Experience the ultimate polar expedition with our Antarctica Express Air-Cruise, a journey designed for those who seek the thrill of the White Continent with maximum efficiency. Sail the historic Beagle Channel and attempt a legendary landing at Cape Horn before crossing the storied Drake Passage. To conclude your adventure, enjoy a seamless transition from the ice to the air: a private charter flight will whisk you from King George Island back to Punta Arenas, saving you two days of sailing and offering a breathtaking aerial perspective of the Antarctic landscape.
This trip includes an expedition cruise
Meals, accommodations, and activities included
Expertos locales liderando el camino
Low-impact activities for everyone
Capture stunning vistas and memorable moments
Spot native animals in their natural habitats
Itinerary
Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn.
Day 2: Cape Horn and Drake Passage
After navigating Bahia Nassau, at the break of dawn we will be in the legendary Cape Horn. Depending on the climate, we will get into Zodiac boats to visit the lighthouse and the maritime station, which is in charge of controlling marine traffic. Once on board we will start navigating towards Antarctica. We will begin navigating the famous Drake Passage; the passage receives its name from the famous English navigator Sir Francis Drake.
Day 3: Drake Passage
We will start the day navigating the Drake Passage towards King George Island (South Shetland Islands). We can enjoy life on board, relax and take our time to observe the wildlife. From the deck, we will see different varieties of birds, such as albatross, petrels, and also watch humpback and Minke whales.
Day 4: Drake Passage and Antarctica
After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic Island. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while njoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Taking advantage of the endless Antarctic daylight, exploration will continue well into the evening.
Day 5: Antarctica and scheduled return flight
Once we arrive at King George Island, we will disembark in Bahia Fildes and enjoy the Antarctic view. There we will visit the Chilean, “Eduardo Frei”, Antarctic Base and the Russian Bellingshausen Station. After our visit, we will gather at the airport to take the flight of around two hours to Punta Arenas.
End of our servicesNote: Those passengers who would like to stay in Punta Arenas once the trip has finished, will be transferred to the city. Upon request, one night accommodation is offered free of charge in Punta Arenas on day 5 of the Trip Program.
Day 6:End of the Air-Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
Important Notes
Baggage allowance: in flights to and/or from Antarctica, the maximum weight allowed is 20 k per person, including hand luggage. Excess baggage will be kept in custody and returned after the trip to Antarctica, at the corresponding arrival port/airport.
Health insurance: It is required that participants purchase a medical insurance which includes air medical evacuation from Antarctica.
Cancellation insurance: It is strongly recommended for participants to purchase a trip cancellation insurance. Passengers must fill in and sign an on-line Participation Form, which must be in the hands of the service provider, at least 60 days before the date of the voyage departure.
Itineraries: Even though the company will make all efforts to comply with the programmed itinerary, it must be taken into account that in this type of adventure trips to Antarctic regions, which have a severe and unpredictable climate, security is always the most important aspect in any trip to Antarctica. For that reason, it is that the service provider, reserves the right to modify the itinerary here described without prior consultation, due to climate problems or any other event of force majeure beyond the control of the service provider. It must always be remembered, that tight connections in an expedition to Antarctica are not at all recommended. That is why, it strongly recommended to have flexible airline tickets or with a right to be changed for the flight home, and, in any case not book a flight on the same day you return from Antarctica.
Contingency Plan: In case the flight to or from Antarctica is suspended due to climate problems, either at the point of departure and / or destination, the Contingency Plan corresponding to each trip, will be applied.
Antarctica Packing Checklist: In the Antarctic Peninsula, the average temperature is around 32°F (0°C). We must take into account that many times the chill sensation can decrease due to the strong winds. That is why, we recommend several layers of warm and light clothes. A jacket and windproof trousers as outer garments. Sunglasses with high UV protection Woolen hat and scarf Soft Shell jacket Waterproof hooded parka Thermal underwear Thermal Gloves Waterproof thermal trousers Thermal socks Thermal underwear, including vest and clothes with a high neck Soft Shell jacket and trousers Swimming suit (probably bathing in thermal waters) Comfortable clothes to wear on board - the average temperature is around 68°F (20°C) Comfortable shoes to wear on board
Single travelers: single travelers can choose between: Booking a dedicated Single Cabin. No supplement is applied for single use of dedicated Single Cabins. Booking a Twin Cabin for single use. An 85% supplement will be added to the rate per person when booking in a limited number of Porthole and Veranda Cabins on Magellan Explorer, Twin Cabins on Ocean Nova, and Window Suites and Promenade Suites on Hebridean Sky. A 100% supplement applies when booking all other categories. Sharing a cabin with another passenger of the same gender. This is available on Magellan Explorer in Porthole and Veranda Cabins, on Ocean Nova in Twin Cabins We will take care of finding the matching companion. Passengers who book a Twin Cabin on a shared basis are accommodated in single rooms at the hotel in Punta Arenas for which they must pay a Single Hotel Room Supplement that varies based on the departure selected. Please inquire at time of reservation.
Note:Single travelers who use CPAP machines or other assistive devices, as well as those who have conditions that can be disrupting to others (loud snoring, sleepwalking etc.) can only book their air-cruise in a Single Cabin or in a Twin Cabin for single use. They cannot book on a twin-share basis.
