Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake, Operated by Quark

This is a short way into Antarctica for those who want the landscape without the two-day Drake Passage crossing. You fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in around two hours, then spend four days sailing between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

The days are built around what's outside the ship: glacier-capped mountains, ice floes, and the wildlife that gathers around them. You'll be on the lookout for whales, seals, penguins and sea birds as you move between landing sites.

It's a compact expedition rather than a long haul south, with a mix of scenic sailing, shore landings and visits to research stations and historic sites along the way.

What you'll do

• Fly the Drake Passage from Punta Arenas to King George Island in about two hours
• Sail between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula
• Visit spots such as Petermann Island, Neko Harbour and the Gerlache Strait
• Scramble to a high point overlooking Port Lockeroy
• Watch penguin colonies and listen for calving glaciers
• Stop at historic sites and research stations