![17221200_v982-d4-01 [Converted]-03](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c4e8ee_8739918e12e64554b4828e6eddf94506~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_25,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c4e8ee_8739918e12e64554b4828e6eddf94506~mv2.png)
![17221200_v982-d4-01 [Converted]-01](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c4e8ee_65683fd859bc473da49a4208b3097422~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_25,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c4e8ee_65683fd859bc473da49a4208b3097422~mv2.png)
![17221200_v982-d4-01 [Converted]-02](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c4e8ee_7c689030fa8541dcb1d66bbc38076587~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_25,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c4e8ee_7c689030fa8541dcb1d66bbc38076587~mv2.png)
Antarctica,
an Expedition to Planet Earth
Antarctica is unique, and one of the most perfectly preserved regions on the planet. You will bring home unforgettable tales, and your journey will arouse the curiosity and admiration of your friends and family.
Landscape
A land that holds 90% of Earth’s ice, Antarctica stuns visitors with its awe-inspiring beauty. See peaceful bays dotted with colossal icebergs; cruise along deep fjords and see massive glaciers; be amazed by sharp snowy peaks that jut out of the sea.
We pioneered a new way to travel to Antarctica and what we believe is a better way – providing quick, intimate access to the White Continent.
Adventure
Feel the spray of seawater on your cheeks as you cruise in a Zodiac to shore. Follow in the footsteps of early explorers as you hike on Antarctic soil. Join our optional Sea Kayaking and Hiking & Snowshoeing programs.
Wildlife
Penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds congregate in Antarctica during the austral summer. Present in large numbers, you can move along in their world and find endless inspiration for photographs.
Fly the Drake
Our two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas, the Chilean gateway to Patagonia, directly to Antarctica, where you then board your expedition ship. No stormy crossing. No seasickness. Just quick, total immersion in your Antarctic adventure.
Explore Antarctica
Our small expedition vessels are more like private yachts, offering direct access to areas along the Antarctic shore that larger ships simply can’t reach. Since we have fewer guests, you get on and off faster, so your time ashore is focused where it should be: savoring every moment of a travel experience unlike any other.
Key
Benefits
Before TDE, travelers who wanted to reach the Antarctic Peninsula had only one option: a 2-day sail across the notoriously rough seas of the Drake Passage. However, since 2003, our boutique wilderness adventures have offered a more comfortable alternative.
Comfort
Avoid storms in the Drake Passage
Speed
Get to Antarctica quickly and save time
Size
Enjoy a small-ship, small-group experience
Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Day 1
Start of the air-cruise
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM, where you are welcomed by Touch Down Earth staff and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you are welcomed at Explorers House to attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.
Day 2
Scheduled flight to Antarctica
Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the airplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. You then walk 2-km (1.25-miles), passing Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel.
Day 3-6
Exploring Antarctica
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, the Gerlache Strait, and the Penola Strait.
Day 7
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).
Scheduled return flight from Antarctica
Day 8
End of the air-cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
Dates & Cabin Types
Triple
Suite
Porthole
Cabin
Veranda
Cabin
Deluxe Veranda Cabin
Suite
PH
Suites
Single
Cabin
Sea
Kayaks
Hiking &
Snow Shoeing
Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Dec 16 - Dec 23, 2024
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included in the Rate
‣ For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, Touch Down Earth -exclusive group transfers airport/ hotel on Day 1. ‣ For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, one overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar, with a welcome dinner including drinks on Day 1. ‣ One overnight with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica. ‣ For air-cruises starting in Punta Arenas, enjoy special access to Explorers House. ‣ Touch Down Earth-exclusive group transfers airport/ hotel on the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica, and Touch Down Earth-exclusive group transfers hotel/airport on the last day of the air-cruise. ‣ Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island and/or vice versa as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage. ‣ Ship cruise as indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage. ‣ Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board the ship offering a wide choice of dishes. ‣ Dinner served daily on board the ship offering a choice between one of three main courses. ‣ Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board. ‣ Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship throughout the expedition. ‣ All guided shore excursions. ‣ Lectures and entertainment on board. ‣ Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material. ‣ Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica. ‣ Contingency Plan as described on page 39. ‣ IAATO passenger fee.
Not Included in the Rate
Anything that is not specifically listed under the “Included in the Rate” section. For example: ‣ Accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage. Specifically, dinner in Punta Arenas upon return from Antarctica is not included. ‣ Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar. ‣ Internet connection on board the ship. ‣ Personal travel insurance. ‣ Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.). ‣ Gratuities. ‣ Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
