Antarctica: Fly The Drake Passage

Skip the Drake Passage by flying directly to Antarctica. Maximize your time exploring stunning ice landscapes and extraordinary wildlife in complete comfort, supported by expert polar guides and specialized equipment.


Fly and Cruise Antarctica
© PLT

Duration: 9 days / 5 nights on board.
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.


Included
Optional


On this Fly-In, Fly-Out voyage, you will experience start-to-finish adventure, discovery, and comfort. By skipping the unpredictable waters of the Drake Passage in both directions, travelers reach the White Continent in just two hours, where their expedition ship awaits beneath the peaks of King George Island. From the moment you touch down, you will be immersed in a world of jaw-dropping ice, exploring the planet's most pristine environments safely guided by a skilled and knowledgeable Expedition Team.

This journey offers the opportunity to become intimately acquainted with Antarctica through Zodiac cruises, kayaking, or snowshoeing. You will marvel at various penguin species, whales, and seals in their natural habitat, and even participate in Citizen Science programs to help document this fragile environment. The voyage also includes a taste of Chilean Patagonia's hospitality, visiting a local ranch to observe continental wildlife like condors and guanacos, completing a life-changing experience that seamlessly blends comfort, science, and extreme exploration.

Highlights:
Charter flights across the Drake Passage to maximize exploration time in Antarctica.
Immersive navigation through picturesque channels shared by icebergs and glaciers.
Close encounters with penguin colonies, whale sightings, and seals in dynamic waters.
Exploration of the South Shetland Islands and their unique volcanic geology.
Excursion to a famous Chilean Patagonian ranch to experience local hospitality.

Itinerary

© PLT
© PLT
© PLT

Day 1: Welcome to Patagonia!
Preparations in Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile’s gateway to Antarctica. After check-in at Hotel Cabo de Hornos, meet the Expedition Team for parka and boot fitting, gear biosecurity, and briefings on responsible exploration. The day ends with a welcome dinner featuring Patagonian delicacies at the Faro Lounge.

Day 2: All Aboard for Antarctica!
Flying over the Drake
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a chartered flight across the Drake Passage. Watch from the window as icebergs appear before landing on King George Island. The team will assist you aboard Ocean Nova. After safety drills, toast the start of the voyage as we sail south.

Days 3–5: Immersive Antarctica
Ice, silence, and wildlife
Maneuver through majestic channels shared by icebergs and glaciers. Explore via Zodiac, kayak, or snowshoe, taking in the scale of the landscape. Participate in Citizen Science and visit penguin colonies and historic landing sites along the coast.

Day 6: South Shetland Islands
Volcanic geology and rookeries
Spend the final day in Antarctica exploring these islands created by volcanic activity. Expect a display of Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and look for elephant and fur seals on the shoreline, with whales often spotted offshore.

Day 7: King George Island – Disembarkation
Return flight to civilization
Arrival at Antarctica's most populous island. After farewells, disembark by Zodiac to the Chilean station for your chartered aircraft back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, a delectable dinner and comfortable rest await you at Hotel Cabo de Hornos.

Day 8: Punta Arenas, Chilean Patagonia
Ranch hospitality
Explore Chilean Patagonia on an excursion to the famous Estancia Olga Teresa. Learn about life at the bottom of the world and spot wildlife including guanacos, rhea, and Andean condors. Relax in the evening or explore the city.

Day 9: Punta Arenas – A Fond Farewell
End of the expedition
After breakfast and bidding farewell to fellow explorers, continue exploring Punta Arenas, set off for further adventure in Patagonia, or head to the airport for your return journey home.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Patagonia!
Preparations in Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile’s gateway to Antarctica. After check-in at Hotel Cabo de Hornos, meet the Expedition Team for parka and boot fitting, gear biosecurity, and briefings on responsible exploration. The day ends with a welcome dinner featuring Patagonian delicacies at the Faro Lounge.

Day 2: All Aboard for Antarctica!
Flying over the Drake
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a chartered flight across the Drake Passage. Watch from the window as icebergs appear before landing on King George Island. The team will assist you aboard Ocean Nova. After safety drills, toast the start of the voyage as we sail south.

Days 3–5: Immersive Antarctica
Ice, silence, and wildlife
Maneuver through majestic channels shared by icebergs and glaciers. Explore via Zodiac, kayak, or snowshoe, taking in the scale of the landscape. Participate in Citizen Science and visit penguin colonies and historic landing sites along the coast.

