Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Name: Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

8 Days Excluding Flights From

0 Days from

~~£ 17195~~ £ 10317

5.0/5 from

Polar Expeditions

Activity Level

Easy

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Polar Expeditions

Group Size :

176

Ages :

18+

Trip Code :

PSY

Carbon Footprint :

235kg CO2e per person per day

Visit the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, but skip the Drake Passage crossing by flying instead

This trip is the perfect short, introductory expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, the most pristine wilderness on earth. We reduce the Drake Passage crossing from two days to two hours by flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. We spend the next four days sailing between the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula, past towering glacier-capped mountains rising from a brilliant blue sea, dotted with ice floes, and enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. We hope to visit magnificent spots such as Petermann Island, Neko Harbour and the Gerlache Strait, and have the chance to scramble up to a high point for an unforgettable view of Port Lockeroy. On this adventure we will also visit penguin colonies, listen for calving glaciers, and visit both historic sites and research stations.

Highlights

Skip the Drake Passage and fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island
Explore the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula
Incredible wildlife including seabirds, penguins, seals and whales
Travel on a small expedition vessel
Accompanied by extremely qualified Expedition Staff

Key Information

5 nights on the ship plus 2 nights in Punta Arenas
Expedition cruising in comfortable conditions

Countries visited: Antarctic Peninsula

What's Included

All meals while on the ship
Beer and wine during dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Full complement of qualified Expedition Staff
We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

PSY - Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Punta Arenas, Chile Punta Arenas, Chile

Our adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a Quark Expeditions representative will meet you at the official starting point hotel, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day. Please note that you need to arrive at the hotel in Punta Arenas no later than 3pm today.

Meals included: Dinner

A quick 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas lands on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. En route, from our bird’s eye view, we can bid the Drake Passage a fond Bon Voyage. After exploring the portion of the island where the Chilean Research Base, Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva and the Russian Base, Bellingshausen, are located, we transfer to the ship by Zodiac to embark on our Antarctic adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As we approach the white continent, don’t be surprised if you are overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through the human eye.

Our first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, and will alert us to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region.

Even more exciting are our daily excursions to land. Walking up to a beach that is dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica. Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new sightings and photo opportunities. We may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a Chinstrap rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night in Antarctica, each day offers exciting opportunities.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From King George Island, we will fly across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas and transfer to our hotel to spend the night.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you are welcome to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Group Information

The Ocean Adventurer takes a maximum capacity of 128 passengers and the World Explorer takes a maximum of 176 passengers. The Ocean Explorer takes a maximum capacity of 138 passengers. The Exodus group forms part of the ship’s complement, enjoying the relaxed, intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks into smaller groups to facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer these cruises in conjunction with our partner, Quark Expeditions, and Exodus participants will join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally some of these may be younger than 18 years old, the Exodus’ stated minimum age for this trip.

Is this trip for you?

Travelling Conditions

The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers’ wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.

On the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time with the potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind – if you are not dressed appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, the majority of landings are wet which means that the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington boots are issued to all passengers).

There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger from the bar.

Optional activities

On some occasions, space is limited on the optional activities and needs to be booked in advance. Please also note that not all optional activities are available on every departure. Please ask our Polar Sales team for more information if you are interested in one of the options below.

Sea kayaking option

Imagine gliding across the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers. Our Sea Kayaking program is a great way to intimately explore your surroundings. A small group of kayakers will plan to go out multiple times per voyage as an alternative to shore landings or Zodiac cruises. The number of opportunities to kayak is weather dependent and will be conducted only during calm conditions. Prior kayaking experience is required, and you must be able to do a wet exit to participate. Beginners interested in kayaking should consider participating in the Paddling Excursion.

Paddling Excursion

If you’re interested in kayaking but would like to try something a bit less demanding than Sea Kayaking, you’re the perfect candidate to sign up for a one-time paddle on our stable sit-on-top kayaks—perfect for anyone with minimal or no kayaking experience. Rotating groups of passengers will be taken out on calm days, with our expert guides always present to provide instruction and help connect you with the Polar sea.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Combining surfing with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding will give you a very personal and unique perspective on Antarctica. Conducted in small groups—in calm bays and harbours, in good weather conditions—and accompanied by a safety Zodiac, onetime stand-up paddleboarding excursions can be pre-booked in two consecutive priority groups. After the first two successful outings, this activity will be offered via sign-up on board the ship on a first-come, first-served basis for any subsequent outings.

Duration

The itinerary shown is the most common 8 day itinerary offered; the departures with a longer duration spend a different length of time along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Polar Itineraries

All Polar itineraries should be treated as a guide only – it is possible that, amongst other things, the capricious nature of wind, visibility and ice, intelligence from previous sailings, changes in local landing regulations or the expert opinion of the crew onboard may lead to adjustments to the route published.

