Luxury Antarctica Fly-in Cruise
This adventurous trip takes you on a luxury fly-in cruise to discover the untouched, icy landscapes of Antarctica. Begin with a couple of days of culture and great food in Chile’s capital, Santiago. Then, Punta Arenas, one of the southernmost cities in the world for a historic city tour. Next the main event, an exhilarating fly-in Antarctic cruise. During your cruise you’ll experience exciting expeditions led by specialist guides to uncover the secrets of this wild and largely unexplored continent.
Highlights
- Discover the wonders of Santiago
- Sail along fjords and icebergs, looking for seabirds
- Cross the Lemaire Channel and latitude 65° south
- Explore the Frei and Bellingshausen stations
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–2
Start in Santiago
Enjoy a couple of days in bustling Santiago, Chile’s capital city. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes, Santiago is considered to have an understated charm. Sleek glassy skyscrapers share space with perfectly landscaped gardens, fascinating museums and stylish art galleries. There’s also a thriving culinary scene boasting fine dining establishments and a celebrated seafood market.
Where you could stay
The Singular Santiago
See the highlights of Santiago
Discover Santiago’s most impressive landmarks during an immersive walking tour. Wander through the Parque Forestal, a lush green space, before marvelling at the neoclassic style façade of the National Museum of Fine Arts, with art nouveau details and its great rooftop glass dome.
Next, head to the top of Santa Lucía Hill, where the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia coined the city Santiago in 1541. You’ll also visit the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre and explore the charming Lastarria neighbourhood.
Days 2–3
A night in Punta Arenas
Spend a night in one of the southernmost cities in the world, Punta Arenas. The small city, with a population of around 130,000, is most commonly used as a stopover for those en route to the Torres del Paine National Park, cruises through the Straits of Magellan or flights to Antarctica. The city is very important to the region, being one of the largest ports in this isolated area.
Kick off your Antarctica expedition
Settle into your hotel in Punta Arenas, where you’ll meet with a representative from your luxury cruise who’ll brief you on the guidelines for visiting Antarctica. Then, you’ll indulge in a masterfully prepared dinner of typical Magellanic cuisine.
Days 3–8
Embark on your Antarctica cruise
Antarctica stands as one of the most captivating and unspoiled regions on Earth, one of the true final frontiers of the wilderness. This continent, with its breathtaking landscapes and varied wildlife, is both magnificent and pristine. Few places evoke the same spirit of adventure or the profound sense of achievement that comes from traversing the remarkable terrain of the White Continent.
This fly-in cruise allows you to see the astounding scenery of Antarctica without having to navigate the Drake Crossing, giving you more time to spend exploring, spotting wildlife and marveling at the memorable scenery.
Journey by air to King George Island
The formidable Drake Passage shrinks beneath you as your aircraft glides through the crisp Antarctic air, bringing King George Island into view in just under two hours.
Upon landing, you’ll tour the Explore the Frei (Chilean) and Bellingshausen (Russian) bases before heading to the shores of Fildes Bay, where you’ll embark on the journey to your luxury expedition vessel by Zodiac.
Luxury expedition cruises
Your Antarctica highlights
South Shetland Islands
Antarctic Peninsula
Zodiac Cruising
Expert Knowledge
Sail to the South Shetland Islands
Marvel at the otherworldly, volcanic landscapes of Deception Island, and discover the historical sites of Livingston Island, where remnants of past explorations invite you to trace the footsteps of past adventurers. There’s plenty of wildlife to discover, too. Observe gentoo and chinstrap penguin colonies and soaring skuas and Antarctic terns. Along their rugged shores, find Weddell and Antarctic fur seals.
Traverse the Antarctic Peninsula
Discover some of the Antarctic Peninsula’s most spectacular sites during your exploration. Sail the peaceful, iceberg-strewn waters of Paradise Bay, surrounded by tall, snowy peaks. Arriving at Cuverville Island, glimpse one of the largest gentoo penguin rookeries on the Peninsula, and see Adélie penguins on Petermann Island near the Lemaire Channel. At Port Lockroy, uncover the history of its sheltered harbour as Britain’s first permanent Antarctic base.
Embark on exhilarating Zodiac excursions
Aboard a Zodiac, delve deeper into Antarctica’s frozen world. As you navigate icy waters, glide past towering ice cliffs and meander between giant, tabular icebergs — their sheer scale awe-inspiring. On every turn, look out for magnificent whales, basking seals or leaping penguins.
Learn from expert polar guides
Throughout your Antarctica cruise, experienced guides will share their knowledge during engaging presentations in your vessel’s state-of-the-art presentation room, offering deep insights into the continent’s natural history, geology and remarkable ecosystems. Your expedition team will also tailor your daily itinerary to weather, ice and wildlife conditions to maximise your experience, ensuring an extraordinary adventure with every passing day.
Days 8–9
Return to Punta Arenas
As your Antarctic adventure draws to an end, you’ll voyage back to Chile by air. Witness the landscape shift from a stark canvas of ice to the earthy tones of rolling hills and the colourful hues of painted buildings fringing Punta Arenas’ coastline.
Days 9–10
Your final night in Santiago
Return to Santiago for a final night of great food, fine wines, neighbourhood wanderings and relaxation in this great city. If there’s time, you will have your pick of excellent city tours, arranged by your travel designer and concierge. Perhaps stop by a great gallery or museum, or go shopping for Chilean crafts to take home as souvenirs.
Where you could stay
The Singular Santiago
Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!
Why book with Jacada
Pesonalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
