Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise
About This Itinerary
An 18-day expedition combining a flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island with a voyage through the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, and South Georgia before ending in Ushuaia. The itinerary features Zodiac excursions, polar wildlife, historic sites, and guided exploration aboard Magellan Explorer.
Areas Visited
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you are welcomed by Antarctica21 staff and transferred to your hotel. Before 2 PM, you are expected at Explorers House for your check-in, for a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and 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 smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your adventure begins as you exit the airplane, and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. A short vehicle transfer takes you to the shore of Fildes Bay where a Zodiac takes you to your boutique expedition vessel.
Day 3: Exploring Antarctica
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the everchanging opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, the Penola Strait, and the Antarctic Sound.
Day 4: Exploring Antarctica
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the everchanging opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, the Penola Strait, and the Antarctic Sound.
Day 5: Exploring Antarctica
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the everchanging opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, the Penola Strait, and the Antarctic Sound.
Day 6: Exploring Antarctica
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the everchanging opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, the Penola Strait, and the Antarctic Sound.
Day 7: Elephant Island
Sailing north, we hope to stop at Elephant Island. It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on to South Georgia. While the stormy conditions of this area rarely allow a shore landing, you will see the island from the ship.
Day 8: Sailing to South Georgia
As we sail northward, our historian and our naturalist guides offer a series of presentations. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge while keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife.
Day 9: Sailing to South Georgia
As we sail northward, our historian and our naturalist guides offer a series of presentations. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge while keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife.
Day 10: Exploring South Georgia
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. At the peak of the breeding season, it is said that South Georgia has the highest concentration of wildlife per square meter on the planet. If the weather is favorable, we hope to visit Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plain, Drygalski Fjord, and Elsehul Bay.
Day 11: Exploring South Georgia
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. At the peak of the breeding season, it is said that South Georgia has the highest concentration of wildlife per square meter on the planet. If the weather is favorable, we hope to visit Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plain, Drygalski Fjord, and Elsehul Bay.
Day 12: Exploring South Georgia
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. At the peak of the breeding season, it is said that South Georgia has the highest concentration of wildlife per square meter on the planet. If the weather is favorable, we hope to visit Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plain, Drygalski Fjord, and Elsehul Bay.
Day 13: Exploring South Georgia
The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. At the peak of the breeding season, it is said that South Georgia has the highest concentration of wildlife per square meter on the planet. If the weather is favorable, we hope to visit Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plain, Drygalski Fjord, and Elsehul Bay.
Day 14: Sailing towards South America
As the ship heads to South America, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history.
Day 15: Sailing towards South America
As the ship heads to South America, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history.
Day 16: Sailing towards South America
As the ship heads to South America, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history.
Day 17: At sea and Beagle Channel
Approach the South American continent and sail along the Beagle Channel. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego and Navarino Island as you make your way to Ushuaia.
Day 18: Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrival to Ushuaia, where your journey ends.
What's Included & Excluded
What's Included
Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information, specified group airport and hotel transfers, one hotel night with breakfast in Punta Arenas on the scheduled return-flight day, welcome dinner at Explorers House, ship cruise and the indicated flight between Punta Arenas and King George Island, daily meals and beverages aboard the ship, loan of waterproof boots for Antarctic landings, contingency plan, IAATO passenger fee, guided shore excursions, onboard lectures and entertainment, access to Explorers House in Punta Arenas
What's Not Included
- Accommodation, meals, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary
- Beverages purchased at the ship's bar
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- Extra expenses (e.g., communication, laundry, souvenirs)
- Gratuities
- Visas for Chile, Argentina, and/or UK (for South Georgia), passport expenses, and any arrival/departure tax
- South Georgia entry permit (travelers must obtain independently via South Georgia government website prior to travel)
Upcoming departures
2 upcoming departures
- Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise
· Magellan Explorer
- Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise
· Magellan Explorer
All departures loaded.
Quick Facts
- 18 Days
- Fly-sail
- Departs From Punta Arenas
- Returns To Ushuaia
Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise Route
Price on request
Activities
Trip Overview
Duration
18 days
Travel Mode
Fly-sail
Departure Port
Return Port
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