Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage

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.

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.

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.