Antarctica Express Cruise: Punta Arenas

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 bring everyone together at your starting hotel, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.

Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the infamous Drake Passage in only a few hours. Way below, the ship is approaching King George Island for your arrival. The dramatic Antarctic landscapes soon becomes visible 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 Peninsula!

There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As you approach 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 in person.

Your first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, you will be alerted to any new sightings. The expert team of 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 will 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. You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a chinstrap rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night while camping in Antarctica. The 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.

After your four days of exploration, you will say goodbye to the Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your three-hour flight across Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile brings your journey to an end. After your transfer from the airport to the hotel, you can enjoy one final dinner to reminisce about all the sights and sounds of Antarctica.

After breakfast, you will make your own way to the Punta Arenas Airport for your homeward flights.