On this 10-day Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage Cruise from Ushuaia to Puerto Natales aboard National Geographic Explorer, cruise through the Drake Passage outbound, then return via a 2-hour flight from Antarctica, saving time at sea. Join experts aboard the National Geographic Explorer. Discover channels and coves among towering peaks, observe whales, embark on Zodiac cruises around icebergs, and enjoy activities like hiking and kayaking. Customize your experience with an active agenda or relax onboard. Receive photography guidance from a National Geographic Expert.
Highlights
Cruise through Drake Passage outbound and return via a 2-hour flight
Discover channels, coves, and towering peaks of Antarctica
Observe whales, embark on Zodiac cruises, and enjoy hiking, kayaking
Customize your agenda or relax onboard at your leisure
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Upon arrival in Ushuaia, situated amidst icy peaks and the chilly Beagle Channel, aptly nicknamed "El Fin del Mundo" or "The End of the World," transfer from the airport to our hotel. Join us tonight for dinner and a briefing on our upcoming adventure.
Depart from your hotel and commence the exploration of this remarkable area. Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, covered in dense beech forest reminiscent of ancient Antarctica. Enjoy lunch aboard a private catamaran as you cruise the Channel, observing South American sea lions and seabirds like the imperial cormorant. By day's end, you'll be comfortably aboard the ship, prepared to set sail for the White Continent.
Experience the legendary 500-mile-wide strait that alternates between ferocious and flat calm, separating South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Sense the excitement as you embark on the crossing, often accompanied by seabirds like the wandering albatross and, if you're fortunate, a pod of killer whales or rare dolphins. Familiarize yourself with the ship and prepare for the upcoming adventures. Explore the Bridge, an ideal spot for wildlife observation, unwind with a massage, attend a lecture on the unique biology of penguins, or simply relax in the observation lounge, gazing out over the waves while reflecting on the history of this passage. Named after English privateer Francis Drake, it was initially discovered by Spanish navigator Francisco de Hoces.
With extended daylight hours during this season, you have ample opportunities for exploration. Your itinerary remains flexible, allowing you to seize unexpected moments, whether you're observing playful whales from the bow of your ship, hiking alongside penguin pathways, or enjoying a Zodiac cruise among diving penguins in the evening. While wildlife is stunning, the Antarctic landscape is defined by ice. You'll have the chance to intimately encounter ice in its various forms—from colossal icebergs resembling islands and small ice fragments to towering glaciers and delicate, newly forming layers of ice. One day, you might paddle by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level, embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags, or walk amidst thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next day, you might experience the exhilaration of the ship navigating through pack ice. Everywhere you venture in Antarctica offers opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Throughout the journey, our expert expedition team will enhance each experience.
Day 9: King George Island | Disembark | Puerto Natales
This morning, you find yourself near King George Island, which hosts a diverse array of wildlife including Weddell and elephant seals, as well as Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins. Besides its rich wildlife, the island also accommodates a human population. Researchers from multiple countries, such as the US, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, inhabit various research stations here. You disembark and take a Zodiac ashore to catch your 2-hour flight back to Puerto Natales, where you will spend the night at Hotel Costaustralis or Remota Patagonia Lodge (or similar).
Please note: If the weather at King George Island does not allow for flights this morning, the ship operator will follow its published contingency plan.
Day 10: Puerto Natales
1 Breakfast
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward.
Please note: Flights arranged for later in the day provide more buffer against any of those potential flight delays out of King George Island.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$10,6732-3 travelers
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Cat 1
Main Deck with one or two portholes. #301-308
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Cat 2
Main Deck with window. #317-320, 335-336.
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Cat 3
Main Deck with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340,342, 344, 346, 348, 350.
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Cat 4
Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. # 103-104, 107-108, 201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert
Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard the ship. We are also pleased to offer a selection of super premium wines and liquors that are available for purchase.
Crew gratuities
Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itineraryâŻ
Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
Hors dâoeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
The services of a physician, physicianâs assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic⯠where available
Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spacesâŻ
One-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Ushuaia, Argentina
One-night post-cruise hotel stay in Puerto Natales, Chile
Complimentary expedition gear, consisting of a parka and reusable water bottle
Welcome reception and/or bon voyage dinner (in Puerto Natales)
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, Wi-Fi and phone services (except when indicated as included)
We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration feesâŻ
Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
Map
When to Go
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Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 182 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 182 reviews on
3 hours ago
Easiest trip to plan ever. We received quick answers and Mary was very knowledgeable about different areas of the world that we had questions about.
We have book 2 trips, FABULOUS trip to Antartica which we have already taken and just booked for a future trip to Africa.
Michelle
8 hours ago
Planning service is personal. people actually listening to you and using that information constructively to help you plan a great trip. They have extensive travel knowledge and experience in the area they cover. The planning is detailed and comprehensive in meeting your needs. It makes a difference!
Allison Wynn
18 hours ago
The pre-planning and execution of the plan was excellent. They were even able to help get glasses returned when a member or our party left them in a hotel.
Roger
1 day ago
What made our Costa Rica experience great was the wonderful places we stayed and transportation to get to our different areas to visit was excellent! The white water rafting and the snorkeling & dolphin watching were really fun!
Michell Murphy
2 days ago
I received a quick and friendly response from my contact, Christina Mayo, both in email and phone calls. My request for information was provided in less than a day. She took a few minutes to chat about family and events. Dealing with her has always been a pleasure!