Expedition Itinerary - Antarctica Fly and Cruise

This 8-day adventure skips the Drake Passage by flying from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in the South Shetlands. You'll board Ocean Nova for 5 days of exploring the Antarctic Penisula. You save crossing time, but don't lose a minute of adventure. Only 62 travelers can participate in any one departure.

Antarctica Fly and Cruise Interactive Map
Anvers Island - Named after Belgium city Antwerp, Palmer Station (USA) studies marine ecosystems here year-round.
South Shetland Islands - The UK, Chile and Argentina hold claim to the islands, where many countries keep research stations.
King George Island - The largest of the South Shetlands, and home to research stations, seals and penguins.
Adelaide Island - Charcot may have originally named the island after the huge number of Adelie Penguins on its coast.
The Drake Passage - Whether Drake Lake, or the dreaded Drake Shake, the area is good for sighting whales and seabirds.
Punta Arenas, Chile - Spanish for "Sandy Point", this city is part of the Patagonian region.
Gerlache Strait - Named in honor of Lt. Adrien de Gerlache, who explored the iceberg-rich strait in 1898 for Belgium.
Anvers Island South Shetland Islands King George Island Adelaide Island The Drake Passage Punta Arenas, Chile Gerlache Strait
  1. Fly from Punta Arenas on a jet plane.

    Day 1 - Punta Arenas, Chile

    Make you way to Punta Arenas, Chile on the island of Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America. The city is situated on the north bank of the Strait of Magellan. Please arrive in the early afternoon. Quark Expeditions will transfer the group to a local hotel to spend the night. After an informative briefing, enjoy a welcome dinner with your traveling companions.

  2. Before the day ends you are in Antarctica.

    Day 2 - Embarkation Day

    A quick two-hour flight from Punta Arenas lands on King George Island in the South Shetlands. En route, from your bird's eye view, bid the Drake Passage a fond Bon Voyage. You've saved time and worry by choosing this Fly and Cruise expedition operated by Antarctica XXI.

    After exploring that portion of the island where the Chilean Research Base, Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva and the Russian Base, Bellingshausen, are located, you are transferred to Ocean Nova by Zodiac. By late afternoon, you will have embarked on your Antarctic adventure.

  3. You'll visit penguin rookeries and historic sites.

    Day 3-6 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

    Don't forget to pack your binoculars! In the Peninsula, seals will be sunning on ice fleos or a raft of penguins may be feeding as you sail past. History, wildlife, scenery - Antarctica has it all. A shipboard presentation will recount the development of the region, pointing out the remains of buildings where explorers subsisted on hope and blubber. Antarctica XXI's Expedition Team cuold take you ashore at Neko Harbour and help you identify different species of birds. You could cruise in Zodiacs though a graveyard of fantastically colored icebergs.

  4. From ship, to plane, to Punta Arenas in one day.

    Day 7 - Fly to Punta Arenas

    From King George Island, fly across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas. You will be transfered from the airport to your hotel to spend the night.

  5. Ocean Nova in the Beagle Channel.

    Day 8 - Depart for home

    After breakfast, you will transferred to the airport in Punta Arenas for your homeward flight.

Extend your stay

You may like to extend your stay

  • Antarctica Fly and Cruise Contingency PlanPurchasing Antarctica Fly & Cruise

    Weather Delay Contingency Plan

    Should weather delay a departure, a Contingency Plan will be put into operation.

    Contingency Plan

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