Antarctic Express - Fly the Drake
8 Days - World Explorer
Answer the call of Antarctica by flying over the notorious Drake Passage by charter plane to land at King George Island before exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by ship. In just 8 adventure-packed days, you’ll experience rewarding shore visits and Zodiac cruises, marvel at intimate wildlife encounters, explore historic sites and make the most of your landmark visit to the 7th Continent. Select from a range of adventure options and onboard activities that match your personal interests and make your expedition uniquely yours.
from NZD $28778 $23001pp
Home » 8 Day World Explorer: Antarctic Express – Fly the Drake
Itinerary Highlights
- Fly over the Drake Passage and experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica
- Spot iconic Antarctic wildlife, such as penguins, seals and whales
- Marvel at many of the Antarctic Peninsula highlights
- Enjoy presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology & geology by our onboard polar experts
- Cruise in a Zodiac to get water-level views of icebergs, wildlife and more
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Day 2: Fly to King George Island and Embarkation
- Day 3 to 6: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
- Day 7: Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas
- Day 8: Depart Punta Arenas
Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a representative will meet you at the official starting point hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
Day 2: Fly to King George Island and Embarkation
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only two hours. Far below, the ship will approach King George Island for your arrival.
Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctic landscapes will be from a unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetland Islands. After landing, make your way to the shore, before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
Day 3 to 6: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. The White Continent is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes.
As your Captain and Expedition Team keep a lookout for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert presenters will deepen your experience with explanations of the glaciology, history and wildlife of the region, and presentations on photography to help you take memory- catching images.
Even more exciting are your daily excursions. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking on a shore dotted with penguins is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica.
Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new sightings and photo opportunities, and it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins.
You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming sound of a calving glacier to the thrill of spotting apex predators like leopard seals and orcas in action, you’ll wake up early and welcome each day with a sense of adventure and a desire to explore during this unrivaled travel experience.
Our Expedition Team will accompany you all along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.
Day 7: Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your two-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings your adventure to an end. After your group transfer to the hotel, you are free to explore and enjoy an evening on your own, in the city or at the hotel to reminisce about the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
Day 8: Depart Punta Arenas
After breakfast, you are welcome to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
05 Dec 2024 - 12 Dec 2024 | NZD $27340pp | Save 5% | |
Triple Cabin | NZD $27340pp | Save 5% | |
Infinity Suite | NZD $33672pp | Save 5% | |
Verandah Suite | NZD $33672pp | Save 5% | |
Superior Suite | NZD $41695pp | Save 5% | |
Deluxe Suite | NZD $45284pp | Save 5% | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $47711pp | Save 5% | |
15 Dec 2024 - 22 Dec 2024 | NZD $23001pp | Save 25% | |
Triple Cabin | NZD $23001pp | Save 25% | |
Verandah Suite | NZD $28000pp | Save 25% | |
Infinity Suite | NZD $28000pp | Save 25% | |
Superior Suite | NZD $34833pp | Save 25% | |
Deluxe Suite | NZD $37667pp | Save 25% | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $39834pp | Save 25% | |
20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 | NZD $29134pp | Save 5% | |
Triple Cabin | NZD $29134pp | Save 5% | |
Verandah Suite | NZD $35467pp | Save 5% | |
Infinity Suite | NZD $35467pp | Save 5% | |
Superior Suite | NZD $44122pp | Save 5% | |
Deluxe Suite | NZD $47711pp | Save 5% | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $50456pp | Save 5% | |
10 Dec 2025 - 17 Dec 2025 | NZD $26823pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Triple Cabin | NZD $26823pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Infinity Suite | NZD $31488pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Verandah Suite | NZD $31488pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Superior Suite | NZD $40909pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Deluxe Suite | NZD $43960pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $47190pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
15 Dec 2025 - 22 Dec 2025 | NZD $26823pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Triple Cabin | NZD $26823pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Verandah Suite | NZD $31488pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Infinity Suite | NZD $31488pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Superior Suite | NZD $40909pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Deluxe Suite | NZD $43960pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $47190pp | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 15% |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Cabin
22.5m², located on deck 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, 5m² walk-out balcony, separate seating area, sofa bed, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Infinity Suite
25m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, floor-to-ceiling glass balcony,
seating area, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Verandah Suite
20m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Superior Suite
26m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Deluxe Suite
31m², located on deck 5, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, double wash basins, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Owner's Suite
33m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, double wash basins, bathroom amenities, shower, bathtub, refrigerator, TV.
World Explorer Deckplan
Specifications
- Registered: Portugal
- Staff & Crew: 125
- Guests: 176
- Length: 413 feet (126 meters)
- Breadth: 62 feet (19 meters)
- Draft: 15 feet (4-7 meters)
- Propulsion: 2x Rolls Royce 9,000 kw hybrid diesel/electric
- Ice Class: 1B
- Cruising speed: 16 knots in open water
- Lifeboats: 2 fully enclosed
Whats included?
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- A briefing dinner on Day 1 in Punta Arenas
- A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the hotel to the airport
- Flights to and from King George Island
- A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
- One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast
What’s not included?
- International airfare
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Notes
*Baggage allowance on charter flights is 33 lbs (15 kg) checked and 11 lbs (5 kg) carry-on.
Adventure Options:
- Sea Kayak: US$1,795 per person
- Stand-up Paddleboarding - US$295 per person
- Paddling Excursion: US$295 per person