The Polar Travel Company

An intimate 16-day fly-and-sail expedition witnessing the autumn transformation of South Georgia and Antarctica. Experience peak whale sightings and golden polar light with just 42 guests.

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Duration: 16 days / 15 nights
Starts: Puerto Natales, Chile
Ends: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
Language: English speaking voyage

This is a "Micro Cruise" limited to 42 guests. It is a fly-and-cruise expedition that crosses the Drake Passage once by flight (southbound) and once by ship (northbound). The trip is timed for the spectacular golden light of the autumn transition. The itinerary is open-ended and highly flexible.

Included

Experience the unparalleled opportunity to explore both South Georgia and Antarctica in a single expedition, witnessing the polar wilderness transition into autumn. In South Georgia, you'll find moulting elephant seals roaring across crowded beaches and wandering albatrosses gliding effortlessly above landscapes glowing with the rich hues of autumn. Farther south, Antarctica shimmers in ice and brilliance�fjords turn to glass, glaciers gleam, and the ocean teems with life, with penguin chicks and whales feeding at their seasonal peak.

This intimate "Micro Cruise" is limited to just 42 guests, allowing you to venture where larger ships can't. The voyage follows Shackleton�s legendary route, visiting historic whaling stations and navigating breathtaking Antarctic waterways like the Gerlache and Lemaire Channels. This fly-and-cruise expedition starts in Puerto Natales, flying directly to Antarctica, and concludes by sailing to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. It offers exceptional photographic opportunities to capture wildlife and landscapes bathed in the soft, golden autumn light.

Highlights:
Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, skipping the Drake Passage on the way south.
Explore South Georgia in autumn's golden glow, witnessing penguin chicks and elephant seals.
Follow Shackleton�s legendary route, visiting historic whaling stations and expedition sites.
Witness peak whale watching, with large numbers of humpbacks, minkes, and orcas feeding actively.
Navigate breathtaking Antarctic waterways, including the Gerlache and Lemaire Channels, under spectacular autumn skies.

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Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile
Patagonia's soul and flight preparation
Begin your Antarctic journey in Puerto Natales. Our team will meet you at the airport upon your arrival and transfer you to your hotel. You can experience Patagonia�s soul from the first moment.

Day 2: Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, Antarctica
Charter flight and embarkation
After meeting our team in Puerto Natales, you�ll board a two-and-a-half-hour charter flight across the Drake Passage to King George Island. Upon landing, a Zodiac transfer will take you to your ship, where your voyage into the white continent begins.

Days 3-8: Antarctic Peninsula
Exploring the array of blue ice
The Antarctic Peninsula awaits. You will navigate through waterways like the Gerlache Strait, Neumayer, and Lemaire Channels. Land on beaches where gentoo, chinstrap, and Ad�lie penguin colonies stretch out in vast numbers. You�ll keep watch for humpback whales and venture into less-visited areas such as the Antarctic Sound.

Days 9-10: Sail across the Scotia Sea
Crossing toward South Georgia
Head north across the Scotia Sea, retracing the path of Shackleton�s famed voyage. Onboard, enjoy a rich program of expert talks on polar history, wildlife, and science. Out on deck, scan the horizon for seabirds, seals, and your first glimpse of South Georgia�s peaks.

Days 11-14: South Georgia
Wildlife havens and Shackleton's historic haunts
Explore South Georgia for four full days, aiming to visit iconic wildlife havens such as St Andrews Bay, Salisbury Plain, Gold Harbour, and Cooper Bay. Walk among vast king penguin colonies, watch elephant seals, and visit Grytviken, the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton. You'll embark on Zodiac excursions alongside the towering glaciers of Drygalski Fjord.

Day 15: Sail across the Southern Ocean
Expert-led lectures and workshops
Enjoy a dynamic, curated program of lectures, workshops, and personal accounts from our expedition team. Hands-on photography sessions will help you sharpen your skills for polar environments, while time on deck offers endless opportunities to spot wandering albatrosses and dolphins.

Day 16: Arrival at Port Stanley, the Falkland Islands
Disembarkation and departure
Our voyage concludes in Port Stanley, where you�ll disembark. Before your onward journey, take time to stroll the colourful streets, visit local shops, or enjoy a final taste of island life before transferring to the airport.