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Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

From AUD $25,351

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Description

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.

Trip Name
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Expedition Length: 342 ft (104.4 m) Passenger Capacity: 138 Built: 2021 The Ocean Explorer is a modern, purpose-built expedition vessel combining contemporary elegance with advanced polar exploration technology. Accommodating up to 138 guests, this state-of-the-art ship features the innovative ULSTEIN X-BOW® design, which ensures smooth, stable sailing even in rough seas. A highlight of the vessel is its stunning two-story, glass-walled library located at the bow—perfect for quiet reflection with panoramic views of the polar landscapes. Almost all spacious cabins include private verandas, while the ship’s sleek Scandinavian-inspired interiors create a sense of understated luxury. Guests can unwind in the fitness centre, sauna with large windows overlooking the ice, or one of two outdoor Jacuzzis while taking in the surrounding scenery. Designed with both exploration and comfort in mind, Ocean Explorer offers generous outdoor viewing spaces and elevated observation decks for exceptional photography and wildlife watching. A fleet of 15 Zodiacs ensures quick, safe embarkation for off-ship adventures. Social spaces such as the elegant Main Dining Room, Latitude Bar, and Observation Lounge provide a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, complemented by fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and cutting-edge sustainability systems, including waste-to-energy technology. Every detail of the Ocean Explorer reflects innovation, comfort, and environmental consciousness—setting a new standard for luxury expedition cruising.

Itinerary



Day 1 - 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 Quark Expeditions 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 - Day 2 - Fly to King George Island and Embarkation
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will enable you to cross the legendary Drake Passage in only two hours, while 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 onto 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 - Days 3 to 6 - Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. The Antarctic 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 inhabited by thousands of 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 wilderness experience.Your Expedition Team will accompany you all along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.
Day 4 - 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 5 - 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.
Day 6 - Please Note:
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-12-202608-12-2026AUD $26,366Infinity Suite
01-12-202608-12-2026AUD $27,716Veranda Suite
01-12-202608-12-2026AUD $35,996Superior Suite
01-12-202608-12-2026AUD $38,786Deluxe Suite
01-12-202608-12-2026AUD $41,576Owner's Suite
06-12-202613-12-2026AUD $26,176Infinity Suite
06-12-202613-12-2026AUD $27,536Veranda Suite
06-12-202613-12-2026AUD $35,781Superior Suite
06-12-202613-12-2026AUD $38,416Deluxe Suite
06-12-202613-12-2026AUD $41,221Owner's Suite
11-02-202718-02-2027AUD $32,756Infinity Suite
11-02-202718-02-2027AUD $34,376Veranda Suite
11-02-202718-02-2027AUD $44,816Superior Suite
11-02-202718-02-2027AUD $48,146Deluxe Suite
11-02-202718-02-2027AUD $51,656Owner's Suite
16-02-202723-02-2027AUD $32,200Infinity Suite
16-02-202723-02-2027AUD $33,910Veranda Suite
16-02-202723-02-2027AUD $44,075Superior Suite
16-02-202723-02-2027AUD $47,495Deluxe Suite
16-02-202723-02-2027AUD $50,725Owner's Suite
21-02-202728-02-2027AUD $32,036Infinity Suite
21-02-202728-02-2027AUD $33,746Veranda Suite
21-02-202728-02-2027AUD $43,736Superior Suite
21-02-202728-02-2027AUD $47,066Deluxe Suite
21-02-202728-02-2027AUD $50,486Owner's Suite
09-12-202716-12-2027AUD $25,351Infinity Suite
09-12-202716-12-2027AUD $26,805Veranda Suite
09-12-202716-12-2027AUD $34,718Superior Suite
09-12-202716-12-2027AUD $37,302Deluxe Suite
09-12-202716-12-2027AUD $40,129Owner's Suite
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $30,035Triple Suite
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $33,507Deluxe Veranda Forward
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $35,284Veranda Stateroom
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $37,464Veranda Suite
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $44,584Junior Suite
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $48,527Studio Single
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $51,111Penthouse Suite
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $52,322Studio Veranda Single
04-01-202811-01-2028AUD $54,583Owners Suite
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $30,035Triple Suite
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $33,507Deluxe Veranda Forward
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $35,284Veranda Stateroom
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $37,464Veranda Suite
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $44,584Junior Suite
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $48,527Studio Single
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $51,111Penthouse Suite
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $52,322Studio Veranda Single
09-01-202816-01-2028AUD $54,583Owners Suite
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $30,035Triple Suite
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $33,507Deluxe Veranda Forward
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $35,284Veranda Stateroom
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $37,464Veranda Suite
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $44,584Junior Suite
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $48,527Studio Single
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $51,111Penthouse Suite
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $52,322Studio Veranda Single
28-01-202804-02-2028AUD $54,583Owners Suite
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $29,151Infinity Suite
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $30,605Veranda Suite
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $39,753Superior Suite
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $42,831Deluxe Suite
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $45,909Owner's Suite
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $31,802Triple Suite
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $35,564Deluxe Veranda Forward
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $37,359Veranda Stateroom
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $39,668Veranda Suite
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $51,467Studio Single
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $54,288Penthouse Suite
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $55,571Studio Veranda Single
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $57,965Owners Suite
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $31,802Triple Suite
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $35,564Deluxe Veranda Forward
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $37,359Veranda Stateroom
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $39,668Veranda Suite
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $51,467Studio Single
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $54,288Penthouse Suite
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $55,571Studio Veranda Single
07-12-202814-12-2028AUD $57,965Owners Suite
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $31,802Triple Suite
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $35,564Deluxe Veranda Forward
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $37,359Veranda Stateroom
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $39,668Veranda Suite
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $51,467Studio Single
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $54,288Penthouse Suite
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $55,571Studio Veranda Single
16-01-202923-01-2029AUD $57,965Owners Suite
04-02-202911-02-2029AUD $27,099Infinity Suite
04-02-202911-02-2029AUD $28,467Veranda Suite
04-02-202911-02-2029AUD $37,103Superior Suite
04-02-202911-02-2029AUD $39,924Deluxe Suite
04-02-202911-02-2029AUD $42,746Owner's Suite
09-02-202916-02-2029AUD $27,099Infinity Suite
09-02-202916-02-2029AUD $28,467Veranda Suite
09-02-202916-02-2029AUD $37,103Superior Suite
09-02-202916-02-2029AUD $39,924Deluxe Suite
09-02-202916-02-2029AUD $42,746Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • 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

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