Antarctica Fly the Drake

Antarctic Peninsula

Experience the Antarctic Peninsula on a Fly the Drake expedition, designed to maximise your time in one of the world’s most extraordinary regions. Bypass the Drake Passage by air and step straight into a landscape of towering icebergs, vast glaciers and wildlife-rich shores. Encounter penguins, seals and whales up close while exploring by Zodiac and on guided landings. With expert guides leading the way, this seamless Antarctic adventure combines comfort, efficiency and unforgettable polar exploration

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Highlights

Fly over the Drake Passage to maximise your time in Antarctica
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula’s glaciers, icebergs and dramatic coastlines
Encounter penguins, seals and whales in their natural habitat
Enjoy Zodiac cruises and guided shore landings
Learn from expert expedition guides and naturalists
Experience a seamless, time-efficient Antarctic adventure

For expeditioners who prefer to focus their energy on adventures in Antarctica, flying over the Drake Passage in both directions is the ideal way to reach the white continent. In the safe hands of experienced pilots, your pulse will quicken as you glimpse the first icebergs in the Southern Ocean, where your vessel awaits, ready to take you on an exhilarating adventure.

Stewart's Take

Fastest way to explore the Antarctic Peninsula!

Overview

Experience the Antarctic Peninsula on a Fly the Drake expedition, designed to maximise your time in one of the world’s most extraordinary regions. Bypass the Drake Passage by air and step straight into a landscape of towering icebergs, vast glaciers and wildlife-rich shores. Encounter penguins, seals and whales up close while exploring by Zodiac and on guided landings. With expert guides leading the way, this seamless Antarctic adventure combines comfort, efficiency and unforgettable polar exploration

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Punta Arenas Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2:00pm on this day. In addition to ensuring your arrival in time for our important pre-flight briefings, if weather conditions deem it necessary, we may depart for King George Island on Day 1 as opposed to Day 2. Please visit the hospitality desk in the lobby between 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items. Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today). At 7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica. Day 2 Fly to King George Island, Embarkation This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings. Note: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation. Days 3-8 Antarctic Peninsula It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. Daily Landings We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula. Antarctic Cruising While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent. Day 9 Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our flight (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here. From Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel for an overnight stay. Note: King George Island is located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any possible delays. Day 10 Depart Punta Arenas After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare. Note: Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; you will remain on the ship until it is deemed achievable to return to Punta Arenas. Contact us for further details. In the spirit of expedition travel, we encourage you to adopt a flexible and adventurous attitude when joining our voyages. This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond our control.

Day Paddle

polar kayaking

Selected departures may include an option for Day Paddle excursions – contact us for availability! Come face-to-face with the polar wilderness from a unique, water-level vantage. Glide silently among icebergs and beside glaciers, drift past curious birds or seals, and explore remote fjords and coastline not accessible by ships. Guided by expert polar staff, you paddle safely in small groups, often with Zodiac support close by. This adventure gives you an intimate connection with polar landscapes few ever experience. >>Read More Details on this information page!

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Vessel

Expedition Vessel: Douglas Mawson

Adventure has a new name. Setting sail in 2025, the state-of-the-art Douglas Mawson, is the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising to Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes a maximum of just 130 adventurers on board Expedition-style Cruises (or 154 on Small Ship Cruises). All in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts a most extensive range of staterooms, including single staterooms. While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, you can rest assured that you will get off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through a thrilling activities program on all expeditions. When onboard the Small Ship Cruises in the Mediterranean, British Isles and beyond, you’ll enjoy handcrafted ‘Your Choice’ excursions to immerse you in your destination!

For full information about this vessel click here:

Booking Information

Essential Information

Prices and Share Policy

Prices quoted are per person in US$, based on twin-share. Single occupancy is 1.7 times the twin share price. No single travel fees apply if you are willing to share your cabin (certain cabin categories cabins only). Fuel surcharge may apply in the event of significant fuel price increases. No refund for unused services.

Deposits

Reservations require a deposit of 25% per person at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card. Bookings within 120 days of departure require full payment.

Final Payments

Balances are due 120 days prior to departure. You will be invoiced at the appropriate time. Balance payments can be made by bank transfer or on request by major credit card, subject to a 2% surcharge.

Cancellations

All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. If the cancellation is made 120 days or more prior to the expedition departure date, you will forfeit your Deposit. If cancellation is made less than 120 days prior to the expedition departure date, you will forfeit the full ticket price, (which includes your Deposit), of the expedition. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. In the event of cancellation, we will consider any request by you to transfer the Deposit paid towards a subsequent expedition. The decision as to whether or not to agree will be made by the shipping company at its absolute discretion. If agreed, you will be liable to pay a fee of $500 per passenger (in the currency of your expedition) to cover administrative and associated costs and also be any additional price for the subsequent expedition. The transfer of the Deposit is only valid on expeditions that depart within 24 months from the date of the original proposed departure date. Only one transfer of deposit to another expedition is permitted.

Booking Terms

Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Aurora Expeditions and you additionally travel under their terms and conditions as the operator as well as of the Shipping Company/transport carrier. Details will be forwarded to you at the time of booking along with a separate Booking Form

Included

All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
Two night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 1 and Day 9.
Return charter flight between Punta Arenas and King George Island.
Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices during voyage.
Beer and house wine with dinner.
Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
Comprehensive pre-departure information.
Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
Wi-Fi*Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.

Excluded

International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
Airport arrival or departure taxes.
Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to, alcoholic beverages (outside of dinner service), on board gratuities*, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, email or phone charges.
*A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.