Separating the southern tip of the South American continent from the Antarctic Peninsula region is the Drake Passage, where the mighty Pacific and Atlantic oceans converge. This narrow and impossibly deep waterway creates unpredictable conditions for navigators, who put their skills to the test when the passage is at its most turbulent. For expeditioners who prefer to focus their energy on adventures in Antarctica, flying over the Drake Passage in both directions is the ideal way to reach the white continent. In the safe hands of experienced pilots, your pulse will quicken as you glimpse the first icebergs in the Southern Ocean, where your vessel awaits, ready to take you on an exhilarating adventure.

Itinerary

day 1 | Punta Arenas

Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of AE Expeditions and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2.00 pm so that you may attend our important briefing this evening. Please visit the AE Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items. Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today). At 7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.

day 2 | King George Island, South Shetland Islands

This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings. Note: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.

day 3-8 | Antarctic Peninsula

It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula. While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.

day 9 | King George Island, South Shetland Islands

As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our flight (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here. From Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel for an overnight stay. Note: King George Island is located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any possible delays. Accommodation: To be advised

day 10 | Punta Arenas

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare. Note: Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; you will remain on the ship until it is deemed achievable to return to Punta Arenas. Refer to our terms and conditions for further details.

Ships

Douglas Mawson

The Douglas Mawson, launched in 2026, is Aurora Expeditions' state-of-the-art adventure vessel. This purpose-built ship is the newest addition to the fleet that has redefined small-ship expedition cruising. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the vessel embodies Sir Douglas Mawson's pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery.

Expedition Features and Design:

Ulstein X-BOW®: Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, the ship is engineered to cross oceans in smooth, quiet comfort. This inverted bow design enhances stability, reduces pitching in rough seas, and improves fuel efficiency, ensuring a more pleasant and environmentally conscious voyage.
Capacity and Comfort: The Douglas Mawson takes an average of 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places. It boasts Aurora Expeditions’ most extensive range of cabins yet, including an array of single cabins, offering greater choice and comfort for solo travelers.
Enhanced Sustainability: The vessel is purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, underscoring Aurora's commitment to responsible travel and minimizing its environmental footprint as it travels to sensitive ecosystems.

Onboard Guest Experience: The Douglas Mawson serves as a luxurious, floating base camp for adventure, with a host of amenities designed to connect like-minded travelers and elevate time onboard:

Relaxation and Wellness: After a long day of exploring, guests can unwind with the heated outdoor swimming pool on the back deck, find a quiet space on a sunbed, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis. For fitness, there is a modern gym and a sauna for post-workout relaxation.
Learning and Discovery: The ship features a dedicated Citizen Science Centre, encouraging guests to resolve to learn something new and participate in meaningful research projects that deepen their connection to the environment.
Dining and Socializing: Guests can enjoy delicious meals with new and old friends in one of the two restaurants, offering a variety of culinary experiences. Multiple observation areas are positioned throughout the ship, allowing guests to relax in comfort while keeping watch for wildlife or spectacular landscapes unfolding before them.

While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, guests can rest assured that the expedition team’s primary aim remains unchanged: to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through a unique and immersive activities program.

Inaugural Season Highlights:The Douglas Mawson's inaugural season will mark Aurora Expeditions’ return to East Antarctica for the first time in 15 years, with new itineraries including:

Mawson’s Antarctica Voyage: A special voyage to East Antarctica, departing from Hobart, in honor of the ship’s namesake.
Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica.
Immersive Explorations of the Subantarctic Islands.

Here is a guide to Aurora Expeditions Antarctica sailings