Antarctic Express Self-Launched: Fly the Drake, Sail North to Ushuaia
10 days · Antarctica (via Punta Arenas & Ushuaia)
Exodus charges £14,700
No-markup version: ~£5,100 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic Exodus "fly-south, sail-north" Antarctic Express. Instead of paying for an operator's all-in charter package, you book the pieces yourself: cheap flights into Punta Arenas, a last-minute or standby cabin on a small expedition ship that flies you over the Drake to King George Island, then sails back through the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. You get the same penguins, Zodiac landings, glaciers and albatrosses for a fraction of the guided-group price — the trick is booking the cruise directly with the ship operator and arranging your own pre/post nights. Costs are approximate and Antarctic cruise pricing is volatile; book 12-18 months ahead or chase a last-minute deal from Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.
Day-by-day
Arrive Punta Arenas, Chile
Punta Arenas, Chile
Fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ) via Santiago — LATAM and Sky Airline both run the route, roughly £120-200 one-way from Santiago. Check into a central budget hostel or guesthouse and spend the afternoon on the Plaza Muñoz Gamero, the Museo Nao Victoria and the waterfront. Buy any last expedition layers or seasickness tablets here — it's your last chance. Have dinner with other travellers at a local parrilla; many Antarctica-bound folk stay in the same handful of hostels, so it's easy to swap tips and cabin-deal intel.
🚌Flight into Punta Arenas (PUQ) plus local taxi/bus from airport (~£5)
🛏Central budget hostel or guesthouse dorm (e.g. Hostal/Hostel in the city centre), £15-25
- →Plaza Muñoz Gamero and Punta Arenas cathedral
- →Museo Nao Victoria
- →Waterfront walk along the Strait of Magellan
- →Buy expedition layers/meds locally
Expedition briefing and boarding prep
Punta Arenas, Chile
Day two is admin and anticipation. Confirm your ship operator's charter flight slot to King George Island and attend their pre-departure briefing (all operators flying the Drake run a mandatory safety and biosecurity briefing the day before — usually free for booked passengers). Sort your waterproof outer layer, muck boots (often loaned on the ship) and any gear rental. Spend the afternoon at the Museo Regional or take a taxi to the Mirador Cerro de la Cruz for a panoramic view over the Strait of Magellan. Early night — the flight departs early tomorrow.
🚌On foot and local taxi in Punta Arenas (~£5)
🛏Central budget hostel or guesthouse, £15-25
- →Pre-departure safety/biosecurity briefing
- →Gear check and rental pick-up
- →Mirador Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint
- →Museo Regional de Magallanes
Charter flight over the Drake to King George Island — embarkation
King George Island to Antarctic Peninsula
Fly the three-hour charter from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands) — this is the fast, ship-free crossing of the Drake that makes this itinerary unique. The flight is included in your ship booking as part of the operator's transfer package, so no separate booking needed once you're on the manifest. Land, stretch your legs and photograph the icy runway, then transfer to ship and enjoy your first Zodiac excursion as you push towards the Peninsula. Hope for clear skies — the aerial view of the white continent is the trip's first jaw-dropper.
🚌Operator charter flight (included in cruise fare) and Zodiac transfers
🛏Included aboard expedition ship (all meals, house wine/beer at dinner)
- →Charter flight over Drake Passage to King George Island
- →First Zodiac excursion
- →Ship embarkation and safety drill
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
Antarctic Peninsula
Full day of Zodiac excursions and landings. Depending on ice and weather, expect gentoo and chinstrap penguin colonies, fur and elephant seal haul-outs, and calving glaciers. The expedition team plans each day around conditions, so no two days are the same. Listen for the crack of ice, watch for minke and humpback whales, and be ready for the surreal experience of mailing a postcard from a polar station. Evening lectures cover glaciology, marine biology and polar history.
🚌Zodiac landings (included)
🛏Included aboard expedition ship
- →Zodiac cruise and shore landings
- →Penguin and seal colonies
- →Whale watching from deck
- →Onboard expert lectures
Deeper into the Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula
Another full expedition day. Possible highlights include Petermann Island, Pleneau Island's iceberg graveyard, and a continental landing where you can officially 'step onto Antarctica'. Hike a snowy ridge for panoramic views or sit quietly on a beach photographing curious penguins. All shore excursions and lectures are included in the ship fare, so there's nothing extra to pay beyond optional tips and souvenirs.
🚌Zodiac landings (included)
🛏Included aboard expedition ship
- →Continental landing
- →Iceberg and glacier Zodiac cruises
- →Optional ridge hike for panoramic views
- →Wildlife photography
Final Peninsula day and South Shetlands
Antarctic Peninsula / South Shetland Islands
Last full day in the ice before the crossing. Maximise deck time for whale and seabird sightings, and join the naturalist-led spotting sessions on the bridge. If conditions allow, another landing before the ship turns north towards the Drake. Pack in the evening — you'll want everything secured before the swell picks up.
🚌Zodiac landings and ship's passage north (included)
🛏Included aboard expedition ship
- →Final Zodiac landing
- →Bridge wildlife spotting sessions
- →Packing and expedition debrief
Crossing the Drake Passage
Drake Passage
The rite of passage. Two days of open-water sailing back towards South America — could be the 'Drake Lake' or the 'Drake Shake'. Expedition staff are on deck and on the bridge to help spot wandering albatross, minke and humpback whales. Seasickness tablets are your friend. Evenings are filled with photo-sharing and final lectures on polar history and marine biology.
🚌Ship (included)
🛏Included aboard expedition ship
- →Seabird and whale watching from deck
- →Onboard lectures
- →Photo review sessions
Drake Passage to Beagle Channel
Drake Passage / Beagle Channel
Second day at sea. By evening the ship enters the sheltered Beagle Channel and the water calms as you approach Tierra del Fuego — the first landfall in days. Enjoy the final dinner aboard and swap contacts with your fellow expeditioners.
🚌Ship (included)
🛏Included aboard expedition ship
- →Final seabird spotting
- →Beagle Channel approach
- →Farewell dinner aboard
Disembark in Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia, Argentina
Final breakfast aboard, then disembark in Ushuaia — the world's southernmost city. Check into a central budget hostel or guesthouse and spend the afternoon exploring: the Museo Marítimo (former prison), the End of the World sign, and the artisan shops along Avenida San Martín. Sample local king crab and Patagonian lamb. Note that the operator's mandatory transfer package typically ends here — onward travel, hotel and the flight north to Buenos Aires are on you.
🚌On foot; local taxi (~£4)
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in central Ushuaia, £20-35
- →Museo Marítimo y del Presidio
- →End of the World sign and waterfront
- →San Martín shopping street
- →King crab dinner
Ushuaia — end of trip or onward travel
Ushuaia, Argentina
Breakfast and depart. If you're flying home, book a Buenos Aires flight out of Ushuaia (USH) — budget £90-160 one-way depending on how far ahead you book. Many travellers stay on a night or two to hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park or ride the End of the World Train. Either way, you've done Antarctica for a fraction of the guided-group price.
🚌Flight Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, £90-160 one-way
🛏Not included — own arrangements
- →Optional Tierra del Fuego National Park day trip
- →Optional End of the World Train
- →Onward flight to Buenos Aires or home
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£5,100 | £14,700 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £9,600 per person (65%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£5,100
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Antarctic Express Self-Launched: Fly the Drake, Sail North to Ushuaia cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £5,100 per person for 10 days in Antarctica (via Punta Arenas & Ushuaia). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £14,700 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £5,100 — a saving of roughly £9,600 (65%) per person.
How long is the Antarctica (via Punta Arenas & Ushuaia) trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Antarctica (via Punta Arenas & Ushuaia).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, backpacker trip through Antarctica (via Punta Arenas & Ushuaia), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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