Antarctic Fly & Sail Combination

Days 1: Arrive into Punta Arenas, Chile

Land in Punta Arenas and transfer to your downtown hotel to check in. Please note that you must arrive by 2pm to allow for flexibility of Antarctic flight times. In the afternoon or evening, you’ll attend a group briefing giving more information about the anticipated flight schedules based on local weather conditions. 

Day 2:  Punta Arenas to King George Island

Today, you'll be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for your two hour charter flight to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, just off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Exact flight times will be determined by the necessary safe weather conditions, both in Punta Arenas and on King George Island. 

On arrival into King George Island, you'll be met and taken to your waiting ship for your Antarctic adventure to begin in earnest! 

Days 3 to 10: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula

During your time exploring Antarctica, your Captain and Expedition Leader will work with the weather and ice conditions, along with impromptu wildlife opportunities, to plan an action-packed itinerary. 

Your days will be busy, heading off the ship via its fleet of study zodiac ribs. You might be out cruising around the gloriously sculpted icebergs looking for marine life and admiring the myriad hues and textures of the ice. Alternatively, you could land on shore to watch the drama unfold at raucous penguin rookeries. There may be opportunities for gentle hikes up to elevated positions, for spectacular views across the surrounding mountains and glaciers.  

If you have signed up for optional activities such as kayaking and snorkelling, your specialist guides will look for safe weather conditions to get you on or in the water, seeing Antarctica from a completely different perspective. 

As the ship cruises from location to location, take advantage of the huge windows of the observation lounge to watch the ice-laden mountains from the warmth. Alternatively, get out on deck with your binoculars and camera, listening out for the blow of feeding humpback whales or pods of penguins porpoising through the water. 

Days 11 & 12: Crossing the Drake Passage

The ship will turn north and begin heading across the (in)famous waters of the Drake Passage. There is a chance to relax and reminisce about your incredible experiences as you may way towards Argentina. Your expert Expedition Team will take the opportunity to continue their educational programme of lectures and meet you out on deck to help identify the multitude of seabirds that can be spotted in these rich waters. Learn how to distinguish your giant petrels from your wandering albatrosses as well as your tiny cape petrels from your Antarctic prions. 

Day 13: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

Today, you will sail up the Beagle Channel and arrive at the bustling port city of Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina. 

You have an included transfer back to the airport, from where you can continue your onward journey. 

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.