Antarctica

Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Name: Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
Brand: Quark Expeditions
Price: 17035 USD
Availability: InStock

Fly both ways over the 800-km (500-mile) Drake Passage—the fastest route to and from Antarctica—and experience the best of the 7th Continent on our 8-day Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake. Enjoy a comfortable, time-saving three-hour flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, and board your waiting ship upon landing at King George Island. You’ll then spend the next week exploring rugged polar landscapes, encountering unique wildlife, photographing incredible numbers of penguins and seals—and experiencing the unforgettable thrill of standing on the Antarctic Continent for the first time.

Choose your departure

15 departures

Ocean Explorer · 2028

From $20,184

JAN9

Ocean Explorer · 2028

From $20,184

JAN28

Ocean Explorer · 2028

Ocean Explorer · 2028

From $20,516

DEC7

Ocean Explorer · 2028

From $20,516

From$20,184per personSign in to see your member priceTaxes includedFeatured Deals+1AI PickActive promotion on this Quark Expeditions departure to AntarcticAI Pick8-day Quark Expeditions voyage

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Route Map

Gallery

14 photos

Voyage Overview

Highlight

Fly over the Drake Passage and experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica
Spot iconic Antarctic wildlife, such as penguins, seals and whales
Marvel at many of the Antarctic Peninsula highlights
Enjoy presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology & geology by our onboard polar experts
Cruise in a Zodiac to get water-level views of icebergs, wildlife and more

Destinations

Antarctica Antarctic Peninsula South Shetland Islands Patagonia

Please Note

When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. The following sites are a sample of what you may experience on your expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter, or shore landing.

RATES INCLUDE

An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage.
Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting your expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
A group arrival transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast. (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
World Voyager guests will receive a free 1GB data card for limited Wi-Fi access for use on one device, permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Additional data can be purchased on ship.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control.
A briefing dinner on Day 1 in Punta Arenas
A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the hotel to the airport
Flights to and from King George Island
A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation (with breakfast) in Punta Arenas, as well as luggage storage.

International airfare
Passport and applicable visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
Our complimentary alcohol and bar service does not include spirits
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone charges may vary by location
Our complimentary data card does not include Premium packages which enable more data- intensive applications
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities.

Ship

Ocean Explorer

Quark Expeditions

Modern expedition vessel with ULSTEIN X-BOW design for polar exploration

Passengers138

Tonnage8,228 GT

Built2021

Ice Class1A, PC6

Decks9

View Ship Details

Deck Plans

Onboard Facilities

Live Position

Booking & Cancellation Policies

Third Person Policy

When the discount on the boat ticket (excluding flight+hotel packages) is less than 20% (i.e., 0%–19%), a 20% discount applies to the third person.

Single Supplement

Default rate: 0× Suite: 0× Inside: 0× Balcony: 0× Ocean View: 0×

Cancellation Policy

210+ days before departure: 0% penalty 150–209 days before departure: 25% penalty 120–149 days before departure: 75% penalty 0–119 days before departure: 100% penalty Within (and including) 15 days after the date the Booking Confirmation is issued (where the booking is confirmed more than 180 days prior to Day 1 of the Expedition) ，Free cancellation save for any non-refundable items identified to you in these T&Cs or set out in the Booking Confirmation。From (and including) 16 days after the date the Booking Confirmation is issued up to (and including) 120 days prior to Day 1 of the Expedition ，5% of the total booking amount as specified in the Booking Confirmation or (as applicable) the New Booking Confirmation。119 to 90 days prior to Day 1 of the Expedition ，75% of the total booking amount as specified in the Booking Confirmation or (as applicable) the New Booking Confirmation。89 or less prior to Day 1 of the Expedition (including any cancellation after the Expedition has started)，100% of the total booking amount as specified in the Booking Confirmation or (as applicable) the New Booking Confirmation。 Name change fee: $500 USD

Gratuities

The below suggestions are per each guest: Our suggested amount for HOTEL TEAM is $15 $20 per guest per day (or $105-$140) per guest for this7-days expedition) Our suggested amount for EXPEDITION TEAM is entirely up to your own discretion.

Insurance Requirements

Comprehensive travel insurance with minimum USD 200,000 medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. Must be in place before final payment and cover the full voyage dates. Proof required at boarding.

Wi-Fi & Communications

Satellite Wi-Fi available for purchase. Packages from USD 99/voyage.

Your booking is made with Gvoya — the terms shown above are the Gvoya platform terms applied to this voyage. Full details: Booking Terms·Cancellation Policy