Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

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Antarctic Explorer  is a FLY/SAIL expedition (departing from Punta Arenas)  but depending on the dates could be SAIL/FLY (Starting on Ushuaia) Please contact us for further info on this Itinerary to find the one that fits you most!

Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life. Experience the awe-inspiring immensity of Antarctica yourself, reducing your time on the high seas by flying across the Drake in at least one direction. Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill.

Highlights

• Witness extraordinary wildlife including fledging penguin chicks.  

• Zodiac cruise in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice and photograph enormous glaciers and spectacularly shaped icebergs in various shades of blue.  

• Keep a close watch for the tail fluke of whales as they take a deep dive, see porpoising penguins ice seals such as Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on ice floes.  

• Observe skuas patrolling penguin colonies preying on vulnerable juveniles.

Map & Itinerary

Day 1 Punta Arenas, Welcome Briefing

Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. 

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.

Enjoy free time to explore Punta Arenas at your own pace and discover the town’s excellent restaurants. Between 5.00-7.00 pm, meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterwards, there’s free time to dine at your leisure. (Dinner not included). 

Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (or similar)

 

 

Day 2Fly Punta Arenas to King George Island

This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes.

On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you for your Zodiac transfer to board the vessel. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings. 

Note: 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 for safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any delays. 

Day 3 - 9Antarctic 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. 

Once we arrive, 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. Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You’ll want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula. 

While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering 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, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting!

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great 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 10-11Drake Passage

Our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced, and the impact this voyage has had on our attitude to life.

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Day 12Disembark in Ushuaia

During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to Ushuaia airport or to your hotel is included in the voyage fare.  

Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays. 

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions

  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary. 
  • One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 1.  
  • Charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island.  
  • Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.  
  • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.  
  • Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.  
  • Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.  
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.  
  • Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.  
  • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).  
  • One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.  
  • Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.  
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information.  
  • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.   
  • Wi-Fi*.  

*Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable. 

Exclusions

  • International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.  
  • Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.  
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes. 
  • Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.  
  • Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.  
  • Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.  
  • Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.  
  • All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges. 

Adventure Activities

Sea Kayaking From US$ 1,330 pp

Snorkelling 

Paddling From US$ 640 pp 

Gallery

Dates & Prices

All prices are subject to availability, quoted per person and expressed in USD. Use our advanced filters to tailor your search by month, year, trip length and/or budget. Find the perfect adventure for you and discover beautiful and exciting destinations!

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Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

Start : 19 Jan, 2025  End : 31 Jan, 2025
Departure : Punta Arenas   Arrival : Ushuaia
13 Days
From $19,895
$17,906
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Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$19,895 $17,906
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$21,695 $19,526
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$23,495 $21,146
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$25,195 $22,676
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$27,495 $24,746
Junior Suite
$34,595 $31,136
Captain Suite
$40,995 $36,896
Balcony Stateroom Category C
SOLD OUT  

Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

Start : 26 Jan, 2025  End : 7 Feb, 2025
Departure : Punta Arenas   Arrival : Ushuaia
13 Days
From $20,495
$18,446
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Aurora stateroom Twin
$20,495 $18,446
Balcony Stateroom C
$22,295 $20,066
Balcony Stateroom B
$23,495 $21,146
Balcony Stateroom A
$25,195 $22,676
Superior Balcony
$27,495 $24,746
Junior Suite
$34,595 $31,136
Captains Suite
$40,995 $36,896
Aurora stateroom triple
$1 $17,906

Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

Start : 12 Feb, 2025  End : 24 Feb, 2025
Departure : Punta Arenas   Arrival : Ushuaia
13 Days
From $22,695
$18,156
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Balcony Stateroom B
$22,695 $18,156
Balcony Stateroom A
$24,395 $19,516
Superior Balcony
$26,595 $21,276
Junior Suite
$33,395 $26,716
Captains Suite
$39,595 $31,676
Aurora stateroom triple
SOLD OUT  
Aurora stateroom Twin
SOLD OUT  
Balcony Stateroom C
SOLD OUT  

Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

Start : 20 Feb, 2025  End : 3 Mar, 2025
Departure : Ushuaia   Arrival : Punta Arenas
12 Days
From $19,195
$15,356
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Balcony Stateroom Category C
$19,195 $15,356
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$20,195 $16,156
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$21,695 $17,356
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$23,695 $18,956
Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
SOLD OUT  
Aurora Stateroom Superior
SOLD OUT  
Junior Suite
SOLD OUT  
Captain Suite
SOLD OUT  

Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

Start : 17 Jan, 2026  End : 25 Jan, 2026
Departure : Ushuaia   Arrival : Punta Arenas
9 Days
From $14,395
$12,236
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Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$14,395 $12,236
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$14,795 $12,576
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$16,095 $13,681
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$16,995 $14,446
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$18,195 $15,466
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$19,895 $16,911
Junior Suite
$24,995 $21,246
Captain Suite
$29,595 $25,156

Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

Start : 1 Feb, 2026  End : 12 Feb, 2026
Departure : Punta Arenas   Arrival : Ushuaia
12 Days
From $18,695
$16,826
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Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$18,695 $16,826
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$19,295 $17,366
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$20,895 $18,806
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$21,995 $19,796
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$23,595 $21,236
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$25,795 $23,216
Junior Suite
$32,395 $29,156
Captain Suite
$38,495 $34,646

Antarctic Explorer Fly & Sail Expedition

Start : 17 Mar, 2026  End : 28 Mar, 2026
Departure : Punta Arenas   Arrival : Ushuaia
12 Days
From $17,895
$14,316
Show Prices
Ask Us a Question
Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$17,895 $14,316
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$19,495 $15,596
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$19,995 $15,996
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$20,995 $16,796
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$22,595 $18,076
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$24,695 $19,756
Junior Suite
$30,995 $24,796
Captain Suite
$36,795 $29,436

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