Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage - 10 Days
Onboard National Geographic Explorer – 148 passengers
Experience the wild grandeur of the White Continent in a more efficient, expedient way. On this new itinerary, cruise the Drake Passage one way, and then bypass the Drake Passage on the way back on a 2-hour flight from Antarctica and discover all of the highlights without sacrificing the extra time. Travel with a diverse team of experts aboard the National Geographic Explorer, the definitive expedition ship. Venture into channels and coves framed by towering peaks. Watch for whales off the bow; Zodiac cruise around enormous icebergs; and hike, kayak, and even possibly cross-country ski in complete tranquility. Choose an active agenda or surrender to the pleasures of relaxing downtime and shipboard camaraderie. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic Photography Expert.
Highlights:
- Experience it all—cruise the legendary Drake Passage aboard the National Geographic Explorer and then enjoy the ease of returning on a 2-hour direct flight from King George Island to Puerto Natales
- Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists, and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica, with more than 55 years of expedition heritage
- Hike amid magnificent mountains; see huge glaciers; and observe a parade of gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap penguins
- Kayak in protected waters, paddling in the Antarctic stillness as penguins swim nearby
- November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting
- With National Geographic Global Explorers, an exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this exhilarating part of the world—from its massive glaciers to humpback whales
Tour Dates
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Jan 15 - Jan 24, 2025 (10 days)
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Nov 7 - Nov 16, 2025 (10 days)
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Nov 26 - Dec 5, 2025 (10 days)
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Dec 15 - Dec 24, 2025 (10 days)
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Jan 3 - Jan 12, 2026 (10 days)
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Jan 22 - Jan 31, 2026 (10 days)
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Feb 10 - Feb 19, 2026 (10 days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia. Sandwiched between ice-mantled peaks and the frigid waters of the Beagle Channel, this is a fittingly wild place to be known as “El Fin del Mundo” or “The End of the World.” Transfer from the airport to our hotel. Join us this evening for dinner and a briefing on our upcoming adventure. All guests should arrive into Ushuaia by 6pm local time. Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Ushuaia / Embark Ship
Check out of our hotel and begin exploring this amazing region. Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, clad in dense beech forest just as much of Antarctica was millions of years ago. Savor lunch on board a private catamaran as you cruise the Channel, keeping an eye out for plump South American sea lions and sleek seabirds like the imperial cormorant. By day’s end, you’ll be comfortably on board the ship and ready to sail off to the White Continent. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-4: At Sea Crossing the Drake Passage
At times ferocious, at others flat calm, this legendary 500-mile-wide strait divides South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Feel the excitement build as we begin the crossing, often accompanied by seabirds like the wandering albatross and—if luck allows—a pod of killer whales or rare dolphins. Get to know the ship and prepare for the adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (ideal for wildlife spotting), relax with a massage, attend a talk on the unique biology of penguins, or simply settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge, looking out over the waves as you contemplate the history of this passage named for English privateer Francis Drake, but first discovered by Spanish navigator Francisco de Hoces. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 5-8: Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunities to explore. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected, whether we’re watching whales at play off the bow of our ship, hiking alongside penguin highways, or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid porpoising penguins. While wildlife is magnificent, ice defines the Antarctic. You’ll get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze. One day, we might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, we might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. Everywhere we go in Antarctica we’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way, your expert expedition team will enrich every experience. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales, Chile
This morning finds us off of King George Island. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife—Weddell and elephant seals; Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins—this island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the US, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, call the various stations home. Disembark and Zodiac ashore to board our 2-hour flight back to Puerto Natales where we will overnight at Hotel Costaustralis or Remota Patagonia Lodge (or similar). Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Puerto Natales, Chile
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward. Departure Time: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 3:45 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible). Meals Included: Breakfast
Please note the itinerary and route map are only tentative outlines of what you may experience. No specific itinerary, routing or landing sites can be guaranteed in advance. Where the ship actually sails will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, the weather & ice conditions and the captain & expedition leader. Every trip is different, which adds to the excitement of expedition cruising in the polar regions. Trips with flights to and/or from Antarctica have a higher risk of having a trip delay or interruption due to weather.
