Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise

Discover these two distant and beautiful destinations, a true adventure experience. Be a guest in this wild corner of the Earth.

The Antarctic Flights Guide

A comprehensive guide to flights to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile. If you are doing research for your Antarctic trip, you can’t miss this guide!

Itinerary at a Glance

Join us for a remarkable experience that takes you through the western Antarctic Peninsula, through Elephant Island to South Georgia. The South Georgia and Antarctica air-cruise allows you to sail through the nutrient-rich waters and, each day, disembark with our expert polar guides having time to either hike, snowshoe, or kayak in bays nearby. As we make our way to South Georgia, you will follow in the footsteps of famous Antarctic explorers, like Ernest Shackleton, and learn about their daring southerly adventures. After reaching South Georgia, visit some of the largest colonies of penguins in the world, including the king penguin, and see the nesting grounds of thousands of albatrosses.

  • Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise Our staff welcomes you in Ushuaia, Argentina, at the pier. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards South Georgia.
  • Day 2 - 4: Sailing to South Georgia As we sail toward South Georgia, our historians and our naturalists offer a series of presentations. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge, while keeping an eye out for the region’s birdlife.
  • Day 5 - 8: Exploring South Georgia The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. Depending on conditions, possible stops can include St. Andrew’s Bay where you could be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins and Cooper Island to see the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses and a large colony of macaroni penguins. If the weather is favorable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.
  • Day 9 - 10: Sailing to the Antarctic Peninsula As the ship heads to Antarctica, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history.
  • Day 11: Elephant Island Sailing south, we hope to stop at Elephant Island. It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on to South Georgia. While stormy conditions rarely allow a shore landing, you will see the island from the ship.
  • Day 12 - 15: Exploring Antarctica Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs. Each day disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides.

    No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature. You will explore several sites in the Gerlache Strait that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.

  • Day 16: Antarctica and scheduled return flight Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay. A 2-km (1.25-miles) walk takes you through Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to the aircraft. Bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).
  • Day 17: End of the Air-Cruise After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.

Air-Cruise Inclusions

Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.

Group transfers from the airport and hotel on day one for guests arriving in Punta Arenas and from the hotel to the airport on the last day of the air-cruise itinerary.

Two nights stay with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on day one and on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica.

Welcome dinner on day one at the hotel in Punta Arenas.

Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.

Ship cruise and flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island, Antarctica, and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each air-cruise itinerary.

Daily buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship.

Loan of waterproof boots for landings in Antarctica, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.

All guided shore excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.

Decoration A21

Fly Over the Drake Passage

Save 48+ hours of sailing time by flying over the Drake Passage. Reach Antarctica in 2 hours by flight, make the most of your precious vacation time, and quickly immerse yourself in the beauty of the Seventh Continent.

Get a glimpse into our Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise expedition in this video!

Video preview

Photo Album: Antarctica & South Georgia

Hiking & Snowshoeing in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez.

Each day you can disembark your expedition vessel by zodiac and explore the landscapes together with our expert polar guides.

Kayaking in Antarctica. Photography by Mathew Farrell on an Antarctic Air-Cruise on board Hedridean Sky.

You can join our kayaking program to visit the beautiful bays and parts of the coast where our ship cannot go.

Whale tail. Photography by Mathew Farrell on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

As you sail the austral waters of the southern oceans on your way to South Georgia you may see migrating whales.

Our aircraft to fly direct to Antarctica, on King George island. Photography by Mathew Farrell on an Antarctic Air-Cruise on board Hedridean Sky.

Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the White Continent and start your expedition directly in Antarctica.

View of the Antarctic landscape and kayaks, from Magellan Explorer's restaurant. Photography by Ana Maria Lopez.

Enjoy a wide range of delicious dining options with views that will delight you as you dine.

Icebergs in South Georgia. Photography by Rodrigo Moraga on an Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise.

Enjoy amazing views like these Icebergs in South Georgia.

Northern giant petrel found in South Georgia. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev.

South Georgia is home to some of the most interesting wildlife in the world, like the Northern giant petrel.

Choose Your Ship

The Antarctica and South Georgia Air-Cruise is available on Magellan Explorer our new and most modern polar vessel.

Magellan Explorer

Featuring a modern design and innovative technologies, this expedition vessel was custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises.

For complete Air-Cruise pricing details review our brochure.

From %min_price% USD pp based on DBL Cabin

Penthouse Suite Cabin on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban.

Receive a free cabin upgrade on our March 1, 2024 Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise departure on board Magellan Explorer.

Magellan Explorer in Antarctica. Photography by Sandra Walser for Antarctica21.

Magellan Explorer was custom-built for Antarctic air-cruises.

Bridge on board Magellan Explorer, photography by Tom Arban.

Our new collection of boutique expeditions to Antarctica, Sub-Antarctica, and Patagonia & Chilean Fjords.

Magellan Explorer polar vessel

For the 2024-25 season, we’re offering 36 new air-cruises on our small boutique ships!

Veranda Cabin on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban.

Enjoy views of the unforgettable landscapes from your bed.

Optional Trip Extras

For your air-cruise, you can choose a few additional add-ons to enhance your expedition experience with us. Review our Trip Packages, Extra Services & Promotions page for more information. On the Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise, you can add the following optional packages and activities to add to your booking:

  • Sea Kayaking
  • Hiking & Snowshoeing
  • Hotel and Transfer Package
Kayaking in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

Sea Kayaking Program: See Antarctica from the unique vantage point of a sea kayak.
Reserve at booking, price on Ocean Nova is $895 USD & Magellan Explorer is $995 USD, prices are per person for the entire trip program.

Hiking & Snowshoeing in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez.

Hiking and Snowshoeing Program: Gain greater mobility and see more of the Antarctic landscape while hiking and snowshoeing.
Book onboard, price: $85 USD per person per excursion.

Antarctica21 flight landing in Antarctica.

Arrive to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile in just under 2 hours.

Cabo de Hornos hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile. Photography by Tom Arban.

Hotel and Transfer Package: This package is available pre-expedition and post-expedition and includes group airport transfers, 1-night hotel accommodation, breakfast, and a drink voucher.
For pricing, please inquire at the time of reservation.

Testimonial

‘’South Georgia is a paradise of nature, wildlife in its purest form. Thousands of king penguins, the largest colony in the world is there, and huge elephant seals and their babies come out to meet you at every landing. It is an uninhabited island with beautiful and breathtaking landscapes of beaches, mountains and glaciers. The island where the great explorer Ernest Shackleton turned a failure into a feat of survival, a true privilege to visit. Thanks A21!! A travel experience of excellence from the moment you land in Punta Arenas until you take your flight back home!’’

Soledad – Traveler from Chile

Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition, February 2022

Testimonial

‘’The Magellan Explorer ship is very special. Extremely well appointed, with excellent living facilities, dining and communal areas. The general equipment for landings and kayaking was superb. Food quality and hospitality staff were incredible and never disappointed. The ship is incredibly stable, even in a heavy motion sea. The expeditionary team were superb. The experience and variety of their knowledge was impressive and the quality, humour and general interest of the presentations were excellent and very enjoyable.’’

Rob B. – TripAdvisor

Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition, February 2022

Testimonial

‘’This was an exceptional travel experience throughout and so much better than we had expected. The expedition staff was the most passionate of any cruise I have been on and lectures of their personal experiences in the Antarctic were one of the highlights of our time on the ship.’’

Hilary S. – Traveler from USA

Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition, February 2022

Ready to Start Planning?

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