Antarctic Express - Crossing the Circle (Fly/Fly)
11 Days - Ocean Adventurer
Enjoy Antarctica in style – by flying and then cruising south of the Antarctic Circle! A short 3 hour flight is all it takes to travel between Punta Arenas, Chile and King George Island in Antarctica. Skipping all the extra days at sea, you’ll enjoy only the best scenery and wildlife experiences of the Antarctic. Prepare yourself for a sensory overload, as you’ll be inundated by the sheer beauty and dramatic landscapes of the white continent. Soon after, our team of Polar Experts on the ship will have you searching for penguins and whales in Antarctica.
from USD $14995 $13317pp
Home » 11 Day Ocean Adventurer: Antarctic Express – Crossing the Circle (Fly/Fly)
Itinerary Highlights
- Experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica
- Fly over the Drake Passage
- Marvel at all the Antarctic Peninsula highlights, including crossing the Antarctic Circle
- Take advantage of optional polar camping along the Peninsula
- Enjoy on-board lectures and educational presentations from polar specialists
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile
- Day 2: Fly to King George Island - Embarkation Day
- Days 3-5: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
- Days 6-7: The Antarctic Circle
- Days 8-9: Northbound Along the Peninsula
- Day 10: Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas
- Day 11: Depart Puntas Arenas

Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile
Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a Quark Expeditions representative will meet everyone at the official starting point hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few hours. Far below, the ship is approaching King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctica landscapes will be from a very unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetlands. After landing, stretch your legs and spend some time exploring the island before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship. Meet the rest of your shipmates and set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
Days 3-5: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the white continent, don’t be surprised if you are overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through the human eye.
Your first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region.
Even more exciting are your daily excursions to land. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a beach that is dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica. Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new sightings and photo opportunities and it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between an Adelie, gentoo or chinstrap penguin.
You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night while camping on the ice in Antarctica, you’ll welcome each day with the excitement and energy of a young child.
Our Expedition Team will be with you all along, providing insights into the places you visit and offering photography tips to get the most out of your expedition.
Days 6-7: The Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’ S. You and your shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne!
With a toast to the first explorers who ventured this far south, you can take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world still visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home to the midnight sun, Weddell seals and some of the most magical, odd ice formations you’ll see anywhere in Antarctica.
Days 8-9: Northbound Along the Peninsula
If you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs by now, you’ll surely be satisfied by the time we return to the Drake Passage. We’ll continue to journey onto land and out by Zodiac twice daily as we travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula.
Your Expedition Team will always be on the lookout for any species of penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded you on the journey south.
Day 10: Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to the Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your three-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile brings your adventure to an end. After we transfer you from the airport to the hotel, you can enjoy a final dinner in the city to reminisce about all the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.
Day 11: Depart Punta Arenas
After breakfast, you are welcome to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
25 Jan 2024 - 04 Feb 2024 | USD $14666pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 15%, Save 20% | |
Triple | USD $14666pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off! | |
Lower Deck Twin Porthole | USD $15220pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 15% | |
Main Deck Twin Porthole | USD $16062pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 15% | |
Main Deck Twin Window | USD $17286pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 15% | |
Deluxe Cabin | USD $17277pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20% | |
Superior Cabin | USD $17277pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20% | |
Suite | USD $22677pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20% | |
Owner's Suite | USD $24189pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20% | |
03 Mar 2024 - 13 Mar 2024 | USD $13317pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20%, Save 25% | |
Triple | USD $13496pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off! | |
Lower Deck Twin Porthole | USD $13317pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20% | |
Main Deck Twin Porthole | USD $14037pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20% | |
Main Deck Twin Window | USD $15117pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 20% | |
Deluxe Cabin | USD $15185pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 25% | |
Superior Cabin | USD $15185pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 25% | |
Suite | USD $19910pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 25% | |
Owner's Suite | USD $21260pp | Pay in full and receive 10% off!, Save 25% |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple
12m², two lower berths, one upper berth, on main deck, private facilities, porthole, porthole with exterior views.
Lower Deck Twin Porthole
12m², two lower berths, on lower deck, private facilities, porthole with exterior views.
Main Deck Twin Porthole
11m², has two lower berths, on main deck, private facilities, porthole with exterior views.
Main Deck Twin Window
13m², two lower berths, on main deck, private facilities, twin windows, exterior views
Superior Cabin
12.5m², two lower berths, private facilities, windows, exterior views.
Deluxe Cabin
15m², two lower berths, on captain's deck, private facilities, windows, exterior views
Suite
20m², double bed, located on captain's deck, private facilities, windows, exterior views, (cabin 403 has a bathtub other suites have showers)
Owner's Suite
22m², double bed, on bridge deck, private sitting room, private facilities, large panoramic window, exterior view of aft, port and starboard.
Ocean Adventurer Deckplan
Specifications
- Staff and Crew: 87
- Guests: 132
- Length: 101.1 meters
- Breadth: 16.2 meters
- Draft: 4.5 meters
- Propulsion: Diesel Twin Engines - 5,400 horsepower
- Ice Class: 1A
- Cruising Speed: 12 knots, in open water
- Registration: Bahamas
- Lifeboats: 4 partially-enclosed
Whats included?
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. (Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- A briefing 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 post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast
What’s not included?
- International airfare
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Notes
*Baggage allowance on charter flights is 33 lbs (15 kg) checked and 11 lbs (5 kg) carry-on.
*Optional activities
- Sea Kayaking - US$995 per person
- Paddling - US$295 per person