Antarctic Express: 11-Day Adventure Across the Polar Circle
Embark on a unique and unforgettable adventure with the Antarctic Express, crossing the Antarctic Circle! This 11-day trip offers you the chance to explore one of the most remote and fascinating places on the planet.
Day 1: Arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile
Your journey begins in Punta Arenas, the most populous city in southern Patagonia. Here you will be met by a Quark Expeditions® representative and enjoy a welcome dinner, where you will be given all the information you need for the day of departure.
Day 2: Flight to King George Island and Embarkation
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will allow you to cross the Drake Passage in just two hours. Your first glimpse of the Antarctic landscapes will be unforgettable as you head towards King George Island and board the ship prepared for polar navigation.
Days 3 to 5: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
Explore the stunning Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Walk on beaches dotted with penguins, cruise on Zodiacs in search of whales and icebergs, and marvel at the diverse wildlife. Each day offers new opportunities to photograph and observe the untouched nature of Antarctica.
Days 6 and 7: Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive and rare feat. Conditions permitting, we’ll toast to this achievement while you enjoy the breathtaking scenery and observe Weddell seals and other unique species. However, this is the culmination of your expedition, a truly memorable experience.
Days 8 and 9: Return to the North via the Peninsula
As you travel back north along the Antarctic Peninsula, continue exploring in Zodiacs or on land. What’s more, your expedition team will be on hand to show you the species of seabirds, seals and whales that you may have missed on your journey south.
Day 10: Disembarkation and flight to Punta Arenas
Land on King George Island and board the flight back to Punta Arenas. After the transfer to the hotel, you will have free time to explore the city and remember the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
Day 11: Departure from Punta Arenas
After breakfast, you are free to continue your own travels or head to Punta Arenas airport for your flights home.
Plan Your Antarctic Adventure
This expedition is the fastest and most direct way to get to Antarctica, maximizing your experience with exciting activities and breathtaking views. Book now and embark on an adventure that will stay in your memory forever! 🌍🛳️❄️
Fly over the Drake Passage and experience the fastest and most direct way to Antarctica
See Antarctica’s iconic wildlife, such as penguins, seals and whales
Marvel at the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula, including crossing the Antarctic Circle
Celebrate the passing of the Antarctic Circle with a toast
Enjoy presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology and geology by our polar experts on board
Leadership throughout the trip by our experienced expedition leaders, including landings and other activities
All transfers by Zodiac and cruise according to the daily programme
All landings according to the daily programme
Accommodation on board with daily cleaning service
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board for the duration of the trip (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. (Unfortunately, ship kitchens cannot prepare kosher meals).
Selected beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available 24 hours a day
Formal and informal presentations by our expedition team and guest speakers, as scheduled
A photo diary documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots borrowed for the landings and Zodiac cruise excursions
An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep with you
Hairdryer and bathrobes in all cabins
All miscellaneous service charges and port taxes throughout the programme
All baggage handling on board the ship
Emergency evacuation insurance for all passengers with a maximum benefit of USD 500,000 per person
A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the pre-expedition hotel on day 1
One night’s accommodation in the pre-expedition hotel in Punta Arenas with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as the cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who book a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available).
An informative dinner on day 1 in Punta Arenas
A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the hotel to the airport
Flights to and from King George Island
A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
One night’s accommodation in the hotel after the expedition in Punta Arenas with breakfast
International airfare
Passport and applicable visa fees
Government taxes on arrival and departure not mentioned
Meals, unless otherwise stated
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical insurance – strongly recommended
Excess baggage charges on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof trousers for the Zodiac disembarkation and cruise excursions, or any other equipment not mentioned.
Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
Telephone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary depending on location)
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition personnel and the ship’s crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly indicated
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile
Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populous city in southern Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are plenty of museums, restaurants and stores to keep you busy for days. In the early afternoon, a Quark Expeditions® representative will meet you at the official hotel at the point of departure, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed on the preparations for the day of departure.
Day 2
Flight to King George Island and boarding
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will allow you to cross the legendary Drake Passage in just two hours. Far below, the ship will approach King George Island for its arrival. Your first glimpse of the dramatic Antarctic landscapes will be from a unique perspective, as your plane descends to land on the South Shetland Islands. After landing, head for the coast, before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
Day 3
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. The White Continent is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes. Even more exciting are their shore excursions. Your first landing in the Zodiac is something you'll never forget! Walking on a beach dotted with penguins is the most intimate way to get to know Antarctica's unique wildlife. Each landing is different and depends on the weather conditions, but every day there are new opportunities to see and take photos, and it won't be long before you spot an Adélie penguin, a Gentoo penguin and a chinstrap penguin. You can take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs one day, followed by a hike to a penguin nursery the next. From the thunderous sound of a glacier being born to the thrill of spotting top 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 this unrivaled travel experience. Your expedition team will accompany you along the route, ensuring safety and providing information about the places you visit. Our team of education specialists will also provide in-depth explanations of the region's glaciology, history and wildlife.
