Take advantage of the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica: flying. A short three-hour flight takes you to the white continent where you can enjoy everything the Antarctic has to offer. Immense penguin rookeries and icy landscapes await your arrival. Marvel at the contrast of a desolate landscape inhabited by abundant wildlife including curious, playful penguins and seals. Embrace the excitement of standing on the continent for the very first time. Later, return through the world’s most legendary – and exciting – passage of water, as you follow the path of historic explorers across the infamous Drake Passage.
Highlights
Embrace the speed and convenience of a flight to Antarctica
Experience the Drake Passage through a northbound crossing
Expect the unexpected & be rewarded with unique wildlife and attractions
Enjoy on-board lectures & educational presentations from polar specialists
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile. This port city is situated at the southern tip of Chile, on the north bank of the Strait of Magellan. Once a Chilean penal colony, Punta Arenas has transformed into a vibrant city offering you plenty of attractions to explore including historic sites and museums. Explore the city by day, and then join your group for an evening dinner to meet your fellow Antarctic adventurers.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today you board your chartered flight to Antarctica. The journey over the Drake Passage takes less than four hours, whereas ship-based travelers take two days to make the journey by sea. Your first glimpse of Antarctica comes into view shortly before the aircraft descends towards King George Island - hope for clear skies so you can appreciate the vastness of this great continent! You have some free time to photograph parts of the island and stretch your legs before joining up with the ship. Once aboard, enjoy your first trip in a Zodiac and begin your exploration of the Antarctic region.
Day 3-6: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
You get a sense that you’ve arrived on a new planet during the start of your Antarctic voyage, as the pristine nature and dramatic environments are like nothing else on earth. From the vessel you can watch whales swim and feed in the nutrient-rich waters and spot penguins frolicking in the water and jumping aboard ice floes. Just as amazing as the wildlife are the soaring snow-covered mountains and glaciers of the Peninsula, which are your playground for the next four days.
Every Zodiac excursion and landing presents new sights, sounds and smells. Some landings may be as relaxing as sitting on a beach, taking photographs of curious penguins. Other landings may provide exhilarating panoramic views of the Antarctic continent by hiking atop hill. Perhaps catch sight of a calving glacier crumbling into the sea at Petermann Island, or take a Zodiac cruise in search of fur and elephant seals around Pleneau Island.
Even common travel experiences like mailing a postcard take on an extra level of excitement in Antarctica. While weather and sea conditions determine which landings the ship can make, your Expedition Team ensures that each day of your Antarctic adventure leaves a lasting impression.
Day 7-8: Crossing the Drake Passage to Ushuaia
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
A rite of passage for any Antarctic adventurer, the Drake signals the end of your journey. No matter the sea conditions, you benefit from having developed your sea legs over the course of the previous four days. While the journey home has begun, your wildlife spotting has not. Your Expedition Team is available on deck and on the ship’s bridge to help you spot the majestic wandering albatross and a number of whale species, such as minke and humpback.
When you’re not looking at photos and reminiscing about the previous days, the Expedition Team concludes their series of engaging presentations on subjects such as marine biology, polar history and glaciology.
Day 9: Disembark and overnight in Ushuaia, Argentina
1 Breakfast
After a final breakfast aboard the ship, say goodbye to your crew as you disembark in Ushuaia. A transfer to the hotel is provided and then you have a chance to explore the town on your own to shop, sightsee, and sample some Argentinian cuisine.
Day 10: Depart for home
1 Breakfast
Today you are free to make your way to the airport for departure, or extend your stay in Ushuaia.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.