Polar Circle Fly-In Cruise
An exploration of the magnificent landscape and wildlife of Antarctica
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
Itinerary highlights
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Spend some time time getting to know Santiago at the beginning and end of your trip
- Fly to King George Island where you will board your luxury vessel
- Take part in exploratory Zodiac excursions to otherwise inaccessible areas
- Enjoy an engaging programme of illustrated presentations by expert guides
What's included
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Luxury fly-in Antarctica cruise
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Luxury accommodation in Santiago and Punta Arenas
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Meet and greet airport service
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Full support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip
At a glance
Explore the magnificent landscape and wildlife of Antarctica with a fly-in cruise that lets you skip the Drake Passage and fly straight to King George Island. We’ve also included two nights in Santiago and a night before and after your cruise in Punta Arenas, making this a comprehensive trip from start to finish.
Your first two nights will be spent in Chile’s capital where you can relax and spend some time exploring. Enjoy the buzz of city life and the many restaurants and bars – we can also arrange privately guided tours if you’d like to get under Santiago’s skin. You will then fly down to Punta Arenas in the far south, where you will spend a night before boarding another flight to King George Island.
The next eight days are spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll head out on Zodiacs with expert guides to discover this incredible world, learning all about this very special ecosystem. The aim of this cruise is to sail south to the Polar Circle, looking out for whales, penguins and sea birds as you sail through this mesmerising landscape.
Once you’re back at King George Island, it’s time to board your flight back to Punta Arenas.
Example trip itinerary
Santiago
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Santiago
Accommodation in Santiago
Santiago
Highlights
- 42 comfortable rooms some with park views
- Restaurant featuring simple yet striking dishes
- A tranquil spa with unique treatments
Overview
Hotel Magnolia offers you an oasis where the art of hospitality and comfort are celebrated. The 42 rooms are inspired by history and each highlights remarkable details, like the stained glass windows of the heritage building. The decor is elegant, with a focus on being a home away from home.
Santiago
Overview
Mandarin Oriental Santiago enjoys a reputation for style, service and outstanding facilities. You’ll find it in the exclusive neighbourhood of Las Condes making it the perfect place to call home while you’re in this part of South America. There are 310 spacious and calm rooms to choose from, with incredible views of the Andes Mountains, city or garden.
The hotel’s collection of restaurants and bar offer a unique fusion of flavours from around the globe. Enjoy the art of Nikkei cuisine at Matsuri. Taste outstanding wines coupled with unforgettable Italian dishes at Senso, or unwind in the Atrium Lobby Lounge.
When you’re not out discovering everything the city has to offer, while away the hours beside the pool, or enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment.
→ Find out more
Santiago
Highlights
- 62 rooms
- Restaurant & Sky Bar
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Spa, Jacuzzi, sauna & steam room
Overview
The Singular Santiago is a luxury hotel in the Lastarria neighbourhood of Santiago.
A sister hotel to The Singular Patagonia, The Singular Santiago is located in one of the artiest areas of the Chilean capital, Lastarria: the Museum of Fine Art, the Museum of Visual Arts, and the Gabriel Mistral Center are all within walking distance of the hotel.
It’s not just the location that’s appealing: the rooftop pool provides a scenic setting in which to both cool down after a day exploring Santiago and take in the view; the spa offers post- or pre-long-haul flight massages; and the Singular Restaurant serves French dishes alongside local specialties, such as Guanaco and Penca, to keep the flavour decidedly Latin. The ninth-floor Sky Bar is the perfect place to polish off a day in Lastarria.
There are 62 rooms: the Patio Rooms and the Classic Rooms overlook the Plaza Mulato Gil, and the Deluxe Balcony Rooms have views across the Parque Forestal. All rooms at The Singular benefit from stylish decor and all the mod-cons you could wish for, including wireless internet, LCD TVs, large and comfortable beds, and well-equipped, spacious marble bathrooms.
→ Find out more
Two nights in Santiago
Enjoy a couple of days in bustling Santiago, Chile's capital city. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes, Santiago is considered to have an understated charm. Sleek glassy skyscrapers share space with perfectly landscaped gardens, fascinating museums and stylish art galleries. There's also an emerging culinary scene boasting fine dining establishments and a celebrated seafood market. You'll have our list of recommended tours, restaurants and attractions to make sure you make the most of your time here.
Transfer
Private transfer to Santiago airport
Flight
Flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas
Accommodation in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas
Overview
A good, comfortable and well-maintained hotel in which to stop over whilst in Punta Arenas. There are 111 rooms, some with views of the city’s main plaza, others with views out across the Magellan Straits. The hotel is fairly centrally located and has a pleasant bar and restaurant area.
→ Find out more
Overnight in Punta Arenas
On arrival into Punta Arenas, you will be welcomed by Antaractica XXI staff and attend a briefing that provides important information about your cruise. Spend the night in one of the southernmost cities in the world - it has a population of around 130,000.
