Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage – 9 Days

Voyage Overview

Join the pioneers of Antarctic expedition travel on a thrilling fly cruise that includes five days of exploration at the continent (conditions permitting).

Cut out time at sea by flying directly from Puerto Natales, Chile to Antarctica (and back) where we embark the National Geographic Orion, purpose-built for polar waters. Witness the grandeur of this icy wilderness as you kayak among dazzling blue icebergs, sail past dramatic snow-capped peaks and rugged shores, and encounter the region’s iconic wildlife–from scores of penguins to whales, seals, and seabirds. A veteran team of naturalists and a National Geographic Photography Expert by your side ensures that you’ll have the most unforgettable experience and incredible photos to prove it.

Trip Details

Duration: 9 Days

Ship: National Geographic Orion, Premium Ship, 102 Guests

Start: Puerto Natales, Chile

End: Puerto Natales, Chile

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile
Arrive in Puerto Natales. Originally a small fishing port, the town is nestled on the Last Hope Sound and boasts a stunning view of the sea surrounded by the Cerro Benitez Mountains—the gateway to Torres del Paine. Transfer from the airport to our hotel. Join us this evening for dinner and a briefing on the following day’s activities. Meals included: Dinner.  Guest should arrive to the hotel in Puerto Natales by 3:00pm local time. 

Day 2: Fly to King George Island, Antarctica for embarkation 
Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our 2-hour direct flight to King George Island in Antarctica, where you begin your Antarctic adventure. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife—Weddell and elephant seals, Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins—King George 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. Our flight will land at the Chilean research station where the National Geographic Explorer will be waiting offshore. Board Zodiacs to embark the ship and set sail as we begin exploring this amazing region. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3-7: 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

Days 8: Disembarkation at King George Island & Fly to Puerto Natales
This morning, the ship will be moored off of King George Island once again. Following disembarkation and Zodiac rides to shore, our flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where we overnight at our hotel. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Depart Puerto Natales
Check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward. Meals Included: Breakfast. Guests should book a flight out of Puerto Natales no earlier than 1:00pm local time (or as late in the day as possible). 

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.