Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage

Touch down in Puerto Natales, a charming former fishing village tucked gracefully along the edge of Last Hope Sound. Take time to admire the spectacular maritime views, perfectly enclosed by the sweeping Cerro Benitez Mountains that serve as the striking gateway to Torres del Paine. After a seamless transfer from the airport to your welcoming hotel, savor a relaxing dinner and join an informative briefing to prepare for the thrilling activities scheduled for tomorrow.

Following a hearty breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for a two-hour direct flight to King George Island, the spectacular starting point for this Antarctic expedition. While celebrated for a diverse array of native wildlife, the island also hosts a fascinating human community, with dedicated researchers from nations such as the United States, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil living and working in various scientific stations. Touch down on a rugged gravel runway at the Chilean research facility before proceeding down to the rocky shoreline. From there, step aboard sturdy Zodiacs to reach the waiting vessel, setting sail to fully explore this breathtaking icy region.

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.

With long hours of daylight at this time of year, you’ll 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. You’ll 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’ll be surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way your expert expedition team will enrich every experience.

This 500-mile-wide strait between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Sometimes ferocious, sometimes flat calm, the Drake is always a fascinating place in its own right. This part of the journey is your best opportunity to see gorgeous seabirds like the wandering albatross, and you might be lucky enough to encounter orca whales or rare species of dolphins. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot wildlife), have a relaxing massage, attend a talk about the biology of the penguins you’ve just seen or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge to look out over the waves and reflect on your incredible journey. Toast your epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner.

Arrive in Ushuaia. Sandwiched between ice-mantled peaks and the frigid waters of the Beagle Channel, this is a fittingly wild place to be known as “El Fin del Mundo” or “The End of the World.” Transfer to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy dinner.

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