About two hours flying to the Antarctic gateway in suitable weather
MG Signature Expeditions · IAATO
Antarctica Fly & Cruise
Fly from Chile to King George Island and spend the expedition days in Antarctica, reducing the ship time required for the Drake Passage.
Duration10 days / 9 nights
SeasonDecember 2026 – March 2027
Reference priceFrom US$17,995 per person
Expedition partner standardIAATO · member partner
MG Tourism · Expedition design
What makes it valuable
The fly-cruise format saves sea-crossing time but depends heavily on Antarctic aviation weather. MG Tourism builds mandatory buffer time into the plan and protects onward flights rather than creating an unrealistic same-day connection.
More expedition time around the peninsula
A planned weather-buffer day
Route
Follow the physical journey from the gateway city to the expedition zone and back.
- 01Punta Arenas
- 02King George Island
- 03South Shetland Islands
- 04Antarctic Peninsula
- 05Punta Arenas
Open every day
10 days / 9 nights — understood day by day.
Each day opens into a complete morning-to-evening briefing. In polar travel the order may change for weather, ice, wildlife and safety.
Day 01Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas
Private arrival and a protected first night before the mandatory expedition meetings.
Open the complete day →Day 02Punta ArenasBriefing, equipment & flight check
Meet the operator, complete medical and biosecurity formalities, receive flight instructions and prepare the expedition luggage allowance.
Open the complete day →Day 03Punta Arenas · King George IslandFly across the Drake
Weather permitting, fly to King George Island, walk to the shore and transfer by Zodiac to the expedition vessel.
Open the complete day →Day 04South Shetland IslandsSouth Shetlands introduction
Begin with volcanic islands, penguin sites or a sheltered Zodiac cruise chosen for the day's conditions.
Open the complete day →Day 05Gerlache StraitGerlache Strait & glacier country
Navigate glacier-lined channels with morning and afternoon activity windows whenever conditions remain safe.
Open the complete day →Day 06Antarctic PeninsulaPeninsula landing & wildlife
A regulated landing brings penguin colonies, seals and expedition science into one carefully guided experience.
Open the complete day →Day 07Antarctic PeninsulaFinal peninsula exploration
The captain and expedition leader use the best remaining weather window for a final shore, bay or Zodiac route.
Open the complete day →Day 08King George Island · Punta ArenasReturn flight to Chile
Disembark by Zodiac, walk to the airstrip and return to Punta Arenas when aviation weather permits.
Open the complete day →Day 09Punta ArenasWeather buffer & Patagonia option
A deliberate buffer protects onward flights; if no delay is used, choose a private local or Patagonia experience.
Open the complete day →Day 10Punta ArenasDepart Punta Arenas
Private airport transfer or a tailored Chilean extension closes the fly-and-cruise journey.
Open the complete day →
Reference price
From US$17,995 per person
Reference starting fare for selected classic air-cruise departures; occupancy, aircraft, ship and cabin category determine the confirmed price.
Important: schedules and fares are planning references, not a binding offer. The confirmed operator contract, medical rules, insurance limits, cancellation terms and final itinerary govern the booking.Request this expeditionDeparture windowsDec 2026 · selected datesCurrent request basis Jan–Mar 2027 · selected datesCurrent request basis
Cabins
Cabins
Cabin names vary by vessel. Your proposal identifies the actual ship, deck, bed layout, view, size, occupancy and cancellation terms.
Ocean-view cabin
A practical twin cabin with a window or porthole; deck and exact configuration depend on the confirmed vessel.
Balcony cabin
Private outdoor access for landscape viewing, subject to the ship and sailing selected.
Expedition suite
More living space and, on selected ships, priority amenities; the written offer names the exact suite and benefits.
Included in the planning basis
- Punta Arenas gateway nights in the confirmed package
- Charter flight between Chile and Antarctica when operating
- Expedition ship, meals and included activities as confirmed
Normally not included
- International flights to Punta Arenas
- Insurance and operator-required medical costs
- Optional premium activities
Legal, medical & travel requirements
- Entry and transit eligibility for Chile
- Strict charter-flight luggage limits
- Flexible international ticket after the required buffer
- Medical, insurance, biosecurity and IAATO documents
IAATOExpedition partner standard
Responsible expedition operation, stated accurately.
MG Tourism arranges this journey with a third-party expedition operator that is an IAATO or AECO member, as applicable. Operator identity and current membership are confirmed in the written proposal; MG Tourism does not claim to be the vessel operator or an association member.
Wildlife, landings, ice routes and exact timings are never guaranteed.
Before you request
Before you request
Why is the price shown as a reference?
Polar inventory changes by ship, cabin, occupancy, charter sector, taxes and included activities. MG Tourism verifies a live written price before any payment.
Is there an Antarctica or Arctic visa?
Requirements are determined by nationality, passport, transit points and gateway countries. MG Tourism checks the route, but the traveller remains responsible for valid travel documents and official decisions.
What can change
The captain and expedition leader may replace, reverse or cancel a landing, flight or activity when weather, ice, wildlife, permissions or safety require it. This is an essential feature of responsible expedition travel.