Ocean Adventurer: Antarctic Express - Fly the Drake

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Early bird! Up to 15% discounts on 2019/20 season. First time travellers will receive up to US$1000 travel credit. Take advantage of reduced deposit payment of only 5%. Call us for more details!

from A$13993

Skip the four days of Drake Passage crossings and optimize your Antarctica experience by flying! A short three-hour flight is all it takes to travel between Punta Arenas, Chile and King George Island. Once in Antarctica, you’ll waste no time being inundated with the sheer beauty and dramatic landscapes of the white continent. Within hours of your departure you’ll be greeted by our team of experts on the ship and be on the lookout for penguins and whales in Antarctica

Overview
Itinerary
Dates
Accommodation
Inclusions

Itinerary Highlights
- Take advantage of this fast and most direct way to Antarctica with a cross over the Drake Passage.
- Enjoy the spectacular highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula
- Experience an intimate close up with penguins and seals!
- Welcome each day with the excitement to experience new sightings and photo opportunities.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Punta Arenas
- Day 2: Embarkation Day
- Days 3-6: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
- Day 7: Disembarkation and Fly to Punt Arenas
- Day 8: Depart for Home
Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile

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 to your starting hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.

Day 2: 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 become 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!

Day 3 - 6: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As we 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 through the human eye.

Your 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 your 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. 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, you’ll welcome each day with the excitement and energy of a young child. Our 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.

Day 7: Disembarkation & Fly to Punta Arenas
After your four days of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to the Expedition Team and disembark at King George Island. Your three-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile brings your journey to an end. After we transfer you from the airport to the hotel, you can enjoy one final dinner (not inlcuded) to reminisce about all the sights and sounds of Antarctica.

Day 8: Depart for Home
After breakfast, you will make your own 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.
Departs - Selected dates (listed below)
Ship Cabins: Ocean Adventurer

Triple cabin
- Cabin size: 12m²
- Two lower berths and one upper berth
- Located on main deck
- Private facilities
- Porthole with exterior views
Lower-deck twin cabin
- Cabin size: 12m²
- Two lower berths
- Located on lower deck
- Private facilities
- Porthole with exterior views
Main-deck twin porthole
- Cabin size: 11m²
- Two lower berths
- Located on main deck
- Private facilities
- Porthole with exterior views
Main-deck twin window
- Cabin size: 13m²
- Two lower berths
- Located on main deck
- Private facilities
- Two windows with exterior views
Superior Cabin
- Cabin size: 12.5m²
- Two lower berths
- Located on upper deck
- Private facilities
- Windows with exterior views
Deluxe Cabin
- Cabin size: 15m²
- Two lower berths
- Located on Captain's deck
- Private facilities
- Windows with exterior views
Suite
- Cabin size: 20m²
- One double bed
- Located on Captain's deck
- Private facilities
- Windows with exterior views
- Cabin 403 has a bathtub other suites have shower stalls
Owner's Suite
- Area size: 22m²
- One double bed
- Located on the Bridge Deck
- Private facilities
- Windows with exterior views
Ship Deck Plan

Ship Specifications
Staff & Crew: 87

Guests: 132

Length: 101m

Breadth: 16.2m

Draft: 4.5m

Propulsion: Rolls Royce Diesel Twin Engines, 6 cylinder, 5400 horsepower

Ice Class: 1A

Cruising speed: 17.5 knots top speed / 12 knots in open water

Registered: Bahamas

Lifeboats: 4 partially enclosed
What's included?
- Return flights from Punta Arenas to King George Island*
- Group transfers in Punta Arenas to/from airport and hotel on Day 1
- One pre- and post-voyage hotel nights in Punta Arenas
- On-board accommodation
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- Presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- All meals during voyage
- Selected alcoholic beverages during dinner
- An expedition parka for you to keep
- Waterproof boots on loan
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of US$500,000 per person
- Any miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
- Gratuities**
What's not included?
- International airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Airport departure transfers
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities (subject to availability)***
- Mandatory waterproof pants for zodiac cruising
- Gratuities*
- Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
*Baggage allowance on charter flights is 33 lbs (15 kg) checked and 11 lbs (5 kg) carry-on.

**Gratuities

Please note gratuities will no longer be included in your voyage price from 1 November 2019.

*Optional activities
- Sea Kayaking - US$995 per person
- Stand-up paddleboarding - US$225 per person