Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake Tour with 1 Review by Exodus Adventure Travels

8 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

176 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Punta Arenas, Chile

Ends

Punta Arenas, Chile

Highlights

Skip the Drake Passage and fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island

Explore the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula

Incredible wildlife including seabirds, penguins, seals and whales

Travel on a small expedition vessel

Accompanied by extremely qualified Expedition Staff

Itinerary

Dreaming of Antarctica but short on time? The "Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake" trip delivers an unforgettable polar adventure without the lengthy sea crossing. This eight-day guided expedition begins and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile, and is ideal for experienced travelers eager for a taste of the world’s last great wilderness. By flying over the Drake Passage to King George Island, you skip days at sea and arrive refreshed, ready to explore the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.

Over the next four days, your cruise weaves among glacier-capped mountains, ice floes, and sparkling blue seas. Wildlife encounters are frequent—penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds become your constant companions as you journey to iconic sites such as Petermann Island, Neko Harbour, and the Gerlache Strait. Adventurous souls can scramble to viewpoints for breathtaking vistas, while visits to research stations and historic sites add fascinating context.

The unique selling point of this tour package is its swift, comfortable access to Antarctica, allowing you to experience the continent’s wonders in a compact timeframe. With all logistics, accommodation, and meals expertly handled, this is the perfect expedition for those seeking an easy yet immersive introduction to the polar world.

day 1 - Start Punta Arenas; overnight in hotel

Our adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a Quark Expeditions representative will meet you at the official starting point hotel, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day. Please note that you need to arrive at the hotel in Punta Arenas no later than 3pm today.

Meals:Dinner

day 2 - Charter flight to King George Island; board ship and embark

A quick 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas lands on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. En route, from our bird's eye view, we can bid the Drake Passage a fond Bon Voyage. After exploring the portion of the island where the Chilean Research Base, Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva and the Russian Base, Bellingshausen, are located, we transfer to the ship by Zodiac to embark on our Antarctic adventure.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

day 3 - 6 - Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands

There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As we approach the white continent, don’t be surprised if you are overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through the human eye. Our first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, and will alert us to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region. Even more exciting are our daily excursions to land. Walking up to a beach that is dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica. Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new sightings and photo opportunities. We may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a Chinstrap rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night in Antarctica, each day offers exciting opportunities.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 7 - Disembark on King George Island; charter flight to Punta Arenas and overnight in hotel

From King George Island, we will fly across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas and transfer to our hotel to spend the night.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 8 - End Punta Arenas

After breakfast, you are welcome to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

All accommodation

Meals

Beer and wine during dinner

Transport

All transport and listed activitiesWe can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.

Others

All meals while on the shipFull complement of qualified Expedition Staff

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

5.0

based on 1 review

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