Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air

Bypass the Drake Passage with a 2.5-hour private charter flight between Puerto Natales and Antarctica. Enjoy seven full days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and pushing toward the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S.


Antarctic Polar Circle
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Duration: 11 days / 8 nights on board.
Starts: Puerto Natales, Chile.
Ends: Puerto Natales, 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.


Included


A 2.5-hour private charter flight from Chilean Patagonia replaces the Drake Passage crossing in both directions, granting seven full days of exploration in Antarctica. Designed for an intimate group of just 36 guests on board, this expedition focuses on attempting to cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S on every departure. Operating with four Zodiacs simultaneously, all guests step ashore and cruise together at the same time, maximizing landing time and polar immersion.

The itinerary combines iconic Antarctic Peninsula sites such as the Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, and the Lemaire Channel with remote southern reaches like Crystal Sound, Marguerite Bay, and Detaille Island. In these southern latitudes, travelers explore deep sea ice landscapes and locked bergs, with opportunities to walk on the sea ice itself when conditions allow. The experience is complemented by wildlife encounters with Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguin colonies, leopard, Weddell, and crabeater seals, humpback whales, photography guidance, and a pre- and post-expedition stay in Puerto Natales.

Highlights:
Round-trip 2.5-hour private charter flight between Puerto Natales and King George Island bypassing the Drake Passage.
Seven full days of intensive exploration on the Antarctic Peninsula and a push for the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S.
Exclusive micro-cruise experience for 36 guests with simultaneous Zodiac landings and operations for everyone.
Navigation through remote southern passages such as The Gullet, Lallemand Fjord, and Marguerite Bay.
Wildlife sightings including Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins, leopard and Weddell seals, and humpback whales.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Puerto Natales, Chile
Arrival in Patagonia
Arrive at Weskar Lodge in Puerto Natales between 15:00 and 17:00. Pre-Antarctic briefings take place with the expedition team, followed by a Patagonian welcome asado at the lodge club house to mark the official start of your expedition.

Day 2: Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, Antarctica
Charter flight over the Drake and embarkation
The 2.5-hour charter flight to King George Island departs as soon as weather conditions allow. If the flight window does not open on day two, accommodation continues at the lodge in Puerto Natales. Upon arrival in Antarctica, transfer to the vessel for safety briefings and set sail south.

Day 3-9: Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Circle
Seven days of ice exploration and wildlife
Seven full days on the Peninsula shaped by conditions and opportunity. Sailing covers the South Shetland Islands including Deception Island, the Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, and Cuverville Island. When ice allows, the expedition pushes south toward the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S, exploring remote fjords such as Lallemand, The Gullet, Marguerite Bay, Crystal Sound, and Detaille Island. Enjoy Zodiac cruises, walks on snow or sea ice, and sightings of Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, and humpback whales.

Day 10: Fly back to Puerto Natales from King George Island, Antarctica
Return to Patagonia
The vessel holds at Maxwell Bay until the return flight window opens. Take the 2.5-hour charter flight from King George Island back to Puerto Natales. Transfer to the lodge for a farewell dinner.

Day 11: Puerto Natales, Chile
Expedition conclusion
Enjoy your last day in Puerto Natales, the gateway to Chilean Patagonia. From here you can explore nearby Torres del Paine National Park or connect with your homeward flights, with backup hotel night buffer programs available in case of flight shifts.

Itinerary

Day 1: Puerto Natales, Chile
Arrival in Patagonia
Arrive at Weskar Lodge in Puerto Natales between 15:00 and 17:00. Pre-Antarctic briefings take place with the expedition team, followed by a Patagonian welcome asado at the lodge club house to mark the official start of your expedition.

Day 2: Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, Antarctica
Charter flight over the Drake and embarkation
The 2.5-hour charter flight to King George Island departs as soon as weather conditions allow. If the flight window does not open on day two, accommodation continues at the lodge in Puerto Natales. Upon arrival in Antarctica, transfer to the vessel for safety briefings and set sail south.

Day 3-9: Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Circle
Seven days of ice exploration and wildlife
Seven full days on the Peninsula shaped by conditions and opportunity. Sailing covers the South Shetland Islands including Deception Island, the Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, and Cuverville Island. When ice allows, the expedition pushes south toward the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S, exploring remote fjords such as Lallemand, The Gullet, Marguerite Bay, Crystal Sound, and Detaille Island. Enjoy Zodiac cruises, walks on snow or sea ice, and sightings of Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, and humpback whales.

Day 10: Fly back to Puerto Natales from King George Island, Antarctica
Return to Patagonia
The vessel holds at Maxwell Bay until the return flight window opens. Take the 2.5-hour charter flight from King George Island back to Puerto Natales. Transfer to the lodge for a farewell dinner.

Day 11: Puerto Natales, Chile
Expedition conclusion
Enjoy your last day in Puerto Natales, the gateway to Chilean Patagonia. From here you can explore nearby Torres del Paine National Park or connect with your homeward flights, with backup hotel night buffer programs available in case of flight shifts.


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INCLUSIONS

Return private charter flights between Puerto Natales and Antarctica.
One pre-expedition and one post-expedition hotel night at the Classic Patagonian Lodge, including breakfast, as specified in the itinerary.
Patagonian welcome and farewell dinners at the Classic Patagonian Lodge.Scheduled transfers between Puerto Natales airport, the included lodge and the Antarctic charter flight, as described in the itinerary.
The Secret Atlas Peace of Mind Programme, including up to three additional nights with breakfast in Puerto Natales when applicable and subject to its published terms.
Leadership throughout the voyage by the experienced Expedition Team, including lectures, workshops, Zodiac cruising and shore landings.
All scheduled Zodiac cruises, transfers and shore landings, subject to weather, sea, ice and operational conditions.
Shipboard accommodation with daily cabin service and full board, including tea, coffee and drinking water; selected beverages served with meals.
Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi; availability and speed cannot be guaranteed in remote polar regions.
Complimentary use of rubber expedition boots for shore landings.
Access to the ship's medical facilities and expedition doctor; treatment and medication may be chargeable.
Included Sea Kayaking and Light Mountaineering programmes on selected departures, subject to conditions, availability and approval by the Expedition Leader and specialist guides.
Photography guidance and workshops, plus IAATO fees, permits, landing fees, port charges and applicable operational fees.
Comprehensive pre-departure information and assistance from the Secret Atlas team.

