The Polar Travel Company

An affordable 7-day Fly & Sail expedition. Fly over Cape Horn and the Drake Passage to explore the South Shetland Islands before sailing across the legendary passage to Ushuaia.

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Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Starts: Punta Arenas, Chile
Ends: Ushuaia, Argentina
Language: English speaking voyage

Included

The Antarctica Express Air-Cruise (Reverse Itinerary) offers a unique and efficient 7-day expedition designed to provide quick and affordable access to the White Continent. The journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, with a two-hour flight over Cape Horn and the Drake Passage directly to King George Island in Antarctica. This approach allows you to avoid the potentially rough seas, maximizing your time for exploration upon arrival in the South Shetland Islands.

Once in Antarctica, you will explore the stunning beauty of the South Shetland Islands, sailing through ice-filled bays and observing extraordinary landscapes and wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. The expedition then sails north, allowing you to experience the legendary waters of the Drake Passage (the "Sail" portion of the trip) and potentially explore Cape Horn before concluding in Ushuaia, Argentina. During the days at sea, you can attend expert-led lectures and spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, from the ship�s decks.

Highlights:
Fly over Cape Horn and the Drake Passage to reach Antarctica quickly.
Sail across the legendary Drake Passage on the return voyage to Ushuaia.
Explore the South Shetland Islands and witness towering icebergs and extraordinary landscapes.
Disembark by Zodiac for a memorable shore visit to a penguin colony.
Visit the legendary Cape Horn and the world's southernmost town, Puerto Williams, if weather permits.

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Day 1: Start of the air-cruise
Mandatory briefing and welcome dinner in Explorers House
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM, and be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, attend a mandatory briefing at Explorers House with essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors, followed by a welcome dinner enjoying a typical regional menu.

Day 2: Scheduled flight to Antarctica
Fly to King George Island and embarkation
The adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island. You will board the expedition vessel to start your Antarctic exploration.

Day 3: Exploring Antarctica
First shore visit to a penguin colony
Explore the stunning beauty of the South Shetland Islands. Sail through ice-filled bays, observing sea birds, penguins, seals, and whales. Board a Zodiac for a memorable shore visit to a penguin colony, taking advantage of the extended daylight for evening exploration.

Days 4-5: Drake Passage
Sailing north and final lectures
Sail north through the Drake Passage while enjoying lectures and presentations. Watch for wildlife from the glass-enclosed lounge or outside decks, spotting magnificent sea birds, like albatrosses and petrels, as well as various whale species.

Day 6: Cape Horn and Puerto Williams
Sailing the Beagle Channel
Weather permitting, board a Zodiac to explore the legendary Cape Horn. Then, continue the journey along the Beagle Channel to Puerto Williams, Chile, the world's southernmost town. Explore the area before sailing to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Day 7: End of the air-cruise
Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrival in Ushuaia, marking the end of your journey.