Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Antarctica21 · 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile → Punta Arenas
| Operator | Antarctica21 |
|---|---|
| Available departures | 97 97 available of 104 scheduled |
| Typical duration | 8 days · Punta Arenas, Chile → Punta Arenas |
| Price range (per person, USD) | $15,995 – $35,995 |
| ships | Magellan Explorer, Magellan Discoverer |
| Prices last verified | 48-hour verification methodology |
Upcoming departures — Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
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
You must arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM, whether you join us at the airport for a transfer to our hotel, or you meet us directly at the hotel. In the afternoon, you are welcomed at Explorers House to attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.
DAY 2 Scheduled Flight to Antarctica
Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the airplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. You then board a transfer vehicle and pass Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel.
DAYS 3–6 Exploring Antarctica
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache Strait, and the Penola Strait.
DAY 7 Scheduled Return Flight from Antarctica
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding 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 8 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
4Patagonia
Granite Spires • Chilean Fjords & Glacial Steppe
Drake Passage
Rite of Passage • Albatross Alley
South Shetland Islands
Volcanic Isles • Penguin Rookeries & Calderas
Antarctic Peninsula
Classic Antarctica • Towering Peaks & Wildlife
More Antarctic itineraries by Antarctica21
4Polar Circle Air-Cruise
Drake Passage · Antarctic Circle
Antarctica Express Air-Cruise
Beagle Channel · Drake Passage · South Shetland Islands · King George Island
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
Emperor Penguins
The world's largest penguin breeds only in Antarctica's brutal winter. A rare and unforgettable sight.
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.