Antarctica Express Air-Cruise

Itinerary Highlights

Few places on earth are as mystical and untouched as the “White Continent” of Antarctica. Leaving from Ushuaia, better known as “The End of the World”, you will journey through the Beagle Channel en route to legendary and rocky Cape Horn to see the meeting of the two great oceans, the Atlantic and Pacific. You will cross the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, a true right of passage for any curious traveler, and begin to witness a variety of whales and seabirds along the way. On your fourth day of sailing, you will arrive to the Antarctic Peninsula and spend one full day exploring by zodiac cruises, while marveling at the intimate wildlife encounters (kayaking and snow-shoeing is not offered in the Antarctica Express itinerary). Along the way you will enjoy the comforts of life aboard the Hebridean Sky, a small, all-suite expedition vessel, accommodating up to 112 guests. The vessel was built in 1992 and refurbished in both 2005 and 2016, undergoing an extensive multi-million dollar renovation that transformed the vessel into one of the finest small-ships in the world.

Avoid the crossing of the Drake Passage on your return as a chartered flight will be waiting to transfer you to Punta Arenas, Chile. This itinerary is great for travelers looking for a short and quick Antarctic experience and pairs nicely with a visit to the Patagonia region.

 Refer to the downloadable brochure above for vessel and departure details.

Itinerary Details

Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, at the pier. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn.

Overnight aboard the Hebridean Sky (Dinner)

After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honor of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th century British explorer.

Overnight aboard the Hebridean Sky (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica.

Overnight aboard the Hebridean Sky (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Taking advantage of the endless Antarctic daylight, exploration will continue well into the evening.

Overnight aboard the Hebridean Sky (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay. A 2-km (1.25-mi) walk takes you through Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to the aircraft. Bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).

Overnight at Cabo de Hornos Hotel (Breakfast & Lunch)

After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.

(Breakfast)

• 5 nights accommodation as per program (based on double/twin occupancy; single and triple occupancy is available)

• All transfers and transport as per the program (Day 5 & 6)

• Flight from Frei Station on King George Island to Punta Arenas

• All guided shore excursions

• Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica

• Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner on board

• Daily served dinner on board offering a choice of three main courses

• Snacks and soft drinks on board

• IAATO passenger fee

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international flights not described above, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

• There are a lot of questions to ask yourself when planning a trip to Antarctica. The one we hear most often is – when is the best time to travel to Antarctica? Summer in Antarctica is a narrow window of time between November and March, so your trip really depends on when you can travel and where your interests lie. Each summer month in Antarctica offers traveler’s a unique perspective and, of course, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

• November – The early season of the Antarctic summer is when Penguins are numerous, just in time for mating season. It is a busy time for these birds as they build their nests, search for partners and start their families. Also, the continent is just coming out of winter, so ice and snow are still abundant. If you want to see some bigger icebergs, this is a great time to visit.

• December – This is the most popular season to visit Antarctica. There are plenty of Penguin chicks to spot and seals are active as it is their mating season. It’s important to remember to plan early for this month as it is booked quickly as many people look forward to seeing the seventh continent during this time of year.

• January – During this month you can expect “warmer” weather as it is the peak of the summer season in Antarctica. The average temperature in the Antarctica Peninsula area during the austral summer is about 0º C (32º F). You will see baby penguin chicks being fed by their parents who just returned from the sea with food. This time of year also has about 20 hours of sunlight giving you plenty of time to explore during your trip.

• February – As we get later into the season, you can expect whales to start appearing in the waters of Antarctica. It’s also a wonderful time of year for photographers as the light in February is optimal for landscape photography. 

• March – End of the summer season is here. Penguin chicks are older and ready to venture into the cold waters. All the wildlife is active at this time of year, so seals and whales are also expected to be nearby. It’s also a time where there are less people traveling to Antarctica, so you will not see many other ships during your time here.

• As you will be arriving into Ushuaia and out of Punta Arena, we strongly encourage an extension trip to southern Patagonia, as Ushuaia and Punta Arenas are the gateway to the heart of Patagonia and the iconic granite towers, Torres del Paine. For Torres del Paine, we recommend a total of 3-4 nights to explore this region. Then, a road transfer to El Calafate, Argentina, can be arranged to visit the famous glaciers, Perito Moreno, followed by a visit to El Chalten, hiking capital of Argentina and the iconic Mt. Fitz Roy.

• As this journey is a one day visit to the Antarctica, no sea kayaking or snow shoeing is offered in this program. For a more immersive Antarctica experience, please consult with your Travel Designer on the different options available to best meet your expectations.