ANTARCTIC FLY-CRUISE AND PATAGONIA 

Day 1 Depart Australia to Santiago

The gateway to both South America and Antarctica is Santiago in Chile.  Flying from either Melbourne or Sydney with LATAM Airlines or Qantas you’ll arrives into Santiago you’ll be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2  Santiago

Take a relaxed guided tour of Chile’s capital Santiago: enjoy a guided tour visiting the city’s main landmarks. Drive to San Cristobal Hill for great views of the city and the Andes mountains.  Contrast the old and new parts of the city as you continue to the residential areas of Vitacura Las Condes and Providencia.   As with many South American capital cities Santiago has several very good restaurants: Borago is #6, Casa Las Cujas #14 abd Karai by Mitsuharu # 45 are just three of the five in the top 50.  We can help with a reservation as they often book out months in advance.

Day 3 Transfer to Santiago Airport and fly to Puerto Natales

Upon arrival at Puerto Natales Airport you’ll be met and transferred to your chosen lodge.

Days 4- 6 Torres Del Paine – Patagonia (Chile)

Once at your chosen lodge you can relax and start to plan the next few days of activities; walks, hikes, safaris and horse and bike rides are all options.  Your don’t have to be a ‘trekker’ to enjoy Patagonia (obviously there are some amazing treks ranging from a few hours to a full day).  Whichever choice you make you’ll be looked after and return to a very comfortable lodge with excellent dining options.

There are many excellent lodges to chose from; most offer full-board (inclusive of wines/beers) and a wide range of included activities.  Here we link off to four of the best.

AWASI PATAGONIA         PATAGONIA CAMP        EXPLORA PATAGONIA           TIERRA PATAGONIA

Day 7 Transfer by road to Punta Arenas

Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you attend a briefing that provides important information about your voyage 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.

The excitement builds as you’re given instructions about the flight to King George Island.

Days 8 – 12 Fly to King George Island and Antarctic Cruise

The next 5+ days will vary according to your chosen Antarctic cruise.  Every voyage will do everything possible to ensure you land on the Continent of Antarctica.  It’s a truly incredible experience – we’ll do our best to ensure you chose the best ship, cruise itinerary to suite your needs and interests.  It’s where having first-hand experience of many ships helps (it’s also a lot of fun for us; to do a job where you get to enjoy and share such wonderful places is very rewarding).

Zodiac excursions and trips ashore to explore penguin rookeries, view amazing icebergs and glaciers, search for whales and seals…

Here are two ships operating dedicated fly-cruise seasons:

         MAGELLAN EXPOLORER        MAGELLAN DISCOVERER 

Day 13  Disembark King George Island and fly to Punta Arenas

Overnight Punta Arenas

Day 14 Fly from Punta Arenas to Santiago and onto Australia

Bid farewell to Torres del Paine and transfer to Puerto Natales airport and start your journey home to Autralia