Day 4
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. The White Continent is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes. Even more exciting are their shore excursions. Your first landing in the Zodiac is something you'll never forget! Walking on a beach dotted with penguins is the most intimate way to get to know Antarctica's unique wildlife. Each landing is different and depends on the weather conditions, but every day there are new opportunities to see and take photos, and it won't be long before you spot an Adélie penguin, a Gentoo penguin and a chinstrap penguin. You can take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs one day, followed by a hike to a penguin nursery the next. From the thunderous sound of a glacier being born to the thrill of spotting top 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 this unrivaled travel experience. Your expedition team will accompany you along the route, ensuring safety and providing information about the places you visit. Our team of education specialists will also provide in-depth explanations of the region's glaciology, history and wildlife.
Day 5
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. The White Continent is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes. Even more exciting are their shore excursions. Your first landing in the Zodiac is something you'll never forget! Walking on a beach dotted with penguins is the most intimate way to get to know Antarctica's unique wildlife. Each landing is different and depends on the weather conditions, but every day there are new opportunities to see and take photos, and it won't be long before you spot an Adélie penguin, a Gentoo penguin and a chinstrap penguin. You can take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs one day, followed by a hike to a penguin nursery the next. From the thunderous sound of a glacier being born to the thrill of spotting top 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 this unrivaled travel experience. Your expedition team will accompany you along the route, ensuring safety and providing information about the places you visit. Our team of education specialists will also provide in-depth explanations of the region's glaciology, history and wildlife.
Day 6
Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is a memorable experience and an impressive feat, as few travelers make it this far south. If conditions allow us to cross this famous latitude of 66°33 ́ S, we'll raise a toast to the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing that you've reached a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home to the midnight sun, Weddell seals and your best chance of finding sea ice - the basis of Antarctica's marine ecosystem.
Day 7
Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is a memorable experience and an impressive feat, as few travelers make it this far south. If conditions allow us to cross this famous latitude of 66°33 ́ S, we'll raise a toast to the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing that you've reached a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home to the midnight sun, Weddell seals and your best chance of finding sea ice - the basis of Antarctica's marine ecosystem.
Day 8
Heading north along the Peninsula
If you haven't had enough of the Antarctic wildlife and icebergs, you'll certainly be pleased when you return to King George Island. You will continue to explore by Zodiac or on land as you travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Your expedition team will always be on the lookout for seabirds, seals and whales that you may have missed on your journey south.
Day 9
Heading north along the Peninsula
If you haven't had enough of the Antarctic wildlife and icebergs, you'll certainly be pleased when you return to King George Island. You will continue to explore by Zodiac or on land as you travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Your expedition team will always be on the lookout for seabirds, seals and whales that you may have missed on your journey south.
Day 10
Disembarkation and flight to Punta Arenas
After a week of exploration, you will say goodbye to your expedition team and disembark on King George Island. His two-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas in Chile brings his adventure to an end. Once the group has been transferred to the hotel, you will be free to explore and enjoy a free evening in the city or at the hotel to remember the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
Day 11
Departure from Punta Arenas
Depois do pequeno-almoço, poderá continuar a sua viagem ou dirigir-se ao aeroporto de Punta Arenas para o seu voo de regresso.
Scheduled departures
expedic cruises scheduled departures duration Days
Start Punta Arenas
Expedition Boat Ocean Adventurer
Values since: 13140€ per person
expedic cruises scheduled departures duration Days
Start Punta Arenas
Expedition Boat Ocean Adventurer
Values since: 9380€ per person
Information
Meals
If there’s one constant on board, it’s the fact that you enjoy delicious meals every day. Although meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you will always be served three well-prepared meals a day. Most dietary restrictions can be catered for if you inform us before dispatch.
Breakfasts and lunches are usually served buffet-style, while dinners are plated. A la carte meals are prepared at the time of ordering, allowing our chefs to prepare each dish according to your individual needs, ensuring you receive high-quality meals during your expedition.
Soft drinks and juices are available during meals and when the bar is open; beer and wine are served at dinner; and coffee, tea and water stations are available 24 hours a day – all included in the cost of your package. Spirits, premium wines and champagne are available at an additional cost which can be billed to your on-board account. The ship’s well-stocked bars are open for you to enjoy with your fellow passengers in the late morning, afternoon and evening.
Flights
Yes, although we don’t include the cost of flights in the trip, we can also take care of them if you wish. All you have to do is tell us when you book.
We send you a quote with the price of the flights at the time and then you decide whether to buy with Triskelion, on your own or with another agency.
The team
Our expedition leaders and their teams have specialised knowledge in subjects as varied as polar history, marine biology, glaciology, ornithology and photography. Your knowledge and enthusiasm will greatly enhance your immersion in the polar environment and further deepen your connection to the Arctic.
With more than 30 years’ experience taking passengers to remote polar regions and an industry-leading staff-to-guest ratio, we know how to handle the unexpected safely. To ensure that this hard-earned experience is passed on, all our new expedition staff receive comprehensive training at the Quark Academy, which offers hands-on polar expedition training before any staff member’s first trip, as well as ongoing training for experienced staff.
Necessary Documents
Payment Method
Cruise included activities
Hiking
expedition cruises excursions included description
Polar Diving
expedition cruises excursions included description
Zodiac Cruise
expedition cruises excursions included description
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