Booking Conditions

Please note that, as with all Polar holidays and voyages, the booking conditions for this trip differ from our standard conditions.

The required deposit is 25% per person of your selected travel arrangements (minimum £1000 per person or equivalent in booking currency) and the balance of the price of your travel arrangements must be paid at least 133 days before your departure date. The deposit is non-refundable, and at 133 days before departure date, our cancellation penalties are 100% of the holiday cost.

Joining Instructions

Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Punta Arenas

Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Punta Arenas in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary.

Please note that you need to arrive in Punta Arenas no later than 3pm on Day 1 as the flight times of the charter flight are subject to change. These might even operate on the evening of Day 1 as a result of weather systems that could cause a delay on subsequent days.

Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Punta Arenas, Chile
Location end: Punta Arenas, Chile

Vaccinations and Health

Antarctica

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies (bat lyssaviruses). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Chile

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Visa

Antarctica

It’s your responsibility to obtain any visas required for this trip. Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality and destination, so please check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. As a guide, some local governments provide information on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

Chile

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Chile. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Please note, a PDI tourist card will be given to you by migration at Santiago airport, upon arrival to Chile, and asked for upon departure from Chile (please retain this important slip of paper). The PDI certifies that you are a visitor and must be given back to migration upon departure from Chile.

Food & Drink

All meals while on the ship included.

Typical Meals

The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks on sale from around the world.

Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.

Lunch: Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ.

Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee.

Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday – please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.

Weather

Late Spring and Early Summer – November

The start of the season and the most adventurous time to travel. You’ll encounter truly breathtaking, exquisitely sculpted icebergs emerging from their frozen hibernation. Many of these blue bergs house courting, nesting and brooding penguins.

High Summer – January and February

Close to the solstice you’ll experience almost perpetual daylight. These are the mildest months when the first Adelie and Gentoo penguin chicks are hatched. As the water warms the whale sightings also improve.

Late Summer – February and March

This is the time for some incredible encounters with whales, especially Minkes and Humpbacks. The receding ice allows for further exploration and penguin colonies are very active with adults feeding their chicks.

Weather Charts

Antarctica

TRIP

PSY - Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

POLAR ADVENTURE SHIP

The Antarctic Fly & Cruise is offered on the Ocean Adventurer, the Ocean Explorer and the World Explorer which are Polar Adventure Ships. Two nighs in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities. Please visit the Polar Fleet page for Ship Information and Deck Plans.

Polar Adventure Ships

These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are excellent and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.

WORLD EXPLORER

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy—these attributes and more describe World Explorer. Every cabin has either a private walk-out or Juliet balcony for direct ocean views. World Explorer also delivers plenty of public areas to unwind in after a day outdoors, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge, the Explorer Lounge, the library, and a dedicated lecture theatre. Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor running track, a small gym and a sauna, plus a spa with change rooms, showers and lockers.

Restaurant — Dining Room – World Explorer

Cabin Class:

TRIPLE: Located on Deck 6, and approximately 242 sq. ft. (22.5 sq. m) in size, these cabins have one double or two single beds, and a 55 sq. ft. (5 sq. m) walk-out balcony. A separate combo sitting area/bedroom with a sofa bed and additional closet, refrigerator, TV, state of the art “infotainment” system, and private bathroom with shower is also featured in each cabin.

INFINITY SUITE: Located on Decks 5 and 6, and approximately 270 sq. ft. (25 sq. m) in size, these cabins have one double or two single beds, and a floor-to-ceiling glass Juliet balcony. A sitting area with sofa, refrigerator, TV, state of the art “infotainment” system, and private bathroom with shower is also featured in each cabin.

VERANDA SUITE: Located on Decks 5 and 6, and approximately 215 sq. ft. (20 sq. m) in size, these cabins have one double or two single beds, and a 55 sq. ft. (5 sq. m) walk-out balcony. A sitting area with sofa, refrigerator, TV, state of the art “infotainment” system, and private bathroom with shower is also featured in each cabin.

SUPERIOR SUITE: Located on Decks 5 and 6, and approximately 278 sq. ft. (26 sq. m) in size, these cabins have one double or two single beds, and a 110 sq. ft. (10 sq. m) walk-out balcony with access from sitting room and bedroom. A separate sitting area with sofa, walk-in closet, refrigerator, TV, state of the art “infotainment” system, and private bathroom with shower is also featured in each cabin.

DELUXE SUITE: Located on Deck 5, and approximately 334 sq. ft. (31 sq. m) in size, these cabins have one double or two single beds, and a 110 sq. ft. (10 sq. m) walk-out balcony with access from sitting room and bedroom. A separate sitting area with sofa, his & hers closets, refrigerator, TV, state of the art “infotainment” system, and private bathroom with shower and his & hers sinks is also featured in each cabin.

