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Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage 10-Day

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10 days from

£14721 GBP pp

* Current p/p indicative rate.

Overview
Highlights
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Map
Ships

Highlights

  • Get a head start on your Antarctica experience by flying across the Drake Passage from Puerto Natales to King George Island, landing at the Chilean research station which permanently operates there
  • Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica, with more than 55 years of expedition heritage
  • Marvel at the abundance of wildlife—a parade of gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; stealthy leopard seals; several species of whales from humpbacks to orcas; and more
  • Hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise in complete tranquility, surrounded by a pristine kingdom of snow and ice
  • November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting (excluding departures on National Geographic Orion)
  • Kids and teens will learn about this exhilarating part of the world with our exclusive family program, National Geographic Explorers-in-Training

Highlights

  • Get a head start on your Antarctica experience by flying across the Drake Passage from Puerto Natales to King George Island, landing at the Chilean research station which permanently operates there
  • Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica, with more than 55 years of expedition heritage
  • Marvel at the abundance of wildlife—a parade of gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; stealthy leopard seals; several species of whales from humpbacks to orcas; and more
  • Hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise in complete tranquility, surrounded by a pristine kingdom of snow and ice
  • November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting (excluding departures on National Geographic Orion)
  • Kids and teens will learn about this exhilarating part of the world with our exclusive family program, National Geographic Explorers-in-Training
Ship National Geographic Orion
Capacity: 102, Type: Luxury Expedition
Feture image for Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage 10-Day

Drawing from 55+ years of sharing the icy wilds of Antarctica with adventurous guests, this voyage is an action-packed exploration of the continent with the pioneers of Antarctic cruising. Save travel time by flying directly from South America to the Antarctic peninsula, where we embark the National Geographic Orion, purpose-built for polar waters. Navigate rugged and remote shores, and set out to kayak among electric blue icebergs, hike beneath icy summits, and encounter charismatic wildlife—from boisterous penguins to stealthy leopard seals and multiple species of whale. Every departure is accompanied by an expert team of naturalists and a National Geographic Photography Expert, dedicated to helping you make the most of your experience at the ends of the Earth.

  • Get a head start on your Antarctica experience by flying across the Drake Passage from Puerto Natales to King George Island, landing at the Chilean research station which permanently operates there
  • Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica, with more than 55 years of expedition heritage
  • Marvel at the abundance of wildlife—a parade of gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; stealthy leopard seals; several species of whales from humpbacks to orcas; and more
  • Hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise in complete tranquility, surrounded by a pristine kingdom of snow and ice
  • November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting (excluding departures on National Geographic Orion)
  • Kids and teens will learn about this exhilarating part of the world with our exclusive family program, National Geographic Explorers-in-Training

Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights

01 December, 2026 to 10 December, 2026 on National Geographic Orion
Prices

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

Category 01
£14721 GBP pp
Category 01
#316, 318-321 — Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds that can be converted to a queen. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, two bedside tables, coffee table, desk, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Category 02
£16023 GBP pp
Category 02
#302-312, 314, 315, 317 — Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds that can be converted to a queen. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, bedside table, coffee table, desk, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Category 03
£16386 GBP pp
Category 03
#401-412, 414-419 — These spacious cabins feature a sitting area with a large window, a sofa—except slightly smaller #401 & #402—an armchair or two, writing/laptop desk, reading lamps, coffee table, flat screen TV, bedside table, and climate controls. Beds are configurable (call for details). Marble bathrooms include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Ideal Upper Deck location provides easy access to Bar/Lounge and outdoor dining.
Category 04
£17301 GBP pp
Category 04
#511, 515 — These suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, a chair, armchair, coffee table, and a two-cushion sofa facing an expansive window. Ample storage, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, espresso maker, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Beds are configurable (call for details). Guests receive complimentary laundry, special turn down service and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.
Category 05
£20583 GBP pp
Category 05
#501, 503-506, 508 — These spacious suites feature open living areas with sliding glass doors opening to a shared French balcony. A separate sitting area with armchairs, sofa, writing/laptop desk, coffee table, well-placed reading lamps, flat screen TV, espresso maker and climate controls complete the decor. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Beds are configurable (call for details). Guests receive complimentary laundry, special turn down service and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.
Category 06
£23257 GBP pp
Category 06
#502, 507, 509*, 510 — These large, elegant suites feature a French balcony, except for #509 which has double windows. There is a living area with a sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, well-placed reading lamps, flat screen TV, espresso maker and climate controls complete the decor. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door, except for #502, which uniquely offers a ‘soaking tub with a view’ in addition to a shower stall and expansive vanity. Guests receive complimentary laundry, special turn down service and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.
20 December, 2026 to 29 December, 2026 on National Geographic Orion
Prices

