Across the Antarctic Circle: Fly the Drake - Fly/Fly Expedition

Arrive in Punta Arenas, where an Aurora Expeditions representative will meet you for your transfer to your hotel. Please ensure arrival by 2:00 pm, as pre-flight briefings are essential. If weather conditions require, the flight to King George Island may depart on Day 1 instead of Day 2.  

Visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between 10:00 am – 6:00 pm to collect luggage tags, confirm embarkation details, ask questions, and receive recommendations for dining and last-minute purchases.  

Overlooking the historic Straits of Magellan, Punta Arenas blends diverse cultural influences, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. Today, it features vibrant restaurants and bars offering local and international cuisine (meals at your own expense).  

At 7:00 pm, attend a voyage briefing to meet fellow expeditioners, review transfer schedules, learn flight procedures for King George Island, and discuss IAATO regulations for Antarctic visitors.

This morning, transfer to Punta Arenas airport for a charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica, weather permitting. The flight lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon arrival, the expedition team will greet you and assist with your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. Once onboard, settle into your cabin before attending essential safety briefings.

Note: A clear sky with great visibility is required for safe take-off and landing at King George Island. Should the weather be uncooperative at this remote airstrip, flights can be moved earlier, or delayed later.  Historically, 85% of flights occur on the day they are scheduled.  But if this is not possible, the ship operator follows their established contingency plan, which can be read here. 

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 stay with you forever.  

Once you arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are yours to explore, and you have a host of choices available to you. Because you are so far south, experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.  

Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, 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. 

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 favorite spots along the peninsula.

While ashore you aim to stretch your 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 have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course, keen polar plungers have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! 

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, you 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. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.

On this voyage, conditions permitting, the plan is to cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located at the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33' South (approximately). Crossing below The Circle is certainly a special highlight for many people, and the moment is celebrated with a toast out on the deck (weather permitting). You have earned some boasting privileges, joining a small group of lucky adventurers who have ventured to this part of the world.

As you approach and cross the Antarctic Circle, you notice subtle changes in the landscape, and also in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill and you hope to see plenty of whales - particularly humpbacks and minkes and enjoy the spectacle of penguins feeding their ravenous chicks.

As you approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and the amazing adventure before boarding the flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. There is time for reflection and discussion about what you have seen and experienced. You hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends, and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here. 

In Punta Arenas, you are transferred to the group hotel for an overnight stay.

Please note: If the weather at King George Island does not allow for flights this morning, the ship operator follows their well-established contingency plan, again. 

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travelers as you all continue your onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare. 

Note: Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; remain on the ship until it is deemed achievable to return to Punta Arenas. Refer to the terms and conditions for further details.