AIR-CRUISE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION TO THE WORLD’S LAST FRONTIER

Starts and Ends in Punta Arenas, Chile

8 days and 7 nights

Discover Antarctica on an air-cruise expedition from Punta Arenas, flying over the Drake Passage to King George Island before exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula by expedition vessel.

KMS Travel is a Chile-based destination management company registered with SERNATUR and affiliated with USTOA, ATTA and FEDETUR. We were named Chile’s Leading Destination Management Company 2025 by the World Travel Awards. We help travellers understand and compare Antarctic expedition formats, routes and vessels, working with established expedition operators. Our support includes trip selection, booking coordination and pre- and post-expedition arrangements in Chile and Argentina. Shipboard and Antarctic operations are provided by the expedition operator.

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This program is ideal for travellers who want to experience Antarctica without crossing the Drake Passage by ship, prioritizing time efficiency and comfort while maintaining a genuine expedition experience.

It is especially suited for first-time visitors, travellers with limited vacation time, or those seeking a smoother way to reach the White Continent.

This Antarctica air cruise starts in Punta Arenas, Chile, with a direct flight over the Drake Passage to King George Island, avoiding the traditional ocean crossing. After landing near Frei Station, guests board the expedition vessel and begin exploring Antarctica by sea, combining Zodiac landings and coastal navigation.

The route focuses on the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, depending on ice and weather conditions, before returning by flight to Punta Arenas.

Antarctica air cruise route from Punta Arenas to King George Island, avoiding the Drake Passage by ship

This program operates aboard Magellan Explorer or Magellan Discoverer, modern expedition vessels purpose-built for Antarctic navigation, offering comfort, safety, and efficient expedition operations.

Daily Zodiac landings and guided shore excursions are included, led by experienced polar guides. Optional activities may include sea kayaking, offering close-up views of glaciers and marine wildlife, and hiking or snowshoeing, allowing deeper exploration on land in small groups.

Most air cruises start and end in Punta Arenas. Travellers may add a pre- or post-expedition hotel and transfer package, ensuring a seamless and relaxed transition before or after their Antarctic journey.

Day 1: Punta Arenas Airport – Punta Arenas

Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM (flight to Antarctica can be scheduled in the afternoon if the weather conditions for day 2 are not favorable), where you are welcomed by the cruise staff and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, attend a briefing and a welcome dinner at Explorers House with your fellow travelers.

Included: dinnerbedroom and breakfasttransport.

Day 2: Punta Arenas – Frei Base (Chile)

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 aeroplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. You then walk 2 km (1.25 mi), passing 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.

Included: cruisedomestic flightfull boardtransport.

Day 3 to 6: 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.

Enjoy the day with excursions or on board, depending on the opportunities of the day.

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 spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache Strait, and the Penola Strait.

Included: cruiseexcursion, and full board.

Day 7: Frei Base (Chile) – Punta Arenas

Return to King George Island and 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.

Included: cruise, domestic flight, bedroom and breakfast, transport.

Day 8: Punta Arenas – Punta Arenas Airport

After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your outbound flight.

Included: transport.

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