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

Category 01
£20740 GBP pp
Category 01
#316, 318-321 — Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds that can be converted to a queen. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, two bedside tables, coffee table, desk, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Category 02
£23141 GBP pp
Category 02
#302-312, 314, 315, 317 — Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds that can be converted to a queen. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, bedside table, coffee table, desk, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Category 03
£30657 GBP pp
Category 03
#401-412, 414-419 — These spacious cabins feature a sitting area with a large window, a sofa—except slightly smaller #401 & #402—an armchair or two, writing/laptop desk, reading lamps, coffee table, flat screen TV, bedside table, and climate controls. Beds are configurable (call for details). Marble bathrooms include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Ideal Upper Deck location provides easy access to Bar/Lounge and outdoor dining.
Category 04
£33982 GBP pp
Category 04
#511, 515 — These suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, a chair, armchair, coffee table, and a two-cushion sofa facing an expansive window. Ample storage, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, espresso maker, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Beds are configurable (call for details). Guests receive complimentary laundry, special turn down service and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.
Category 05
£35656 GBP pp
Category 05
#501, 503-506, 508 — These spacious suites feature open living areas with sliding glass doors opening to a shared French balcony. A separate sitting area with armchairs, sofa, writing/laptop desk, coffee table, well-placed reading lamps, flat screen TV, espresso maker and climate controls complete the decor. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door. Beds are configurable (call for details). Guests receive complimentary laundry, special turn down service and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.
Category 06
£38994 GBP pp
Category 06
#502, 507, 509*, 510 — These large, elegant suites feature a French balcony, except for #509 which has double windows. There is a living area with a sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, well-placed reading lamps, flat screen TV, espresso maker and climate controls complete the decor. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door, except for #502, which uniquely offers a ‘soaking tub with a view’ in addition to a shower stall and expansive vanity. Guests receive complimentary laundry, special turn down service and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.
show reverse itinerary
Day 1 Puerto Natales, Chile

Arrive in Puerto Natales. Originally a small fishing port, the town is nestled on the Last Hope Sound and boasts a stunning view of the sea surrounded by the Cerro Benitez Mountains—the gateway to Torres del Paine. Transfer from the airport to your hotel, where you'll enjoy dinner and attend a briefing on the following day’s activities. 

Ask your expedition specialist about joining an immersive 5-day pre-voyage extension to explore Torres del Paine National Park, an incredible UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Arrival Time: Arrive to the hotel in Puerto Natales by 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Puerto Natales, Chile

Day 2 Puerto Natales / King George Island, Antarctica / Embark Ship

Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your two-hour direct flight to King George Island and the thrilling start to your Antarctic adventure. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife, King George Island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the U.S., Chile, Argentina and Brazil, call the various stations home. Your flight will land on a gravel runway at the Chilean research station. You will then be transferred to the rocky shoreline, where you will board Zodiacs to embark on the ship and set sail as you begin exploring this amazing region.

Day 3-8 Exploring Antarctica

With long hours of daylight at this time of year, you'll have ample opportunities to explore. The schedule is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of the unexpected, whether you’re watching whales at play off the bow of the ship, hiking alongside penguin highways or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid porpoising penguins.

While wildlife is magnificent, ice defines the Antarctic. You’ll get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze. One day, you might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, you might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice.

Everywhere you go in Antarctica, you'll be surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way your expert expedition team will enrich every experience. 

