HIGHLIGHTS
- Fly
across the mighty Drake Passage and land at King George Island
- Navigate
around the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic peninsula
- Make
Zodiac landings at penguin rookeries and fascinating lookouts
- Continue
deep into the inlets of Antarctica, and pass the famous Gerlache
Strait, where 3000-ft ice cliffs rise straight out of the still water
- Experience
so much of the remote continent in comfort, and in so few days, which
is only possible in "Fly the Drake" program
- Enjoy
shore landings, excursions, lectures and Zodiac safaris to help you
enjoy an unrivalled expedition experience
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category G | Category H | Category F | Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B2 | Category B1 | Category A | Premium Captain's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Category G | (Mid-range)
Category C | (High-end)
Premium Captain's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1: ARRIVAL PUNTA ARENAS AND GETTING READY FOR OUR EXPEDITION CRUISE
Arrive
and check in at our hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile – the
capital of southern Patagonia. The historic city with rolling hills
surrounding it and the Strait of Magellan in front. Its past is rich in
exciting events, from being a penal colony to becoming a sheep and gold
rush colony with many European settlers. The present-day city remains
home to a major port; and with the Andes mountains and a multitude of
national parks close by, it’s a favored staging point for
many wonderful adventures. Even our own adventure is beginning!
Our
4-star hotel is centrally located, which allows you to make full use of
your time outside of the scheduled events.
If
you plan to arrive early, you can even take your time to explore the
historical city.
Our
"journey" begins at 15:00 with all the necessary safety briefings, the
latest weather forecasts and embarkation information needed to enjoy
our upcoming expedition cruise and trans-Drake flight. All mandatory
activities are held at the hotel and you will receive information about
all these as you arrive to the hotel. We finish our daily schedule with
a welcome dinner, where you can enjoy a typical Chilean meal.
DAY
2: FLYING THE DRAKE. FLIGHT, KING GEORGE ISLAND, EMBARKATION AND
POSSIBLE FIRST ZODIAC LANDING
We
are packed-up, excited and ready-to-go from the very early morning, as
we await information on the landing conditions on King George Island.
Normally the flights take off early, but we are ready to wait in case
the flights are postponed.
We
keep ourselves close to the hotel and the Punta Arenas land team, and
drive to the airport as soon as our chartered airline gives us the
green light. The expectation of exploring the 7th Continent builds, as
we have donned our parkas, warm clothes and boots.
Once
the fasten your seatbelts sign lights up, it’s time to fly
across the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the
intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans. We substitute 2 days of sailing with 2 hours of flying.
Our
landing is smooth as the planes are built for these types of landings
and runways. Our luggage is transported to the ship and we enjoy a 2
kilometer walk along the Chilean Eduardo Frei base and the neighboring
Bellingshausen Russian research station. King George Island is the
largest of the South Shetland Islands and home to no less than 10
research stations, 2 churches and of course the Antarctic peninsula's
only airstrip in use for commercially chartered flights. The expedition
team is awaiting us with Zodiacs on the Fildes Bay beach and will ferry
us to our ship.
Once
onboard, the exciting Antarctic wildlife comes into view with our first
sight of seals, penguins and albatrosses. In other words,
it’s time to explore the Antarctic islands of the South
Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will
encounter along the way.
DAYS
3-6: EXPLORING THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Over
the next days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience our
ancestors only dreamed of. During these days we will explore the
Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the
captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way.
Weather
permitting, our projected landfalls could include: Deception Island, an
extinct volcano with waters warm enough for a polar swim. Half Moon
Island with nesting Wilson's storm petrels and chinstrap penguins. But
there are many other fascinating landing options.
As
the white shimmer of Antarctica looms on our horizon, the presence of
wildlife multiples with many species of lively penguins, inquisitive
seals, nesting birds and the spray of marine mammals. Wildlife abounds
along our planned route along the Antarctic Peninsula: leopard, fur and
Weddell seals of Cuverville Island; humpback whales of Gerlache Strait
and Paradise Bay; the dramatic Lemaire Channel's orcas and much more.
The
itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and
ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the
captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through
regularly scheduled briefings.
Please
note that all the outings and landings rely on weather, sea and ice
conditions being favorable both for the ship to access the areas, as
for the Zodiacs and kayaks to maneuver under adequate conditions,
ensuring the safety of all our guests and staff.
For
this reason, during moments of harsh weather and throughout the entire
trip, our ships offer excellent public areas such as wellness/sauna,
restaurant, bar and a library for our guests to spend their spare time.
Our ships are staffed by experts in the field who will also share great
lectures along the way, ranging from exploration history to biology,
geology, ice and wildlife.
DAY
7: DEPART ANTARCTICA – BACK TO PUNTA ARENAS
Today
it’s time to disembark and revisit King George Island. We
follow the same procedures as when we were doing the reverse route.
Having walked to the airport, we calmly await the sight of airplanes
landing on the legendary airstrip.
We
depart from Antarctica and spend the 2-hour flight time realizing what
a truly spectacular adventure we have just completed.
Once
we land in Chile, we are transferred to our hotel and enjoy an
overnight stay.
DAY
8: PUNTA ARENAS
This
morning concludes our fly-cruise expedition, and you can continue your
adventures or begin your return home.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Return
flight to King George Island from Punta Arenas, in standard seats
- 6-day
cruise with accommodation in a shared outside double stateroom with
private facilities
- 2
overnights in centrally located hotel in Punta Arenas in a shared
double room (pre and post cruise)
- All
Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Transfers
to/from Punta Arenas airport in connection with the King George Island
flights
- Expedition
parka
- Rubber
boots on a loan basis
- Guiding,
briefing and lectures by our expedition leader and team
- Special
photo workshop
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Visual
Journal link after voyage including voyage log, gallery, maps, species
list and more!
- Welcome
dinner at hotel (day 1)
- Full
board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea
- Breakfast
at the hotel (during our stay in Punta Arenas day 2 and day 8)
- Free
tea and coffee 24 hours a day (during the cruise)
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails on board
- Taxes
EXCLUSIONS
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and stateroom upgrades
- Comfort
seat upgrade on the flight (see prices separately)
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Meals
on day 7 (after returning to Punta Arenas)
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Transfer
to/from the airport in relation to international flights
- Anything
not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Zodiac
cruises & Shore Programs
- Lectures
