Voyage Overview
Polar Circle Air-Cruise
The Polar Circle air-cruise is a couple days longer than most fly cruises and will attempt to sail further south to more off the beaten track areas. Our main objective on this expedition is to try and reach the Antarctic Polar Circle located at approximately 66° south of the equator. The Expedition Team handcrafts every voyage depending on the Antarctic weather and each day of the Polar Circle air-cruise is filled with ample opportunities to explore.
Trip Details
Duration: 10 Days
Ship: Magellan Discoverer, Premium Ship, 76 Guests
Start: Punta Arenas, Chile
End: Punta Arenas, Chile
Highlights:
- 6 planned days in Antarctica
- Fly over the Drake both ways to save time and avoid potential rough sea crossings
- See incredible icebergs and have the chance to sail through the sea ice south of the Antarctic Circle
- Whales! The end of January & February is an excellent time to see whales in Antarctica
- Sailing on a boutique ship with just 76 passengers onboard means more time on shore and less waiting time
- Access to the new Explorers House club in Punta Arenas, where you will attend briefings and enjoy dinner on Day 1
Trip Itinerary Overview:
Day 1: Arrive into Punta Arenas, Chile
Day 2: Fly to Antarctica & Embark ship
Days 3-8: Exploring Antarctica
Day 9: Disembark ship & Fly to Punta Arenas
Day 10: Depart Punta Arenas
Tour Dates
- October 2026 to March 2027
| Dates | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
Feb 5 – Feb 14, 2027 (10 days) | Available | view pricing chart |
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival into Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM, where you are welcomed by a staff member and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you are welcomed at Explorers House to attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.
Day 2: Scheduled flight to Antarctica
A two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the airplane, and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. You then walk 2-kms (1.25-miles), passing Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel.
Day 3-8: Exploring Antarctica
Sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Visit the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, disembarking by Zodiac each day. In small groups, hike to extraordinary sites and take part in exploratory Zodiac excursions to otherwise inaccessible areas. Our expert polar guides share their passion for Antarctica through an engaging program of illustrated presentations, and lead you ashore to interpret the wildlife, the history, and the many wonders of the Antarctic environment. Enjoy spectacular views, from the glass-enclosed lounge, while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests over a drink.
The goal of this expedition is to sail far south in the attempt to reach the Polar Circle. The Expedition Team plans the specific voyage route based on local conditions and takes advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature. Flexibility will be the key to a successful voyage. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache and Penola Straits, and the Crystal Sound. Each voyage is unique and crafted to provide the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.
Day 9: Scheduled return flight from Antarctica
Back at King George Island, bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).
Day 10: End of the air-cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight. Flights out of Punta Arenas should be booked in the afternoon 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.
Trips & Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime
Feb 5 – Feb 14, 2027 (10 days)
| Start: | Punta Arenas, Chile |
| End: | Punta Arenas, Chile |
| Cabin Category | Triple Veranda Suite | Deluxe Veranda | Family Veranda Suite | Grand Veranda Suite | Single Veranda |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $29,795 | $34,995 | $34,995 | $42,995 | $42,995 |
| Availability | Full | Open | Limited | Open | Open |
Single Travelers:
- Can book a dedicated single cabin at Single Veranda prices above.
- Can book a Twin Cabin for single use at 1.85x the per person share price in Deluxe Veranda Cabins. A 100% supplement applies when booking all other categories.
- If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another passenger of the same gender in a Deluxe Veranda Cabin. Passengers who book a twin cabin on a shared basis are accommodated in single rooms at the hotel in Punta Arenas. Those passengers must pay a Single Hotel Room Supplement which is $870/person for the 2026-27 season. Note: Single travelers who use CPAP machines or other assistive devices, as well as those who have conditions that can be disrupting to others (loud snoring, sleepwalking, etc.), can only book their air-cruise in a Single Cabin or a Twin Cabin for single use. They cannot book on a twin-share basis.
