Join the pioneers of Antarctic expedition travel on a thrilling voyage that allows for six days of exploration on the continent. Save time by flying directly from South America to the Antarctic peninsula (and back) where we embark the National Geographic Orion, purpose-built for polar waters. Witness the grandeur of this icy wilderness as you kayak among dazzling blue icebergs, sail past dramatic snow-capped peaks and rugged shores, and encounter the region’s iconic wildlife–from scores of penguins to whales, seals, and seabirds. A veteran team of naturalists and a National Geographic Photography Expert by your side ensures that you’ll have the most unforgettable experience and incredible photos to prove it.
Antarctica
Antarctica Direct – Fly the Drake Passage
9 Days aboard National Geographic Orion. From NZD $17,421pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary 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
- Spend six days exploring the wildest corners of the continent with a top-notch team of naturalists and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica leading the way
- 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
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Puerto Natales, Chile
- Day 2: Puerto Natales / King George Island, Antarctica / Embark Ship
- Day 3 to 7: Exploring Antarctica
- Day 8: King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales
- Day 9: Puerto Natales
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
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 our hotel. Join us this evening for dinner and a briefing on the following day’s activities.
Arrival Time: Arrive to the hotel in Puerto Natales by 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Puerto Natales, Chile
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Puerto Natales / King George Island, Antarctica / Embark Ship
Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our 2-hour direct flight to King George Island and the thrilling start to our Antarctic adventure. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife—Weddell and elephant seals; Adelie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins—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. Our flight will land at the Chilean research station where National Geographic Orion will be waiting offshore. Board Zodiacs to embark the ship and set sail as we begin exploring this amazing region.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 to 7: Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunities to explore. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected, whether we’re watching whales at play off the bow of our 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, we 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, we might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice.
Everywhere we go in Antarctica we’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way your expert expedition team will enrich every experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: 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, our flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where we overnight at our hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Puerto Natales
Check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward.
Departure Time: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 3:45 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible).
Departure City: Puerto Natales, Chile
Meals Included: Breakfast
Next Departure Date: 16 Nov 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Nov 2025 - 24 Nov 2025 | NZD$17421pp | ||
| Category 1 Cabin | NZD$17421pp | Contact us | |
| Category 2 Cabin | NZD$19238pp | Contact us | |
| Category 3 Suite | NZD$19746pp | Contact us | |
| Category 4 Deluxe Suite | NZD$21029pp | Contact us | |
| Category 1S Cabin | NZD$24800pp | Contact us | |
| Category 5 Suite | NZD$25626pp | Contact us | |
| Category 3S Cabin | NZD$28304pp | Contact us | |
| Category 6 Owner's Suite | NZD$29371pp | Contact us | |
| 22 Nov 2025 - 30 Nov 2025 | NZD$17421pp | ||
| 28 Nov 2025 - 06 Dec 2025 | NZD$17421pp | ||
| 04 Dec 2025 - 12 Dec 2025 | NZD$17421pp | ||
| 14 Dec 2025 - 22 Dec 2025 | NZD$17421pp | ||
| 20 Dec 2025 - 28 Dec 2025 | NZD$21389pp | ||
| 13 Jan 2026 - 21 Jan 2026 | NZD$19008pp | ||
| 26 Jan 2026 - 03 Feb 2026 | NZD$19008pp | ||
| 01 Feb 2026 - 09 Feb 2026 | NZD$19008pp | ||
| 18 Feb 2026 - 26 Feb 2026 | NZD$18532pp |
Flights from Puerto Natales to King George Island return are mandatory and not included in the cabin price.
The 2024/2025 season charter flight is AU$1,430 per guest each way. The 2025/2026 season charter flight is AU$2,145 per guest each way.
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Category 1 Cabin
18m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, oval window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 2 Cabin
18m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, oval window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 3 Suite
20m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, large window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, sitting area, sofa, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 4 Deluxe Suite
21m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, large window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, separate sitting area, 2 cushion sofas, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 1S Cabin
15m², double bed, window or 2 portholes, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 5 Suite
21m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, french balcony, large window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, open living area, sofa, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 3S Cabin
20m², 2 single beds, 2 windows, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 6 Owner's Suite
32m², queen bed, french balcony with the exception of #509 which has double windows, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, vanity, bathroom amenities, separate sitting area, sofas, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
National Geographic Orion Deckplan
Specifications
- Crew: 60
- Officers: International
- Guests: 102
- Tonnage: 4050
- Length: 337 Feet / 103 Metres
- Width: 46 Feet
- Speed: 15 Knots
- Passenger Decks: 4
- Built: 2003
- Registry: Bahamas
Whats included?
- Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in itinerary
- Kayaks, Zodiac cruises, stand-up paddleboards, full complement of snorkeling gear, glass-bottom boat rides, where relevant
- Guidance and expertise of expedition staff
- All meals as indicated in itinerary
- Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and snacks
- Cocktails and spirits on select ships
- Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
- 24-hour access to shared spaces, such as the lounges and fitness centers
- Complimentary WiFi, with the exception of Delfin II.
What’s not included?
- Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers
- Travel protection plan, passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving and phone services (except when indicated as included)
Notes
Flights from Puerto Natales to King George Island return are mandatory and not included in the cabin price.
The 2024/2025 season charter flight is AU$1,430 per guest each way. The 2025/2026 season charter flight is AU$2,145 per guest each way.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Antarctica
On any cruise to Antarctica you can expect to experience a wide variety of landscapes, unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities and a healthy mix of historic landing sites. Be astounded by the sensory overload of the huge amount of ice-bergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.
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