Explore the majestic beauty of Antarctica more efficiently with the 8-day Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage Cruise roundtrip to Puerto Natales. Skip the traditional Drake Passage crossing and opt for a two-hour flight to and from Antarctica, ensuring you experience all highlights without losing extra time. Join the diverse team of experts aboard the ship. Delve into channels and coves surrounded by towering peaks, keeping an eye out for whales from the bow. Enjoy Zodiac cruises around massive icebergs, hike, kayak, and, in November, possibly even cross-country ski in serene settings.
Highlights
Skip the traditional Drake Passage crossing and opt for a two-hour flight
Explore into channels and coves surrounded by towering peaks
Enjoy Zodiac cruises around massive icebergs along with hiking and kayaking
Discover the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists
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 arriving in Puerto Natales, you discover a town steeped in history. Once a humble fishing port, it now offers breathtaking views of the Last Hope Sound and the Cerro Benitez Mountains, serving as the entrance to Torres del Paine. Transfer from the airport to Hotel Costaustralis or Remota Patagonia Lodge (or similar), where you'll be accommodated. Join us this evening for dinner and a briefing on the activities planned for the following day.
Please note: Travelers should plan to arrive at the Puerto Natales hotel by 3PM today. Ultimately, the weather at King George Island will drive the overall schedule of this trip, so there's a slight chance you might fly to Antarctica this evening!
Day 2: Puerto Natales | King George Island | Embark
After breakfast, you check out of the hotel and head to the airport for your 2-hour direct flight to King George Island, marking the exciting beginning of your Antarctic adventure. King George Island, home to a diverse array of wildlife including Weddell and elephant seals, Adelie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins, also hosts researchers from various countries, such as the US, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Your flight will land at the Chilean research station, where the National Geographic Explorer awaits offshore. You'll board Zodiacs to reach the ship and begin your journey across the Antarctic waters.
Please note: Flexibility is key to any successful Antarctic adventure, particularly a fly cruise. If the weather at King George Island does not allow for flights this morning, the ship operator will follow their contingency plan. On average, about 85% of flights occur on this day, as scheduled. But travelers should be aware of, and ready to follow, the contingencies that National Geographic has developed for their new flight-based itineraries.
During this time of year, with long daylight hours, there are abundant chances for exploration. Your flexible schedule allows you to embrace unexpected moments, whether it's observing whales off the ship's bow, trekking alongside penguin highways, or enjoying a Zodiac cruise amidst playful penguins.
While the wildlife is awe-inspiring, the Antarctic is defined by its ice. You'll have the chance to intimately experience ice in various forms—from massive icebergs resembling islands to delicate layers just beginning to freeze. Whether you're kayaking among towering icebergs, exploring in a Zodiac for seals and blue-eyed shags, or walking among penguins, each day brings a new adventure.
Everywhere you venture in Antarctica, there are opportunities to capture stunning images. Throughout the journey, your expert expedition team will enhance every experience.
Day 7: 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 8: 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.
$8,1382-3 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
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 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 itinerary 
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 d’oeuvres 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, physician’s 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 spaces 
Complimentary expedition gear, consisting of a parka and reusable water bottle
Welcome reception and/or bon voyage dinner (in Puerto Natales)
One-night pre-cruise and post-cruise hotel stays 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 fees 
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.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 183 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 183 reviews on
23 hours ago
Prompt, professional and friendly service!
Jimmie
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
2 days 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!