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Master Expedition Route · 6 days 4 upcoming departures

Antarctica Express Air-Cruise

Antarctica21 · 6 days · Ushuaia, Argentina → Punta Arenas

Antarctica Express Air-Cruise — Key Facts At a Glance
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

Route 4 waypoints

Itinerary and landing sites are indicative and subject to change based on weather, sea ice, and wildlife conditions.

Daily schedule
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

November 2026 1 departure
From $5,995
Magellan Explorer
March 2027 1 departure
From $6,795
Magellan Discoverer
November 2027 1 departure
From $5,995
Magellan Explorer
November 2028 1 departure
From $6,995
Magellan Explorer

Ships operating this itinerary

Magellan Explorer

Magellan Explorer

76 guests 100% simultaneous Ice class: PC6 Polar Class 6: Summer/autumn operation in medium first-year ice; premier modern polar standard. Built 2019
Vessel profile →
Magellan Discoverer

Magellan Discoverer

76 guests 100% simultaneous Ice class: PC6 Polar Class 6: Summer/autumn operation in medium first-year ice; premier modern polar standard. Built 2025
Vessel profile →

Visited Regions

4
Polar destination guide
Chile · Fly & Cruise Pioneer

Antarctica21

Antarctica21 operates dedicated polar expedition voyages to Antarctica with experienced expedition teams.

IAATO Member 2 ships 6 itineraries
Fleet & all routes →

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4
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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.