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Itinerary Map

Map showing flight route from Punta Arenas to King George Island and cruise path along the Antarctic Peninsula

Trip Summary

Dates: 

Jan 4, 2026 -
Jan 11, 2026

Duration: 

8 Days
Adventure
options:
Kayaking Paddleboarding
Pre & Post – voyage hotel night in Punta Arenas!
Starting at: $ 23,795.00
Studio Single

Studio Single

$31.295

One double bed made up of two twin berths

Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom

Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom

$23.795

One double bed made up of two twin berths.

Veranda Stateroom

Veranda Stateroom

$24.995

One double bed made up of two twin berths plus fold out sofa bed.

Veranda Suite

Veranda Suite

$26.495

One double bed made up of two twin berths and fold out sofa bed.

Junior Suite

Junior Suite

$31.295

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

Studio Veranda Single

Studio Veranda Single

$33.795

One twin single.

Penthouse Suite

Penthouse Suite

$36.295

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

Owners Suite

Owners Suite

$38.695

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

About the Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake itinerary

You’re ready to explore King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula—and no Drake Passage crossings are required! With a spectacular aerial view, included charter flights between Punta Arenas and Antarctica have you experiencing the majesty of the 7th continent before transferring you to your ship in no time. For those who don’t have the time or are not interested in cruising across the Drake Passage, this is the trip for you. Keep your camera ready as you cruise in a Zodiac in search of whales, seabirds and astounding icebergs.

Your adventure begins with an included flight from international gateway Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in Patagonia. You will be transferred to the included group hotel. In the afternoon, a representative will meet you at the group hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few 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, stretch your legs and spend time exploring the island before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the White Continent, you may be overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica 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 lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region. Even more exciting are your daily land excursions. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a beach dotted with penguins and seals 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 an Adélie, gentoo or chinstrap penguin. You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs around Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming sound of a calving glacier at Neko Harbor to the thrill of watching a leopard seal as it hunts a penguin, you’ll wake up early and welcome each day with a sense of excitement and a desire to explore that which is unrivaled by any other travel experience. Your expedition team will be with you all along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your expedition team and disembark at King George Island. Your three-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings your adventure to an end. After your transfer from the airport to the hotel, you are free to explore and enjoy one final dinner to reminisce about the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Punta Arenas airport for your included return flight to Santiago. Important reminder: 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.
Welcome aboard the Ocean Explorer

Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship.

Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi-height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs that enable guests to get off the ship quickly and safely for off-ship adventures. In addition to the well-appointed and spacious public areas, Ocean Explorer has an industry-leading mix of sustainability systems, including fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines.

Technical Specs

Cabins & Amenities

  • Two Story Library: Light-filled interior library—at the bow of the ship— allows guests to sit and relax indoors while taking in the surrounding polar landscapes from their choice of two levels.
  • Leading Edge Sustainability: With the latest sustainability technology in polar expedition, the ship features fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and the ground-breaking MAGS gasification system that converts waste into energy, eliminating the environmental impact of waste transportation.
  • Ulstein X-Bow: the innovative X-Bow design ensures calm, energy-efficient sailing in rough waters.
  • Dry sauna
  • Gym
  • Jacuzzis

Includes: 

  • 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
  • NEW Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner. 
  • Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • 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.)
  • 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
  • NEW Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)
  • Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to preexpedition hotel on Day 1
  • One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia 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.)
  • Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
  • Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility

Extras: 

  • International airfare
  • Passport and visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation
  • Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance – strongly recommended
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
  • Laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
  • Phone and Internet charges
  • 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
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person

Adventure options: Kayaking (USD $1,995)-/ Paddling Excursion (USD $395) – / Camping (USD $495) – 

  • Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience

Price

$18,995.00 -
 $33,495.00

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$23,795.00 -
 $38,695.00

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$14,395.00 -
 $29,595.00

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$24,595.00 -
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Adventure Options

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$23,795.00 -
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Adventure Options

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