Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage

Arrive in Ushuaia, a scenic port city surrounded by snowy mountains and the cold waters of the Beagle Channel. It's often called 'El Fin del Mundo,' or 'The End of the World.' Transfer to your hotel to get settled. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a short meeting to get ready for your trip.

Arrival Time: Arrive by 6:00 p.m. local time.  

After checking out of your hotel, set out to explore the striking landscapes of Tierra del Fuego National Park, where dense beech forests echo the ancient greenery once found in Antarctica. Then, cruise the Beagle Channel aboard a private catamaran, enjoying lunch as you watch for South American sea lions and seabirds like the imperial cormorant. By late afternoon, board your expedition ship and begin your adventure to the White Continent.

At times ferocious, at others flat calm, this legendary 500-mile-wide strait divides South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Feel the excitement build as you begin the crossing, often accompanied by seabirds like the wandering albatross and—if luck allows—a pod of killer whales or rare dolphins. Get to know the ship and prepare for the adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (ideal for wildlife spotting), relax with a massage, attend a talk on the unique biology of penguins or simply settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge, looking out over the waves as you contemplate the history of this passage named for English privateer Francis Drake, but first discovered by Spanish navigator Francisco de Hoces.

With long hours of daylight at this time of year, you have ample opportunities to explore. The schedule is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of the unexpected, whether you’re watching whales at play off the bow of the ship, hiking alongside penguin highways or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid porpoising penguins. While wildlife is magnificent, ice defines the Antarctic. Get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze. One day, you might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, you might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. Everywhere you go in Antarctica, you're surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way, your expert expedition team will enrich every experience. 

This morning finds the ship anchored off of King George Island. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife—Weddell and elephant seals; Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins—this island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the U.S., Chile, Argentina and Brazil, call the various stations home. Disembark and Zodiac ashore to board your two-hour flight back to Puerto Natales, where you stay overnight at Hotel Costaustralis or Remota Patagonia Lodge (or similar).  

Please note: This is an expedition in the truest sense—flexibility is key. Delays and early departures of flights due to inclement weather are common in Antarctica. In the event of a flight adjustment, your expedition team may implement a contingency plan with alternative activities.

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward.

Note: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible).