The Escapes Trips

EYOS Expedition to Antarctica

Where

Explore the pristine landscapes, abundant wildlife, and exhilarating adventures of Antarctica on a flexible, eight-day expedition from Punta Arenas, Chile, tailored to weather conditions and featuring activities like kayaking, whale watching, and ski touring in one of the world’s most untouched environments.

Date

December 2026

SKIP THE DRAKE
DAY 2
DAYS 2-7
DAY 8
EXPLORING ANTARCTICA
ADVENTURE OPTIONS

SKIP THE DRAKE

  • Crossing the Drake Passage by air instead of by sea will provide a safe, fast and efficient crossing of one of our planet’s most notorious bodies of water, deemed by many to be the roughest seas in the world. Using a multi-engine jet aircraft cuts the crossing time from two days to under two hours. Flying from mainland Chile to Antarctica is perhaps one of the most exclusive intercontinental flights possible!

DAY 2 PUNTA ARENAS TO KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA

  • Arrive in Punta Arenas the day prior and overnight. The following morning transfer to the airport for your flight scheduled to depart at 8:00am. The exact time will be confirmed the day prior, as it is probable the timing of the flight will be adjusted due to weather. Flying time to King George Island, Antarctica aboard your BAe-146 aircraft is approximately 90 minutes.

  • Please note that these flights are subject to weather conditions in Antarctica. If the flight is delayed, the group will wait for the weather to improve, at which point the flight will continue south.

  • You will be landing on the airstrip belonging to the Chilean “Presidente Eduardo Frei M.” base. Russia’s “Bellinghausen” base is located nearby, and you may have the opportunity for a quick visit. Transfer to the waterfront where Zodiacs will take you to your yacht for embarkation. This afternoon you will have briefings on Antarctic safety and landing procedures, and depending on the time, may make your first landing.

  • Your itinerary is flexible to make the best of weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will discuss options with the group, and your movements will be decided on a day-to-day basis.

DAYS 2-7 THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

  • THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
    Plan to visit some of the other islands sur rounding King George Island. These wild life-rich islands are the very northern extent of Antarctica, on the edge of the Drake Pas sage. There are numerous penguin colonies, seals, and seabirds around the islands. As the most accessible land in the Antarctic, the South Shetlands have an interesting history from the sealing and whaling eras. Most of the Antarctic logistics and research stations are located there, as well, and you may see some stations as you explore the islands.

  • DECEPTION ISLAND
    Deception Island is the flooded caldera of a volcano that last erupted in the 1970s. In ad dition to the fascinating geology and a history of shore-based whaling, the island is home to one of the largest chinstrap penguin colonies. It’s also the warmest place in Antarctica to take a swim, thanks to the warming action of hot rocks beneath the sea.

  • ANTARCTIC SOUND AND THE WEDDELL SEA
    Known as Iceberg Alley, Antarctic Sound is at the very northeastern point of the Ant arctic Peninsula, where large tabular ice bergs drift north from the Weddell Sea. We may land and visit Adelié penguin colonies at Paulet Island, Brown Bluff or Devil Island, or elsewhere in the area.
    If you decide to spend some time exploring the northern fringes of the Weddell Sea on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula you and your sharp-eyed guides will search the ice floes for emperor penguins, which breed during the winter on nearby Snow Hill Island. The magnificent emperor penguins are hard to see during the summer months when their colonies have dispersed, but dedicated searching can yield the sighting of a newly fledged juvenile resting on the ice.

  • THE DANCO COAST & THE GERLACHE STRAIT
    On the western side of the Antarctic Pen insula, you will spend several days explor ing numerous islands and channels of this breathtakingly scenic region. You will visit gentoo penguin colonies; and possibly , visit an active scientific research station. Cruise among icebergs in in Zodiacs, pass ing immense glaciers and ice cliffs. Sites you may experience include’ Paradise Bay, the Errera Channel, Neko Harbour, Port Lockroy, Cuverville Island, the Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island, Booth Island, Pleneau Island, and possibly the US Ant arctic Base at Palmer Station. The choices are many, and all offer amazing experienc es. Each day you will discuss the options and choose the best sites with your Expe dition Leader.

DAY 8 FLIGHT TO PUNTA ARENAS

  • Arrive off King George Island in time for your flight north to Punta Arenas. The flight time will be confirmed nearer departure, and as on the southbound flight, is subject to weather delays. Your yacht will remain at anchor off the station, and you may remain on board un til it is time to leave for your flight. Weather permitting, arrive in Punta Arenas this after noon for onward travel.

EXPLORING ANTARCTICA

  • A yacht expedition offers maximum flexibili ty, and Hanse Explorer transcends the limits of conventional yachts with her ice-class might — to make exploring icy channels and bays, and crunching through ice from fast ice to bergy bits, uniquely exciting and re warding. Actively engage:

  • Visit penguin colonies to linger at length observing amusing antics and their unique adaptation
  • Land on the 7th continent, or spend the night camping on it—with the yacht standing by in case you change your mind
  • Experience next level whale watching— killer whales and humpbacks—from the yacht’s deck
  • Explore the iconic bays and channels
  • Hang out with your ice pilot to watch ice navigation
  • Cruise with the yacht or tenders among a procession of bergs in late-evening light
  • Land at sites prominent in exploration history
  • Hike or kayak in the majestic vastness and silence
  • Or depending on your arrangement—go farther

ADVENTURE OPTIONS

  • These options can widen the range and scope of your exploring in Antarctica, whether you simply engage an experienced EYOS Moun tain Guide or a Polar Dive expert, if you’re dry suit certified,. Or you decide to ‘beam in’ an enlightening guest speaker or two via holo gram technology.

  • We will work with you to custom tailor your ideal Antarctica experience.
Accommodations

icon icon icon icon

HANSE EXPLORER

Flexible accommodations for 12 guests in 1 owner’s suite and 6 staterooms All cabins are fully air conditioned/heated with individual controls in each cabin Each cabin features a:

• Safe
• Telephone
• Flat-screen TV with video on demand (Live TV is not available)
• Sound system

Bathrooms are all en-suite and are equipped with toilet, shower and/or bath & hairdryer. Toiletries are provided and include bar soap, liquid soap, shampoo, lotion and razors.

  • EQUIPMENT
    Hanse Explorer is equipped with a state-of-the-art Dive Centre, containing a wa ter-cooled dive compressor with NITROX membrane and complete SCUBA and snorkel gear for 12 guests & 2 dive masters. She also carries 3 double Aire Sea Tiger inflatable sea kayaks; and will be adding 2 SUPs to the roster. Plus, 2 MK IV Zodiac tenders for dive forays, exploring and landings.

  • BRIDGE
    Hanse Explorer has an open bridge, where you are always welcome to visit. The Captain may decide to close the bridge at any time due to navigation.

  • BRIDGE
    Hanse Explorer has an open bridge, where you are always welcome to visit. The Captain may decide to close the bridge at any time due to navigation.

  • CLOTHING
    There is no dress code aboard Hanse Explorer, so please feel free to dress as you choose. Normal clothing on board is casual attire, suitable for the cruising destina tion. Some guests choose to dress a little more smartly for dinner, but this is en tirely up to you. Further details on what to pack will be provided at booking.
THE ESCAPIST
THE ESCAPIST
THE ESCAPIST
THE ESCAPIST
THE ESCAPIST
THE ESCAPIST

MAP