King George Island to King George Island aboard the Silver Explorer
An exciting luxurious Antarctica bridge expedition cruise
From: USD 20,300
King George Island to King George Island
A 5-day long expedition cruise
A 5-day long Cruise
The Trip Highlights
All inclusive expedition, including adventure activities
Skip the Drake Passage on a business flight to Antarctica
Zodiac rides with experienced guides
Historic visit to Elephant Island
Your Polartours 'Plus' Experience
Butler service in every suite
Nearly 1:1 guest to crew ratio
Unlimited free Wifi
Multiple restaurants to choose from onboard
All aboard for the Antarctica express! Join us ona short advenutre where you'll avoid the infamous Drake Passage and arrive right in the heart of the South Shetland Islands. Board Silver Explorer directly from King George Island – the only airport in Antarctica that accepts commercial flights - and set sail for the destination that has been on the top of your bucket list for decades.
Your Antarctic adventure begins as soon as you arrive in Punta Arenas. Enjoy meeting your fellow explorers during an evening briefing and welcome dinner before travelling the next day by private BAE146 aircraft to King George Island, where Silver Explorer and your life changing voyage await.
Your ship: Silver Explorer
Welcome aboard the Silver Explorer, an expedition cruise ship intricately designed to navigate the remote waters of the Antarctic regions. The Silver Explorer is equipped with a 1A ice-class strengthened hull and can push through the ice with ease. With a maximum passenger capacity of 144 and a crew of 118, the Silver Explorer is the smallest cruise ship in the Silversea fleet, offering a more intimate cruise experience. The 12 Zodiac boats aboard the cruise ship allow its passengers to visit the most off-the-beaten-path locations, while the expert Expedition Team offers valuable knowledge to … Read more about Silver Explorer
Amenities
Fitness Center
Bar
Mudroom
Expedition Parka
Observation Deck
Zodiac Fleet
Beauty Salon
Observation Lounge
Spa
Gift Shop
Connoisseur's Corner
Library
Butler Service
Alcoholic Beverages
Gratuities
Food & Drinks
The Silver Explorer takes pride in its international cuisine, offering contemporary fare with exceptional service and sophistication. The menus feature regional specialties, unique to the cruise destinations. You can expect the freshest seafood aboard your Antarctic cruise. During days at sea, passengers can savor a line of signature dishes called La Collection du Monde, prepared by the renowned Chefs of Relais & Chateaux. At The Restaurant, guests can enjoy smart-casual open-seating dining. For a more interactive culinary experience, The Grill invites passengers to prepare their own food directly at the table using grill stone. Not only is every bite cooked to perfection, but it is also one of the healthiest meal options available aboard the Silver Explorer. During the day, The Grill is transformed into a rotisserie and gourmet burger and salad bar. A plethora of options for all tastes and preferences.
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Select Tour Dates
Sea Kayaking
Optional activities during your cruise
Day 1 • Arrive to King George Island by private flight
Sometimes overlooked as a destination by people keen to set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are a must-see destination in their own right.
Often the first and last landfall on an Antarctic cruise, many people are taken aback by the stunning beauty of these islands. What better way to make contact with the Antarctic than by making your first beach landing here surrounded by gentoo penguins?
Apart from some of the most southerly species of penguin, the South Shetlands are home to a huge range of Antarctic wildlife, and they make a superb introduction to the wildlife of the whole region, including key species like elephant seals, humpback whales, and more.
With active volcanoes, the relics and remains of its history as a centre for whaling, and some of the most beautiful Antarctic mountain scenery, the South Shetland Islands are a fitting first destination for any Antarctic cruise.
Day 2 • Antarctic Sound
A spectacular destination, the Antarctic Sound is the gateway to the Weddell Sea and is always home to many beautiful tabular icebergs.
This 30-mile stretch of water at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula offers remarkable vistas as you sail past Joinville Island and the sound is a good location too observe Adelie Penguins.
Massive tabular icebergs drift through from the Weddell Sea and get stuck on shallower banks. With the spectacular tubular bergs and stunning glaciated mountains, the Antarctic Sound is a photographer's delight, often nicknamed 'iceberg alley', and offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in the Peninsula.
