ANTARCTIC EXPRESS: PENINSULA IN DEPTH
(FLY CRUISE)
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(FLY CRUISE)
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
| Day 1 | Punta Arenas – Chile | Briefing and Dinner |
| Day 2 | King George Island | Flight to South Shetland Islands Antarctic Peninsula |
| Days 3-9 | Antarctic Peninsula | Exploring Antarctica by zodiac and ship and on foot. |
| Day 10 | King George Island | Flight back to Punta Arenas |
| Day 11 | Punta Arenas | Transfer to the airport for onward flight |
Day 1 Punta Arenas – Chile
Overview:
Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern 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 all passengers at the official starting point hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.
Day 2 Flight to King George Island – Embarkation
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 will approach King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctic landscapes will be from a unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetland Islands. After landing, stretch your legs and spend time exploring the island before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
Days 3-9 Antarctic Peninsula
On this voyage, you’ll get more time to explore the Antarctic Peninsula than any other Express Expedition—allowing you to make the most of your experience as much as possible. As your captain and Expedition Team keep a lookout for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. The team of expert presenters will deepen your experience with explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region. Even more exciting are your daily land excursions. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a beach 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 Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin. You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs around Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming sound of a calving glacier at Neko Harbour to the thrill of watching a leopard seal as it hunts a penguin, you’ll wake up early and welcome each day with a sense of adventure and a desire to explore that which is unrivaled by any other travel experience. The Expedition Team accompany you along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.
Day 10 Fly from King George Island to Punta Arenas
After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your 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 the group transfer to your hotel, enjoy an evening on your own, in the city or at the hotel.
Day 11 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.
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.