Experience the wild grandeur of the White Continent in a more efficient, expedient way. On this new itinerary, bypass the traditional Drake Passage crossing on a two-hour flight to and from Antarctica and discover all of the highlights without sacrificing the extra time. Travel with a diverse team of experts aboard National Geographic Explorer, the definitive expedition ship. Venture into channels and coves framed by towering peaks. Watch for whales off the bow; Zodiac cruise around enormous icebergs; and hike, kayak, and (in November) even possibly cross-country ski in complete tranquility. Choose an active agenda or surrender to the pleasures of relaxing downtime and shipboard camaraderie. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic Photography Expert.
Antarctica
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake Passage
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Get a head start on your Antarctica experience by flying across the Drake Passage from Puerto Natales to King George Island, landing at the Chilean research station which permanently operates there
- Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica, with more than 55 years of expedition heritage
- Hike amid magnificent mountains; see huge glaciers; and observe a parade of gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap penguins
- Kayak in protected waters, paddling in the Antarctic stillness as penguins swim nearby
- November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting
- With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this exhilarating part of the world—from its massive glaciers to humpback whales
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Puerto Natales, Chile
- Day 2: Puerto Natales / King George Island / Embark Ship
- Day 3-6: Exploring Antarctica
- Day 7: King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales
- Day 8: Puerto Natales
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: Puerto Natales, Chile
Arrive in Puerto Natales. Originally a small fishing port, the town is nestled on the Last Hope Sound and boasts a stunning view of the sea surrounded by the Cerro Benitez Mountains—the gateway to Torres del Paine. Transfer from the airport to our hotel. Join us this evening for dinner and a briefing on the following day’s activities.
Arrival Time: Arrive to the hotel in Puerto Natales by 3:00 p.m. local time.
Day 2: Puerto Natales / King George Island / Embark Ship
Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our 2-hour direct flight to King George Island in Antarctica, where you begin your Antarctic adventure. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife—Weddell and elephant seals, Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins—King George Island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the US, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, call the various stations home. Our flight will land at the Chilean research station where the National Geographic Explorer will be waiting offshore. Board Zodiacs to embark the ship and set sail as we begin exploring this amazing region.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3-6: Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunities to explore. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected, whether we’re watching whales at play off the bow of our ship, hiking alongside penguin highways, or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid porpoising penguins.
While wildlife is magnificent, ice defines the Antarctic. You’ll get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze. One day, we might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, we might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice.
Everywhere we go in Antarctica we’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way your expert expedition team will enrich every experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales
This morning, the ship will be moored off of King George Island once again. Following disembarkation and Zodiac rides to shore, our flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where we overnight at our hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Puerto Natales
Check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward.
Departure Time: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 3:45 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible).
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 2025 - 29 Jan 2025 | AUD$16627pp | ||
| Category 1 Cabin | AUD$16627pp | Contact us | |
| Category 2 Cabin | AUD$18328pp | Contact us | |
| Category 3 Cabin | AUD$18806pp | Contact us | |
| Category 4 Cabin | AUD$20006pp | Contact us | |
| Category Solo A | AUD$23511pp | Contact us | |
| Category 5 Cabin | AUD$24293pp | Contact us | |
| Category Solo B | AUD$26778pp | Contact us | |
| Category 6 Suite | AUD$27780pp | Contact us | |
| Category 7 Suite | AUD$30397pp | Contact us | |
| 27 Jan 2025 - 03 Feb 2025 | AUD$16210pp | ||
| 10 Feb 2025 - 17 Feb 2025 | AUD$16491pp | ||
| 15 Feb 2025 - 22 Feb 2025 | AUD$16348pp | ||
| 14 Nov 2025 - 21 Nov 2025 | AUD$17642pp | ||
| 19 Nov 2025 - 26 Nov 2025 | AUD$17107pp | ||
| 03 Dec 2025 - 10 Dec 2025 | AUD$18060pp | ||
| 08 Dec 2025 - 15 Dec 2025 | AUD$17783pp | ||
| 22 Dec 2025 - 29 Dec 2025 | AUD$20790pp | ||
| 27 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026 | AUD$20790pp | ||
| 10 Jan 2026 - 17 Jan 2026 | AUD$19117pp | ||
| 15 Jan 2026 - 22 Jan 2026 | AUD$18820pp | ||
| 29 Jan 2026 - 05 Feb 2026 | AUD$18820pp | ||
| 03 Feb 2026 - 10 Feb 2026 | AUD$18820pp | ||
| 17 Feb 2026 - 24 Feb 2026 | AUD$18820pp | ||
| 22 Feb 2026 - 01 Mar 2026 | AUD$18092pp |
Flights from Puerto Natales to King George Island return are mandatory and not included in the cabin price.
The 2024/2025 season charter flight is AU$1,430 per guest each way. The 2025/2026 season charter flight is AU$2,145 per guest each way.
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Category 1 Cabin
17.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, 1-2 portholes, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 2 Cabin
16m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 3 Cabin
19.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 4 Cabin
15.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category Solo A
12m², single bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category Solo B
12m², single bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 5 Cabin
16.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 6 Suite
33m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, writing desk, reading lamp, large private bathroom, shower, 2 wash basins, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, TV, A/C, luggage storage.
Category 7 Suite
36m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, sofa bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, seating area, writing desk, reading lamp, large private bathroom, shower, 2 wash basins, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, TV, A/C, luggage storage.
National Geographic Explorer Deckplan
Specifications
- Crew: 86
- Officers: International
- Guests: 148
- Tonnage: 6471
- Length: 367 Feet / 112 Metres
- Width: 54 Feet
- Speed: 15 Knots
- Passenger Decks: 6
- Built: 1982
- Registry: Bahamas
Whats included?
- One pre-voyage and 1 post-voyage hotel night in Puerto Natales
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- Group transfers
- All meals during your voyage
- Selected alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
- Use of kayaks
- Port fees and service taxes
- Gratuities
What’s not included?
- International airfares
- Flights from Puerto Natales to King George Island return are mandatory and not included in the cabin price*
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Any item not listed as included
Notes
*The 2024/2025 season charter flight is $1,430 per guest each way. The 2025/2026 season charter flight is $2,145 per guest each way.
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
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