Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North (9D) Plus Flights 2026/27 Season
Highlights
- Skip days at sea with a scenic flight to King George Island, landing right in the heart of Antarctica’s icy wilderness.
- Walk among bustling penguin rookeries, Zodiac cruise past icebergs, and spot whales, seals, and seabirds up close.
- Conclude with a classic Drake Passage crossing, retracing explorer routes while searching for albatross and whales.
This 9-day Antarctic adventure offers the best of both worlds: a swift flight over the notorious Drake Passage straight into the South Shetland Islands, and a majestic return voyage by sea. Flying south saves you days of sailing, giving you more time to immerse yourself in the White Continent’s stark beauty and thriving wildlife.
Once on the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll embark on daily Zodiac cruises and shore landings, where each step brings you closer to the raw drama of the polar world. Stand surrounded by bustling colonies of Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins, listen to the thunder of calving glaciers, and keep watch for humpbacks, minkes, orcas, and leopard seals in the icy waters. With expert naturalists guiding your journey, every encounter becomes a deeper exploration of Antarctica’s history, geology, and ecosystems.
Sailing northward across the Drake Passage, you’ll retrace the paths of legendary explorers, spotting albatross and whales along the way. Even as your voyage nears its close, the spirit of adventure lingers, leaving you with both the satisfaction of having braved a true polar rite of passage and the awe of knowing you’ve set foot where few have ventured.
This expedition is perfect for travelers seeking a shorter yet action-packed Antarctic experience, those eager to maximize time on the continent, and anyone drawn to the thrill of combining flight and sea in one unforgettable journey.
Standard Activities
About the Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North (9D) Plus Flights 2026/27 Season
This 9-day Antarctic adventure offers the best of both worlds: a swift flight over the notorious Drake Passage straight into the South Shetland Islands, and a majestic return voyage by sea. Flying south saves you days of sailing, giving you more time to immerse yourself in the White Continent’s stark beauty and thriving wildlife.
Once on the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll embark on daily Zodiac cruises and shore landings, where each step brings you closer to the raw drama of the polar world. Stand surrounded by bustling colonies of Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins, listen to the thunder of calving glaciers, and keep watch for humpbacks, minkes, orcas, and leopard seals in the icy waters. With expert naturalists guiding your journey, every encounter becomes a deeper exploration of Antarctica’s history, geology, and ecosystems.
Sailing northward across the Drake Passage, you’ll retrace the paths of legendary explorers, spotting albatross and whales along the way. Even as your voyage nears its close, the spirit of adventure lingers, leaving you with both the satisfaction of having braved a true polar rite of passage and the awe of knowing you’ve set foot where few have ventured.
This expedition is perfect for travelers seeking a shorter yet action-packed Antarctic experience, those eager to maximize time on the continent, and anyone drawn to the thrill of combining flight and sea in one unforgettable journey.
Itinerary Day to Day
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 Quark Expeditions 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.
Flight to King George and Embark
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
Crossing the Drake Passage to Ushuaia
Disembark and flight to Buenos Aires
Route Map
Save up to 10%-30% in selected departures.
Save up to 10%-30% in selected departures.
Terms & Conditions
- — The discounted percentage indicates the offer in effect at the time this deal was last updated, and may not reflect the current discounts available.
- — Each passenger's full name is required at time of booking in order to initiate a hold, or to process a confirmed booking.
- — Offer applies to voyage only, not applicable to transfer packages, adventure options, additional hotel accommodations, pre/post tours, insurance, flights, or group bookings.
- — If combined with a dollar value discount, this offer will be applied afterwards.
- — Only a hold booking or a confirmed booking can guarantee the offer.
- — Name changes are not allowed.
- — No cash value.
- — We keep the right to limit, change or discontinue the promo savings discount offer at any time without notice.
Explore the ocean from a more intimate vantage point on a sit-on-top kayak. No experience is required to manoeuvre these very stable kayaks, allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the water, taking in breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or you want greater flexibility to try other Adventure options, this shorter excursion is for you.