Route Map:
Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Single Travelers
- Can book a dedicated solo cabin in Category A Solo or Category B Solo at the prices listed above
- Share cabins may be available in select cabin categories, please enquire for more details
- If booking Cat 1 – 7 at solo occupancy, the rate is 2x the per person share price
Adventure Options
- Paddling – included in the voyage cost. Guests may have the chance to paddle once, conditions permitting.
Mandatory Charter Flights are an additional cost and not included in the cabin pricing. See neon green box in pricing grid for the cost of the charter flights.
- Charter flights for Antarctica Direct Itineraries are between Puerto Natales, Chile and King George Island, Antarctica
- Charter fights for Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands departures are between Buenos Aires & Ushuaia
Single Travelers
- Can book a dedicated solo cabin in Category A Solo or Category B Solo at the prices listed above
- Share cabins may be available in select cabin categories, please enquire for more details
- If booking Cat 1 – 7 at solo occupancy, the rate is 2x the per person share price
Adventure Options
- Paddling – included in the voyage cost. Guests may have the chance to paddle once, conditions permitting.
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
Category 7
#215, 219, 230 — Newly renovated in May 2023, each large suite has a private balcony, two single beds that can be converted into a queen, and a sofa bed that can be converted into a triple. There is a seating area with a writing desk, coffee table with sitting chair, and a small table. Suites feature a double closet, TV, mini bar, and espresso maker. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 6
Veranda Deck, #101-102 — Newly renovated in May 2023, each spacious suite has two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a sofa-bed that can be converted into a triple, a writing desk, double closet, chairs, three large windows, TV, mini bar, and espresso maker. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. Upper Deck, #213 — Newly renovated in May 2023, this spacious suite has a private balcony with glass doors, two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, double closet, armchairs, TV, mini bar, and espresso maker. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. Guests receive a welcome amenity, complimentary laundry, and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.
Category 5
#209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224 — Cabins feature a balcony with sliding glass doors, one queen-sized bed, writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, private bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV. (Cabin 221 has two single beds that can convert to a queen.)
Category 4
Veranda Deck #103-104, 107-108 — Cabins feature two single beds than can convert into a queen. They have a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, private bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV. Upper Deck #201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228 — Cabins feature two single beds than can convert into a queen (cabins 217, 226 & 228 have a queen bed only). They have a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, private bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV.
Category 3
#313-316, 321-328, 337-340, 342, 344-350 — Cabins feature two single beds (can be converted to a queen-sized bed), one large window, a sitting chair, a small table, ample storage, writing desk with chair, floor length mirror, reading lamps, TV, and well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower. #341 & 343 — newly renovated in May 2023, each L-shaped suite also has a sofa-bed that can be converted into a triple, double closet, espresso maker, and generously sized bathrooms.
Category 2
#317-320, 335-336 — Cabins feature two single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), and one large window. They offer a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.
Category 1
#301-308 — Cabins feature one or two portholes. Cabins #301, 302, and 307 have two twin beds. Cabins #304-306 feature one queen-sized bed. Cabin #308 features two twin beds that can be converted to a queen. All cabins feature a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.
Category A Solo
#309-311, 329-334 — These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV.
Category B Solo
Veranda Deck: #105-106; Upper Deck: #203, 208 — These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-walled shower stall, and a TV.
Deck Plan
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- All accommodations aboard ship or in hotels per itinerary
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore
- Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard the ship (except certain super premium brands which are available for purchase)
- Hors d’oeuvres, 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
- Excursions and airport transfers to and from recommended flights, as indicated in the itinerary
- Crew gratuities
- Exploration tools curated to destination, such as Zodiacs, kayaks, snowshoes and cross-country skis
- Guidance and company of our leading expedition staff
- Assistance by the National Geographic Photography Expert and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor
- Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker
- Presentations by expedition staff and expert guest speakers.
- Complimentary reusable water bottle
- Services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic
- Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment
- 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library, and other shared spaces
- Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes. Unused services or items included in our programs are non-refundable
Exclusions:
- Airfare (except flights when indicated as included)
- Pre- and post-expedition extensions
- Additional hotel nights (except when indicated as included)
- Private transfers
- Laundry, spa treatments, Wi-Fi, and phone services (except when indicated as included)
- Travel protection plans
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