Antarctica
Antarctica21 Polar Circle Air Cruise: Day One
A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the plane and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel.
Expedition ship in Antarctica
Fly in Cruises to the Antarctic
Overview
The Magellan Explorer is an expedition vessel custom built for Antarctic cruises. For Antartica21’s air-cruises, the Magellan Explorer has capacity for 73 passengers, but for maximum comfort only 38 cabins are occupied. There are seven categories of accommodation, all with individually controlled heating systems, a sitting area, and a private bathroom with shower, and all categories except Porthole cabins have private balconies. Elegant modern interiors are the work of a renowned interior design studio based in Santiago.
The ship features a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, a spacious and stylish dining room, a well-stocked bar, a library, a meeting room, a gym, a sauna, and a medical clinic. The forward-facing observation deck leads to the bow of the ship, a great place from which to spot marine wildlife. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching in small guided groups.
→ Find out moreFly in Cruises to the Antarctic
Overview
Antarctica21’s Ocean Nova is a unique set-up allowing you to make the very most of your precious time and maximise exploration at Antarctica itself. Flights depart from Punta Arenas in the South of Chile (the program includes a night in Punta Arenas before the flight where you will have a welcome meal and presentation before your adventure the next day.
Arriving into the Southern Continent you board the Ocean Nova, a modern passenger vessel (rather than a converted scientific vessel as many other cruises). All 38 cabins are outdoor, with private facilities.
A relatively small vessel, the Ocean Nova is able to reach areas other larger cruises cannot, it also allows more exploration as the smaller number of guests means that no time has to be spent waiting for groups to ‘take their turn’ in the visit. Guiding is excellent and there is high guide to guest ratio. As well as zodiac boat trips ashore, you can opt add kayaking or snowshoeing packages to your adventure.
→ Find out more
Antarctica21 Polar Circle Air Cruise: Days Two to Seven
Sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Visit the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, disembarking by Zodiac each day. In small groups, hike to extraordinary sites and take part in exploratory Zodiac excursions to otherwise inaccessible areas. Expert polar guides share their passion for Antarctica through an engaging program of illustrated presentations, and lead you ashore to interpret the wildlife, the history and the many wonders of the Antarctic environment. From the glass-enclosed lounge, enjoy spectacular views while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests over a drink.
The goal of the expedition is to sail far south in the attempt of reaching the Polar Circle. The Expedition Team sets the specific voyage route based on local conditions, and takes advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature. Flexibility will be the key to a successful voyage. Your expedition may include visits to sites such as Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, the Lemaire Channel, Prospect Point or other magnificent places.
Antarctica21 Polar Circle Air Cruise: Day Eight
Back at King George Island, bid farewell to Antarctica as you board a flight to Punta Arenas.
Punta Arenas
Accommodation in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas
Overview
A good, comfortable and well-maintained hotel in which to stop over whilst in Punta Arenas. There are 111 rooms, some with views of the city’s main plaza, others with views out across the Magellan Straits. The hotel is fairly centrally located and has a pleasant bar and restaurant area.
→ Find out more
Overnight in Punta Arenas
Spend a night in Punta Arenas before flying back to Santiago.
Santiago
Accommodation in Santiago
Santiago
Highlights
- 42 comfortable rooms some with park views
- Restaurant featuring simple yet striking dishes
- A tranquil spa with unique treatments
Overview
Hotel Magnolia offers you an oasis where the art of hospitality and comfort are celebrated. The 42 rooms are inspired by history and each highlights remarkable details, like the stained glass windows of the heritage building. The decor is elegant, with a focus on being a home away from home.
Santiago
Overview
Mandarin Oriental Santiago enjoys a reputation for style, service and outstanding facilities. You’ll find it in the exclusive neighbourhood of Las Condes making it the perfect place to call home while you’re in this part of South America. There are 310 spacious and calm rooms to choose from, with incredible views of the Andes Mountains, city or garden.
The hotel’s collection of restaurants and bar offer a unique fusion of flavours from around the globe. Enjoy the art of Nikkei cuisine at Matsuri. Taste outstanding wines coupled with unforgettable Italian dishes at Senso, or unwind in the Atrium Lobby Lounge.
When you’re not out discovering everything the city has to offer, while away the hours beside the pool, or enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment.
→ Find out more
Santiago
Highlights
- 62 rooms
- Restaurant & Sky Bar
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Spa, Jacuzzi, sauna & steam room
Overview
The Singular Santiago is a luxury hotel in the Lastarria neighbourhood of Santiago.
A sister hotel to The Singular Patagonia, The Singular Santiago is located in one of the artiest areas of the Chilean capital, Lastarria: the Museum of Fine Art, the Museum of Visual Arts, and the Gabriel Mistral Center are all within walking distance of the hotel.
