Quintessential Luxury Fly & Cruise

Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, Chile

Touch down in Santiago, Chile’s capital, after your international flight and make your own way to your 5* city centre hotel for a complimentary night’s stay. 

Day 2: Charter flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas 

Today, you will be taken to the airport for your charter flight down to the Patagonian city of Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Here, you will receive further updates about the forecasted logistics and scheduling for your flight to Antarctica tomorrow. 

Take a stroll around this windy city and enjoy dinner tonight with your fellow guests, as the excitement mounts for your Antarctic adventure. 

Day 3: Flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica – embark your ship 

Today you will head back to the airport in Punta Arenas for your flight to Antarctica. The exact departure time will depend on the perfect weather window, so be prepared for the schedule to change – the plane could leave at any time, day or night. 

Once the flight departs, the journey takes around two hours – an incredible shortcut compared with the alternative of two days’ sailing the Drake Passage.

As you arrive at the airstrip on King George Island, your luggage will be taken care of while you're shuttled to the waiting ship via on your sturdy rubber zodiac boat from the ice-strewn shore. 

Once aboard the ship, your Antarctic adventure kicks off in earnest. Adding to the excitement, you won't know exactly what to expect on a day-to-day basis. The Captain and Expedition Leader will alter the schedule to make the most of weather and ice conditions, as well as any surprise wildlife encounters. 

Day 4: Visiting the Antarctic Sound

Your expedition might begin with a visit to the ethereal Antarctic Sound, located at the northern tip of the Peninsula and named after the first ship to navigate this passage in 1902. This destination is a feast for the senses and is dominated by towering tabular icebergs, which are colossal remnants of the Larsen Ice Shelf. Their size can sometimes dwarf your ship! 

Keep your eyes peeled for the splash of penguins porpoising through the water on the way back to their rookeries, or the distinctive blow of a surfacing humpback whale.  

Days 5 to 7: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula stretches northward like an outstretched arm pointing towards South America. This dramatic landmass, 620 miles (998km) off the tip of South America offers a breathtaking introduction to the continent’s vast, snow-covered landscapes and enormous glaciers.  

Your ship will navigate carefully through the floating sculpture park of icebergs and past the endless array of craggy glaciers pouring down over jagged peaks.  

During your time exploring the Peninsula your expedition team and Captain will be running a busy program of activities, with time off the ship to truly engage with Antarctic, whether you are enjoying the amusing chaos of busy penguin rookeries or cruising around the ice using the sturdy fleet of zodiac ribs. 

Between off-ship excursions, take time to relax and soak up the spectacular Antarctic landscapes perhaps surrounded by the heated bubbles of one of the outdoor Jacuzzis. Or treat yourself to some pampering in the spa before enjoying a delicious meal at one of the ship’s four dining venues. 

Day 8: Visiting the South Shetland Islands

As you head northwards towards the end of your trip, you'll once again encounter the chain of South Shetland Islands nestled near the Antarctic Peninsula's tip. 

Abundant wildlife calls this remote and diverse collection of islands home; you might glimpse plump elephant seals hauled out on the beaches or observe the waddling antics of industrious gentoo penguins. Landings here may even take you to dramatic monochrome volcanic landscapes, where the black sand steams as you explore. 

Day 9: King George Island - flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile

Today, you'll bid farewell to Antarctica and head back to civilisation. Your charter flight will depart when a safe weather window allows, so as with your journey down to the White Continent, you may need to prepare to be flexible with the time you leave.

After your Antarctic adventure, an additional night is included at a hotel in Punta Arenas. This buffer provides peace of mind in case of any flight delays from King George Island.

Day 10: Flight to Santiago, Chile

The following day, relax and enjoy your comfortable complimentary charter flight back to Chile’s capital of Santiago, scheduled to land in the late afternoon/early evening. Remember to factor in your arrival time when booking onward travel arrangements; it may be sensible to arrange a final night in Santiago to allow for sufficient connection time. 

PLEASE NOTE: While choosing to fly to/from Antarctica is the most expedient option, it's also more weather dependent than travelling by ship across the Drake Passage. Charter flights to/from Antarctica operate on a very flexible schedule to accommodate the changeable weather conditions. As a result, flight timings may be brought forward or delayed to ensure safe operating conditions. To discuss in more detail, please get in touch. 

This itinerary is for guidance only, as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions as well as taking advantage of impromptu wildlife opportunities.