Antarctic Express - Fly the Drake from Punta Arenas
8 days
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Small Group Tour
Skip the Drake Passage and journey to the deep south of the globe. With included charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, you’ll begin your polar expedition in no time. Be immediately dazzled by some of the world’s most unbelievable landscapes, including calving glaciers, penguin rookeries and floating icebergs dotting the deep blue of the...
Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- Flying from punta arenas to the south shetland islands is the fastest, most direct way of travelling to antarctica, and the view over the drake passage is unforgettable
- Witness penguins playing in their natural habitat at inland rookeries during daily zodiac landings along the antarctic peninsula led by your expert polar team.
- Enjoy a comprehensive series of onboard lectures presented by polar specialists in antarctic history, geology and glaciology, provide great insight into landscapes.
- Let the crew of well-seasoned antarctic experts monitor weather, sea and ice conditions and modify your itinerary to ensure shore landings and zodiac cruises are abundant in wildlife sightings.
- Keep your eyes peeled up on deck for migrating seabirds or whale pods cruising between icebergs as you traverse the icy southern seas in your polar expedition vessel.
What's this trip about?
Skip the Drake Passage and journey to the deep south of the globe. With included charter flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island, you’ll begin your polar expedition in no time. Be immediately dazzled by some of the world’s most unbelievable landscapes, including calving glaciers, penguin rookeries and floating icebergs dotting the deep blue of the Antarctic Ocean. Sailing aboard your well-appointed expedition vessel, participate in a series of onboard lectures and workshops presented by an expert team of scientists and researchers, further enhancing your polar knowledge. No day will be the same, and with a crew focused on maximising wildlife sighting and shore landing opportunities, you will witness these wilds in all their icy wonder.
Details
Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 48 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPunta Arenas
End CityPunta Arenas
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Day 1 Punta Arenas
Welcome to Punta Arenas – the most populated city in Patagonia. If you are planning on arriving today, please ensure your flight arrives in the early afternoon to allow for check-in and a welcome meeting. If you do arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and sh...
Day 2 Punta Arenas – King George Island – Embarkation Day
This morning, transfer to Punta Arenas Airport and take a charter flight to King George Island, crossing the mighty Drake Passage in a matter of hours. Your first glimpse of Antarctic landscapes will be from above, as the plane descends for landing on King George Island....
Day 3-6 South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Begin your voyage around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, and with a flexible itinerary over the next few days, your expert captain and expedition team will plot a specific course to maximise wildlife sightings and shore landings. On multiple Zodiac cr...
Day 7 King George Island – Disembarkation Day – Puntas Arenas
After your week of exploration, bid farewell to the expedition team and disembark at King George Island. From here, it’s a three-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas. After transferring from the airport to the hotel, you’re free to explore the town and perhaps enjoy dinner with some of your fellow polar adventurers.
Day 8 Punta Arenas
After breakfast, you’re free to continue on your own travels or make your own way to Punta Arenas Airport for onward flight connections. There are no activities planned for the final day and you're able to depart the accommodation at any time.
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Dates & Availability
Price From $10,995
Price per day$1,374
Last Updated: 3/18/2020
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.
We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.
Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.
At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.
We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.
Why we love this operator
Since their founding in 1977 by trekkers exploring Nepal, they’ve maintained a strong connection to local culture and the “traveler spirit”.
What they’re known for
Immersive experiences that prioritize value, authenticity and adventure over luxury touches for older travelers.
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Logistics
Accommodation
Expedition Voyage,Hotel,
Transportation & Flights
Expedition cruise ship,plane,Zodiac,
Transportation & flights
Expedition cruise ship,plane,Zodiac
Guides
Your voyage will be led by an experienced Expedition Leader. In addition, a number of experts will be on board to add knowledge of their field to your experience. This will include a Marine Biologist, Ornithologist, Glaciologist or Geologist, Polar Historian, Kayaking guide and Naturalist guides. Voyages offering other adventure activities will have additional specialist guides on board.
Travel Insurance
Your voyage fare includes Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person. However, it is essential that you have comprehensive personal travel insurance in addition to this to cover all other eventualities.
For fly/cruise itineraries, it is essential that you have insurance that covers for delays caused by weather.
Quark Expeditions will make every effort to ensure the Antarctic Express programs take place, but due to weather conditions, flying in this region can be difficult and is beyond the control of Quark Expeditions and Peregrine Adventures. We strongly recommend that all expedition guests purchase a travel insurance policy including trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance.
See Itinerary disclaimer for details of the contingency plan should weather delay flight operations.
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.
Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking
As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required.
Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends.
No visas are required to visit the Antarctic continent or its offshore islands. However, you will need to have your passport with you on the ship, as port authorities will wish to inspect passports on departure from Ushuaia or Punta Arenas and also again at the end of your voyage. To facilitate matters, our ground operators in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas will usually collect your passport prior to departure in order that all passengers’ passports may be kept together for the duration of the voyage. After completion of port formalities on the return to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas, they will be handed back to you prior to your disembarkation from the ship.
For most departures, your ship departs for the Antarctic continent from the port of Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, at the southern tip of Argentina. At the time of printing, no visas for Argentina are required by holders of Australian, New Zealand, British, Canadian, U.S.A. or European passports. Passengers holding passports issued by other countries should carefully check the situation with their travel agent or Argentinean consular authorities.
For Fly/Cruise itineraries departing from Punta Arenas (Chile) or if your flight to Ushuaia travels via Santiago, tourist visas are required for Chile for some nationalities. Please check with your travel agent.
For the voyages scheduled to visit the Falkland Islands, visitors from Britain, the Commonwealth, North America, Chile and the European Community do not need visas as at the time of printing. Visitors should check their particular situation with us, their travel agent, the nearest British Consulate, or contact the Travel Co-ordinator at the Falkland Island Government Office in London (tel: 020 7222 2375).
CHILE:
Australians, Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders or British do not currently require a visa for Chile. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. If you are entering Chile at Santiago International Airport as a tourist, some nationalities are required to pay a reciprocity fee (Australians US$117). The fee does not apply to travellers arriving at other airports or entering the country via land borders.
Health & Safety
On your way to join your voyage, you may take advantage of the opportunity to visit a larger South American city such as Buenos Aires or Santiago. It is worth researching matters of personal safety and security in these places before your departure. Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Safety is paramount on a Peregrine voyage. Due to new International Security Regulations, you will not be able to approach the ship on your own. You will have to arrive with the rest of the group, accompanied by a Peregrine representative. Full details of embarkation/disembarkation procedures will be supplied with your final documentation. On board you will be asked to participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. We will also conduct important briefings on landing procedures and Zodiac operations.
All ships operating in Polar waters must comply with a variety of regulations, codes and industry standards. All our ships adhere to regulations set by IMO (International Maritime Organisation) including ISM Code (Safety Management System), ISPS Code (for ship and port security), SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and MARPOL (Maritime Pollution Prevention). In addition, Quark Expeditions is a full member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) and a full member of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators).
Quark Expeditions have also been externally audited for its' health and safety programme and have been awarded the British Standard BS8848, the only expedition cruise company to have this accreditation.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Your Punta Arenas Hotel Array Punta Arenas CHILE
Trip ID
peregrine-PPFLA
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