Antarctic Express Fly & Cruise

Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile

Make your own arrangements to arrive in the Chilean town of Puerto Natales no later than 3pm this afternoon. You will be transferred to your group hotel on arrival. The town has a picturesque setting, with the Last Hope Sound inlet backed by the snow-dusted Cerro Benitez Mountains. Birders should head out for a stroll along the water’s edge to kickstart your wildlife list for the trip. 

Dinner is included tonight, and you will be briefed on the plans for tomorrow’s intended flight out to Antarctica. 

Day 2: Flight to Antarctica and ship embarkation

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for a direct 2-hour flight to King George Island. As with all flights to Antarctica, exact timings are subject to safe weather conditions, so this will be communicated to you locally. 

The flight will land on King George Island, one of the South Shetland Islands located off the tip of the Antarctica Peninsula. Look out the window as the views can be spectacular as you make your approach. 

After leaving the plane, a minibus will take you past the Chilean and Russian research bases to the shore. You will don your lifejackets here and take your first zodiac boat shuttle to your waiting expedition ship. After your mandatory safety briefings, the vessel will set sail and your Antarctic adventure will begin. 

Days 3 to 6: Exploring Antarctica

You will spend the next 4 days exploring Antarctica. As with any great adventure, there is no rigid 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 be on hand to help explain the spectacular surrounding wildlife and landscapes. Using the ship’s fleet of capable zodiacs, your guides will take you ashore to crunch through the snow as you soak up the incredible noise (and smell!) of bustling penguin rookeries. 

The zodiacs are also the perfect platform to cruise through Antarctica’s jaw-dropping iceberg graveyards. A photographer’s dream, each berg is different, with mind-boggling shapes and textures, not to mention all the myriad blue hues. 

They will also look for an opportunity to offer a complimentary kayaking session. This is the most serene way to experience Antarctica from water level, with nothing but the sound of your paddle and any curious wildlife that may come to investigate you. 

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 looking for passing humpback whales or glorious glacial vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. 

Day 7: Disembark & fly back to Puerto Natales

Having returned to King George Island, 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. 

On arrival in Puerto Natales, you will be transferred to the hotel for a final included night. 

Day 8: Depart from Puerto Natales

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward. 

Alternatively, this is the perfect launch point for exploring the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. Swoop would be delighted to talk through the possibilities for extending your stay. Please ensure that your flight out of Puerto Natales is no earlier than 5pm local time. 

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.