Crossing the Drake Passage is one of the most talked-about subjects for anyone contemplating a journey to the Antarctic Peninsula. This stretch of water separates the South American continent from Antarctica, and boasts a reputation that inspires excitement in some but in others brings nervous anticipation. In many ways the adventurous crossing is part of the adventure and heightens the sense of remoteness surrounding your destination, however, it is not the only way to reach the Peninsula.
Discover the World are delighted to introduce a new and uniqye ‘Peninsula Fly-in’ tour, which involves an overnight stay in Punta Arenas (southern Chile) before boarding a British Aerospace BAe 146 aircraft for the approx. 90 mins flight direct to King George Island (the largest in the South Shetlands archipelago), where passengers join the 46-passenger Grigoriy Mikheev (already an established firm favourite amongst our featured fleet of former research vessels). Passengers will then set off on a 6-day expedition cruise around the Antarctic Peninsula. This is a great choice for those with limited time or who doubt their sea-legs.
The flight from Chile to the South Shetland Islands takes approx. 1 ½ hours aboard a BAe146-200 aircraft. At King George Island you’ll board the ship to begin the 6-day exploration of the South Shetland Islands and the Peninsula.
Route of Voyage
Please note the voyage route and daily itinerary is subject to ice and weather conditions therefore flexibility is the key to enjoying your expedition voyage to the full. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
This itinerary starts and finishes in Punta Arenas, Southern Chile, however following the flight south the voyage itself starts in the South Shetland Islands. As such, opportunities for extending your stay in Chile or South America in general are extensive. Due to the considerable variety of choice of airlines and stopovers en route to Punta Arenas, flights are not included and are offered and quoted on a tailor-made basis. The gateway city into South America for this itinerary is usually Santiago de Chile, with an onward connecting flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. We are able to offer competitive rates with a variety of airlines for flights from the UK; please contact us for the best price at the time of booking and to discuss your further itinerary within South America. Thank you.
The Aircraft
The BAe 146 was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). It is a high-wing aircraft with very short runaway requirements, particularly suited for this kind of destination. The aircraft has a capacity of 50 passengers, including crew, and is operated by Aerovias DAP, which has more than 20 years of experience of flying in Patagonia and Antarctica. The aircraft is also known as a “Whisperjet” for its quiet operation – preferable for a more comfortable flight!
Further Information
Please select links from the left-hand panel for further information about the tour itinerary, prices and departure dates. Alternatively please contact our expert team who will be delighted to hear from you.
Phone: 01737 218800
Email: antarctica@discovertheworld.co.uk