EXCLUSIONS

International and domestic flights not expressly listed as included in the itinerary.
Passport, visa, vaccination, reciprocity and other entry requirements or charges.
Comprehensive travel insurance, as required under the Secret Atlas Terms and Conditions.
Excess baggage charges and luggage exceeding the published charter-flight allowance; carriage of excess baggage cannot be guaranteed.
Additional accommodation, meals and transfers not expressly listed as included or covered by the Peace of Mind Programme.
Additional accommodation, meals, transfers or other personal costs if the Antarctic charter flight is unable to operate, except where expressly included under the Secret Atlas Peace of Mind Programme. Please refer to the Secret Atlas Terms and Conditions.
Personal expenses, including laundry, bar purchases outside the included service, telephone charges and optional premium internet services.
Personal clothing and equipment not specifically listed as provided.
Medical treatment, medication, evacuation or repatriation costs.
Optional activities, private arrangements or independent excursions not expressly listed as included.
Gratuities for shipboard crew and Expedition Team.
Any additional taxes, government charges or supplier surcharges. Please refer to the Secret Atlas Terms and Conditions.
Any service not expressly stated as included in the confirmed itinerary.


Dates & Rates


Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 13 Dec 2027 - 23 Dec 2027 (5515)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$23,995
Classic Single
$25,995
Signature Single
$27,995
Signature Suite
$29,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 21 Dec 2027 - 31 Dec 2027 (5545)
Classic Twin
$23,500
Signature Twin
$26,500
Classic Single
$28,500
Signature Single
$30,500
Signature Suite
$32,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 29 Dec 2027 - 08 Jan 2027 (5534)
Classic Twin
$23,500
Signature Twin
$26,500
Classic Single
$28,500
Signature Single
$30,500
Signature Suite
$32,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 06 Jan 2028 - 16 Jan 2028 (5516)
Classic Twin
$21,995
Signature Twin
$24,995
Classic Single
$26,995
Signature Single
$28,995
Signature Suite
$30,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 14 Jan 2028 - 24 Jan 2028 (5517)
Classic Twin
$21,995
Signature Twin
$24,995
Classic Single
$26,995
Signature Single
$28,995
Signature Suite
$30,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 22 Jan 2028 - 01 Feb 2028 (5518)
Classic Twin
$21,995
Signature Twin
$24,995
Classic Single
$26,995
Signature Single
$28,995
Signature Suite
$30,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 30 Jan 2028 - 09 Feb 2028 (5519)
Classic Twin
$21,995
Signature Twin
$24,995
Classic Single
$2,695
Signature Single
$28,995
Signature Suite
$30,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 07 Feb 2028 - 17 Feb 2028 (5520)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$23,995
Classic Single
$25,995
Signature Single
$27,995
Signature Suite
$29,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 15 Feb 2028 - 25 Feb 2028 (5536)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$23,995
Classic Single
$25,995
Signature Single
$27,995
Signature Suite
$29,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 23 Feb 2028 - 04 Mar 2028 (5537)
Classic Twin
$20,995
Signature Twin
$23,995
Classic Single
$25,995
Signature Single
$279,985
Signature Suite
$29,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 11 Dec 2028 - 21 Dec 2028 (5521)
Classic Twin
$21,995
Signature Twin
$24,995
Classic Single
$27,500
Signature Single
$29,500
Signature Suite
$31,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 19 Dec 2028 - 28 Dec 2028 (5544)
Classic Twin
$24,995
Signature Twin
$27,995
Classic Single
$29,995
Signature Single
$31,995
Signature Suite
$33,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 27 Dec 2028 - 06 Jan 2029 (5535)
Classic Twin
$24,995
Signature Twin
$27,995
Classic Single
$29,995
Signature Single
$31,995
Signature Suite
$33,995
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 04 Jan 2029 - 14 Jan 2029 (5522)
Classic Twin
$22,995
Signature Twin
$26,500
Classic Single
$28,500
Signature Single
$30,500
Signature Suite
$32,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 12 Jan 2029 - 22 Jan 2029 (5523)
Classic Twin
$22,995
Signature Twin
$26,500
Classic Single
$28,500
Signature Single
$30,500
Signature Suite
$32,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 20 Jan 2029 - 30 Jan 2029 (5524)
Classic Twin
$22,995
Signature Twin
$26,500
Classic Single
$28,500
Signature Single
$30,500
Signature Suite
$32,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 28 Jan 2029 - 07 Feb 2029 (5525)
Classic Twin
$22,995
Signature Twin
$26,500
Classic Single
$28,500
Signature Single
$30,500
Signature Suite
$32,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 13 Feb 2029 - 23 Feb 2029 (5538)
Classic Twin
$21,995
Signature Twin
$24,995
Classic Single
$27,500
Signature Single
$29,500
Signature Suite
$31,500
Ship: MY Aureum | Date: 21 Feb 2029 - 03 Mar 2029 (5539)
Classic Twin
$21,995
Signature Twin
$24,995
Classic Single
$27,500
Signature Single
$29,500
Signature Suite
$31,500

* 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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