It’s not just the location that’s appealing: the rooftop pool provides a scenic setting in which to both cool down after a day exploring Santiago and take in the view; the spa offers post- or pre-long-haul flight massages; and the Singular Restaurant serves French dishes alongside local specialties, such as Guanaco and Penca, to keep the flavour decidedly Latin. The ninth-floor Sky Bar is the perfect place to polish off a day in Lastarria.
There are 62 rooms: the Patio Rooms and the Classic Rooms overlook the Plaza Mulato Gil, and the Deluxe Balcony Rooms have views across the Parque Forestal. All rooms at The Singular benefit from stylish decor and all the mod-cons you could wish for, including wireless internet, LCD TVs, large and comfortable beds, and well-equipped, spacious marble bathrooms.
→ Find out more
Overnight in Santiago
Enjoy a night in Santiago, you'll have our list of recommended restaurants and attractions to make sure you make the most of your time here.
Transfer
Transfer to airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
Other trips you may be interested in
Get in touch
Polar Circle Fly-In Cruise
How we work
Explore the magnificent landscape and wildlife of Antarctica with a fly-in cruise that lets you skip the Drake Passage and fly straight to King George Island. We’ve also included two nights in Santiago and a night before and after your cruise in Punta Arenas, making this a comprehensive trip from start to finish. Your first two nights will be spent in Chile’s capital where you can relax and spend some time exploring. Enjoy the buzz of city life and the many restaurants and bars – we can also arrange privately guided tours if you’d like to get under Santiago’s skin. You will then fly down to Punta Arenas in the far south, where you will spend a night before boarding another flight to King George Island. The next eight days are spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll head out on Zodiacs with expert guides to discover this incredible world, learning all about this very special ecosystem. The aim of this cruise is to sail south to the Polar Circle, looking out for whales, penguins and sea birds as you sail through this mesmerising landscape. Once you’re back at King George Island, it’s time to board your flight back to Punta Arenas. | Whats included?
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Days 1-3 |
Santiago |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel in Santiago |
|
|
Accommodation in Santiago
•
Hotel Magnolia - $$$$$
•
Mandarin Oriental Santiago - $$$$$
Mandarin Oriental Santiago enjoys a reputation for style, service and outstanding facilities....
•
The Singular Santiago - $$$$$
The Singular Santiago is a luxury hotel in the Lastarria neighbourhood of Santiago.
A...
|
|
| Two nights in Santiago Enjoy a couple of days in bustling Santiago, Chile's capital city. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes, Santiago is considered to have an understated charm. Sleek glassy skyscrapers share space with perfectly landscaped gardens, fascinating museums and stylish art galleries. There's also an emerging culinary scene boasting fine dining establishments and a celebrated seafood market. You'll have our list of recommended tours, restaurants and attractions to make sure you make the most of your time here. |
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|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Santiago airport |
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| Flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas | |
| Private transfer to your hotel in Punta Arenas | |
Days 3-4 |
Punta Arenas |
|
Accommodation in Punta Arenas
•
Hotel Cabo de Hornos - $$$$$
A good, comfortable and well-maintained hotel in which to stop over whilst in Punta Arenas....
|
|
| Overnight in Punta Arenas On arrival into Punta Arenas, you will be welcomed by Antaractica XXI staff and attend a briefing that provides important information about your cruise. Spend the night in one of the southernmost cities in the world - it has a population of around 130,000. |
|
Days 4-11 |
Antarctica |
| Antarctica21 Polar Circle Air Cruise: Day One A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the plane and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel. |
|
|
Expedition ship in Antarctica
•
Antarctica21: Magellan Explorer - $$$$$
The Magellan Explorer is an expedition vessel custom built for
•
Antarctica21: Ocean Nova - $$$$$
Antarctica21’s Ocean Nova is a unique set-up allowing you to make the very most of your...
|
|
| Antarctica21 Polar Circle Air Cruise: Day One A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the plane and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel. |
|
| Antarctica21 Polar Circle Air Cruise: Day One A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the plane and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel. |
|
Days 11-12 |
Punta Arenas |
|
Accommodation in Punta Arenas
•
Hotel Cabo de Hornos - $$$$$
A good, comfortable and well-maintained hotel in which to stop over whilst in Punta Arenas....
|
|
| Overnight in Punta Arenas Spend a night in Punta Arenas before flying back to Santiago. |
|
Days 12-13 |
Santiago |
|
Accommodation in Santiago
•
Hotel Magnolia - $$$$$
•
Mandarin Oriental Santiago - $$$$$
Mandarin Oriental Santiago enjoys a reputation for style, service and outstanding facilities....
•
The Singular Santiago - $$$$$
The Singular Santiago is a luxury hotel in the Lastarria neighbourhood of Santiago.
A...
|
|
| Overnight in Santiago Enjoy a night in Santiago, you'll have our list of recommended restaurants and attractions to make sure you make the most of your time here. |
|
|
Flights & transfers
Transfer to airport |