Day 9 King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales

This morning, the ship will be moored off of King George Island once again. Following disembarkation and Zodiac rides to shore, your flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where you overnight at your hotel.

Day 10 Puerto Natales

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward.

Departure Time: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible).
Departure City: Puerto Natales, Chile

Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change. 

Day 1 Puerto Natales, Chile

Arrive in Puerto Natales. Originally a small fishing port, the town is nestled on the Last Hope Sound and boasts a stunning view of the sea surrounded by the Cerro Benitez Mountains—the gateway to Torres del Paine. Transfer from the airport to your hotel, where you'll enjoy dinner and attend a briefing on the following day’s activities. 

Ask your expedition specialist about joining an immersive 5-day pre-voyage extension to explore Torres del Paine National Park, an incredible UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Arrival Time: Arrive to the hotel in Puerto Natales by 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Puerto Natales, Chile

Day 2 Puerto Natales / King George Island, Antarctica / Embark Ship

Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your two-hour direct flight to King George Island and the thrilling start to your Antarctic adventure. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife, King George Island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the U.S., Chile, Argentina and Brazil, call the various stations home. Your flight will land on a gravel runway at the Chilean research station. You will then be transferred to the rocky shoreline, where you will board Zodiacs to embark on the ship and set sail as you begin exploring this amazing region.

Day 3-8 Exploring Antarctica

With long hours of daylight at this time of year, you'll have ample opportunities to explore. The schedule is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of the unexpected, whether you’re watching whales at play off the bow of the ship, hiking alongside penguin highways or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid porpoising penguins.

While wildlife is magnificent, ice defines the Antarctic. You’ll get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze. One day, you might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, you might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice.

Everywhere you go in Antarctica, you'll be surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way your expert expedition team will enrich every experience. 

Day 9 King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales

This morning, the ship will be moored off of King George Island once again. Following disembarkation and Zodiac rides to shore, your flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where you overnight at your hotel.

Day 10 Puerto Natales

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward.

Departure Time: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible).
Departure City: Puerto Natales, Chile

Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change. 

Itinerary also available in reverse
National Geographic Orion
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 103 metres Passenger Capacity: 102 (in 53 cabins) Built: 2003 / Refurbished 2014 Engineered for maximum comfort and safety, Orion is equipped with the latest…

National Geographic Orion

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition

Length: 103 metres

Passenger Capacity: 102 (in 53 cabins)

Built: 2003 / Refurbished 2014

Engineered for maximum comfort and safety, Orion is equipped with the latest technology including large retractable stabilizers, sonar, radar, and an ice-strengthened hull. A shallow draft plus bow and stern thrusters provide the convenience of being able to maneuver close to shore. 14 Zodiacs ensure quick disembarkation and offer the ideal transport for up-close exploration.

National Geographic Orion meets strict specifications for environmental protection and the on board waste management systems meet the stringent Antarctic operational standards enabling us to travel to the most pristine environments. A host of advanced design features and technology ensures sustainable marine environmental practices.

National Geographic Orion accommodates 102 guests in 53 cabins, including several with balconies. She is spacious and modern, with a variety of public rooms that offer panoramic views of the passing landscape. Friendly and informal, Orion fosters a welcoming atmosphere where like-minded guests share in exceptional experiences and enrichment.

Her public rooms include a dramatic window-lined main lounge, as well as an observation lounge and library perched at the very top of the ship, with plentiful observation decks. The spacious lounge is the heart of our expedition community, and is suited for spirited cocktail hours, informative presentations and our nightly tradition of Recap. In addition, a dedicated theater provides a unique setting for specialist presentations or films and slideshows. Both the main dining room and outside buffet easily accommodate all guests at once for open seating dining. On selected nights, weather permitting, our dining room menu is also available on the outside deck.

While Orion interiors are elegant, life aboard is always casual, with no need for formal clothing. And you’ll find shipboard services like laundry, in-room cabled internet, and public-area wifi make packing and traveling more convenient.

Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.

Cabin layout for National Geographic Orion
Overview
Highlights
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Map
Ship

10 days from £14721 GBP pp

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