⏳ DURATION
8 days / 7 nights
❄️ REGION
Antarctic Peninsula
South Shetland Islands
🛫 STARTS IN
Punta Arenas, Chile
🚢 VESSEL
Magellan Explorer u Ocean Nova
📆 SEASON
Noviembre a marzo
💲 FROM
USD 11,495 per person
An unforgettable expedition to the heart of the White Continent — without crossing the Drake Passage
This 8-day itinerary begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, and offers a unique opportunity to explore Antarctica without crossing the rough waters of the Drake Passage.
After a short two-hour flight, you’ll arrive at King George Island and board a boutique expedition vessel that will be your base for discovering the icy landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Each day includes Zodiac landings and guided hikes with expert polar guides, exploring towering glaciers, drifting icebergs, and fascinating wildlife — penguins, whales, and seals in their natural habitat.
The itinerary is adjusted in real time based on weather and ice conditions, making every journey truly unique.
Note: This expedition is operated by Antarctica21.
At Ecordua, we help you coordinate and design the entire experience, from checking availability and logistics to arranging your pre- and post-cruise travel.
Write to us, and let’s start planning your Antarctic adventure together.
Itinerary
Arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2:00 PM.
The Antarctica21 team will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel.
In the afternoon, you’ll attend a mandatory briefing at the Explorers House, where you’ll receive important details about the expedition and the guidelines for visiting Antarctica.
Later, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner featuring local cuisine and meet your fellow travelers.
Your adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands.
As you land, you’ll breathe in the crisp Antarctic air for the first time.
A short transfer will take you past Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to the shore, where you’ll board a Zodiac that brings you to your expedition vessel.
During these days, you’ll sail between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, navigating through icy fjords and landscapes dominated by colossal icebergs.
Each day includes Zodiac landings, guided hikes, and opportunities to observe penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds in their natural habitat.
On board, the atmosphere is not just about exploration — it’s also about learning.
You’ll be able to attend a program of educational presentations led by expert polar guides, share stories with fellow travelers in the panoramic lounge, and enjoy breathtaking views from inside the ship.
Every itinerary adapts to weather and ice conditions.
Flexibility is key: the Expedition Team designs the route day by day to make the most of nature’s opportunities.
Your journey may include visits to places like the Gerlache Strait, Penola Strait, Antarctic Sound, and various islands in the South Shetland archipelago.
Return to King George Island, farewell to Antarctica, and flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for the overnight stay.
Después del desayuno, traslado al aeropuerto para tu vuelo de salida.
What to know
What to know about this journey
This is one of those trips that stay with you forever.
It all begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, where we’ll welcome you before your adventure to the most remote continent on Earth.
From there, you’ll board a two-hour flight to King George Island and step into a boutique expedition vessel — your home for the next few days.
No Drake Passage. No seasickness. No wasted time.
Each day, you’ll explore Antarctica’s breathtaking landscapes: ice-choked fjords, towering glaciers, and thriving wildlife.
You’ll head out on Zodiac excursions, walk on Antarctic soil, watch penguins, whales, and seals up close, and return to the ship to share stories in a warm, safe, and expert-led atmosphere.
You don’t need to worry about logistics. Flights, navigation, accommodation, meals, technical gear, and expert polar guides — it’s all taken care of.
You can even add optional experiences like kayaking or snowshoeing, weather permitting.
What do you need? Just the right clothing for the cold, a good camera, and a hunger for adventure.
We’ll take care of the rest.
✨ This expedition is operated by Antarctica21, pioneers in fly-and-cruise Antarctic travel and our trusted partners to help you experience the White Continent like few others do.
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 classic itinerary is just one of the ways you can experience Antarctica.
You may also want to consider:
🚀 Antarctica Express Air-Cruise
A shorter, more accessible expedition. Sail from Ushuaia, cross the Drake Passage, and fly back from King George Island.
🧭 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 this itinerary resonate with you?
If this journey reflects the kind of experience you’re looking for, we can design a fully personalized version tailored to your pace, travel style, and preferred regions.
Some travelers like to explore more inspiration first. Others are ready to begin shaping their own journey.
