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Antarctica Cruises with the Drake Passage by Air

Sample cruises, departure dates on request

Country

Antarctique Croisières et Yachting

Suggested duration

7 nights / 8 days

The spirit of the journey

The Drake Passage is the stretch of ocean that navigators and explorers dread most. If you fear seasickness or simply want to save time, fly to the Antarctic Peninsula instead.

After flying over Cape Horn and the legendary Drake Passage, we invite you to experience something unique. It will take you to one of the most remote places on Earth. And if you have more time, we offer an exploration beyond the Polar Circle.

Experience something truly memorable through your shore visits and Zodiac outings. Encounter wildlife in its natural habitat. Explore historic sites, observe, listen.

Cruise labelled “francophone” Learn more

Why book your cruise with Étendues Sauvages? Answers in 5 points

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Sample Antarctica cruises including the Drake Passage crossing by air.

Antarctica and South Shetland Islands Cruise – 8 days
Departing from Punta Arenas, fly over Cape Horn and the Drake Passage. Arrive on King George Island, where you board your expedition ship for a journey along the Antarctic Peninsula. You will sail between the South Shetland Islands, Paulet Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island and other remarkable sites, before flying back to Punta Arenas on day seven, where you will spend a night before continuing your journey.

Unless you have more time to extend your exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula beyond the Polar Circle.

Antarctica and South Shetland Islands Cruise, beyond the Polar Circle – 11 days
You cross the Polar Circle on the western side of the continent, reaching as far as Adelaide Island.

Both expedition cruises include daily Zodiac outings. King, gentoo and chinstrap penguins will hold no more secrets for you. Kayaking and paddleboarding are systematically offered as options, unless you opt for the polar plunge instead.

Croisière en Antarctique et île Shetland du Sud, Kapitan Khlebnikov et Manchots empereurs © Quark - John Weller

Kapitan Khlebnikov et Manchots empereurs © Quark - John Weller

Croisière en Antarctique et île Shetland du Sud

Your flight out of Punta Arenas to Antarctica crosses the formidable Drake Passage in just a few hours. Far below, the ship closes in on King George Island for your arrival. The striking landscapes of Antarctica come into view as you descend toward the South Shetland Islands.
After landing, stretch your legs and take time to explore the island before transferring by Zodiac to your ship. Course set for the Antarctic Peninsula!

Few places on earth are as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the white continent, a sense of excitement and awe takes hold. Antarctica defies description — it can only be grasped by seeing it with your own eyes.
Your first sightings will come from the ship itself. The captain and expedition team keep a constant watch for whales and seabirds and will alert you the moment something appears. Our team of experts will also provide in-depth explanations on the region’s geology, history and wildlife.
Your daily landings on the continent will be even more exciting. Your first Zodiac landing is an event you won’t forget. Walking up to a beach scattered with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to encounter Antarctic wildlife.
Each landing differs and depends on the weather, but every day brings new sightings and opportunities for striking photographs. You might take a Zodiac out in search of whales and icebergs around Pléneau Island one day, then set off the next on a hike to a chinstrap penguin colony.
From the thunderous calving of a glacier on Petermann Island to the complete silence of a night spent camping in Antarctica, each day is met with the enthusiasm and energy of a child. Our expedition team will assist you throughout the journey, sharing insights on the places you visit and photography tips to help you make the most of your expedition.


Antarctique Express jusqu'au Cercle Polaire, Croisière en Antarctique © Quark - Lynn Woodworth

Croisière en Antarctique © Quark - Lynn Woodworth

Antarctique Express jusqu'au Cercle Polaire

The adventure begins in Puntarenas. You board a BAE 146-200, specially adapted for flying in Antarctica. After landing on King George Island, you transfer onto Zodiacs to reach your ship, which then weighs anchor. The striking landscapes of Antarctica come into view as you head south toward the South Shetland Islands.
Few places on Earth are as evocative as Antarctica. It is indescribable, and can only truly be appreciated when seen with your own eyes.

Your first sightings will be made from the ship itself. The captain and expedition team keep a constant watch for whales and seabirds, and will alert you the moment something appears. Our team of experts will also provide in-depth explanations of the region's geology, history and wildlife.

Your daily landings on the continent will be even more exhilarating. Your first Zodiac landing is something you'll never forget. Walking onto a beach scattered with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to encounter Antarctic wildlife.

Each landing is different and depends on the weather, but every day brings new sightings and opportunities for striking photographs. You might take a Zodiac out in search of whales and icebergs around Pléneau Island one day, then set off the next on a hike to a chinstrap penguin colony.
Then comes the crossing of 66° 33' South latitude – the Antarctic Circle – a legendary line where every emotion of the journey comes into focus, a name that resonates as one of the great landmarks of adventure. A toast is raised to the early explorers who ventured into this part of the world. Beyond it, Adelaide Island – or Belgrano – is almost entirely covered in ice, home to the British research station Rothera.

A memorable moment in the life of any traveller.

World Explorer, World Explorer, Quark Expeditions © Quark - Images virtuelles

World Explorer, Quark Expeditions © Quark - Images virtuelles

World Explorer

Petit nouveau de la flotte, le World Explorer est la quintessence des navires polaires et le premier navire avec certification glace équipé uniquement de suites avec balcon. À son bord, vous pourrez découvrir toutes les merveilles des régions polaires et profiter d'un service digne des plus prestigieux hôtels. Rapide et confortable, le World Explorer est parfait pour ceux qui aiment les aventures douces et le confort moderne avec 6 niveaux d'hébergement de luxe. Le bateau est équipé de bateaux pneumatiques adaptés aux expéditions polaires.

Les images présentées ici sont virtuelles.

Highlights of this journey

  • BENEFIT FROM ÉTENDUES SAUVAGES' CRUISE ADVANTAGES
  • DRAKE PASSAGE CROSSING BY AIR
  • SHIPS CARRYING 68 OR 120 PASSENGERS
  • AN EXPERIENCED TEAM

Consult us to design your tailor-made journey en Antarctique, en Croisières et Yachting