Expedition Itinerary - Antarctica Fly and Cruise

(Multiple departures, Dec 2011 to Jan 2012)  Our friends at Antarctica XXI will fly you over the Drake Passage to King George Island in the South Shetlands, where you’ll join the beautiful Ocean Nova.  Spend 5 full days exploring the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula, before flying back to Chile for your trip home.

If you're dreaming of an Antarctic expedition, but have limited vacation time, this is your trip. Please take a moment to review Antarctica XXI's terms and conditions for this fly-and-cruise option.

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

    Day 1 - Punta Arenas, Chile

    Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in Punta Arenas (in English, “Sandy Point”), the southernmost city in Chile.  We’ll transfer you from the airport to your hotel, where you’ll enjoy an informative briefing, followed by a welcome dinner with your traveling companions.

  2. Before the day ends you are in Antarctica.

    Day 2 - Embarkation Day

    Your quick two-hour flight from Punta Arenas puts you on King George Island in the South Shetlands, where you’ll have time to explore several international research bases. By late-afternoon you’ll be aboard the Ocean Nova, ready to set sail on the next leg of your Antarctic adventure.

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

    Day 3-6 - Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

    Changing conditions mean each expedition is different, and your Expedition Team will make the most of whatever weather, ice or wildlife conditions present themselves to make sure you have an unforgettable visit.  Here are just a few of the things you might find yourself doing:

    • Sitting quietly on a pebbled beach, waiting for a curious penguin chick to approach
    • Taking a "polar plunge" in the icy waters of Neko Harbour
    • Listening to the boom and crack of a calving glacier near Petermann Island
    • Zodiac cruising among majestic icebergs in Pleneau Bay, or past rocky beachheads crowded with fur and elephant seals
    • Scrambling to the top of a craggy hill for an unforgettable view of Port Lockroy
    • Watching in awe as humpback, Minke and other whales breach or spyhop right before your eyes

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

    Day 7 - Return flight to Punta Arenas

    Returning to King George Island, you'll fly back across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas. From the airport you are transferred to your hotel for the final night's stay.

  5. Ocean Nova in the Beagle Channel.

    Day 8 - Depart for home

    After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Voilà.  Maximum Antarctic adventure, minimum vacation time!

    Extend Your Stay

    Want to stay longer, or arrive earlier? Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0334 or +1.416.645.8243) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.

Extend your stay

You may like to extend your stay

  • Antarctica Fly and Cruise Contingency PlanPurchasing Antarctica Fly & Cruise

    Weather Delay Contingency Plan

    Although no Antarctica Fly and Cruise departure has ever been cancelled due to weather conditions, some departures have experienced delays. The longest delay ever experienced was two days. Based on past experience, we currently estimate that the changes of delay are very low, in the range of 5 to 10%. Still, you should know that weather conditions could impact the operation. Should weather delay a departure, a Contingency Plan will be put into operation.

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