OWNER’S SUITE: Located on Decks 5 and 6, and approximately 355 sq. ft. (33 sq. m) in size, these cabins have one double or two single beds, and a 110 sq. ft. (10 sq. m) walk-out balcony with access from sitting room and bedroom. A separate sitting area with sofa, refrigerator, TV, state of the art “infotainment” system, and private bathroom with shower, his & hers sinks, and bathtub is also featured in each cabin.

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

OCEAN ADVENTURER

The Ocean Adventurer is a comfortable vessel with spacious cabins, which all have private bathroom facilities and exterior views. Designed to carry travellers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world, Ocean Adventurer was built in 1976, and underwent extensive upgrades in 2017. This multi-million dollar investment included renovations to the interior of the ship, significant technical upgrades, and the addition of a new cabin category, the Owner’s Suites. The refurbishment gave the ship new bathrooms in every cabin, and upgrades to the Lounge, Dining Room, gym, and suites. Technical enhancements – including two new engines, generators, gear boxes, drive systems, and re-bladed propellers – resulted in increased fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint.

Cabin Class:

TRIPLE: From 145 sq. ft. (13.5 sq. m), a Triple Cabin is equipped with two lower berths and one upper berth. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views.

LOWER DECK TWIN: From 115 sq. ft. (11 sq. m), a Lower Deck Twin Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Lower Deck, it has private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views.

MAIN DECK TWIN PORTHOLE: From 115 sq. ft. (11 sq. m), a Main Deck Twin Porthole Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views.

MAIN DECK TWIN WINDOW: From 115 sq. ft. (11 sq. m), a Main Deck Twin Window Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities, and a window with exterior views.

SUPERIOR: From 132 sq. ft. (12 sq. m), a Superior Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Upper and Captain’s Decks, it has private facilities, and windows with exterior views.

DELUXE: From 144 sq. ft. (13 sq. m), a Deluxe Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Captain’s Deck, it has private facilities, and windows with exterior views.

SUITE: From 215 sq. ft. (20 sq. m), a Suite is equipped with one double bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Captain’s Deck, it has windows with exterior views and private facilities.

OWNER’S SUITE: From 208 sq. ft. (19 sq. m), an Owner’s Suite Cabin is equipped with one double bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Bridge Deck, it has private facilities, and windows with exterior views. Cabin 403 has a bathtub and shower; other Owner’s Suites have showers.

DECKPLAN:

OCEAN EXPLORER

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

The Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship.

Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi-height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs that enable guests to get off the ship quickly and safely for off-ship adventures. In addition to the well-appointed and spacious public areas, Ocean Explorer has an industry-leading mix of sustainability systems, including fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines.

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Veranda Stateroom – Ocean Explorer

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Discovery Library – Ocean Explorer

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Explorer Presentation Lounge – Ocean Explorer

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Latitude Bar – Ocean Explorer

Cabin Class:

STUDIO SINGLE: Designed for one. These cabins are located on Deck 3 and approximately 166 sqft (15.4sqm) in size, with one double bed and a porthole view. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

DELUXE VERANDA FORWARD STATEROOM: Located on Deck 4 and approximately 182 sqft (16.9sqm) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

VERANDA STATEROOM: Located throughout the ship and approximately 208 sqft (19.3sqm) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles, and separate sitting area furnished with two club chairs and a reading table. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. Note: 611 and 612 do not have the club chairs and a reading table.

VERANDA SUITE: Located throughout the ship and approximately 205sqft (19.2 sqm) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles, and separate sitting area furnished with a sofa-bed. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

JUNIOR SUITE: Located on Deck 6 and approximately 298 sqft (27.7 sqm) in size. These two-room suites have one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and an outer sitting room furnished with a sofa-bed, and activity table for two. From the bedroom, there is a floor-to-ceiling glass view that opens to a double-sized walkout balcony. There are also two TVs, state-of-the-art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with bathtub, vanity and heated floor.

STUDIO VERANDA SINGLE: Designed for one. This unique cabin is located on Deck 7 and approximately 162sqft (15.1sqm). It has one twin bed with a floor-to-ceiling glass view that opens to a generous walkout balcony. There is also TV, state-of-the-art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

PENTHOUSE SUITE: This unique two-room suite is located on Deck 7 and is approximately 269 sqft (25sqm) in size. It has one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and the outer sitting area is furnished with a sofa-bed. Walk-out from either room to a double-sized balcony. There are also two TVs, state-of-the-art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. And an additional powder room in the outside sitting area.

OWNER’S SUITE: This palatial, airy apartment offers stunning views from its large private veranda on the highest cabin level. The luxurious suite features a large master bedroom, living room and dining area and two large master bathrooms, among other amenities.

DECKPLAN:

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake