Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle

**Please note that on certain flights you can connect straight through to Punta Arenas,. Where you cannot you must overnight in Santiago outbound and inbound. Please ask our travel consultants.**

Day 1

Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile

Begin your expedition in Punta Arenas, Chile, the liveliest city in southern Patagonia. Dependant on time to spare, a wealth of museums, restaurants, and shops await to fill your time. In the early afternoon, a representative from Quark Expeditions® will greet you at the designated hotel, the official starting point of your journey. Here, you'll be treated to a welcome dinner and receive an informative briefing to prepare you for the upcoming trip.

Day 2

Flight to King George Island and Embarkation

Take off on a charter flight from Punta Arenas, soaring over the iconic Drake Passage. As you near Antarctica, your ship will be navigating towards King George Island, ready for your arrival.

Your initial view of the striking Antarctic scenery unfolds from an extraordinary vantage point as your plane descends towards the South Shetland Islands. Upon landing, you'll journey to the shoreline, where a Zodiac transfer awaits to escort you to your ship, embarking towards the Antarctic Peninsula!

Days 3 to 5

Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

Experience mounting excitement during shore excursions, especially your unforgettable first Zodiac landing amid penguins on pristine shores. Weather-dependent landings offer unique discoveries and photography opportunities. Distinguishing between Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins becomes second nature. Activities range from Zodiac cruises for whale and iceberg spotting to penguin colony treks.

Witness glacier calving and encounter top predators like leopard seals and orcas up close. The Expedition Team ensures safety and enriches your journey, with educational experts offering insights into glaciology, history, and wildlife, making each morning a thrilling adventure.
 

Days 6 and 7

Antarctic Circle

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an unforgettable experience and a notable accomplishment, as it's a journey few travellers make. Should conditions permit us to traverse this renowned latitude at 66°33' S, we'll celebrate the pioneering explorers who first navigated these waters. You can raise a glass in honour of your achievement, having reached a part of the world visited by very few. This is unspoiled Antarctica, Weddell seals reside, and where you're likely to find sea ice – the cornerstone of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.

Days 8 and 9

Northbound Along the Peninsula

Should your thirst for Antarctic wildlife and icebergs not yet be quenched, you'll certainly find fulfilment by the time you circle back to King George Island. As you journey northward along the western Antarctic Peninsula, you will continue your explorations, either by Zodiac or on foot.

Your Expedition Team will remain vigilant, searching for any species of seabirds, seals, and whales that you might have missed on your southward journey.

Day 10

Disembarkation and Flight to Punta Arenas

Following a week of remarkable discoveries, you will bid farewell to your Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. A two-hour flight across the Drake Passage takes you back to Punta Arenas, Chile, concluding your Antarctic adventure. Once you have been transferred to your hotel as a group, the rest of the day is yours. You can choose to explore the city, relax in your hotel, or spend the evening reflecting on the memroable sights and sounds of Antarctica.

Day 11

Depart from Punta Arenas

Following breakfast, you are free to embark on your onward journey or proceed to the Punta Arenas airport for your flights home.