Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - 8 Days
Aboard Ocean Explorer– 138 passengers
Answer the call of Antarctica by flying over the notorious Drake Passage by charter plane to land at King George Island before exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by ship. In just 8 adventure-packed days, you’ll experience rewarding shore visits and Zodiac cruises, marvel at intimate wildlife encounters, explore historic sites and make the most of your landmark visit to the 7th Continent. Select from a range of adventure options and onboard activities that match your personal interests and make your expedition uniquely yours.
Tour Dates
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Jan 9 - Jan 16, 2025 (8 days)
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Jan 4 - Jan 11, 2026 (8 days)
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Mar 8 - Mar 15, 2026 (8 days)
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Jan 14 - Jan 21, 2025 (8 days)
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Jan 19 - Jan 26, 2025 (8 days)
Itinerary
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. The Antarctic Continent 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, and presentations on photography to help you take memory- catching images.
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your two-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. Please note that a departure transfer from the hotel to the Punta Arenas airport is not included.
EXPEDITION SPIRIT: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed. 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
Transfer Package is $995/person on Svalbard Explorer or $695/person on Three Arctic Islands and not included in the cabin cost.
Single Travelers:
- Can book a Studio Veranda Single or Studio Single at the prices listed above
- Can book into a share cabin in the following categories: Studio Double, Studio Veranda, Deluxe Veranda Forward, Deluxe Veranda Middle and Deluxe Veranda.
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price in Studio Double – Deluxe Veranda and 2x the per person price for all other categories
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $795/person – requires experience
- Paddling (one-time): $195/person
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a dedicated Single cabin (Studio Single or Studio Veranda Single) at the prices listed above
- Can book into a share cabin in Studio Double – Deluxe Veranda
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price in Studio Double – Deluxe Veranda and 2x the per person price for all higher categories
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $995/person – requires experience
- Paddling (one-time): $295/person
- Camping: $295/person
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
Owner's Suite
This palatial, airy apartment offers stunning views from its large private veranda on the highest cabin level (deck 7). The luxurious suite features a large master bedroom, living room and dining area and two large master bathrooms, among other amenities. One double bed made up of two twin berths plus a fold out sofa bed.
443 square feet (41.2 sq. m.)
Explorer Suite
This unique 2-room suite is located on Deck 7. It has one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and the outer sitting area is furnished with a sofa-bed. Walk-out from either room to a double sized balcony. There are also 2 TV’s, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. And an additional powder room in the outside sitting area.
269 sq. ft (25.0 sq. m.)
Junior Suite
The decor and layout of this stately suite will amaze. The private veranda, convenient Deck 6 location, plus proximity to the lounge and downstairs dining room are equally impressive. One double bed made up of two twin berths plus a fold out sofa bed.
296 square feet (27.5 sq. m.)
Royal Veranda Stateroom
This spacious, classic stateroom allows you to stretch freely. Centrally located on Decks 4 and 6. One double bed made up of two twin berths plus a fold out sofa bed.
189 – 272 square feet (17.6 – 25.3 sq. m.)
Grand Veranda Stateroom
Near the center of the ship on Deck 6, this stateroom offers easy access to the lounge, dining room and a private veranda. One double bed made up of two twin berths plus a fold out sofa bed.
195 – 205 square feet (18.1 – 19 sq. m.)
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
Revel in superior comfort of this stateroom on Deck 4 while taking in the panoramic ocean views from your private veranda. One double bed made up of two twin berths plus a fold out sofa bed.
200 – 205 square feet (18.6 – 19 sq. m.)
Deluxe Veranda Middle Stateroom
These classic staterooms on Deck 4 ensure guests have easy access to all amenities the ship has to offer. One double bed made up of two twin berths plus some with a fold out sofa bed.
203 – 272 square feet (18.9 – 25.3 sq. m.)
Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom
Enjoy privacy and elegance at the front of the ship on Deck 4 where guests are treated to sweeping views from their private veranda. One double bed made up of two twin berths.
168 – 195 square feet (15.6 – 18.1 sq. m.)
Studio Veranda Stateroom
Located on Deck 6 these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
173 sq. f. (16.1 sq. m,)
Studio Double
Enjoy the calm ambience of this Deck 3 stateroom which features a porthole window and every amenity essential for your polar voyage. One double bed made up of two twin berths.
175 – 186 square feet (16.2 – 17.3 sq. m.)
Studio Veranda Single
Designed for one. This unique cabin is located on Deck 7 . It has one twin bed with a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a generous walkout balcony. There is also TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. There is only 1 cabin in this category so it typically sells out far in advance.
162 sq. f. (15.1 sq. m.)
Studio Single
Designed for one. This cabin is located on Deck 3 with one double bed and a porthole view. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. There is only 1 cabin in this category so it typically sells out far in advance.
177 sq. ft. (16.5 sq. m,)
Deck Plan
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Leadership throughout your voyage by experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- An official expedition parka to keep
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals
- Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting your expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast. (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- A briefing dinner on Day 1 in Punta Arenas
- A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the hotel to the airport
- Flights to and from King George Island
- A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
- One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast
- Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)
Exclusions:
- International airfare
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights and domestic flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities