Antarctica

South Georgia and Antarctica Autumn Micro Fly Cruise

16 Days aboard MV Polar Athena. From AUD $37,492pp.
Small Ship Expeditions
Details

Overview

Experience the unparalleled opportunity to explore both South Georgia and Antarctica in a single expedition and witness the polar wilderness transition into autumn.

In South Georgia, moulting elephant seals roar across crowded beaches, fur seal pups tumble through the colonies, and wandering albatrosses glide effortlessly above landscapes glowing with the rich hues of autumn.

Farther south, Antarctica shimmers in ice and brilliance—fjords turn to glass, glaciers gleam like crystal, and the ocean teems with life. Penguin chicks take their first tentative steps into the icy waters, leopard seals patrol nearby beaches, and whales feed at their seasonal peak in krill-rich seas beneath soft, golden autumn light.

Two worlds, one expedition: South Georgia’s wild spectacle and Antarctica’s autumn radiance.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Exclusive Antarctica Fly-Cruise via Puerto Natales—fly from Puerto Natales, Chile, the gateway to Torres del Paine, where jagged peaks and vast glaciers form Patagonia’s dramatic landscapes— the perfect prelude to your trip.
  • Explore South Georgia in autumn’s golden glow—witness penguin chicks taking their first leaps toward independence, elephant seals lounging on beaches as breeding season winds down, and wandering albatrosses soaring beneath soft, mellow light.
  • Experience Antarctica’s autumn transformation—observe gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins preparing to leave the colonies, seals hauling out in preparation for winter, and the landscape shifting with the first signs of freeze.

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile
  • Day 2 and 3: Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, Antarctica
  • Day 4 to 6: Antarctic Peninsula
  • Day 7 and 8: Sail across the Scotia Sea
  • Day 9 to 13: South Georgia
  • Day 14 and 15: Sail across the Southern Ocean
  • Day 16: Arrival at Port Stanley, the Falkland Islands

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.

Ship Information

For more information on the MV Polar Athena please view the ship page.

View MV Polar Athena

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile

Begin your Antarctic journey in the remote Puerto Natales, and experience Patagonia’s soul from the first moment. Our team will meet you at the airport upon your arrival and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2 and 3: Fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island, Antarctica

After meeting our 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.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 4 to 6: Antarctic Peninsula

If conditions allow, we may first sail by Elephant Island — the refuge where Shackleton’s men endured months of isolation — or the South Orkney Islands.

Then, the Antarctic Peninsula awaits. As you navigate through waterways like the Gerlache Strait, Neumayer, and Lemaire Channels, Antarctica will begin to astound with its array of blue ice. Land on beaches where gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguin colonies stretch out in vast numbers.

Zodiac cruise past magnificent icebergs of deep blue and keep watch for humpback whales bubble-netting in krill-rich waters. With flexible navigation and a small-ship advantage, we’ll venture into less-visited areas such as the Antarctic Sound or the Weddell Sea if conditions permit.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 7 and 8: Sail across the Scotia Sea

We head north across the Scotia Sea, retracing the path of Shackleton’s famed voyage. Onboard, enjoy a rich program of expert talks on polar history, wildlife, and science, or hone your skills in photography workshops. Out on deck, scan the horizon for seabirds, seals, and your first glimpse of South Georgia’s peaks.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 9 to 13: South Georgia

As we approach South Georgia, we may first pass the remote Shag Rocks, alive with seabirds.

Depending on conditions, there’s a chance for an evening Zodiac excursion — your first thrilling taste of the subantarctic.

Over four full days, we plan to explore South Georgia from north to south, aiming to visit iconic wildlife havens such as St Andrews Bay, Salisbury Plain, Gold Harbour, and Cooper Bay. Walk among vast king penguin colonies, watch elephant seals lounging on golden beaches, and visit Grytviken, the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

We’ll aim to embark on a Zodiac excursion alongside the towering glaciers of Drygalski Fjord, and witness large numbers of albatrosses heading out to fish from their nests on Prion Island.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 14 and 15: Sail across the Southern Ocean

Between spotting wandering albatrosses gliding effortlessly above the swells and dolphins dancing in the wake, you’ll enjoy a dynamic, curated program of lectures, workshops, and personal accounts from our expedition team. Hands-on photography sessions will help you sharpen your skills for polar environments, while time on deck offers endless opportunities to connect with the wilderness.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 16: Arrival at Port Stanley, the Falkland Islands

Our voyage concludes in Port Stanley, where you’ll disembark. Before your onward journey, take time to stroll the colourful streets, visit local shops, or enjoy a final taste of island life before transferring to the airport.

