Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise North
Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise North
Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise North
10 Days Starting in Punta Arenas, Chile and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina
Visiting: Punta Arenas, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PSD
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 176
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise North" adventure, a thrilling journey that begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, and concludes in Ushuaia, Argentina. This unique expedition offers the fastest route to Antarctica, flying over the Drake Passage before boarding a polar adventure ship. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, with opportunities to spot iconic wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales. Enjoy expert-led presentations on the region's wildlife, history, and geology, and partake in exciting activities like Zodiac excursions and trekking. The intimate setting of the Ocean Explorer and World Explorer ships ensures a personalized experience, with superb food and service. As you cross the Drake Passage back to Ushuaia, continue your wildlife spotting and reflect on the unforgettable landscapes and experiences of this polar wonderland.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Punta Arenas, Chile
Location: Punta Arenas
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Your journey begins in Punta Arenas. This port city is situated at the southern tip of Chile, on the north bank of the Strait of Magellan. Once a Chilean penal colony, Punta Arenas has transformed into a vibrant city offering you plenty of attractions including historic sites and museums. Explore the city by day, and then join us for an evening dinner to meet your fellow Antarctic adventurers.
Day 2 : Embarkation Day
Location: Punta Arenas
Accommodation Name: Ocean Explorer or World Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you board your chartered flight to Antarctica. The journey over the Drake Passage takes less than four hours, whereas our ship-based travelers take two days to make the journey by sea. Your first glimpse of Antarctica comes into view shortly before the aircraft descends towards King George Island –hope for clear skies so you can appreciate the vastness of this great continent! You have free time to photograph parts of the island and stretch your legs before joining the ship. Once aboard, you’ll enjoy your first trip in a Zodiac and begin your exploration of the Antarctic region.
Day 3 - 6 : Antarctic Peninsula And The South Shetland Islands
Location: South Shetland Islands
Accommodation Name: Ocean Explorer or World Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Icebergs are the first attractions that welcome you to Antarctica. Massive floating bergs become more common as you get closer to land and you catch your first glimpse of the Peninsula, with its grand snow-covered mountains. In addition to spotting icebergs, you’ll likely spot adélie penguins chilling on ice floes and minke or humpback whales feeding and swimming in the frigid waters.
As soon as possible, the Zodiacs will be readied for your first landing in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Experiencing this immense wilderness up close for the first time can be a numbing experience. The silence is great, the vastness is even greater. Thankfully the noisy locals – penguins and seals – are there to remind you that this wonderful landscape isn’t just a dream.
Your expedition team will monitor the ice and weather conditions to determine which landing sites can be visited. With many sites to choose from, each expedition presents new opportunities for exploring the white continent by Zodiac and land. Swimming in Antarctica is perhaps the most adventurous option to tempt you, by taking a Polar plunge in the water at Neko Harbour!
A typical day in this wildlife wonderland will be spent listening to calving glaciers at Petermann Island, watching penguins waddle around a beach, or taking a hike atop a hill for a panoramic view of Port Lockroy. Whatever you prefer, the photographic opportunities are endless.
Day 7 - 8 : Crossing The Drake Passage To Ushuaia
Location: Ushuaia
Accommodation Name: Ocean Explorer or World Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A rite of passage for any Antarctic adventurer, crossing the Drake signals the end of your journey. No matter the sea conditions, you will benefit from having developed your sea legs over the course of the previous four days. While the journey home has begun, your wildlife spotting continues. Your expedition team will be available on deck and on the ship’s bridge to help you spot the majestic wandering albatross and a number of whale species, such as minke and humpback.
When you’re not looking at photos and reminiscing about the previous days, the expedition team will conclude their series of engaging presentations on subjects such as marine biology, polar history and glaciology.
Day 9 : Disembark And Overnight In Ushuaia, Argentina
Location: Ushuaia
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a final breakfast aboard the ship, say goodbye to your crew as we disembark in Ushuaia. We’ll transfer you to the hotel to check in and then you’ll have a chance to explore the town on your own to shop, sightsee and sample Argentinian cuisine.
Day 10 : End Ushuaia
Location: Ushuaia
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you are welcome to continue your own travels or make your way to the Ushuaia airport for your homeward flights.
What's Included
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All meals while on the ship
All meals are included during your time on the ship.
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Beer and house wine during dinner
Beer and house wine are provided during dinner.
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All accommodation
All accommodation is included throughout the tour.
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All transport and listed activities
All transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.
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Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
A tour leader and qualified expedition staff will accompany you throughout the journey.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Single accommodation is not included but can be requested at an additional cost.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas and vaccinations are not included and must be arranged independently.
Food
All meals while on the ship included.
Typical meals
The ship’s galley offers good-quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus, including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
Lunch: Three-course set meal or the occasional buffet or barbecue.
Dinner: Three courses with a starter of soup, salad or anti-pasto, a choice of three mains with at least one vegetarian and one seafood option and a dessert of sweet pudding or ice cream or fruit, tea and coffee.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this adventure – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
The Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise North voyage is offered on the Ocean Explorer and the World Explorer which are Polar adventure ships. These are small ice-rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar adventure ships enable any traveller to maximise their experience sensitively in the Poles.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a chartered flight to Antarctica, offering a quick journey over the Drake Passage in less than four hours. Once in Antarctica, the exploration continues aboard Polar adventure ships, with frequent Zodiac excursions to explore the Antarctic region.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of ships are used for the Antarctic Express tour?
The Antarctic Express tour is conducted on the Ocean Explorer and the World Explorer, which are small ice-rated Polar adventure ships designed for intimate adventures in Polar waters.
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see iconic Antarctic wildlife such as adélie penguins, seals, minke and humpback whales, and possibly the majestic wandering albatross.
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What activities are included in the Antarctic Express tour?
The tour includes activities such as frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, and opportunities to take a Polar plunge in the water at Neko Harbour. There are also presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology, and geology from polar experts.
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What meals are provided during the tour?
All meals are provided while on the ship, including buffet-style breakfasts, three-course lunches, and dinners with a variety of options including vegetarian and seafood dishes. Beer and house wine are served during dinner.
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What is the embarkation process for the tour?
The embarkation process involves boarding a chartered flight to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile, which takes less than four hours. Upon arrival at King George Island, you will join the ship and begin your exploration of the Antarctic region.
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What is the experience of crossing the Drake Passage like?
Crossing the Drake Passage is considered a rite of passage for Antarctic adventurers. During the crossing, you can continue wildlife spotting and attend engaging presentations by the expedition team on marine biology, polar history, and glaciology.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.