Fly & Cruise the Antarctic Peninsula
Why Book This Trip
For maximum time in Antarctica with flights both ways, this trip really stands out. An extended fly & cruise voyage spending eight full days actually in Antarctica onboard a small, state-of-the-art expedition ship. Optional kayaking & polar snorkelling.
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Viewing icebergs and wildlife onboard the Greg Mortimer expedition ship
Resting Weddell seal with gentoo penguin looking on
Iceberg spotting from Zodiac boats
Antarctic landscapes in February
Gentoo penguin colony
Fly to Antarctica on a BAE146 whisper jet
Snorkelling amongst icebergs
Exploring by kayak from your vessel
Your vessel in Antarctic waters
Fly & Cruise the Antarctic Peninsula - 12 - $14,795
Trip Summary -
- 8 full days in Antarctica = 16 planned ‘off ship’ excursions
- Flies both ways over the Drake passage - in just 2 hours
- Travelling on a small ship with 120-130 guests means faster logistics and everyone can do landings together
- Includes pre and post flight hotel nights in Punta Arenas
- Kayaking, diving and snorkelling activities on selected departures (additional cost)
- Complimentary parka jacket & post trip voyage journal
Trip Itinerary and Map
Day 1: Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met and transferred to your downtown hotel. Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history.
Tonight, we will gather to meet our fellow expeditioners and a briefing on the first leg of our expedition – our flight to Antarctica!
Day 2: King George Island
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our early morning charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica. The flight will take approximately one-and-a-half hours.
On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to your vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.
King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required in order for the plane to take off and land safely, so delays are very possible.
Days 3–10: Antarctic Peninsula
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica: spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. On arrival, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight, plenty of time to fill your days with adventure.
Your experienced expedition team will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day. Having made countless journeys to this area, they will choose the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day, along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will transport you from the ship to land, to visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
Whilst ashore there is a chance to stretch your legs and wander along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you’ll have the option to do that whenever conditions allow. Keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting!
We may also cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. No better time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible White Continent.
Day 11: King George Island to Punta Arenas
As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our return flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our preferred downtown hotel.
Day 12: Punta Arenas
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise. Furthermore, it's important to understand that the charter flight(s) to/from Antarctica are particularly prone to weather, which requires a flexible flight schedule.
Day 1: Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met and transferred to your downtown hotel. Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history.
Tonight, we will gather to meet our fellow expeditioners and a briefing on the first leg of our expedition – our flight to Antarctica!
Day 2: King George Island
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our early morning charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica. The flight will take approximately one-and-a-half hours.
On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to your vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.
King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required in order for the plane to take off and land safely, so delays are very possible.
Days 3–10: Antarctic Peninsula
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica: spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. On arrival, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight, plenty of time to fill your days with adventure.
Your experienced expedition team will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day. Having made countless journeys to this area, they will choose the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day, along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will transport you from the ship to land, to visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
Whilst ashore there is a chance to stretch your legs and wander along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you’ll have the option to do that whenever conditions allow. Keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting!
We may also cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. No better time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible White Continent.
Day 11: King George Island to Punta Arenas
As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our return flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our preferred downtown hotel.
Day 12: Punta Arenas
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise. Furthermore, it's important to understand that the charter flight(s) to/from Antarctica are particularly prone to weather, which requires a flexible flight schedule.
About The Ship
Patented X-Bow design
Your vessel at sea
Wildlife spotting from the bridge of the vessel
Looking down the port-side balcony
Dining room
Observation deck
Lecture lounge
Elephant Island bar
Onboard gym suite
Polar library
Viewing icebergs and wildlife onboard the Greg Mortimer expedition ship
The view over the bow of the vessel
Kayaking from the vessel
A Zodiac adventure
Your expedition vessel
Your vessel in Antarctic waters
- With its sleek X-bow lines and ground breaking design, few new Polar ships have created such excitement.
- Zodiac platforms specially designed for quick boardings and more time exploring
- Rolls Royce stabiliser system and polar code 6 ice rating
- Large comfortable cabins
With her slick lines, small number of guests, well-priced balcony suites and onboard hot tub, this is one of the hottest ships in Antarctica right now.
Alex Mudd Polar Specialist
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $14795
Single Supplement And Child Policy
For those travelling solo who would like their own cabin, the single supplement is 1.5 times the cost of a single berth, please contact us for details. However, there is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.
Children aged 8 years old or over are welcome. There isn't any concession on pricing. Please contact us for details.
Optional Adventure Activities
Enhance your trip with the following add ons. Limited places per activity.
Get in contact to check availability.
Includes
- Flights: Punta Arenas to Antarctica as indicated in itinerary
- Pre and post-flight hotel night
- Transfers as indicated in itinerary
- Printed voyage photo book (1 per booking)
- 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation and meals during the voyage on full board
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All shore excursions and zodiac activities
- Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
- Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
- Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port taxes and any entry fees to landing sites
- Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage (2022/23 season only)
Excludes
- Any flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
- Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
- Transfers not specified in the itinerary
- Optional non-complimentary adventure activities (e.g. kayaking)
- Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Optional adventure activities
- Optional activity surcharges
- Items of a personal nature, e.g. laundry, beverages and communication
- Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage (2021/22 season only)
- Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)
