Friday, December 16, 2022
Air-Cruise begins in Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile (no later than 2pm) and transfer to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon, attend a mandatory briefing providing important information about your voyage and reviewing the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Gather for a welcome dinner later this evening and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.
Overnight at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar in Punta Arenas (D)
Saturday, December 17
Fly to ANTARCTICA | Embark Magellan Explorer
Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the plane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel. Begin your Antarctic expedition.
Overnight aboard ship in Antarctica (B, L, D)
Sunday, December 18 to Wednesday, December 21
EXPLORING ANTARCTICA
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of 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 lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.
No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you’ll explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places.
Overnight aboard ship in Antarctica (B, L, D, daily)
Thursday, December 22
Scheduled flight from Antarctica | Punta Arenas
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night.
Overnight at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar in Punta Arenas (B)
Friday, December 23
Fly home from Punta Arenas
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
(B)
Regarding dates to consider for travel if coming from the U.S. or anywhere outside of South America:
If you don't add any additional travel in Chile before/or after the trip, you can factor in departure from home on December 14 or 15, and return to home on December 24. Flights to/from North America are usually overnight. We provide detailed guidance for these, and have a partner familiar with the trip that can also assist with flight arrangements.
As you can see in the above map, we fly to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile—a journey that takes just 2 hours.
Compare that to the vast majority of trips to the continent that instead sail from Ushuaia, Argentina and take 2 days to cross the Drake Passage (which means they spend 4 days round-trip tumbling in some of the roughest seas on the planet).
Learn more about the air-cruise model here.
Below: Our hotel in Punta Arenas, plane to/from Antarctica, and ship in Antarctica.
Photos from our December 2021 trip (open full screen):
Photos from our December 2019 trip (open full screen):