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!

Antarctica & South Georgia

Duration

17 Days / 16 Nights

Departure city

Ushuaia, Argentina

Itinerary Type: Air-Cruise

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    Flight
  • Icon of Return Sailing
    Return Sailing

Optional extras

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    Kayaking Program
  • Icon of Hiking Program
    Hiking Program
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    Preferred Seating

Ship options

For complete Air-Cruise pricing details review our brochure.

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.
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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!

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Photo Album: Antarctica & South Georgia

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

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

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

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

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

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Enjoy amazing views like these Icebergs in South Georgia.

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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

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

Image of New 2024-25 Sea Voyages

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

Image of New release: 2024-25 Air-Cruise Collection

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

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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
  • Preferred Seating
  • Hotel and Transfer Package
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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.

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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.

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Preferred Seating: For an extra level of comfort, travelers can purchase Preferred Seats on their Antarctic flight.
Book upon reservation, price between $245 and $495 USD per person.

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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?

Antarctica is like no other place on Earth. Complete this short form to receive a customized quote from our team and start planning your Antarctic air-cruise today!

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