Day 6: South Shetland Islands
Volcanic geology and rookeries
Spend the final day in Antarctica exploring these islands created by volcanic activity. Expect a display of Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and look for elephant and fur seals on the shoreline, with whales often spotted offshore.

Day 7: King George Island – Disembarkation
Return flight to civilization
Arrival at Antarctica's most populous island. After farewells, disembark by Zodiac to the Chilean station for your chartered aircraft back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, a delectable dinner and comfortable rest await you at Hotel Cabo de Hornos.

Day 8: Punta Arenas, Chilean Patagonia
Ranch hospitality
Explore Chilean Patagonia on an excursion to the famous Estancia Olga Teresa. Learn about life at the bottom of the world and spot wildlife including guanacos, rhea, and Andean condors. Relax in the evening or explore the city.

Day 9: Punta Arenas – A Fond Farewell
End of the expedition
After breakfast and bidding farewell to fellow explorers, continue exploring Punta Arenas, set off for further adventure in Patagonia, or head to the airport for your return journey home.


© PLT
© PLT
© PLT


INCLUSIONS

Included Aboard All Ships

Prior to Embarkation
One pre-voyage hotel night with breakfast in Punta Arenas.
Transfer from group hotel to airport for embarkation.

On Board
Shipboard accommodations and meals.
“Welcome” and “Farewell” receptions with sparkling wine and snacks.
Complimentary house wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner (selected labels and brands. Wine excluded at lunch).
Coffee/Tea/Cocoa 24 hours a day.
500MB WiFi card for use on your personal devices.
Expedition jacket for use during the voyage.
Fleece-lined down jacket (yours to keep).
A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage.
All scheduled landings and excursions.
Snowshoes for use during landings (subject to availability).
Our Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects.
Photography Coach available throughout the voyage.
Participation in the Polar Plunge.
Access to our onboard medical clinics with certified emergency MD.
Access to our onboard fitness centers.
All port and landing fees.
Digital Voyage Log.

Post Disembarkation
Group transfer from ship to airport, hotel in Punta Arenas, or central location (please note we cannot drop at Airbnbs or private homes, which are often inaccessible for our transfer vehicles).

EXCLUSIONS

Any airfare or travel expenses associated with arrival or departure other than those specified above.
Pre- or post-voyage expenses in Ushuaia other than those specified above.
Travel insurance; medical insurance; evacuation coverage.
Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board, except as listed in inclusions.
Any other alcohol and soft drinks, except as listed in inclusions.
Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls or WiFi, except as listed in inclusions.
Staff/crew gratuities.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ocean Nova | Date: 19 Jan 2028 - 27 Jan 2028 (5107)
C2 -Classic Twin
$13,495
$11,471
C3 - Explorer Twin
$14,995
$12,746
C4 - Explorer Double
$14,995
$12,746
C5 - Comfort Twin
$16,295
$13,851
C6 - Classic Single
$17,295
$14,701
Ship: Ocean Nova | Date: 24 Jan 2028 - 01 Feb 2028 (5108)
C2 -Classic Twin
$14,495
$12,321
C3 - Explorer Twin
$15,995
$13,596
C4 - Explorer Double
$15,995
$13,596
C5 - Comfort Twin
$17,295
$14,701
C6 - Classic Single
$18,295
$15,551
Ship: Ocean Nova | Date: 29 Jan 2028 - 06 Feb 2028 (5109)
C2 -Classic Twin
$13,495
$11,471
C3 - Explorer Twin
$14,995
$12,746
C4 - Explorer Double
$14,995
$12,746
C5 - Comfort Twin
$16,295
$13,851
C6 - Classic Single
$17,295
$14,701

* 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.

Gallery



Other options you will like


 



THE POLAR TRAVEL COMPANY LLC
USA

8175 NW 12 ST #120, Doral, FL 33126
Miami - Dade, Florida
Tel: +1 (786) 321-5654
WhatsApp: +1 (786) 705-2241
Email: travel@thepolartravelcompany.com

International Travel Awards - 2023 Winner
Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Awards 2025

© 2020 The Polar Travel Company | All rights reserved | Terms & Conditions
THE POLAR TRAVEL COMPANY LLC is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST42392.

Write us via WhatsApp