Expedition Itinerary - Antarctica Fly and Cruise

This 8-day adventure skips the Drake Passage by flying from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in the South Shetlands. You'll board Ocean Nova for 5 days of exploring the Antarctic Penisula. You save crossing time, but don't lose a minute of adventure. Only 62 travelers can participate in any one departure.

    Day 1 - Punta Arenas, Chile

Make you way to Punta Arenas, Chile on the island of Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America. The city is situated on the north bank of the Strait of Magellan. Please arrive in the early afternoon. Quark Expeditions will transfer the group to a local hotel to spend the night. After an informative briefing, enjoy a welcome dinner with your traveling companions.

 Day 2 - Embarkation DayA quick two-hour flight from Punta Arenas lands on King George Island in the South Shetlands. En route, from your bird's eye view, bid the Drake Passage a fond Bon Voyage. You've saved time and worry by choosing this Fly and Cruise expedition operated by Antarctica XXIAfter exploring that portion of the island where the Chilean Research Base, Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva and the Russian Base, Bellingshausen, are located, you are transferred to Ocean Nova by Zodiac. By late afternoon, you will have embarked on your Antarctic adventure.

 Day 3-6 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Don't forget to pack your binoculars! In the Peninsula, seals will be sunning on ice fleos or a raft of penguins may be feeding as you sail past. History, wildlife, scenery - Antarctica has it all. A shipboard presentation will recount the development of the region, pointing out the remains of buildings where explorers subsisted on hope and blubber. Antarctica XXI's Expedition Team cuold take you ashore at Neko Harbour and help you identify different species of birds. You could cruise in Zodiacs though a graveyard of fantastically colored icebergs.

 Day 7 - Fly to Punta Arenas

From King George Island, fly across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel to spend the night.

Day 8 - Depart for home

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in Punta Arenas for your homeward flight.