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Experience the wild grandeur of the White Continent in a more efficient, 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 the intimately scaled National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion, purpose-built for polar exploration. Venture into channels and coves framed by towering peaks. Watch for whales off the bow; Zodiac cruise around enormous icebergs; and hike, kayak and (on National Geographic Explorer in November) even possibly cross-country ski or snow-shoe in complete tranquility. Choose an active agenda or surrender to the pleasures of relaxing downtime and shipboard camaraderie.
Departs Nov - Dec 2026, Jan -Feb & Nov - Dec 2027.
Options for a 9 or 10 day cruise available. Enquire within your nearest Phil Hoffmann Travel store, click here for more information.
*Any children booked on Antarctic or Arctic voyages must be at least 4 years old at time of embarkation.
Inclusions
All onboard meals, drinks & enrichment
Activities & excursions
Guidance of Expedition staff
Tips & gratuities
Access to wellness spaces
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
Marvel at the abundance of wildlife—a parade of gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; stealthy leopard seals; several species of whales from humpbacks to orcas; and more
Hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise in complete tranquility, surrounded by a pristine kingdom of snow and ice
November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting (excluding departures on National Geographic Orion)
Kids and teens will learn about this exhilarating part of the world with our exclusive family program, National Geographic Explorers-in-Training
Itinerary
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 your hotel, where you'll enjoy dinner and attend a briefing on the following day’s activities.
Arrival Time: Arrive to the hotel in Puerto Natales by 3:00 p.m. local time. Arrival City: Puerto Natales, Chile
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 | Puerto Natales / King George Island, Antarctica / Embark Ship
Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your two-hour direct flight to King George Island in Antarctica, where you'll begin your Antarctic adventure. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife, King George Island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the U.S., Chile, Argentina and Brazil, call the various stations home. Your flight will land on a gravel runway at the Chilean research station. You will then be transferred to the rocky shoreline, where you will board Zodiacs to embark on the ship and set sail as you begin exploring this amazing region.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-6 | Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, you'll have ample opportunities to explore. The schedule is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of the unexpected, whether you’re watching whales at play off the bow of the 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, you 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, you might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice.
Everywhere you go in Antarctica, you'll be 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, your flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where you overnight at your hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 | Puerto Natales
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward.
Departure Time: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible). Departure City: Puerto Natales, Chile
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dates/Prices
Solo Pricing
Window
From
$24,899pp
Twin Share Pricing
Porthole
Window
Veranda
From
$18,509pp
$19,140pp
$25,660pp
Enquire within your nearest Phil Hoffmann Travel store, click here for more information.
*Advertised price is based on per person twin share on 26 Nov 2027 departure. Correct as of 13 March 2026.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
