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Antarctic Express: Crossing The Circle

An exciting, express Antarctica expedition with direct round-trip flight from Chile crossing the Circle but not the Drake Passage.
Starting at:
Per Person
$ 12,746
Up to 26% savings
Length
11 Days
Embark
Punta Arenas
Disembark
Punta Arenas
Starting at:
Per Person
$ 12,746
Up to 26% savings

Highlights

  • Fly over the Drake Passage and experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica.
  • Marvel at Antarctic Peninsula highlights, including crossing the Antarctic Circle.
  • Witness iconic Antarctic wildlife, such as penguins, seals and whales.

Embark on an extraordinary adventure and achieve a remarkable travel milestone as you cross the Antarctic Circle, a feat few travelers have accomplished. Take your Antarctic experience to new heights by sea kayaking through mesmerizing channels adorned with majestic icebergs. Enhance your expedition by bypassing the ocean transit and soaring over the notorious Drake Passage aboard a charter plane, allowing you to maximize your time exploring the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula and venture even further south to reach the remarkable latitude of 66°33′ south.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an awe-inspiring and impressive achievement, granting you access to the raw and pristine beauty of Antarctica’s southernmost regions. As you reach this renowned latitude, you’ll raise a glass in a toast to the courageous explorers who first ventured to this remote part of the world. Take pride in knowing that you’ve joined the select few who have set foot in this extraordinary realm. Prepare to immerse yourself in the land of the midnight sun, encounter fascinating Weddell seals, and have unparalleled opportunities to witness the captivating sea ice that forms the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.

Ships

Ocean Adventurer

A charmingly intimate yet spacious polar expedition vessel much loved by guests and crew alike.

Standard Activities

Crossing The Circle
Crossing The Circle
presentation
Lectures
blindness
Hiking
water aerobics
Polar Plunge
Zodiac Cruises
Zodiac Cruises

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile

Your adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in southern Patagonia. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and shops to keep you busy for days. By early afternoon, a cruise representative will meet you at the official starting point hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.

Punta Arenas
Embarkation Point
Day 2

Fly to King George Island and Embarkation

Days 3-5

Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

Days 6-7

Antarctic Circle

Days 8-9

Northbound Along the Peninsula

Day 10

Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas

Day 11

Depart Punta Arenas

Route Map

There are 6 main destinations visited
Fly
Cruise

Departure Dates

Showing 3 scheduled departures
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January 25 - Feb 4, 2024
Punta Arenas, Chile
$ 14,665 - $ 30,235
Up to 11% savings
Extra 10% Off When Pay In Full
March 3 - Mar 13, 2024
Punta Arenas, Chile
$ 14,995 - $ 31,495
January 24 - Feb 3, 2025
Punta Arenas, Chile
$ 12,746 - $ 26,171
Up to 26% savings
Save up to 30%
Extra 10% Off When Pay In Full

Deals

Explore 2 deals on select dates

Extra 10% Off When Pay In Full

Guests will receive 10% additional savings on select Antarctic departures between November 2024 and March 2025 if full payment is received at the time of booking. The full payment includes the voyage fare and any outstanding balances on the booking (air, hotels, transfers, Adventure Options, pre/post tours and insur...

Limited time offer

Save up to 30%

We offer a range of last–minute polar expeditions departing in the 2024-25 austral summer season, with special discounts on select itineraries and ships. Explore breathtaking polar landscapes and observe iconic wildlife in their natural habitats.

Limited time offer

Extra Activities

Explore these 2 add on activities
From $ 995 Per Person

Sea Kayaking

View Details
From $ 295 Per Person

Paddling Excursion

View Details

What's Included

  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, 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 (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. (Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
  • Select beer and wine during dinner; and 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 the expedition
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • A parka to keep
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • 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.)
  • 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 in Punta Arenas with breakfast

What's Excluded

  • International airfare
  • Passport and applicable visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
  • Meals unless otherwise specified
  • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
  • 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 and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
  • 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