Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
8 Days Starting and ending in Punta Arenas, Chile
Visiting: Punta Arenas, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PSY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 176
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake tour for an unforgettable adventure to the icy wilderness of Antarctica. Begin your journey in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you'll skip the notorious Drake Passage with a flight to King George Island. From there, board a small expedition vessel to explore the breathtaking Antarctic Peninsula. Witness incredible wildlife, including seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales, as you navigate through the pristine landscapes. Accompanied by highly qualified Expedition Staff, you'll enjoy daily excursions, such as Zodiac cruises and treks, offering intimate encounters with the unique wildlife. The tour includes full board accommodation on Polar Adventure Ships, ensuring comfort and excellent service throughout your journey. With all meals, beer and wine during dinner, and a full complement of activities included, this expedition promises an awe-inspiring experience in one of the world's most remote and captivating regions.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Punta Arenas; Overnight In Hotel
Location: Punta Arenas
Meals Included: Dinner
Our adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a Quark Expeditions representative will meet you at the official starting point hotel, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day. Please note that you need to arrive at the hotel in Punta Arenas no later than 3pm today.
Day 2 : Charter Flight To King George Island; Board Ship And Embark
Location: King George Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A quick 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas lands on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. En route, from our bird's eye view, we can bid the Drake Passage a fond Bon Voyage. After exploring the portion of the island where the Chilean Research Base, Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva and the Russian Base, Bellingshausen, are located, we transfer to Ocean Adventurer by Zodiac to embark on our Antarctic adventure.
Day 3 - 6 : Antarctic Peninsula And The South Shetland Islands
Location: Antarctic Peninsula
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As we approach the white continent, don’t be surprised if you are overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through the human eye. Our first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, and will alert us to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region. Even more exciting are our daily excursions to land. Walking up to a beach that is dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica. Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new sightings and photo opportunities. We may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a Chinstrap rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night in Antarctica, each day offers exciting opportunities.
Day 7 : Disembark On King George Island; Charter Flight To Punta Arenas And Overnight In Hotel
Location: King George Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From King George Island, we will fly across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas and transfer to our hotel to spend the night.
Day 8 : End Punta Arenas
Location: Punta Arenas
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you are welcome to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.
What's Included
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Meals
4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners. -
All meals while on the ship
All meals are included during your stay on the ship.
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Beer and wine during dinner
Beer and wine are provided during dinner.
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All accommodation
Accommodation is included throughout the tour.
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All transport and listed activities
All transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.
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Full complement of qualified Expedition Staff
The tour is accompanied by a full team of qualified Expedition Staff.
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Flights from the UK
Flights from the UK can be included upon request.
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Two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas
Two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas are included.
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Full board accommodation on the ship
Full board accommodation on the ship is provided, generally on a twin share basis.
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Zodiac excursions, trekking, and kayaking
Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, and kayaking.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas and vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.
Food
All meals while on the ship included. Typical Meals The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks on sale from around the world. Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. Lunch: Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ. Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
The Antarctic Fly & Cruise is offered on the Ocean Adventurer, the Ocean Explorer, and the World Explorer, which are Polar Adventure Ships. Two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas are included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities.
Mode of Transport
Skip the Drake Passage with a quick 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, followed by a transfer to the ship by Zodiac. The return journey includes a flight back to Punta Arenas, ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Antarctic Express tour?
The tour includes two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas and full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities.
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What kind of activities can I expect during the Antarctic Express tour?
Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking, and many hours on deck. There are also daily excursions to land, where you can walk up to beaches dotted with penguins and seals, and take Zodiac cruises in search of whales and icebergs.
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Are meals included in the Antarctic Express tour?
Yes, all meals while on the ship are included, along with beer and wine during dinner.
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What wildlife might I see on the Antarctic Express tour?
You can expect to see incredible wildlife including seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales during the tour.
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Is there a flight included in the Antarctic Express tour itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes a charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island and back, allowing you to skip the Drake Passage.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.