Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake | Ocean Adventurer Expedition Ship

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Explore the Antarctic Peninsula on a ship after flying across the Drake Passage in a charter plane. You'll enjoy rewarding Zodiac Cruises and shore excursions, as well as intimate wildlife encounters. Explore historic sites, and take advantage of this 8-day adventure packed trip to Antarctica. Choose from an array of onboard and adventure activities to match your interests. This will make your trip unique.

Day by day

Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile

Punta Arenas is the largest city in Southern Patagonia. You can spend days exploring the museums, shops, and restaurants if you arrive early. A member of expedition will be there to greet you in the early afternoon at your official starting hotel. You'll have a welcome meal and receive a briefing on how to prepare for embarkation.

Day 2: Fly to King George Island and Embarkation

The Beagle Channel will be the first stop on your Antarctic voyage as the ship departs in the afternoon. The channel, named after the famous ship that Charles Darwin sailed on, offers great opportunities for landscape and seabird photography. The channel eventually opens to the Southern Ocean and then to Antarctica.

Day 3 to 6: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

Day 8: Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas

Neko Harbour | Antarctic Peninsula | Zodiac landing

+12

Cruise Includes

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities

All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program

All shore landings as per the daily program

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping

All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)

Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled

A photographic journal documenting the expedition

A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions

An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep

Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

All luggage handling aboard the ship

Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $ 500 , 000 per person

Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day

Group departure transfer upon disembarkation from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility

Cruise does not include

International airfare

Passport and applicable visa expenses

Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned

Meals unless otherwise specified

Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance strongly recommended

Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights

Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned

Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified

Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)

Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew

Additional overnight accommodation

Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated

Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

Highlights

Take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs

Beagle Channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds

There are plenty of museums, shops and restaurants in Punta Arenas to keep you busy.

Cruise options for this itinerary

Note: Prices may vary according to cruise and cabin category. Please contact us for more details

Activities

Sea Kayaking

Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.

Ice Camping

Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.

Snowshoeing

Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.

Photography

Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.

Explorer Boats

Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.

Yoga

It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.