Antarctica Express Air-Cruise
Antarctica21 · 6 days · Ushuaia, Argentina → Punta Arenas
| Operator | Antarctica21 |
|---|---|
| Available departures | 4 |
| Typical duration | 6 days · Ushuaia, Argentina → Punta Arenas |
| Price range (per person, USD) | $5,995 – $9,995 |
| ships | Magellan Explorer, Magellan Discoverer |
| Prices last verified | 48-hour verification methodology |
Upcoming departures — Antarctica Express Air-Cruise
| Departure | Ship | Duration | Availability | From | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2026 – Nov 22, 2026 Best price | Magellan Explorer · 76 guests | 6 days | Available |
$5,995
|
|
| Mar 4, 2027 – Mar 10, 2027 | Magellan Discoverer · 76 guests | 6 days | Available |
$6,795
|
|
| Nov 17, 2027 – Nov 22, 2027 Best price | Magellan Explorer · 76 guests | 6 days | Available |
$5,995
|
|
| Nov 17, 2028 – Nov 22, 2028 | Magellan Explorer · 76 guests | 6 days | Available |
$6,995
|
Day by day
Itinerary and landing sites are indicative and subject to change based on weather, sea ice, and wildlife conditions.
DAY 1 Start of the air-cruise
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, at the pier. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn.
DAY 2 Cape Horn and Drake Passage
After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honor of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th-century British explorer.
DAY 3 Drake Passage
As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica.
DAY 4 Drake Passage and Antarctica
After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Exploration will continue well into the evening taking advantage of the long Antarctic daylight.
DAY 5 Antarctica and scheduled return flight
Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay. You then board a transfer vehicle and pass Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to the aircraft. Bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night.(Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).
DAY 6 End of the air-cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
Seasonality & monthly starting prices
Ships operating this itinerary
Magellan Discoverer
Visited Regions
4Beagle Channel
Scenic Fjord • Sea Lion Colonies & Les Eclaireurs
Drake Passage
Rite of Passage • Albatross Alley
South Shetland Islands
Volcanic Isles • Penguin Rookeries & Calderas
King George Island
Fly-Cruise Hub • Multi-National Stations
More Antarctic itineraries by Antarctica21
4Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Patagonia · Drake Passage · South Shetland Islands · Antarctic Peninsula
Polar Circle Air-Cruise
Drake Passage · Antarctic Circle
Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise
Tierra del Fuego · Drake Passage · South Shetland Islands · Antarctic Peninsula · Scotia Sea · South Georgia
Inaugural Air-Cruise
Drake Passage · South Shetland Islands
Wildlife on this route
Penguins
Gentoo Penguin
A stocky, orange-billed penguin of the genus Pygoscelis, closest kin to the Adélie and Chinstrap. Its loud, trumpeting call, delivered with head thrown back, carries across the shoreline colonies where expedition landings are made.
Whales & Dolphins
Humpback Whale
A 14–17 metre baleen whale known for breaching and long pectoral fins, often seen feeding on krill in loose groups along the ice edge.
Whales & Dolphins
Orca
Black and white apex predator instantly recognizable by its pale eye patches, the orca is the largest of the dolphins and one of the ocean's most capable hunters. Sightings often involve a tight-knit family pod working the ice edge together.
Albatrosses & Seabirds
Wandering Albatross
The snowy albatross, better known as the wandering albatross, has the widest wingspan of any living bird alive today. Watch for it riding the wind for hours behind the ship without a single wingbeat.