The 11-day journeys aboard 36-guest expedition yacht Aureum will use charter flights from Chile to reduce time at sea and maximise exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Expedition travel specialist Secret Atlas has introduced a new series of fly-and-cruise expeditions to Antarctica for the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 seasons, offering travellers an alternative to the traditional sea crossing of the Drake Passage.
The itineraries will operate aboard Aureum, a purpose-designed expedition yacht accommodating 36 guests. By replacing the outward and return Drake Passage crossings with a charter flight between Patagonia and Antarctica, the programme is designed to give passengers more time exploring the White Continent.
The 11-day Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air includes seven full days in Antarctica, with the itinerary aiming to reach the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33′ south. Departures are scheduled during the Antarctic summer, from December through February, when wildlife activity and extended daylight provide favourable conditions for expedition travel.
A smaller-scale Antarctic experience
With a maximum of 36 guests, Aureum is designed around small-group exploration. Secret Atlas says the vessel will carry a team of polar guides at a ratio of approximately one guide for every six passengers, supporting guided shore landings, Zodiac excursions and wildlife observation.
Four Zodiacs will be available for excursions, allowing the expedition team to organise landings and water-based exploration for the group. The operator says the smaller passenger capacity also gives the team greater flexibility to adjust daily plans in response to ice, weather and wildlife conditions.
Onboard facilities include open observation decks and panoramic viewing areas, enabling guests to watch for wildlife and take in the Antarctic landscape between excursions. An educational programme led by expedition specialists will cover subjects including polar wildlife, conservation and photography.
The yacht has 22 cabins, including single-occupancy accommodation, giving solo travellers an option to join the expeditions without sharing a room. Cabin categories and prices vary by departure and accommodation type, so travellers should review the individual voyage details before booking.
Fly-and-cruise itineraries for the Antarctic summer
The flight component is intended to reduce the time spent crossing open water. Guests travel from Puerto Natales in southern Chile to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, where they join the expedition vessel.
Flights are subject to weather conditions, and departure times may change. The operator has outlined contingency arrangements for the air transfer, an important consideration for travellers planning a journey to one of the world’s most remote regions.
The standard Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air starts at £16,500 per person. A festive departure, the Antarctic Circle Christmas Expedition Micro Cruise by Air, is priced from £18,500 per person and is designed to place guests in Antarctica over Christmas Day.
The festive itinerary combines the flight to Antarctica with guided exploration of the Peninsula during the austral summer. Guests can expect opportunities to observe penguins and other wildlife, explore coastal landscapes by Zodiac and learn about the region from the expedition team.
A growing market for small-ship polar travel
Secret Atlas is positioning the new programme for travellers seeking a more intimate Antarctic expedition, with a limited number of passengers and a strong emphasis on time spent ashore.
The approach also reflects the growing range of options available in polar tourism, where travellers can choose between conventional expedition cruises, fly-and-cruise itineraries and longer journeys combining Antarctica with destinations such as South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
For visitors with limited time, flying across the Drake Passage can reduce the number of days devoted to transit. However, Antarctic travel remains weather-dependent, and flight operations and landing opportunities may be adjusted to protect passenger safety and minimise environmental disturbance.
The new departures are now listed on Secret Atlas’s booking website for the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 seasons, giving travellers an opportunity to plan ahead for a small-group journey to the Antarctic Peninsula.
