Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake | Douglas Mawson Expedition Ship

Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake

Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake is a 10-day journey from Punta Arenas that replaces the traditional ship crossing of the Drake Passage with charter flights to and from King George Island, allowing the heart of the itinerary to concentrate on Antarctica. After landing in the South Shetland Islands, travelers transfer by Zodiac to Douglas Mawson and spend six days exploring the western Antarctic Peninsula through an intentionally flexible program shaped by the Expedition Team. Zodiac cruising, shore landings, wildlife watching, walking, photography, and scenic cruising provide opportunities to discover a landscape of glaciers and icebergs and encounter penguin colonies and other wildlife. The expedition then returns to King George Island for the flight back to Punta Arenas and an included post-voyage hotel stay.

Day by day

Day 1: Punta Arenas: Getting Ready for Antarctica

Begin the expedition in Punta Arenas, Chile, where arrangements are made for the following day’s flight to Antarctica. Upon arrival, transfer to the pre-voyage hotel and attend the mandatory briefings associated with the expedition. The day is focused on preparation for the charter flight across the Drake Passage to King George Island. Unlike an itinerary that begins with several days aboard ship crossing the Drake Passage, this journey uses air travel to connect Punta Arenas directly with Antarctica. Once the required preparations and briefings are complete, the next step is the flight south and embarkation aboard Douglas Mawson. No additional activities or sightseeing in Punta Arenas are specified in the source material for Day 1.

Day 2: From Chile Directly to King George Island

Leave Punta Arenas aboard the charter flight bound for King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. The flight takes travelers across the Drake Passage and directly into the Antarctic environment, avoiding the traditional sea crossing. After landing on King George Island, continue on foot toward the shore. From there, board Zodiacs for the transfer to Douglas Mawson and embark the expedition vessel. With the flight and embarkation complete, the Antarctic portion of the journey is underway. The itinerary now shifts almost entirely toward Peninsula exploration, with the following six days reserved for flexible Zodiac cruises, shore landings, wildlife observation, and other expedition activities among the icebergs and glaciers of the western Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 3-8: An Extended Antarctic Peninsula Experience

Day 9: Farewell to Antarctica and Return to Chile

Day 10: Final Day in Punta Arenas

+12

Cruise Includes

Accommodation in assigned stateroom

Complimentary gym access

Meals onboard

Morning and afternoon teas

Tea, coffee and snacks available 24/7

House wines, beers and soft drinks with dinner

Captain's Farewell drinks

Lectures and presentations by naturalists and specialists

Access to Citizen Science Center

Access to library and observation areas

Heated outdoor pool

Jacuzzis

Sauna

Bird watching

Lectures covering wildlife, the environment, history, and destinations

Marine mammal spotting

Photography

Polar Plunge

Scenic cruising

Trips ashore

Walking

Wildlife watching

Zodiac cruising

Cruise does not include

Airfares and transfers unless specified

travel insurance

visa and passport expenses

optional activities

personal expenses

additional beverages

laundry and spa services

gratuities

any services not specified as included in the voyage itinerary.

Optional add-on activities are available at an additional cost.

Sea Kayaking: $1,030 USD — Available

Snorkelling: $515 USD — Sold Out

Paddling: $480 USD — Sold Out

Highlights

Replace the traditional Drake Passage sea crossing with charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island.

Land directly in the South Shetland Islands and transfer by Zodiac to Douglas Mawson to begin the Antarctic voyage.

Spend six central days focused on exploring the western Antarctic Peninsula.

Discover the Peninsula through flexible Zodiac cruises and shore landings among glaciers and icebergs.

Search for wildlife and experience penguin colonies during the Antarctic exploration.

Combine air travel across the Drake Passage with an expedition program dedicated to maximizing time on the Antarctic Peninsula.

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.