Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake– Island Sky, Dec. 2017
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake– Island Sky, Dec. 2017
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Trip Summary
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 […]
Itinerary Map

Pricing Information
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. Beaches dotted with leopard seals and penguins give way to icy plateaus, with snow-capped mountain peaks looming behind. You’ll find yourself thankful for the near-constant sunlight by which you can continue to take it all in.
Expedition in Brief
• Experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica
• Fly over the Drake Passage
• Marvel at all the Antarctic Peninsula highlights
• Enjoy on-board lectures and educational presentations from polar specialists
• Take advantage of such inclusions as domestic flights, gratuities, and drinks aboard all-suites ship, the Island Sky
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas

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.
Day 2: Charter Flight & Embarkation

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!
Days 3-6: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

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.
Day 7: Flight to Punta Arenas

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.
Day 8: Depart Punta Arenas

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 Island Sky

The Island Sky is a small expedition vessel with touches of elegance throughout. An all-suite ship, it carries a maximum of 112 passengers and provides an abundance of public space for wildlife viewing, relaxation and taking in lectures and briefings. Every suite has private bathroom facilities and an exterior view, while some suites include a private balcony. In 2017, she was upgraded to add tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on Promenade Deck. All suites have flat screen televisions and DVD players.
She is an all-suite yacht accommodating up to 112 guests. Built in 1992 and refurbished and redecorated in 2005, each suite features:
- Sea view
- Queen-sized bed separable into two twin-sized beds
- Sitting area
- Telephone
- Mini-refrigerator
- Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries
- 225 square feet or more
Technical Specs
- Staff and Crew: 70
- Guests: 112
- Length: 297 feet (91 meters)
- Breadth: 50 feet (15 meters)
- Draft: 13 feet (4 meters)
- Propulsion: 2 B&W Man diesel engines, 4750 horsepower
- Ice Class: 1D
- Cruising Speed: 12 knots
- Registration: Bahamas
- Lifeboats: 4 fully enclosed
Cabins & Amenities
Aboard
- Shipboard accommodations
- All meals on board
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (some super premium brands excluded)
- Coffee/Tea/Cocoa 24 hours a day
- All scheduled landings and excursions
- Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects
- Dedicated Passenger Service Manager
- Expedition jacket (yours to keep)
- A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage
- WiFi from the public computers
- 200MB WiFi card for use on your personal devices
- Daily international news service
- All port and landing fees
- Digital Voyage Log
Suites
- Exterior views
- Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds
- Sitting area with sofa and side chair
- Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player
- Telephone
- Independent temperature controls
- Mini-Bar
- Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries
- Hair dryer
- 220 square feet or more
- Sofa can be converted to bed for third person
Notes
- Does not include international airfare.
- Single Supplement 1.7 times twin rate.
- There may be a fuel surcharge on all bookings.
- KAYAKING is available on all voyages: USD $895
- CAMPING is available on selected departures: USD $295
- In addition to the free internet access available on the computers in the ship’s library, all passengers will receive 200 MB of Wi-Fi access for use on their personal device.
