Ocean Adventurer – Fly the Drake
Duration
8 days
Destination
Group Size
Departures
Overview
You’re ready to explore King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula—and no Drake Passage crossings are required! With a spectacular aerial view, included charter flights between Punta Arenas and Antarctica have you experiencing the majesty of the 7th continent before transferring you to your ship in no time.
Keep your camera ready as you cruise in a Zodiac in search of whales, seabirds and astounding icebergs. Beaches dotted with leopard seals and penguins give way to icy plateaus, with snow- capped mountain peaks looming behind. You’ll find yourself thankful for the near-constant sunlight by which you can continue to take it all in.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica.
- Fly over the Drake Passage.
- Marvel at all the Antarctic Peninsula highlights.
- Enjoy on-board lectures and educational presentations from polar specialists.
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Day 2: Fly to King George Island and Embarkation.
Days 3 -4 -5 & 6: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
Day 7: Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas.
Day 8: Depart Punta Arenas.
NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. The on-board expedition leader will determine the final itinerary. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Contact us for more details.
Itinerary
Your 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 you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few hours. Far below, the ship will approach King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctic landscapes will be from a unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetland Islands. After landing, stretch your legs with a one-mile (1.6 km) walk to the shore, before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the White Continent, you may be overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes.
As your captain and Expedition Team keep a lookout for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert presenters will deepen your experience with explanations of the glaciology, history and wildlife of the region.
Even more exciting are your daily excursions. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking on a beach dotted with penguins 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, and it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between an Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin.
You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming sound of a calving glacier to the thrill of spotting apex predators like leopard seals and killer whales in action, you’ll wake up early and welcome each day with a sense of adventure and a desire to explore during this unrivaled travel experience.
Your Expedition Team will accompany you all along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your two-and-a-half-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings your adventure to an end. After your group transfer to the hotel, you are free to explore and enjoy an evening on your own, in the city or at the hotel to reminisce about the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
After breakfast, you are welcome to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.
Itinerary Map
Inclusions
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board.
- Beer and wine during dinner.
- All shore landings per the daily program.
- Leadership throughout the voyage by experienced expedition leaders.
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
- Formal and informal presentations by expedition team and special guests as scheduled.
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition.
- Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
- Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock.
- A hairdryer and bathrobes in every cabin.
- Comprehensive onboard (2020-21 season) materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- All luggage handling aboard the ship.
- Group transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on day 1.
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, with breakfast.
- Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day.
- Group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport, and/or to luggage storage facility in the 2020-21 season.
For itineraries beginning and ending in Ushuaia:
- Group transfer in Ushuaia from the airport to the pre-expedition hotel on day 1.
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, with breakfast.
- Group transfer from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day.
- Group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from the ship to the local airport.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International airfare.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above.
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified.
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights.
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, and any other gear not mentioned above.
- Laundry, bar, massage services, and other personal charges unless specified.
- Phone and internet charges.
- Additional overnight accommodation.
- Optional adventure activities.
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated.
NOTES:
- This trip is also available onboard the Ocean Adventurer. Contact us for more details.
- Voyages are subject to ice and weather conditions.
- The itineraries described for expedition voyages illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
