Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle
Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle
Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle
11 Days Starting and ending in Punta Arenas, Chile
Visiting: Punta Arenas, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Circle
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PSP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 128
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle" tour for an unforgettable adventure to the world's most remote continent. Begin your journey in Punta Arenas, Chile, and skip the notorious Drake Passage with a charter flight to King George Island. Set sail on a small expedition vessel, accompanied by expert Expedition Staff, to explore the breathtaking Antarctic Peninsula. Witness incredible wildlife, including seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales, as you make daily Zodiac excursions and landings. Experience the thrill of crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66° 33’ S, a feat achieved by few. Enjoy full board accommodation on the Ocean Adventurer or Ocean Explorer, with all meals, beer, and wine during dinner included. This intimate polar adventure promises flexible itineraries, stunning landscapes, and the chance to create lifelong memories in one of the most pristine environments on Earth.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Punta Arenas; Overnight In Hotel
Location: Punta Arenas
Meals Included: Dinner
Our 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 meet all passengers at the official starting point hotel, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for embarkation day. Please note that you need to arrive at the hotel in Punta Arenas no later than 3pm today.
Day 2 : Charter Flight To King George Island; Board Ship And Embark
Location: King George Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few hours. Far below, the ship is approaching King George Island for our arrival. Our first glimpse of dramatic Antarctica landscapes will be from a very unique perspective, as the plane descends for landing in the South Shetlands. Meet the rest of your shipmates and set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!
Day 3 - 5 : Explore The Antarctic Peninsula And The South Shetland Islands
Location: Antarctic Peninsula
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As the ship approaches the white continent, you may be overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes. Our first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region. Even more exciting are the daily excursions to land. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll 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 and it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between an Adélie, Gentoo or Chinstrap penguin. We may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of night while camping on the ice in Antarctica, each day will be welcomed with the excitement and energy of a young child.
Day 6 - 7 : Crossing The Antarctic Circle
Location: Antarctic Circle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33' S. We will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne! With a toast to the first explorers who ventured this far south, you can take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world still visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home to the midnight sun, Weddell seals and some of the most magical, odd ice formations seen anywhere in Antarctica.
Day 8 - 9 : Travelling Northbound Along The Peninsula
Location: Antarctic Peninsula
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
If you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs by now, you’ll surely be satisfied by the time we return to the Drake Passage. We will continue to journey onto land by Zodiac twice daily as we travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula. The Expedition Team will always be on the lookout for any species of penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded us on the journey south.
Day 10 : Disembark On King George Island; Charter Flight To Punta Arenas And Overnight In Hotel
Location: King George Island
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to the Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. A three-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings our adventure to an end. After we transfer you from the airport to the hotel, you can enjoy a final dinner in the city to reminisce about all the sights and sounds of Antarctica.
Day 11 : End Punta Arenas
Location: Punta Arenas
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in Punta Arenas for your homeward flight.
What's Included
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Meals
6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners. -
All meals while on the ship
All meals are included while you are on the ship.
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Beer and wine during dinner
Beer and wine are provided during dinner.
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All accommodation
All accommodation is included in the tour package.
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All transport and listed activities
All transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.
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Return charter flight to King George Island from Punta Arenas
A return charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island is included.
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Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
A tour leader and qualified expedition staff will accompany you throughout the journey.
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Flights from the UK
Flights from the UK can be included upon request.
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Two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas
Two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas are included.
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Full board accommodation on the ship
Full board accommodation on the ship is provided, generally on a twin share basis.
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Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking
Activities such as Zodiac excursions, trekking, and kayaking are included.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.
Food
All meals while on the ship included. Typical Meals The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale. Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. Lunch: Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ. Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
The Antarctic Express voyage is offered on the Ocean Adventurer and the Ocean Explorer, which are Polar Adventure Ships. Two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas are included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities.
Mode of Transport
Skip the Drake Passage and fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island, then embark on a small expedition vessel to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. The tour includes a return charter flight to King George Island from Punta Arenas, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Antarctic Express tour?
The tour includes two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas and full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities.
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on this Antarctic expedition?
You can expect to see incredible wildlife including seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales during the expedition.
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What activities are included in the Antarctic Express tour?
The tour includes frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking, and many hours on deck. There are also daily excursions to land for wildlife sightings and photo opportunities.
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How is the Antarctic Circle crossing celebrated during the tour?
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is celebrated with a well-earned glass of champagne and a toast to the first explorers who ventured this far south.
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What is the mode of transport to Antarctica from Punta Arenas?
The tour includes a return charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, allowing you to skip the Drake Passage.
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Are meals included during the Antarctic Express tour?
Yes, all meals while on the ship are included, along with beer and wine during dinner.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Cancellation Policy
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