Highlights

A 2.5-hour charter flight from Patagonia takes you directly to Antarctica, replacing the Drake Passage and giving you seven full days to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. On every departure, the expedition pushes south toward the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S, venturing into sea ice, locked icebergs and remote Antarctic landscapes as far as conditions allow.

With just 36 guests, five Senior Polar Guides and four Zodiacs operating at once, everyone explores the Peninsula together with greater flexibility and time in the field. Discover spectacular locations such as the Gerlache Strait, Lemaire Channel, The Gullet, Lallemand Fjord and Detaille Island, while looking for penguins, seals and whales in one of the most remote regions of Antarctica.

Reach the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S — the expedition makes a dedicated push toward the Circle on every departure, with the final distance determined by ice and weather conditions.
Fly directly to Antarctica — a private 2.5-hour charter flight between Puerto Natales and King George Island eliminates the Drake Passage in both directions.
Seven full days in Antarctica — maximize time exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, with opportunities to venture farther south when conditions permit.
Explore remote southern locations — including Crystal Sound, Marguerite Bay, Stonington Island, Detaille Island, Lallemand Fjord and The Gullet, alongside classic Peninsula sites.
Experience Antarctic wildlife — look for gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, leopard, Weddell and crabeater seals, and humpback whales, with possible sightings of Ross seals and, more rarely, Emperor penguins.
Sea-ice exploration — in suitable conditions, land directly onto sea ice and explore landscapes rarely reached by expedition vessels.

Map/Itinerary

Please note: This itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Plans may change along the way, depending on weather, sea conditions, or choices made by the Expedition Leader and team to give you the safest and most rewarding experience.

Day 1Arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile

Begin your Antarctic journey in the remote Puerto Natales, and experience a Pre-Antarctic briefings from the expedition team, followed by a Patagonian asado at the Weskar Lodge club house marking the official start of your expedition. Check-in between 15:00 and 17:00.

Day 2Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, Antarctica

From day two, we are ready to depart as soon as conditions allow. The charter flight to King George Island takes 2.5 hours. The timing is determined by the Captain based on the safest available weather window, not a clock.

If the flight window does not open on day two, the expedition continues at Weskar Lodge. The lodge, Torres del Paine, and Puerto Natales itself are not a holding pattern; they are a destination. The longer voyage duration is specifically designed to provide a wider operational window for the crossing.

Day 3-9Exploring Antarctica

Dramatic coastlines and penguin colonies

Seven full days on the Peninsula. Where we go is shaped by conditions and opportunity, not a fixed timetable.

The range covers the South Shetland Islands including Deception Island. The Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, and Cuverville Island: the core of the Peninsula’s most extraordinary geography. When the ice opens south, we push toward the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S.

Into Antarctica’s hidden places

South of the Circle, the landscape changes. Locked bergs in frozen channels. A silence with a different weight. In the right conditions, guests go ashore onto the sea ice itself, walking among icebergs that have not moved in weeks. This is where Ross Seals and Emperor Penguins live. Neither is guaranteed, and in fact very uncommon to encounter; however, both are possible here and almost nowhere else on this itinerary.

With only 36 guests, there are no crowds. Our expert guides respond to conditions as they develop whether that’s extending a landing, spending longer at a remarkable wildlife encounter, or adapting the plan to make the most of every opportunity. On a Expedition Micro Cruise, this flexibility is the norm, not the exception.

Exploring Antarctica’s raw and untouched beauty

We often sail into the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula through the scenic Gerlache Strait, flanked by jagged peaks.

We aim to explore Antarctica’s wildest corners. Possible locations include: Cierva Cove, Trinity Island, Mikkelsen Harbour, Hydrurga Rocks, Hughes Bay, Wilhelmina Bay, Cuverville Island, Errera Channel, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, Almirante Brown Station, Dallman Bay, Melchior Islands, Neumayer Channel, Port Lockroy, Lemaire Channel, Port Charcot, Petermann Island, Argentina Islands (Wordie House), Crystal Sound, Detaille Island, Lallemand Fjord, The Gullet, Marguerite Bay, Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbour, Whalers Bay, Baily Head, Deception Island.

Day 10Fly back to Puerto Natales from King George Island, Antarctica

Aureum holds at Maxwell Bay until the return flight window opens. When it does, the crossing back takes 2.5 hours.

If the flight window shifts, the expedition continues. There is no shortage of Antarctica to explore. Every additional day on the Peninsula is unplanned time in one of the most extraordinary places on earth.

The final night is at Weskar Lodge: farewell dinner, the expedition settling.

Day 11Enjoy your last day in Puerto Natales, Chile

For those continuing their adventure, there’s the opportunity to join our Torres del Paine extension package, where you may go horseback riding through the stunning Patagonian landscapes, take a scenic hike to Mirador Base Las Torres, visit Laguna Sofia, explore the Milodón Cave, or enjoy other carefully planned activities.

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions

Two hotel nights at the Classic Patagonian Lodge, one pre- and one post-expedition, including breakfast.
Patagonian welcome and farewell dinners at Weskar Lodge.
Scheduled transfers between Puerto Natales Airport, the included lodge and the Antarctic charter flight.
Return private charter flights between Puerto Natales and Antarctica.
Secret Atlas Peace of Mind Programme, including up to three additional nights with breakfast in Puerto Natales when applicable and subject to its terms.
Expedition Team leadership, including lectures, workshops, Zodiac cruises and shore landings.
All scheduled Zodiac cruises, transfers and shore landings, subject to weather, sea, ice and operational conditions.
Shipboard accommodation with daily cabin service and full board, including tea, coffee, drinking water and selected beverages with meals.
Starlink Wi-Fi
Rubber expedition boots for shore landings.
Medical facilities and expedition doctor; treatment and medication may be chargeable.
Sea Kayaking and Light Mountaineering programmes on selected departures, subject to conditions, availability and Expedition Leader/specialist guide approval.
Photography guidance and workshops.
IAATO fees, permits, landing fees, port charges and applicable operational fees.

Exclusions

International flights – we recommend booking early
Travel and cancellation insurance – we strongly recommend securing coverage to protect your expedition
Additional expenses – any extra costs such as museum entry or optional activities