Day 3 • Antarctic Peninsula
The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited by expedition cruises and is home to many of the most popular landing sites. The Gerlache Strait is renowned for the stunning scenery with the snow covered mountains, as if covered in icing sugar, with numerous glaciers tumbling down to the sea.
Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the peninsula are ice-free in the early season, being important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic Antarctic species.
It's here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.
Day 4 • Antarctica Peninsula
The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited by expedition cruises and is home to many of the most popular landing sites. The Gerlache Strait is renowned for the stunning scenery with the snow covered mountains, as if covered in icing sugar, with numerous glaciers tumbling down to the sea.
Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the peninsula are ice-free in the early season, being important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic Antarctic species.
It's here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.
Day 5 • South Shetland Islands
Sometimes overlooked as a destination by people keen to set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are a must-see destination in their own right.
Often the first and last landfall on an Antarctic cruise, many people are taken aback by the stunning beauty of these islands. What better way to make contact with the Antarctic than by making your first beach landing here surrounded by gentoo penguins?
Apart from some of the most southerly species of penguin, the South Shetlands are home to a huge range of Antarctic wildlife, and they make a superb introduction to the wildlife of the whole region, including key species like elephant seals, humpback whales, and more.
With active volcanoes, the relics and remains of its history as a centre for whaling, and some of the most beautiful Antarctic mountain scenery, the South Shetland Islands are a fitting first destination for any Antarctic cruise.
Reviews
Deanna Rieden
May 2022
This was the trip of a lifetime. Our final continent. Once we arrived in Punta Arenas, we were met at the airport by Paula from Aurora who took us to hotel. My baggage was lost by airline and she gave me a coat to wear immediately. Shout out to Paula and Michael for tracking my Luggage. Once we transferred to Antarctica we were met by ship crew with drinks and smiles. The week was packed with excursions and amazing information presented by scientists in different aspects of expertise. The ship staff was friendly, personable making the trip an amazing adventure. The fly and cruise is the way to go!
Marion K
May 2022
It was an AMAZING journey through one of the most spectacular landscapes I have ever scene (if not the most). The boat was top of the line, the professional crew incredibly professional, knowledgeable and fun to hang out with. The service crew took well care of us during all the journey. The kayak pack is specially recommended and if you are lucky you will also a face to face hunch whale experience you will remember as your top wildlife adventure for life (copied from Trip Advisor)
Doug Beham
May 2022
Couldn't be better! This company checks all the boxes: well-planned expeditions, pristine ship, and skilled & courteous service from all the employees. Best cruise company I have traveled with by far. (Copied from Google)
Cristian Coudeu
May 2022
Impressive trip, a beautiful destination that thanks to A21 becomes unforgettable. The concern for every detail, the professional level of the team, the joy with which they do their work make this experience something unique. Discovering Antarctica with A21 is a dream that we should all have. (copied from Trip Advisor)
Till K
April 2022
We booked the 2.5 week trip incl. Antarctic peninsula and South Georgia. We received good information on clothing, recommended literature, itinerary etc. previously. The one night in Punta Arenas extended due to fog around the antarctic landing strip to three days, with an OK emergency program. The difficulty to get to Antarctica shows that it a somehow adventurous place and not normal tourism. Once arrived on board, we were welcomed nicely and shown the beautiful new vessel, the Magellan Explorer. The expedition staff and the crew are very friendly and professional. The cabins and excellent, all have balconies, mini bars are refilled all the time. Food on boards in really good and varied every day. Wine is OK. The expeditions are what you came for. Protocols are very strict, in order to protect wild life. Whats you see is totally amazing, in Antarctica the icebergs and white sceneries, later on in South Georgia the immense amount of king penguins, seals with puppies, etc. During the days of pure navigation, you can spot whales, albatrosses etc., and get very interesting lectures of Antarctic related topics (history, political situation, animals, etc.). Lecturers are excellent professionals, some are also funny. What could be improved? On our specific trip, the three days lost in the beginning were cut off just from the Antarctic peninsula part of the trip, nothing from South Georgia. Could have been more balanced. And in general, on zodiac tours without landing, people could be grouped by interest (photographers have other needs than the rest, some older people get cold earlier than some younger, etc.). Overall… a trip of the lifetime. I intend to do the pure Antarctic trip with the same company and the same vessel. (Copied from Trip Advisor)