⏳ Duration
6 days / 5 nights
❄️ REGIoN
Antarctic Peninsula
South Shetland Islands
Cape Horn
🛫 starts in
Ushuaia, Argentina
🛬 ends in
Punta Arenas, Chile
🚢 vessel
Magellan Explorer or Ocean Nova
📅 season
November 2025-2026
January 2026
March 2027
💲 from
USD 5.995 per persona
To the Heart of the White Continent — Crossing the Drake Just Once
This 6-day itinerary begins in Ushuaia, Argentina.
It takes you to the legendary Cape Horn and the iconic Drake Passage, before finally reaching the Antarctic Peninsula.
There, you will explore its glaciers, bays, and wildlife-rich islands.
The big advantage: you only cross the Drake Passage once.
Your return will be by plane from King George Island to Punta Arenas, giving you more time to enjoy your Antarctic experience.
Note: Expedition operated by Antarctica21, pioneers in Antarctic air-cruises.
Itinerary
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina.
In the afternoon, you will embark and sail through the Beagle Channel toward Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost city in the world.
Explore its surroundings before setting sail for Cape Horn.
After a night in Nassau Bay, you’ll wake up to the impressive sight of the legendary Cape Horn.
Weather permitting, you will board a Zodiac to become one of the few privileged travelers to set foot on this remote island.
Back on board, the ship will head toward Antarctica, crossing the famous Drake Passage.
During the crossing to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, enjoy lectures and presentations by expert guides, as well as marine wildlife watching from the deck: albatrosses, petrels, and migrating whales.
As you cross the Antarctic Convergence, the scenery changes dramatically.
The first icebergs appear, along with snow-covered coastlines.
You will navigate among islands and bays, spotting penguins, seals, and seabirds.
A Zodiac will take you ashore for your first landing to visit a penguin colony, taking advantage of the long daylight hours.
You will arrive at King George Island and disembark at Fildes Bay.
From there, a vehicle will take you to the airstrip for your flight to Punta Arenas, Chile.
Transfer to your hotel and free evening
(Note: meals in Punta Arenas not included).
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas Airport for your connecting flight.
what to know
What to know about this journey
A short, yet intense journey designed to experience Antarctica in a unique way.
It all begins in Ushuaia, where you’ll board a boutique ship bound for the legendary Cape Horn and the iconic Drake Passage.
Witness extreme landscapes and unique wildlife as you approach the White Continent.
During the expedition, explore glaciers, fjords, and islands aboard Zodiacs, walking on Antarctic soil among penguins, seals, and, with luck, whales.
Each day will be led by expert guides who will share their knowledge of this pristine environment.
The big advantage: you’ll only cross the Drake Passage once. Your return will be by plane from King George Island to Punta Arenas, avoiding the return sea crossing and gaining more time to explore.
Everything is arranged for you: navigation, flights, accommodation, meals, technical gear, and specialized guides. You can even add optional activities like kayaking or snowshoeing.
All you need to bring is warm clothing, a good camera, and the excitement to live something truly extraordinary. We’ll take care of the rest.
✨ Expedition operated by Antarctica21, pioneers in air-cruises and our trusted partners to take you to the White Continent.
If you’d like to receive the full details, just reach out.
We’ll help you build the journey that’s right for you.
Other experiences in Antarctica
Looking for a different way to explore the White Continent?
This Express itinerary is just one of the ways you can experience Antarctica.
You may also want to consider:
Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula on an 8-day journey. Fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island and sail among glaciers, islands, and unique wildlife.
View Classic Antartic Itinerary →
Polar Circle Air-Cruise
A deeper expedition into the far south.
If conditions allow, you’ll cross the Antarctic Circle — a true milestone.
Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise
An epic 18-day journey combining the Antarctic Peninsula with the rugged beauty and rich wildlife of South Georgia Island.
View Antarctica & South Georgia Itinerary →
Not sure which one is right for you?
Contact us, and we’ll help you choose the best route for your travel style and interests.
Combine it with other destinations in Chile
From the Andes to the end of the world.
At Ecordua, we help you design a fully personalized trip.
Before or after your Antarctic expedition, we can organize a tailor-made experience in some of Chile’s most iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations:
– Wine valleys and boutique hotels near Santiago
– Patagonia adventures in Torres del Paine or Aysén
– The Atacama Desert: salt flats, volcanoes, and starry skies
– Art, history, and food in Santiago or Valparaíso
But what truly sets us apart is how we work.
We handle everything for you:
Flights, handpicked hotels, excursions, private transfers, restaurant bookings, entrance tickets, insurance — everything.
💬 Real people, real advice:
You’ll be supported by a dedicated travel expert from day one.
We can meet by email, video call, or even in person at our office in Santiago.
Genuine travel experiences:
We create the kind of trips we’d love to take ourselves — authentic, personal, and far from the crowds.
No tourist traps. Just real moments in incredible places.
Why travel with Antarctica 21?
At Ecordua, we’ve chosen to work with Antarctica21 because we believe they offer the best way to experience Antarctica from Chile — not just for their operations, but for what they represent.
– A Chilean company based in Punta Arenas, with deep roots in the region
– Pioneers of the air-cruise model, avoiding the rough Drake Passage and making the journey more comfortable and efficient
– Small boutique ships, carrying no more than 76 guests — faster landings, personalized service, no crowds
– A team of passionate experts: polar guides, naturalists, captains, and crew
– A strong commitment to responsible and sustainable travel in fragile ecosystems
Antarctica21 is a full member of IAATO and a CarbonNeutral® certified company. Their model is built on comfort, adaptability, and respect for nature.
✨ For us, it’s simple: if you’re going to step onto the seventh continent, we want you to do it right — with people who truly know and care about where they’re taking you.
Map
Did you enjoy this itinerary?
If this route inspires you but you’d like to adjust it, combine it with other destinations, or turn it into a fully personalized experience, we can help.
Explore our different levels of travel planning, discover more routes in our travel guide, or complete the form to start designing your ideal trip.
