Drake Express

King George Island Roundtrip
Starting From
$19,436
Expedition Type
Polar
Yacht
World Traveller
Embark/Debark
-
Duration
7 nights
Map for 7-Night King George Island Roundtrip 12.14.26

Bypass the Drake Passage both ways for more time to explore Antarctica’s icy summer landscapes.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Antarctica, where the summer sun lingers long into the night. This routing allows more time to explore dramatic landscapes of rugged peaks, shimmering ice, and vast open water. December may bring encounters with whales feeding in calm bays or penguins tending their nests. This is a place of contrasts — powerful and peaceful, humbling and awe-inspiring — a world that stirs the explorer within.

King George Island has come to be known as the unofficial capital of Antarctica with its various research stations located on the island. As a haven for an incredible amount of wildlife, including chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and elephant, leopard and Weddell seals, it’s a prime locale for scientific research. If your expedition begins or ends here, then your charter flight lands in or departs from Eduardo Frei Montalva Station, the Chilean air base for Antarctica expeditions with flight options over the Drake Passage. Lying within the Fildes Peninsula, where Chile laid claim to Antarctic territory, the base is an important research station. Made up of over 40 buildings that include a school, bank, hospital and post office, it resembles more a small village than a base.

Picture of the port

Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Imagine setting foot on the ethereal landscape of the Antarctic Sound, where the whispers of ancient glaciers echo. It’s a land of stark contrasts, known for tabular icebergs, stunning blue waters and abundant wildlife. It’s a place where the horizon seems endless, and time stands still. Each landing becomes a thrilling chapter in your adventure book. Step ashore onto remote, ice-strewn beaches and feel the crisp Antarctic air invigorate your senses. Greet curious penguins waddling across the snowy expanses, while seals lounge nonchalantly on drifting ice floes. Amid the Antarctic Sound’s possible landings, Paulet Island stands out with its volcanic landscape and some of the largest colonies of Adélie penguins in Antarctica. Remnants of historical expeditions can be found throughout, connecting you to explorers of the past. This is not just a destination; it’s an invitation to the adventure of a lifetime. Together, we will unearth the secrets of this frozen frontier.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

King George Island has come to be known as the unofficial capital of Antarctica with its various research stations located on the island. As a haven for an incredible amount of wildlife, including chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and elephant, leopard and Weddell seals, it’s a prime locale for scientific research. If your expedition begins or ends here, then your charter flight lands in or departs from Eduardo Frei Montalva Station, the Chilean air base for Antarctica expeditions with flight options over the Drake Passage. Lying within the Fildes Peninsula, where Chile laid claim to Antarctic territory, the base is an important research station. Made up of over 40 buildings that include a school, bank, hospital and post office, it resembles more a small village than a base.

Picture of the port

End of Summer Savings

Save up to $6,779 per guest, plus a $250 Onboard Credit on Antarctica and Europe expeditions. Book by September 30.

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15% Bonus Savings

Enhance your journey with exclusive bonus savings on select voyages.

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Explorer’s Choice

Personalize your journey with a complimentary amenity of your choice.

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Celebrate the Holidays In Antarctica

Celebrate the holidays in Antarctica with Explorer’s Choice amenities and Bonus Savings on select voyages.

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Expedition Leaders

Seize the moment to embark on the expedition of a lifetime.


Ekaterina Uryupova

Expedition Leader

Ekaterina Uryupova grew up in Siberia. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from Lomonosov Moscow State University and a master’s in international journalism from the University of Salford. Her disciplines include marine biology, oceanography, climate impact on ecosystems and interdisciplinary research efforts in environmental protection. Her experience in the Antarctic includes an internship at the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty in Argentina and at the Smithsonian Institution in the US. She is currently a member of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN). She has worked in both Antarctica and the Arctic for over 10 years.

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Always Included
by Atlas

Every expedition with Atlas Ocean Voyages includes these complimentary amenities and more.



  • Atlas Immersive Experience on board or ashore
  • Five-star dining with ever-changing menus
  • Bars and lounges serving fine wines, spirits, craft beers, and canapés
  • Specialty coffees, fresh-pressed juices, and afternoon tea service
  • In-room stocked  minibar, Nespresso® coffee and Vero Water®
  • 24-hour room service
  • L’OCCITANE bathroom amenities
  • Gratuities for onboard service staff
  • Use of binoculars and walking sticks
  • Butler service in Reserve Collection Suites
  • Trip delay and medical evacuation coverage
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