Paddling in the Polar Regions is highly weather-dependent and a one-time experience. Your kayak guides will attempt to take you out on the water for 1-1.5 hours of paddling. Offered on most voyages, spaces are limited. All equipment, guides and instructions are provided by Quark.
Pricing subject to change based on season. Please proceed to checkout or contact a Polar Travel Adviser for more details.
*These can be booked in advance at an extra cost. Activities vary by itinerary, destination and are weather permitting.
Sea kayaking is offered on all of our departures and you require no previous experience to enjoy this activity. Our sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to get some good exercise and explore the cliffs and shores of the various visitor sites around the archipelago.
Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions-at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Program enables a small group of like-minded individuals to forge bonds as they explore fjords, glacial faces or mazes of sea ice.
Conditions and logistics permitting, your kayak guide(s) will endeavor to have you paddling as often as possible throughout the voyage. Typically, sea kayakers are shuttled by Zodiac from the ship to an ideal starting point, where the kayak excursion begins. Guests return to the ship by Zodiac at the end of their paddling experience. Some kayak excursions are designed so guests can go ashore and explore.
Stand-up Paddleboarding, popularly known as SUPing, originated in Hawaii. Quark Expeditions is the first company to bring this watersport all the way to Antarctica.
SUPing combines the immersive experience of kayaking but in a standing position. Participants, if they prefer, can kneel, sit or even lie down and stare up at the azure Antarctic sky. Because of their wide base and tail fins, SUP boards are quite stable, enabling participants – after a bit of practice – to stop staring at their feet and admire the surrounding scenery. Imagine seeing Gentoo penguins gliding below you, or making eye contact with a Weddell seal lying on a piece of ice as you paddle by.
Guests receive on-ship and on-water instruction from a qualified SUP guide. In addition, a safety driver (in a Zodiac) stays within range to offer assistance.
Duration: 1 to 1½ hours.
Guide to client ratio: 1 SUP guide and 1 Zodiac safety driver for 10 participants
Is SUP Experience Necessary?
Previous experience isn't necessary but comfortability with water is an asset. SUP'ing adventures are offered in protected bays and channels during calm weather conditions.
Provided Gear
– Board
-Paddle
-Drysuit
-Neoprene Booties
-Waterproof gloves
-PFD – Personal Flotation Device
Other recommended gear/clothing
-Base and mid-layers (drysuits keep you dry, but not warm)
-Thin fleece or wool liner glove to wear under rubber gloves (optional)
-Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen and lip balm (minimum SPF 30)
-Brimmed hat as well as a warm hat
-Sunglasses
-Camera (either waterproof or in a waterproof case or drybag)
What's Included
-
Specialist Expedition Leaders: Our team is comprised of the most professional and passionate Expedition Leaders in the world, who bring a wide range of experience and expertise to every adventure.
-
Immersive Off-ship Activities: Itineraries are packed with adventure options designed to immerses travelers in the polar wilderness, enabling them to connect with the natural wonders of their surroundings.
-
On-Ship Experiences & Facilities: Designed for comfort and adventure, each ship accommodates no more than 200 guests. Facilities include comfortable cabins, exceptional dining options, wellness treatments, and breathtaking panoramic views of the polar landscape.
-
Food and Beverages: Premium dining, with a wide selection of options that accommodate a variety of dietary preferences.
-
Complementary Wi-Fi, alcohol on all voyages, and the Official parka to take home
-
Transfers: Select voyages include essential transportation and accommodation arrangements for guests, ensuring seamless travel to and from the expedition starting point.
What's Excluded
-
International airfare & visa expenses, travel insurance, mandatory expedition gear, on-ship expenses, adventure options and trip extensions are not included.
-
World Explorer and World Voyager guests will receive a free 1GB data card for limited Wi-Fi access. (Additional data can be purchased on the ship.)
Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering The 7th Continent
In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition
South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica - Basecamp
Antarctic Circle Expedition (18D)
Antarctic Express: Fly The Drake
Spirit of Antarctica
Highlights of Antarctica
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle