Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North

Your journey begins in Punta Arenas in southern Chile. This port city is located on the northern shore of the Strait of Magellan. It was once a Chilean penal colony. Today, Punta Arenas has developed into a vibrant city that offers you numerous attractions, including historical sites and museums. You explore the city during the day and join your fellow travelers in the evening for a shared meal to prepare for the flight the next day.

Today you board your charter flight to Antarctica. Crossing the Drake Passage takes about two hours, while ship-based journeys take two days to cover this distance. Your first glimpse of Antarctica appears shortly before the plane lands on King George Island – hope for clear skies so you can appreciate the magnificent continent! You have free time to photograph parts of the island and stretch your legs before boarding the ship. Once on board, your exploration of the Antarctic region begins.

You feel like you’ve arrived on another planet. Your Antarctic journey begins with the pristine nature and dramatic environments of Antarctica. From the ship, you can observe whales swimming and feeding, and you see penguins playing in the water and jumping onto ice floes. As impressive as the wildlife are the towering, snow-covered mountains and massive glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula, which will be your destination in the coming days. Each Zodiac excursion and landing presents new impressions, sounds, and smells. Some landings can be as relaxing as sitting on a beach taking photos of curious Gentoo penguins. Other landings offer exciting panoramic views of the Antarctic continent as you hike up a hill. You might experience a calving glacier crashing into the sea or take a Zodiac ride in search of fur seals and leopard seals. Even everyday travel experiences like sending a postcard are particularly exciting in Antarctica. Although weather and sea conditions determine which landings you can make, your expedition team will ensure that each day of your Antarctic adventure leaves a lasting impression.

The Drake Passage is a rite of passage for Antarctic adventurers and signals the end of your journey on this route. Regardless of sea conditions, you benefit from having developed sea legs over the previous four days. Although the journey home has begun, wildlife viewing continues. Your expedition team will help you spot the majestic wandering albatross and various whale species, such as the minke whale and humpback whale, both on deck and from the ship’s bridge. When you’re not looking at photos and reflecting on the past days, the expedition team will continue its series of presentations on topics such as marine biology, polar history, and glaciology.

After a final breakfast on board, you bid farewell to your ship in Ushuaia in southern Argentina. Your transfer to the hotel is included, where you check in and then have the opportunity to explore the city on your own. Use the time for shopping, sightseeing, and sampling Argentine cuisine.

Today you can freely choose whether to go to the airport for your departure or extend your stay in Ushuaia with a trip to the sights of Patagonia or Argentina.