Antarctica Express: Fly the Drake

Fly over the Drake Passage by charter plane to land at King George Island before exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by ship.


Fly and Cruise Antarctica
© QEX

Duration: 8 days
Starts: Punta Arenas, Chile
Ends: Punta Arenas, Chile
Language: English Speaking Voyage


Included
Optional


In just 8 adventure-packed days, you’ll experience rewarding shore visits and Zodiac cruises, marvel at intimate wildlife encounters, explore historic sites and make the most of your landmark visit to the 7th Continent. Select from a range of adventure options and onboard activities that match your personal interests and make your expedition uniquely yours.

Itinerary

© David Merron
© Samantha Crimmin
© David Merron

DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE
Your 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 you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.

DAY 2 | FLY TO KING GEORGE ISLAND AND EMBARKATION
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few
hours. Far below, the ship will approach King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctic landscapes will be from a unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetland Islands. After landing, stretch your legs with a one-mile (1.6 km) walk to the shore, before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!

DAYS 3–6 | ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the White Continent, you may be overcome by feelingsof excitement and awe. Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes.
As your captain and Expedition Team keep a lookout for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert presenters will deepen your experience with explanations of the glaciology, history and wildlife of the region.
Even more exciting are your daily excursions. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking on a beach dotted with penguins 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, and
it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between an Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin.
You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming sound of a calving glacier to the thrill of spotting apex predators like leopard seals and killer whales in action, you’ll wake up early and welcome each day with a sense of adventure and a desire to explore during this unrivaled travel experience.
Your Expedition Team will accompany you all along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.

DAY 7 | DISEMBARKATION AND FLY TO PUNTA ARENAS
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your two-and-a-half-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings your adventure to an end. After your group transfer to the hotel, you are free to explore and enjoy an evening on your own, in the city or at the hotel to reminisce about the sights and sounds of Antarctica.

DAY 8 | DEPART 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.

Itinerary

DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE
Your 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 you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.

DAY 2 | FLY TO KING GEORGE ISLAND AND EMBARKATION
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few
hours. Far below, the ship will approach King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctic landscapes will be from a unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetland Islands. After landing, stretch your legs with a one-mile (1.6 km) walk to the shore, before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!

DAYS 3–6 | ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the White Continent, you may be overcome by feelingsof excitement and awe. Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes.
As your captain and Expedition Team keep a lookout for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert presenters will deepen your experience with explanations of the glaciology, history and wildlife of the region.
Even more exciting are your daily excursions. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking on a beach dotted with penguins 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, and
it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between an Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin.
You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming sound of a calving glacier to the thrill of spotting apex predators like leopard seals and killer whales in action, you’ll wake up early and welcome each day with a sense of adventure and a desire to explore during this unrivaled travel experience.
Your Expedition Team will accompany you all along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.

DAY 7 | DISEMBARKATION AND FLY TO PUNTA ARENAS
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your two-and-a-half-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings your adventure to an end. After your group transfer to the hotel, you are free to explore and enjoy an evening on your own, in the city or at the hotel to reminisce about the sights and sounds of Antarctica.

DAY 8 | DEPART 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.


© David Merron
© Samantha Crimmin
© David Merron


INCLUSIONS

An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.
Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting your expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast. (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
A briefing dinner on Day 1 in Punta Arenas
A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the hotel to the airport
Flights to and from King George Island
A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast
Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)

EXCLUSIONS

International airfare
Passport and applicable visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
Meals unless otherwise specified
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities


Dates & Rates


Ship: World Explorer | Date: 05 Dec 2024 - 12 Dec 2024 (2271)
Triple Suite
$15,495
$14,395
Veranda Suite
$17,995
$17,095
Infinity Suite
$18,995
$17,995
Superior Suite
$23,495
$21,595
Deluxe Suite
$25,495
$22,495
Owner\'s Suite
$26,995
$24,745
Ship: World Explorer | Date: 15 Dec 2024 - 22 Dec 2024 (2272)
Triple Suite
$16,495
Veranda Suite
$18,995
Infinity Suite
$19,995
Superior Suite
$24,995
Deluxe Suite
$26,995
Owner\'s Suite
$28,495
Ship: World Explorer | Date: 20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 (2273)
Triple Suite
$16,495
Veranda Suite
$18,995
Infinity Suite
$19,995
Superior Suite
$24,995
Deluxe Suite
$26,995
Owner\'s Suite
$28,495
Ship: Ocean Adventurer | Date: 09 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025 (2268)
Triple Cabin
$12,494
Lower Deck Twin
$14,995
Main Deck Twin
$15,995
Twin Window - M.Deck
$17,495
Superior
$18,495
Deluxe
$18,495
Suite
$24,495
Owner's Suite
$25,995
Ship: Ocean Adventurer | Date: 14 Jan 2025 - 21 Jan 2025 (2269)
Triple Cabin
$12,494
Lower Deck Twin
$14,995
Main Deck Twin
$15,995
Twin Window - M.Deck
$17,495
Superior
$18,495
Deluxe
$18,495
Suite
$24,495
Owner's Suite
$25,995
Ship: Ocean Adventurer | Date: 19 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025 (2270)
Triple Cabin
$12,494
Lower Deck Twin
$14,995
Main Deck Twin
$15,995
Twin Window - M.Deck
$17,495
Superior
$18,495
Deluxe
$18,495
Suite
$24,495
Owner's Suite
$25,995
Ship: World Explorer | Date: 15 Dec 2025 - 22 Dec 2025 (2861)
Triple Suite
$18,995
$12,821
Veranda Suite
$22,295
$15,049
Infinity Suite
$22,295
$15,049
Superior Suite
$28,995
$19,571
Deluxe Suite
$31,195
$21,056
Owner\'s Suite
$33,495
$22,609
Ship: Ocean Explorer | Date: 04 Jan 2026 - 11 Jan 2026 (2862)
Studio Double
$20,295
$14,612
Studio Single
$25,995
$18,716
Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom
$22,595
$16,268
Deluxe Veranda Middle Stateroom
$23,795
$17,132
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
$24,495
$17,636
Studio Veranda Stateroom
$21,395
$15,404
Grand Veranda Stateroom
$25,995
$18,716
Junior Suite
$29,795
$21,452
Royal Veranda Stateroom
$26,695
$19,220
Studio Veranda Single
$27,395
$19,724
Explorer Suite
$30,095
$22,316
Owners Suite
$33,295
$23,972
Ship: Ocean Explorer | Date: 08 Mar 2026 - 15 Mar 2026 (2863)
Studio Double
$18,295
$11,525
Studio Single
$23,495
$14,801
Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom
$20,495
$12,911
Deluxe Veranda Middle Stateroom
$21,595
$13,604
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
$22,195
$13,982
Studio Veranda Stateroom
$19,395
$12,218
Grand Veranda Stateroom
$23,495
$14,801
Junior Suite
$26,895
$16,943
Royal Veranda Stateroom
$24,095
$15,179
Studio Veranda Single
$24,795
$15,620
Explorer Suite
$27,995
$17,636
Owners Suite
$30,195
$19,022

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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