Antarctic Express Sail & Fly

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina

Make your own arrangements to arrive in Ushuaia no later than 6pm local time. The Argentine port city, known as “El Fin del Mundo”, or “The End of the World”, is a destination where snow-laced mountains overshadow streets facing the Beagle Channel. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your included hotel. 

Dinner is also included tonight, and you will be briefed on the plans for tomorrow’s embarkation. 

Day 2: Embarkation

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and explore the lush landscapes of Tierra del Fuego National Park on an included group tour. Look out for Patagonian bird species as you experience the often windy but beautiful terrain. You will board a catamaran for a scenic lunch cruise, sailing back towards Ushuaia via rocky outcrops packed full of imperial cormorants and South American sea lions. 

On your return to Ushuaia, you will head to the ship. After your mandatory safety briefings, the vessel will set sail and your Antarctic adventure begins in earnest. Make time to head out on deck as the Beagle Channel is a great location for wildlife sightings. 

Days 3 to 4: Crossing the Drake Passage

Crossing this iconic stretch of water is a rite of passage for many and a vital part of the Antarctic experience. This trip gives you the best of both worlds as you can enjoy the thrill of the crossing in one direction but skip over it on the way home by flying back to South America from Antarctica. 

Your time on the Drake will be busy as the ship’s experienced expedition team of naturalists will put on a comprehensive programme of mandatory briefings and educational lectures to make sure you are prepared on arrival in Antarctica. 

If conditions allow, the Drake is the perfect place to get out on deck and do some wildlife watching. Here, you might spot a variety of birds following the ship, from tiny speckled cape petrels to curious albatross. As you draw closer to Antarctica, keep your eyes peeled for the first icebergs, and look for black specks that might be penguins resting on the ice! 

Day 5 to 8: Exploring Antarctica

Having arrived at the spectacular white landscapes of Antarctica, you will spend the next 4 days exploring. As with any great adventure, there is no fixed itinerary. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will frequently adjust plans to make the most of the best weather conditions and wildlife opportunities. 

Your experienced expedition team of naturalists will always be on hand to help explain the spectacular surrounding wildlife and landscapes. Using the ship’s fleet of sturdy zodiac boats, your guides will take you ashore to crunch through the snow as you soak up the incredible noise (and smell!) of busy penguin rookeries. 

These capable zodiacs are also the perfect platform to cruise through Antarctica’s awe-inspiring iceberg graveyards. Each one is different, with sculptural shapes and textures begging to be photographed, challenging you to capture that unique hue of glacial blue. 

Your expedition team will also look for an opportunity to offer a complimentary kayaking session. With nothing but the sound of your paddle and any curious wildlife that may come to investigate you, this is the most serene way to experience Antarctica.

There will be recaps of the day and educational talks from your naturalist team in the evenings, as well as briefings for the day ahead. Spend any free time you have out on deck – look out for the blow of passing humpbacks and seals hauled out onto the ice. 

Day 9: Disembark & fly to Puerto Natales, Chile

Having arrived at King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, today you will bid the ship farewell. A zodiac will take you back to the shore in good time for your 2-hour flight back to civilisation, landing in Chile. 

On arrival in Puerto Natales, you will be transferred to the hotel for a final included night with dinner provided. The town has a picturesque setting, with the Last Hope Sound inlet backed by the snow-dusted Cerro Benitez Mountain. Birders should head out for a stroll along the water’s edge to add some final species to their wildlife list. 

Day 10: Depart from Puerto Natales

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward. Please make sure that your flight out of Puerto Natales is no earlier than 5pm local time. This may mean you need a final night in Santiago if your international flight does not have sufficient connection time. 

Alternatively, this is the perfect launch point for exploring Patagonia's spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. Swoop would be delighted to talk through the possibilities for extending your stay. 

PLEASE NOTE: While choosing to fly to/from Antarctica is the most expedient option, it's also more weather dependent than travelling by ship across the Drake Passage. Charter flights to/from Antarctica operate on a very flexible schedule to accommodate the changeable weather conditions. As a result, flight timings may be brought forward or delayed to ensure safe operating conditions. To discuss in more detail, please get in touch. 

This itinerary is for guidance only, as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions as well as taking advantage of impromptu wildlife opportunities.