Across the Antarctic Circle: Fly the Drake (11 days)

A rapid 11-day expedition designed to maximize time in Antarctica by flying both ways across the Drake Passage. Journey south to cross the Antarctic Circle, experiencing the region's isolated beauty, vast ice, and abundant feeding whales.


Fly and Cruise Antarctica
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Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Starts: Punta Arenas, Chile
Ends: Punta Arenas, Chile
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.
Includes hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas (Cabo de Hornos or similar) on Day 1 and Day 10, and round-trip charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island (Antarctica), soaring over the Drake Passage in both directions.


Included
Optional


The Across the Antarctic Circle Fly/Fly expedition offers the ultimate time-saving Antarctic adventure, allowing you to soar over the Drake Passage in both directions, maximizing your time for exploration on the White Continent. Venturing below the Antarctic Circle is about more than just earning bragging rights; it is the chance to enter a different, more isolated, and colder world rarely seen, characterized by great swathes of pack-ice and dreamlike icebergs. The crossing of this imaginary line (66°33' South) will be a moment of celebration, making you part of an exclusive group of polar adventurers.

The seven days of Antarctic cruising are dedicated to threading through pack ice and narrow channels, where scenes of ice-clad mountains, lively penguin colonies, and feeding whales become lasting memories. We will conduct daily Zodiac cruises and landings to explore historic explorers’ huts, scientific stations, and pristine beaches. Keep a close watch for whales, seals (Weddell and crabeater), and porpoising penguins. This expedition blends swift access with deep exploration, focusing on the most rewarding and remote experiences the Antarctic Peninsula has to offer.

Highlights:
Soar over the Drake Passage in both directions, soaking in the icy scenery below and maximizing time for exploration.
Celebrate the crossing of the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33' South (approximately).
Zodiac cruise in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice and photograph enormous glaciers and spectacularly shaped icebergs.
Keep a close watch for the tail fluke of whales and ice seals such as Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on ice floes.
Visit fascinating historic sites including explorers’ huts and scientific stations.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Punta Arenas
Arrival, Briefing, and Preparation for Flight
Arrive in Punta Arenas (no later than 2:00 pm) and be transferred to the group hotel (Cabo de Hornos or similar). Visit the hospitality desk between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to collect luggage tags and confirm embarkation details. In the evening (7:00 pm), attend a mandatory voyage briefing to reconfirm transfer times, flight procedures to King George Island, and outline IAATO regulations for Antarctica. The hotel is located overlooking the Straits of Magellan, offering a blend of cultural backgrounds and history (meals today are at your own expense).

Day 2: Flight Punta Arenas to King George Island, Embarkation
Charter Flight to Antarctica and Boarding
This morning, transfer to Punta Arenas airport for the charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes, weather permitting). Upon arrival, the expedition team greets you and prepares you for the Zodiac transfer to the vessel. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings. Note: The flight requires clear visibility for safety; a contingency plan will be applied if the flight does not proceed today.

Days 3–9: Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Circle and Exploring the Deep South
For seven days, the western Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are yours to explore, taking advantage of the long daylight hours (18-24 hours). The expert expedition team designs the daily itinerary based on conditions to maximize wildlife and ice encounters. We generally aim for twice-daily landings or Zodiac excursions: cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, among grounded icebergs, and transporting guests ashore to visit penguin rookeries and historic huts. Conditions permitting, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle (66°33' South), celebrating this special moment with a toast. The waters here are rich with krill, providing excellent chances to see feeding humpbacks and minkes, as well as seals and porpoising penguins. Optional activities and the Polar Plunge may be offered.

Day 10: Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas
Farewell Antarctica and Return Charter Flight
We approach Frei Base on King George Island to bid farewell to Antarctica. Board the return charter flight (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile, soaring over the Drake Passage. Use the flight time for reflection. From the airport, you will be transferred to the group hotel (Cabo de Hornos or similar) for an overnight stay.

Note: Safe flight operation requires clear visibility; delays may occur.

Day 11: Depart Punta Arenas
Departure and Onward Travel
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travelers. A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare, where you will continue your onward journey, carrying a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Punta Arenas
Arrival, Briefing, and Preparation for Flight
Arrive in Punta Arenas (no later than 2:00 pm) and be transferred to the group hotel (Cabo de Hornos or similar). Visit the hospitality desk between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to collect luggage tags and confirm embarkation details. In the evening (7:00 pm), attend a mandatory voyage briefing to reconfirm transfer times, flight procedures to King George Island, and outline IAATO regulations for Antarctica. The hotel is located overlooking the Straits of Magellan, offering a blend of cultural backgrounds and history (meals today are at your own expense).

Day 2: Flight Punta Arenas to King George Island, Embarkation
Charter Flight to Antarctica and Boarding
This morning, transfer to Punta Arenas airport for the charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes, weather permitting). Upon arrival, the expedition team greets you and prepares you for the Zodiac transfer to the vessel. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings. Note: The flight requires clear visibility for safety; a contingency plan will be applied if the flight does not proceed today.

Days 3–9: Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Circle and Exploring the Deep South
For seven days, the western Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are yours to explore, taking advantage of the long daylight hours (18-24 hours). The expert expedition team designs the daily itinerary based on conditions to maximize wildlife and ice encounters. We generally aim for twice-daily landings or Zodiac excursions: cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, among grounded icebergs, and transporting guests ashore to visit penguin rookeries and historic huts. Conditions permitting, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle (66°33' South), celebrating this special moment with a toast. The waters here are rich with krill, providing excellent chances to see feeding humpbacks and minkes, as well as seals and porpoising penguins. Optional activities and the Polar Plunge may be offered.

Day 10: Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas
Farewell Antarctica and Return Charter Flight
We approach Frei Base on King George Island to bid farewell to Antarctica. Board the return charter flight (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile, soaring over the Drake Passage. Use the flight time for reflection. From the airport, you will be transferred to the group hotel (Cabo de Hornos or similar) for an overnight stay.

Note: Safe flight operation requires clear visibility; delays may occur.

Day 11: Depart Punta Arenas
Departure and Onward Travel
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travelers. A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare, where you will continue your onward journey, carrying a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.


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INCLUSIONS

All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
Two night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 1 and Day 10.
Return charter flight between Punta Arenas and King George Island.
Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices during voyage.
Beer and house wine with dinner.
Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
Comprehensive pre-departure information.
Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
Wi-Fi*.

*Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.


EXCLUSIONS

International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
Airport arrival or departure taxes.
Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.

Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Douglas Mawson | Date: 07 Feb 2028 - 17 Feb 2028 (4726)
Captain’s Suite
$55,195
$46,916
Junior Suite
$48,295
$41,051
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$40,595
$34,506
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$37,095
$31,531
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$34,495
$29,321
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$32,795
$27,876
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$31,995
$27,196
Aurora Stateroom Twin
$30,195
$25,666

* 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.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. 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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