Planning a trip to Antarctica takes time, patience, and a lot of research. The region is remote, the weather is unpredictable, and the travel season is short. Because of this, every part of our Patagonia Antarctica trip planning needed careful attention. We spent months comparing cruise options, studying flight routes, and deciding how to balance our time between Patagonia, Antarctica, and Santiago.

After all that preparation, we are excited to share that our plans are now complete. We have officially booked our dream trip to Patagonia and Antarctica for December 2026. This article explains what we chose, why we chose it, and how each decision fits into our final itinerary. If you are working through your own Patagonia Antarctica trip planning, this breakdown will help you understand the steps involved and the choices you may face.

Overview of Part 1 of Our Trip Planning

In Part 1, I introduced the early stages of my Patagonia Antarctica trip planning. I looked at the main cruise options, compared sailing the Drake Passage with flying it, and explored how to combine Patagonia and Antarctica into a single itinerary. I also shared my first draft schedule, which included time in Santiago, several days in Puerto Natales, and an expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula. That first article helped me understand the big picture. Now, in Part 2, I focus on the exact bookings that turned my plan into a real itinerary.

When We’re Visiting Patagonia and Antarctica

Choosing the right time of year is one of the most important steps in planning a Patagonia Antarctica trip. Patagonia’s best season runs from November through March, when temperatures are milder and the days are longer. Antarctica’s season is even shorter, stretching from late October through early March. During this window, sea ice retreats, wildlife becomes active, and expedition ships can safely reach the peninsula.

We chose December because it offers the strongest combination of wildlife viewing, daylight, and stable conditions. Penguin colonies are full of chicks, whales are more active, and the landscapes are bright and vibrant. In Patagonia, December also brings long days and better hiking weather. This timing gives us the best chance for a memorable experience in both regions.

The Antarctica Tour We Booked

After comparing many options, we booked Lindblad Expeditions’ Fly the Drake Passage tour. This choice became a key part of our Patagonia Antarctica trip planning because it saves four days of travel. Instead of sailing the Drake Passage for two days each way, we will fly from Puerto Natales to King George Island and board our ship there. This gives us more time in Antarctica and more time in Patagonia.

Flying the Drake is also ideal for travelers who get seasick easily. The flight avoids the roughest waters and allows us to start exploring Antarctica almost immediately. Once we land, we will board the National Geographic Explorer, one of the most respected expedition ships in the region. Lindblad has decades of experience in Antarctica, and their naturalists, photographers, and guides are known for their expertise.

The price of this tour varies by season and cabin type. Travelers can expect a premium cost, but the experience and time savings make it worthwhile. For more details on choosing the right cruise, I linked to my guide “Choosing the Right Antarctica Cruise: A Comprehensive Guide” for you to review below.

The Transportation We Needed to Book

Our Fly the Drake Passage tour includes the charter flights between Puerto Natales and King George Island, which simplifies a major part of the trip. However, we still needed to book our international and domestic flights.

Flights Between the United States and Santiago, Chile

We booked round‑trip flights from the United States to Santiago. The journey is an overnight flight with a short stop in Atlanta both ways. Depending on the departure city, flights to Santiago usually take 10 to 14 hours in total. Several airlines offer daily service, and prices vary based on the season. We chose flights with the shortest travel time while still allowing at least two hours for layovers. This gave us a comfortable buffer without adding unnecessary hours to the trip.

Flights Between Santiago and Puerto Natales

Next, we booked round‑trip flights between Santiago and Puerto Natales. These flights are direct and take about three hours. During peak season, several flights operate each day. Prices rise in December, but the convenience of a direct route makes the cost worthwhile. We again selected flights with efficient timing to keep our schedule smooth.

The Tours We Needed to Book

In addition to the Antarctica expedition, we booked several tours to round out our trip. These activities help balance adventure, culture, and relaxation.

• We booked an evening sightseeing tour in Santiago for our arrival day.
• We scheduled a full‑day wine tour in the Maipo Valley for Day 14, which includes visits to four vineyards and a traditional lunch.
• We arranged a full‑day tour of Torres del Paine National Park.
• We left Day 11 open for either a glacier cruise or a kayaking tour in Patagonia.
• We may also enjoy a spa day in Puerto Natales, depending on how we feel after Antarctica.

Our Santiago and Patagonia Tours

The Hotels We Needed to Book

Our itinerary includes a combination of self‑arranged hotels, tour‑arranged hotels, and nights aboard the National Geographic Explorer. When choosing hotels, we focused on comfort, location, and amenities. In Santiago, we chose the Providencia neighborhood because it is central, safe, and known for its high‑quality hotels. In Puerto Natales, we looked for a waterfront hotel with strong amenities and an on‑site spa. This will help us relax before and after our Antarctica cruise.

Accommodation Summary

• Day 1: Overnight flight to Santiago
• Day 2: Self‑arranged hotel in Santiago
• Day 3: Self‑arranged hotel in Puerto Natales
• Day 4: Tour‑arranged hotel in Puerto Natales
• Days 5–9: Nights aboard the National Geographic Explorer during our Antarctica cruise
• Day 10: Tour‑arranged hotel in Puerto Natales
• Days 11–12: Self‑arranged hotel in Puerto Natales
• Days 13–14: Self‑arranged hotel in Santiago
• Day 15: Flight home

Our Finalized Patagonia and Antarctica Tour Itinerary

Our final itinerary blends adventure, wildlife, culture, and relaxation. The Fly the Drake Passage tour gives us an eight‑day Antarctica cruise, with flights on the first and last days. This saves us four days at sea and gives us more time to explore Patagonia.

Because of this, we will have three full days in Torres del Paine National Park. We will also have time for a glacier cruise or kayaking tour, plus a full day in Santiago at the start of the trip. At the end of the trip, we will enjoy a full‑day wine tour in the Maipo Valley.

Our Final Itinerary

• Day 1: Fly from the United States to Santiago
• Day 2: Arrive in Santiago; evening sightseeing tour
• Day 3: Fly to Puerto Natales; open day
• Day 4: Open day in Puerto Natales
• Day 5: Fly to Antarctica; begin cruise
• Days 6–9: Antarctica cruise
• Day 10: Fly back to Puerto Natales; open day
• Day 11: Glacier or kayaking tour
• Day 12: Full‑day Torres del Paine tour
• Day 13: Fly to Santiago; open day
• Day 14: Full‑day Maipo Valley wine tour
• Day 15: Fly home

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