Landings and Zodiac Cruising
Explore penguin colonies, glacier fronts and sheltered bays, with sites selected for the day’s conditions.
POLAR TRAVEL TRIBETWO WAYS TO REACH ANTARCTICA
Antarctic PeninsulaFly-In & Cruise-Out
Fly south from Punta Arenas to King George Island, explore the Antarctic Peninsula by expedition ship, then sail north across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia.
About 10 days Typical durationNovember–March Travel seasonPunta Arenas to Ushuaia Start and finish
Trip Overview
- Duration
- About 10 days
- Season
- November–March
- Voyage style
- One-way fly-cruise expedition
This hybrid route offers two distinct arrivals: a flight directly into the South Shetland Islands and a northbound voyage across the Drake Passage.
The programme combines a time-saving outbound journey with the atmosphere, seabirds and sense of distance that come with returning by sea.
Why This Route
Wildlife in a Living Landscape
Watch for penguins, seals, whales and seabirds while remembering that every encounter is governed by nature.
More Time in Antarctica
Use flying or a longer voyage to shape how much time is spent crossing open water and exploring farther south.
Flight Out, Sail Back
Experience Antarctica from the air on arrival and the Southern Ocean by ship on the return.
Route Map
Punta Arenas → King George Island → Antarctic Peninsula → Drake Passage → Ushuaia
The map shows the main sailing direction. Actual landing sites are selected by the captain and expedition team according to weather, sea ice and safety conditions.
DAY BY DAY
Day by Day
A representative itinerary. The order of landings and cruising is adapted to local conditions.
Day 1
Meet in Punta Arenas
Meet the expedition team in southern Chile for a detailed briefing, equipment review and mandatory biosecurity checks. The team explains the charter-flight procedure, possible weather delays and how embarkation on King George Island will work, leaving time to make final preparations before Antarctica.
Day 2
Fly to King George Island and Embark
When conditions permit, fly across the Drake Passage and descend over the South Shetland Islands to King George Island. After landing on the gravel runway, walk or transfer towards the shore, board a Zodiac and join the expedition ship for safety briefings and the first Antarctic views.
Days 3–7
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
These exploration days unfold among penguin colonies, glacier fronts, sculpted icebergs and sheltered channels. According to weather, sea ice and wildlife activity, the expedition team may arrange shore landings, snow walks and Zodiac cruises. Watch penguins follow their busy routes between colony and sea, seals resting on floes and whales surfacing between the ice. Each landing place and waterway reveals a different side of the Peninsula, and the next day’s plan is confirmed only after the team has assessed local conditions.
Days 8–9
Cross the Drake Passage
Leave the Peninsula behind and sail north across the Drake Passage towards South America. Spend time on the outer decks watching for albatrosses, petrels and possible whales, while lectures, expedition recaps and photography sessions help place the landscapes and wildlife encounters of the previous days in context.
Day 10
Disembark in Ushuaia
Enter the Beagle Channel in the early morning as the mountains of Tierra del Fuego return to view. After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia and say farewell to the ship and expedition team. Leave comfortable buffer time before flights or other onward travel arrangements.
EXPEDITION SHIPS
Ships Commonly Found on This Route
Ship assignments vary by departure. These examples show the range of expedition styles available.
Quark ExpeditionsOcean Explorer
138 guests · PC6 · X-BOW design
Ask about this ship →
Quark ExpeditionsWorld Voyager
About 168 guests · All-suite, all-balcony accommodation
Ask about this ship →
Antarctica21Magellan Explorer
76 guests · Purpose-built for Antarctic air-cruises
Ask about this ship →PLANNING NOTES
Plan This Journey
- Departure
- Punta Arenas, Chile
- Arrival
- Ushuaia, Argentina
Who This Journey Suits
- Travellers who prefer to reduce time sailing the Drake Passage
- First-time and returning Antarctic travellers
What You May See
- Gentoo and chinstrap penguins
- Humpback whales
- Crabeater and Weddell seals
- Albatrosses and petrels
- Antarctic Peninsula glaciers
- South Shetland Islands
- Iceberg-filled channels
Physical Activity & Sea Conditions
- Daily activities may involve Zodiac transfers and walking over wet, snowy, rocky or uneven ground.
- Charter flights are highly weather-dependent; sailing conditions within Antarctica also vary.
Before You Book
- Allow generous buffer time for weather-related flight changes
- Exact landing sites cannot be guaranteed
- Wildlife sightings depend on natural behaviour
WHAT TO EXPECT
Inclusions and Exclusions
What Is Usually Included
- Shipboard accommodation and meals
- Scheduled landings and Zodiac cruising
- Expedition team lectures and guiding
- Loan of expedition boots on many ships
What Is Usually Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance and medical costs
- Optional adventure activities
- Gratuities and personal expenses
Important
- Final inclusions vary by operator and departure
- Activities depend on weather and ice
- Ask us to compare the exact terms before booking
PLAN THIS JOURNEY
Ready to combine an Antarctic flight with the Drake Passage?
Tell us your preferred travel window, cabin style and priorities. We will help you compare suitable departures and expedition ships.