at the heart of how both Pelorus and Arksen operate.  

An Arksen and Pelorus Collaboration

Arksen is a forward-thinking yacht builder whose yachts are designed with the capacity to go virtually anywhere but with minimal impact on the environment. They request that their yacht owners pledge 10% of the yachts sea time to their 10% for the Oceans Initiative, whether it be hosting a scientific ocean research trip or taking part in a beach clean up.

Pelorus is a leading experiential travel company with expertise in planning and executing out of the ordinary yacht expeditions. Our itineraries always include a conservation, educational or ‘giving back’ element and we aim to inspire the world of yachting to adventure further.

With many common ideals, collaborating on this exciting new project seemed a natural fit. Both Arksen and Pelorus have a desire to encourage people to visit new places and to experience them in a new way, while considering the impacts of their travel on the world’s oceans.

The Rally Explained

A rally that gives its participants more and that gives more back. An opportunity to explore, knowing you have specialists backing you every step of the way. A chance to see a familiar area in a new light or to discover new destinations accompanied by a fleet of other yachts offering a built in support network. 

The competition element of each rally will focus on the Arksen and Pelorus ethos of grass roots conservation and research. By joining the challenge, you will commit to take part in curated scientific, philanthropic and ocean conservation efforts. Each project that is assisted in or contributed to will accrue ‘Challenge Points’ with the vessel that accrues the most over the rally gaining an award. The projects are divided into four categories: Ocean Conservation, Scientific Research, Wildlife Protection, and Philanthropy. These activities can be performed by the crew and researchers or scientists that you may host on board during the longer crossings. They will also be incorporated into the itineraries for each location, from setting up camera traps to track and record polar bears to volunteering at a sea turtle rescue centre. 

With Pelorus and Arksen designing the route and the itineraries, you can be assured that this will be a journey like no other. We will provide support every step of the way, from preparing the yacht and its crew to arranging some of the world’s best guides, naturalists and historians to lead activities in each location. Guests on each yacht will have the option to take part in a number of extraordinary activities, from heli-skiing or glacier climbing to guided gorge trekking or wreck dives. They will have the chance to observe the surrounding wildlife and to meet and learn from the locals.

arksen pelorus explorers rally

“A rally that gives its participants more and that gives more back.”

Who can take part?  

Both privately owned and charter yachts can take part in the Arksen Explorers Rally Powered by Pelorus. Yachts will be divided into categories based on a number of factors, including length and cruising capabilities, and the rally itineraries will be tailored to suit each category. For example, a group of 20 – 30m sailing yachts may not reach a destination at the same time as a group of 50 – 60m motor yachts so the latter group may take a longer route or have an additional stop on their itinerary. Activities during the rally are also customisable according to these factors and to the guests on board, so you can take part with your family, young or old or a group of friends. 

If you are not a yacht owner, you can still partake in the rally by chartering a yacht either for the entire duration of the rally or by booking a charter yacht whose owner has already committed their vessel to take part, but who won’t be on board for the full rally. With our knowledge of the yacht charter market, Pelorus can source your ideal vessel according to your budget and requirements. Get in touch with our Yacht Expeditions Team to find out more.

What are the costs involved?

There will be an entry fee payable for all yachts wishing to enter the Arksen Explorers Rally Powered by Pelorus. This entry fee will be based on the size of the vessel and will include the cost of carbon offsetting the entire rally through our partners at The World Land Trust.    

In addition, participants will be provided with an activity menu, varying from high-octane to family friendly. They will have the option to choose what to take part in based on their own budget and guest interests. 

The entry fee will start from 35,000 GBP per yacht and each rally will run with a minimum of 4 yachts. The maximum number will depend on the size of the vessels that have signed up.

Contact us to find out more about pricing for your vessel.

Discover the Itineraries

THE VIKING RALLY

The Viking Rally takes its participants north and will encompass the romantic wilds of Scotland, wreck hunting in the Norwegian fjords, polar bear spotting in Svalbard, learning Inuit games in Greenland and locating bears and walrus in Canada. Beginning in April in Scotland and ending in Newfoundland, Canada in September means that after the rally, vessels can choose to head south for the Caribbean season, stopping off for some TLC at a refit yard along the way if required. 

View the full itinerary here

THE MIDDLE SEAS RALLY

The shortest of all the rallies, beginning in June in Athens and ending at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, the Middle Seas rally will combine the traditional cruising grounds of the East and West Mediterranean but with more unconventional activities and conservation elements. There is the option to extend the itinerary if your yacht is coming from the Indian Ocean, to gain additional points in the Red Sea. 

View the full Itinerary Here

THE SOUTH SEAS RALLY

The South Seas Rally begins with the end of the Caribbean season in Panama. Vessels will journey through the Galapagos and Hawaii where they can prepare for the deep sea conservation projects and stock up on provisions before cruising to the remote atolls of French Polynesia. Exploring the more far-flung islands of the South Pacific will provide a fantastic contrast to the Rally’s final destination, Sydney, where due to recent legislation changes, the vessels will be able to charter, making a visit to the Great Barrier Reef a worthwhile endeavour. 

View the full Itinerary Here

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