Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle

Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle

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11 Days From

$19106

$18581

Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle

11 Days Starting and ending in Punta Arenas

Visiting: Punta Arenas, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Drake Passage

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

PSP

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 132

Physical rating:

Leisurely

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From:
$19106
$18581 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$525
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Tour Overview

A short, comfortable flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in Antarctica has you with boots on the ground in no time, overtaken by the sheer magnitude of the 7th Continent. Fully immersed in the Antarctic environment, you’ll experience a roller coaster of emotions, from excitement to exquisite solitude to incredible gratitude for the wonder of it all. You may go in search of whales and find yourself bearing witness to a glacier calving. Or you may plan to climb one more peak for a better vantage point and find yourself in a rookery of curious penguins. Antarctica will leave you in awe, but it won’t leave you unchanged.

Highlights

  • Skip the Drake Passage and fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island

  • Explore the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula

  • Accompanied by extremely qualified Expedition Staff

  • Incredible wildlife including seabirds, penguins, seals and whales

  • Travel on a small expedition vessel

  • Cross the Antarctic Circle at 66° 33’ S

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Punta Arenas; Overnight In Hotel.

Location: Punta Arenas

Meals Included: Dinner

Our adventure begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in

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 all passengers at the official starting point hotel,

where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for

embarkation day. Please note that you need to arrive at the hotel in Punta

Arenas no later than 3pm today. 



Day 2 : Charter Flight To King George Island; Board Ship And Embark.

Location: King George Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the

legendary Drake Passage in only a few hours. Far below, the ship is

approaching King George Island for our arrival. Our first glimpse of dramatic

Antarctica landscapes will be from a very unique perspective, as the plane

descends for landing in the South Shetlands. Meet the rest of your shipmates

and set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!



Day 3 - 5 : Explore The Antarctic Peninsula And The South Shetland Islands.

Location: South Shetland Islands

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As the ship

approaches the white continent, you may be overcome by feelings of excitement

and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully

appreciated through your own eyes.

Our first sightings will be from the ship itself. As the Captain and

Expedition Team keep their eyes out for whales and seabirds, you’ll be

alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide

in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region.

Even more exciting are the daily excursions to land. Your first Zodiac

landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a beach that is

dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the

unique wildlife of Antarctica.

Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents

new sightings and photo opportunities and it won’t be long before you can

tell the difference between an Adélie, Gentoo or Chinstrap penguin. We may

take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island one

day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming

shot of a calving glacier at Petermann Island to the complete silence of

night while camping on the ice in Antarctica, each day will be welcomed with

the excitement and energy of a young child.



Day 6 - 7 : Crossing The Antarctic Circle.

Location: Antarctica

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most

expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33' S. We will celebrate in

style with a well-earned glass of champagne! With a toast to the first

explorers who ventured this far south, you can take pride in knowing you’ve

made it to a part of the world still visited by very few people. This is raw

Antarctica, home to the midnight sun, Weddell seals and some of the most

magical, odd ice formations seen anywhere in Antarctica.



Day 8 - 9 : Travelling Northbound Along The Peninsula.

Location: Drake Passage

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs by now,

you’ll surely be satisfied by the time we return to the Drake Passage. We

will continue to journey onto land by Zodiac twice daily as we travel north

along the western Antarctic Peninsula. The Expedition Team will always be on

the lookout for any species of penguins, seals and whales that may have

eluded us on the journey south.



Day 10 : Disembark On King George Island; Charter Flight To Punta Arenas And Overnight In Hotel.

Location: King George Island, Punta Arenas

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to the Expedition Team and

disembark at King George Island. A three-hour flight across the Drake Passage

to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings our adventure to an end. After we transfer you

from the airport to the hotel, you can enjoy a final dinner in the city to

reminisce about all the sights and sounds of Antarctica.



Day 11 : End Punta Arenas.

Location: Punta Arenas

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in Punta Arenas for

your homeward flight.



What's Included

  • Meals
    6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners.


* All meals while on the ship
* Beer and wine during dinner
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Return charter flight to King George Island from Punta Arenas
* Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
* We can include flights from the UK.  Please contact us for a quote.

What's Not Included

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

Food


All meals while on the ship included.

*Typical Meals*

The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with
excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes,
accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.

*Breakfast:* Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit
juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of
bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.

*Lunch:* Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ.

*Dinner:* Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice
of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and
coffee.

Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do
inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local
team can be well prepared.

Accommodation

The Antarctic Express voyage is offered on the Ocean Adventurer and the Ocean Explorer which are Polar Adventure Ships. Two nights in a standard hotel in Punta Arenas included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities. Please visit the Polar Fleet page for Ship Information and Deck Plans.



Polar Adventure Ships



These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are excellent and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet.  Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    18+ age people can go on this tour.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no mandatory vaccination requirements.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    132

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Dates & Availability

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Friday - Monday

Jan 24, 2025 - Feb 03, 2025
$21145 $20564 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$581 (USD)

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Friday - Monday

Jan 09, 2026 - Jan 19, 2026
$22571 $21950 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$621 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Tuesday

Feb 28, 2026 - Mar 10, 2026
$19106 $18581 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$525 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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