Adventure Options:
- Full Kayaking program: $995/person. Experience required and must be booked in advance as spots are limited. There will be 2 separate groups of 10 kayakers, with each group kayaking on an alternating basis.
- Snowshoeing/Hiking: $85/person per excursion, only bookable onboard the ship
Voyage Ship
Magellan Discoverer
Scheduled for launch in December 2026, the Magellan Discoverer is a new vessel built specifically for Antarctica Fly the Drake trips. With a yacht-like design, all-balcony accommodations, and a capacity of just 76 guests, it offers one of the premier boutique experiences in Antarctica.
Cabins & Deck Plan
Photos are artist renderings & actual cabins may vary
Grand Veranda Suite
Deck 4
Deck 5
The premier suites onboard featuring a private balcony, living area with sofa bed, walk in closet, desk & chair, fridge, safe, coffee maker, TV and bathroom with shower en suite.
409 ft² / 38 m²
1-2
1 king or 2 twin
Family Veranda Suite
Deck 4
These two room suites accommodate four guests. They feature a connecting door between both cabins, private balconies and two bathrooms with showers en suite. Additional features include desks & chairs, benches and coffee tables, closets, fridges, safes, coffee makers and TVs.
560 ft² / 52 m²
1-4
1 king or 2 twin
Deluxe Veranda
Deck 4
Deck 5
The most abundant cabin category on the ship, the Deluxe Veranda cabins are found on deck 4 & 5. They feature a private balcony, desk & chair, bench & coffee table, closets, fridge, coffee maker, safe, TV and bathroom with shower en suite.
280 ft² / 26 m²
1-2
1 king or 2 twin
Triple Veranda Suite
Deck 4
Accommodating 3 guests, Triple Veranda Suites are essentially two connecting Deluxe Veranda cabins. The suites have a connecting door between both cabins, private balconies
and two bathrooms with showers en suite. Additional features include desks & chairs, benches and coffee tables, closets, fridges, safes, coffee makers and TVs. There are just 2 Triple Veranda Suites and they will sell out far in advance.
560 ft² / 52 m²
1-3
1 king or 2 twin
Single Veranda
Deck 3
Single Veranda cabins feature a king bed, private balcony, desk & chair, bench & coffee table, closets, fridge, coffee maker, safe, TV and bathroom with shower en suite.
280 ft² / 26 m²
1
1 king
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Exclusive group transfers between Punta Arenas airport and the included hotel on Day 1 and the last day of the expedition.
- One hotel night at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar in Punta Arenas on Day 1, with breakfast.
- One hotel night at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar in Punta Arenas on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica, with breakfast.
- Special access to Explorers House in Punta Arenas with welcome dinner on Day 1.
- Exclusive group transfers between Punta Arenas hotel & airport on the days of the flights to / from Antarctica.
- Roundtrip flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island.
- Ship cruise as indicated in the program.
- Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board the ship offering a variety of dishes.
- Three course dinner served daily on board the ship offering a choice between one of three main courses.
- Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board.
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship throughout the expedition.
- All guided shore excursions.
- Lectures and entertainment on board.
- Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
- Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
- Access to exclusive content on the onboard app.
- Contingency Plan
- IAATO passenger fee.
- For the 2026-27 season: complimentary standard internet (premium internet is offered for guests in Penthouse Suites). Conditions apply.
- For the 2027-28 season: a voucher for premium internet. Conditions apply.
Exclusions:
- Accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage. Specifically, dinner in Punta Arenas upon return from Antarctica is not included.
- Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
- Gratuities.
- Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.
Solo Travelers
Are you traveling alone? Solo travelers have the following options:
- Can book a dedicated Single Veranda at prices listed above
- Can book into a share cabin in the Deluxe Veranda category (hotel supplement applies)
- Twin cabins can be booked at single occupancy at 1.85x the per person price for Deluxe Veranda. A 100% supplement applies when booking all other categories.
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