ANTARCTIC MICRO FLY CRUISE (SAIL ONE WAY)
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ANTARCTIC MICRO FLY CRUISE (SAIL ONE WAY)
Fly over and sail across the legendary Drake Passage to Antarctica’s awakening shores. Explore iconic Antarctic locations aboard the Polar Athena and witness incredible penguin colonies, whales, seals and more.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puerto Natales, Chile | Transfer from the airport to your included hotel, day at leisure |
| 2 | Puerto Natales to King George Island | Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, board the Polar Athena to start your Antarctic expedition |
| 3 - 6 | Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Circle | Dramatic coastlines, penguin colonies, many species of whales and seals, calving glaciers |
| 7 - 8 | Drake Passage | Cross the infamous Drake Passage while watching for albatross from the deck |
| 9 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Disembark and farewell your fellow travellers in Ushuaia |
This itinerary also operates in reverse for select voyages.
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Polar Athena
The Polar Athena was born as a research vessel and is in a class that has built a legacy for exploration in the polar regions. Constructed in 1974 as the Akademik Shuleykin, later re-named the Polar Pioneer, now the Polar Athena, she has a 1A super ice-class rating. As such, she’s built to slice through heavy sea ice.
Having undergone a significant refit in 2025/26, she now has space for just 42 guests in comfortable and modern cabins. Social spaces have also been upgraded and after a recent spell in dry-dock, her engines been overhauled and her stabilisers re-installed. The Polar Athena offers an excellent small-ship option for observation and versatility in the polar regions. Given her size, she can quickly board all guests into Zodiacs and be off exploring in a mater of minutes.
Day 1 Puerto Natales, Chile
Begin your Antarctic journey in the remote Puerto Natales and experience Patagonia’s soul from the first moment. You will be met at the airport upon your arrival and transferred to your included hotel.
Day 2 Puerto Natales to King George Island
After meeting the team in Puerto Natales, Chile, you’ll board a two-and-a-half-hour charter flight with your fellow guests across the Drake Passage to King George Island, your gateway to Antarctica. Upon landing, a Zodiac transfer will take you to your ship, where your voyage into the white continent begins.
Days 3 – 6 Antarctic Peninsula
Sail into the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula through the scenic Gerlache Strait, flanked by jagged peaks. If ice conditions allow, venture into regions renowned for impressive tabular icebergs and dramatic landscapes. Prepare to enjoy a Zodiac cruise through sapphire-blue iceberg-filled coves and serene reflective waters, as you look for humpback whales, leopard seals, and calving glaciers. Land on islands, where gentoo penguins nest among whalebone relics, and young fur seals frolic in shallow waters, while elephant seals will be hauled out on shore.
Days 7 – 8 Drake Passage
As your voyage north unfolds, icebergs and the Antarctic continent fade on the horizon. While crossing the infamous Drake Passage, albatrosses may glide above as you enjoy workshops, and expert-led lectures.
Day 9 Ushuaia, Argentina
Sail through the Beagle Channel before concluding your journey with disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina.
We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.
Extend your trip to Patagonia
To make the most of your time in South America we can tailor a holiday to Patagonia to suit your voyage dates. If you have a bit more time we can create a tailor-made itinerary to some of the highlights of South America. Take a look at the Patagonia sample itineraries below and contact us to begin creating your perfect holiday.
