Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage

Experience the wild grandeur of the White Continent in a more efficient, expedient way with our eight, nine and ten-day options. On this new itinerary, bypass the traditional Drake Passage crossing on a two-hour flight to and from Antarctica, and discover all of the highlights without sacrificing the extra time. Travel with a diverse team of experts aboard our intimately scaled National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion, purpose-built for polar exploration. Venture into channels and coves framed by towering peaks. Watch for whales off the bow; Zodiac cruise around enormous icebergs; and hike, kayak and (on National Geographic Explorer in November) even possibly cross-country ski or snow-shoe in complete tranquility. Choose an active agenda or surrender to the pleasures of relaxing downtime and shipboard camaraderie. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic photographer. 

NOTE: This is an expedition in the truest sense—flexibility is key. Delays and early departures of flights due to inclement weather are common in Antarctica. In the event of a flight adjustment, your expedition team may implement a contingency plan with alternative activities. For answers to questions you may have about our Fly the Drake Passage programs, please see our FAQ page.