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.

Breakfast included.

Next Departure Date: 10 Mar 2028
DatesCabinFromAdditional
10 Mar 2028 - 25 Mar 2028 AUD$37492ppExpand to view prices
Classic TwinAUD$37492ppContact us
Signature TwinAUD$39055ppContact us
Classic SuiteAUD$46867ppContact us
Signature SingleAUD$46867ppContact us
Signature SuiteAUD$49992ppContact us

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

Classic Twin

The Classic Twin cabin offers a cosy, Scandinavian-inspired space featuring two lower twin beds and charming porthole windows.

Recently refurbished, it includes a wardrobe and an en-suite shower and toilet, providing a stylish yet homely retreat. The perfect place to unwind after exploring the remote corners of the planet.

Classic Twin
Classic Twin
Signature Twin

The Signature Twin cabin combines comfort and charm with its Scandinavian-inspired design.

This welcoming space offers two lower twin beds, and natural light gently brightens the room through thoughtfully placed windows. Enjoy the convenience of an ensuite shower and toilet, ample wardrobe space, and a dedicated desk area. A homely setting on your polar journey.

Signature Twin
Signature Twin
Classic Suite

The Classic Suite is a roomy and stylish Scandinavian-inspired sanctuary. This light and airy cabin features large windows, a plush double bed, a cosy lounge with a corner desk and a comfortable sofa, perfect for curling up on with a good book.

With an ensuite shower and toilet, and thoughtful touches throughout, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy peaceful moments after a day exploring the polar wilderness.

Classic Suite
Classic Suite
Signature Suite

The Signature Suite is Polar Athena’s most luxurious accommodation, fully refurbished with an elegant Scandinavian design. This spacious retreat features a plush double bed, a relaxing lounge area with a sofa, and a stylish corner desk—perfect for journaling your travel adventures.

Large windows fill the room with natural light, offering scenic polar views and a tranquil sanctuary after your days of exploration.

Signature Suite
Signature Suite
Signature Single

The Single Signature cabin is where Scandinavian design meets practical comfort, offering either two lower beds or bunk beds.

Each cabin features windows that fill the space with natural light, a wardrobe for storage, and a private ensuite bathroom with an ensuite shower and toilet. Perfectly suited for solo travellers, these cabins provide a peaceful retreat to relax and recharge.

Signature Single
Signature Single

MV Polar Athena Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • Guests: 42
  • Length (M): 71
  • Knots: 11
  • Crew: 20
  • Zodiacs: 5
  • Guides to Guests: 1/8

What's included?

  • Private charter fights between Puerto Natales (PNT) and King George Island (TNM)
  • Lectures and tutorials on board
  • Zodiac excursions (MK V heavy-duty inflatable boats) for shore landings and unforgettable photography opportunities
  • Free use of ship’s Wi-Fi powered by Starlink
  • Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) all-day soft drinks, alcoholic beverages served with dinner
  • Rubber Muck boots for shore landings
  • All transfers included—from the airport to your hotel on arrival, between your hotel and the ship for embarkation and disembarkation, and from your hotel to the airport on departure day
  • Transfers to Weskar Patagonia Lodge in Torres del Paine if doing extension package

What's not?

  • International flights – we recommend booking early. For excellent service and support, consider using our partner Exito Travel
  • Travel and cancellation insurance – we strongly recommend securing coverage to protect your expedition. For guidance, see our Travel Insurance Checklist
  • Additional expenses – any extra costs such as museum entry or optional activities

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: Antarctica

On any cruise to Antarctica you can expect to experience a wide variety of landscapes, unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities and a healthy mix of historic landing sites. Be astounded by the sensory overload of the huge amount of ice-bergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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South Georgia and Antarctica Autumn Micro Fly Cruise

16 Days aboard MV Polar Athena. From AUD $37,492pp.