Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage - 8 days

An 8-day expedition bypassing the Drake Passage via a two-hour flight, offering an expedient way to experience Antarctica's highlights. Explore the pristine kingdom with Zodiac cruises, kayaking, and hiking in the company of top naturalists and a National Geographic photographer.


Fly and Cruise Antarctica
© NAT

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Starts: Puerto Natales, Chile
Ends: Puerto Natales, Chile
Language: English speaking voyage

November departures offer the possibility of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
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
Optional


This 8-day 'Antarctica Direct' expedition offers an expedient way to discover the wild grandeur of the White Continent by bypassing the traditional Drake Passage sea crossing with a two-hour direct flight to and from King George Island. Traveling aboard the intimately scaled National Geographic Explorer or National Geographic Orion, the journey allows guests to maximize their time exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Guests will venture into channels and coves framed by towering peaks, watching for whales and Zodiac cruising around enormous icebergs.

The experience is highly active, offering opportunities to hike, kayak, and, during November departures on the National Geographic Explorer, possibly cross-country ski or snowshoe on the frozen sea ice. The expedition provides top-tier guidance from a team of experts, including seasoned naturalists and a National Geographic photographer, ensuring every moment is profoundly enriched. The itinerary also emphasizes family learning with the exclusive National Geographic Explorers-in-Training program for kids and teens.

Highlights:
Get a head start on your Antarctica experience by flying across the Drake Passage from Puerto Natales to King George Island.
Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica.
Marvel at the abundance of wildlife—a parade of gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; stealthy leopard seals; several species of whales from humpbacks to orcas; and more.
Hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise in complete tranquility, surrounded by a pristine kingdom of snow and ice.
November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting.

Itinerary

© NAT
© NAT

Day 1: Puerto Natales, Chile
Arrival, Briefing, and Gateway to Torres del Paine
Arrive in Puerto Natales, a town nestled on the Last Hope Sound with a stunning view of the sea surrounded by the Cerro Benitez Mountains. Transfer from the airport to your hotel, where you'll enjoy dinner and attend a briefing on the following day’s activities. Guests should arrive by 3:00 p.m. local time.

Day 2: Puerto Natales / King George Island, Antarctica / Embark Ship
Direct Flight to Antarctica and Embarkation
Following breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for the two-hour direct flight to King George Island in Antarctica. Your flight lands on a gravel runway at the Chilean research station. Board Zodiacs from the rocky shoreline to embark on the ship.

Days 3-6: Exploring Antarctica
Wildlife, Icebergs, and Active Excursions
With long hours of daylight, the schedule is flexible to take advantage of unexpected moments, such as watching whales off the bow or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise. Activities include kayaking to encounter towering icebergs at water level, Zodiac excursions in search of seals and blue-eyed shags, or walking amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The expert expedition team will enrich every experience.

Day 7: King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales
Flight Return and Overnight in Puerto Natales
The ship moors off King George Island. Following disembarkation and Zodiac rides to shore, your flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where you overnight at your hotel.

Day 8: Puerto Natales
Departure
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward. Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time.

Itinerary

Day 1: Puerto Natales, Chile
Arrival, Briefing, and Gateway to Torres del Paine
Arrive in Puerto Natales, a town nestled on the Last Hope Sound with a stunning view of the sea surrounded by the Cerro Benitez Mountains. Transfer from the airport to your hotel, where you'll enjoy dinner and attend a briefing on the following day’s activities. Guests should arrive by 3:00 p.m. local time.

Day 2: Puerto Natales / King George Island, Antarctica / Embark Ship
Direct Flight to Antarctica and Embarkation
Following breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for the two-hour direct flight to King George Island in Antarctica. Your flight lands on a gravel runway at the Chilean research station. Board Zodiacs from the rocky shoreline to embark on the ship.

Days 3-6: Exploring Antarctica
Wildlife, Icebergs, and Active Excursions
With long hours of daylight, the schedule is flexible to take advantage of unexpected moments, such as watching whales off the bow or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise. Activities include kayaking to encounter towering icebergs at water level, Zodiac excursions in search of seals and blue-eyed shags, or walking amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The expert expedition team will enrich every experience.

Day 7: King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales
Flight Return and Overnight in Puerto Natales
The ship moors off King George Island. Following disembarkation and Zodiac rides to shore, your flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where you overnight at your hotel.

Day 8: Puerto Natales
Departure
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward. Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time.


© NAT
© NAT


INCLUSIONS

Anything mentioned in the programme.

EXCLUSIONS

Personal expenses.


Dates & Rates


Ship: National Geographic Explorer | Date: 10 Jan 2026 - 17 Jan 2026 (4804)
CAT 1
$15,749
CAT 2
$17,164
CAT 3
$17,558
CAT 4
$18,568
CAT 5
$22,135
CAT 6
$25,037
CAT 7
$27,221
CAT SA
$21,479
CAT SB
$24,204
Ship: National Geographic Explorer | Date: 15 Jan 2026 - 22 Jan 2026 (4805)
CAT 1
$15,749
CAT 2
$17,164
CAT 3
$17,558
CAT 4
$18,557
CAT 5
$22,135
CAT 6
$25,037
CAT 7
$27,221
CAT SA
$21,438
CAT SB
$24,204
Ship: National Geographic Explorer | Date: 29 Jan 2026 - 05 Feb 2026 (4806)
CAT 1
$18,874
CAT 2
$17,299
CAT 3
$17,704
CAT 4
$18,713
CAT 5
$22,312
CAT 6
$25,255
CAT 7
$27,449
CAT SA
$21,656
CAT SB
$24,402
Ship: National Geographic Orion | Date: 01 Feb 2026 - 08 Feb 2026 (4798)
CAT 1
$15,749
CAT 2
$17,309
CAT 3
$17,694
CAT 4
$18,672
CAT 5
$22,135
CAT 6
$24,964
CAT 1S
$21,500
CAT 3S
$24,152
Ship: National Geographic Explorer | Date: 03 Feb 2026 - 10 Feb 2026 (4807)
CAT 1
$15,874
CAT 2
$17,299
CAT 3
$17,704
CAT 4
$18,713
CAT 5
$22,312
CAT 6
$25,255
CAT 7
$27,449
CAT SA
$21,656
CAT SB
$24,402
Ship: National Geographic Explorer | Date: 17 Feb 2026 - 24 Feb 2026 (4808)
CAT 1
$15,379
CAT 2
$16,749
CAT 3
$17,139
CAT 4
$18,109
CAT 5
$21,569
CAT 6
$24,399
CAT 7
$26,509
CAT SA
$20,939
CAT SB
$23,579
Ship: National Geographic Explorer | Date: 22 Feb 2026 - 01 Mar 2026 (4809)
CAT 1
$14,689
CAT 2
$16,072
CAT 3
$16,446
CAT 4
$17,424
CAT 5
$20,866
CAT 6
$23,674
CAT 7
$25,775
CAT SA
$20,242
CAT SB
$22,862

* 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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