Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise

Enjoy an 8 day / 7 night air-cruise to Antarctica.

Set sail aboard one of our boutique vessels and save up to $2,000 per person on select Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise departures, our most popular expedition.

2025-26 Season Brochure Revealed

As specialists in small-ship Antarctic expeditions, we provide you with boutique on board accommodations and intimate adventure experiences for an unmatched exploration of the last continent.

Itinerary at a Glance

The Classic Antarctica air-cruise is our most popular Antarctica expedition itinerary. Once arriving by flight to Antarctica, you will sail between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy seeing ice-filled fjords and spectacular icebergs, while spotting penguins, seals, and whales that call the White Continent home. The Classic Antarctica air-cruise is available on all our expedition ships.

  • Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM, where you are welcomed by Antarctica21 staff and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you are welcomed at Explorers House to attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.
  • Day 2: Scheduled Flight to Antarctica George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the airplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. You then walk 2-km (1.25-miles), passing Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel.
  • Days 3 - 6: Exploring Antarctica Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.

    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, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache Strait, and the Penola Strait.

  • Day 7: Scheduled Return Flight from Antarctica Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding 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 8: End of 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

Inside Magellan Explorer

Discover our boutique experience on board Magellan Explorer, our state-of-the-art polar vessel custom-built for air-cruises in Antarctica.

Video preview

Photo Album: Classic Antarctica

Travelers snowshoeing in Antarctica, on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise, photography by Nicolas Gildemeister

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

Kayaking in Antarctica

Elect to spend your time kayaking on in the austral waters of Antarctica during your expedition.

A colony of penguins. Photography by Mathew Farrell on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

In the company of our expert polar guides, visit colonies of penguins while hiking on the 7th continent.

Direct Flight to Antarctica

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

Food experience on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban.

Enjoy a wide range of dining options during your Antarctica expedition experience.

Choose Your Ship

The Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise is available on all three of our expedition ships. Review which ship is best for your trip.

Ocean Nova

Sturdy and nimble, this ship was built to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland and is ideally suited for Antarctic expeditions.

For complete Air-Cruise pricing details review our brochure.

From %min_price% USD pp based on DBL Cabin

Save $1,500 per person on a select number of Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise departures during our 2024-25 season. Book now to secure an exclusive expedition credit!

Discover our newest collection of fly and sail expeditions to Antarctica

Your ideal base for small-ship exploration in Antarctica

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

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

Explore the Last Continent on board Magellan Explorer, our small ship custom-built for Antarctic air-cruises.

For the 2025-26 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 Classic Antarctica 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 by night 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

‘’Expedition leader and staff more than exceeded my expectations – so qualified, intelligent, passionate and patient. By the end of our few days, they felt like old friends. I’ll really miss them and the environment they created for me and my family. The other staff on the boat, turning down our rooms, feeding and serving us. Made me feel like royalty or a celebrity or both. I couldn’t have asked for more.’’

Lucy M. – Traveler from USA

Classic Antarctica Expedition, December 2021

Testimonial

‘’Hoping to return again in 2023-2025 Truly mesmerizing, absolute joy – life-changing experience.’’

Ryan B – Traveler from USA

Classic Antarctica Expedition, December 2021

Testimonial

’Extraordinary experience. The Staff was exceptionally friendly and service oriented. The trip exceeded expectations and would highly recommend it.’’

Samuel S. – Traveler from USA

Classic Antarctica Expedition, February 2022

Testimonial

‘’Hoping to return again in 2023-2025 Truly mesmerizing, absolute joy – life-changing experience.’’

Ryan B – Traveler from USA

Classic Antarctica Expedition, December 2021

Ready to Start Planning?

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

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