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Antarctica Fly-Over Expedition
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At a Glance
Location
Antarctica
Dates
February 5 – 15, 2029
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 34 Guests
Collections
- Journey
- Signature Collection
Antarctica Fly-Over Expedition Photography Workshop
A Small Group (34 Guests) Cruise with Seven Full Days on the Antarctic Peninsula
February 5 – 15, 2029
- Explore farther south and cross the Antarctic Circle
- Private photography expedition with four Pros and just 34 guests
- Fly over the Drake Passage both ways, avoiding four days at sea
The pristine silence of Antarctica is broken only by the crackle of ancient ice and the distant calls of a penguin rookery. Known for its savage beauty and remarkable wildlife, Muench Workshops is offering a privately chartered, photography-first expedition to explore this incredible environment aboard our small ship, the M/V Aureum.
While standard tours typically limit you to just five days on the peninsula, our photography-driven itinerary offers seven full days of unforgettable exploration in this frozen paradise. Instead of spending four days at sea, we skip the infamous Drake Passage crossing via chartered jet. With seven full days to explore, we will also push south toward the Antarctic Circle, aiming to cross it if weather and ice conditions allow.
There will be two hero excursions per day, blending dramatic shore landings with long, immersive Zodiac cruises. Yet, some of your absolute best shots will happen straight from the vessel’s deck as you sail between locations, where you can capture pods of humpback whales breaking through the glassy water or flocks of Adélie penguins drifting past on house-sized icebergs. Without the rigid schedules of a commercial cruise liner, we can pivot in a heartbeat to follow scenes emerging beside us – we have even been known to turn the ship around to get a closer look.
February brings the peak of the late Antarctic summer, a highly productive period where nutrient-rich waters draw massive numbers of feeding humpback whales. You will photograph shifting fields of graphic blue icebergs, towering glaciers, and sprawling rookeries where Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguin chicks are approaching fledging. Nearby, predatory leopard seals and dramatic seabirds like skuas and petrels navigate the stark landscape, offering endless opportunities to capture wildlife framed against an immense, scale-defying landscape.
Making the most of the constantly changing conditions takes experience, and our Pros bring an extraordinary depth of knowledge to this workshop, with some having photographed the continent on upwards of 20 expeditions. That familiarity matters in an environment that changes by the minute, and they will be right beside you, helping with everything from lens choice and camera settings to positioning and composition to make sure you don’t miss the shot.
As the late-summer sun hangs low, bathing the ice in hours of golden light, you will have time to experiment, learn from our Pros, and immerse yourself fully in the experience of photographing Antarctica.
Itinerary
About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
February 5, 2029: Arrival Puerto Natales, Chile
Your expedition begins in Puerto Natales, where you will meet your Muench Workshops’ Pros and fellow travelers before joining the expedition team for a comprehensive pre-Antarctic briefing. We will cover the days ahead, including flight logistics, weather considerations, Zodiac operations, shore landings, wildlife protocols, and what to expect from life aboard our small ship, the M/V Aureum. That evening, we gather for a traditional Patagonian asado, marking the official start of the expedition with good food, conversation, and a first chance to get to know the group before we head south.
February 6, 2029: Depart Puerto Natales, Fly to King George Island, and Sail to Antarctica
From day two onward, we are ready to depart for Antarctica, as soon as conditions allow. The charter flight to King George Island takes approximately two-and-a-half hours, with the Captain selecting the safest available weather window for departure.
Should conditions prevent us from flying that day, the expedition will continue from our hotel. Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, and the surrounding Patagonian landscape are destinations in their own right, giving us opportunities to explore, photograph, and enjoy the region while we wait for the window to open. The extended voyage duration has been deliberately designed to give us greater flexibility around this crossing.
Landing in the South Shetland Islands marks an immediate transition from Patagonia to Antarctica, with the Aureum waiting nearby to begin the expedition. After transferring to the vessel and settling into your cabin, we will complete our onboard safety briefings, meet the wider expedition team, prepare our camera gear, and set sail into Antarctic waters.
February 7–13, 2029: Explore the Antarctic Peninsula
The itinerary will target some of the Antarctic Peninsula’s most compelling locations while retaining the flexibility essential to a true expedition. While we will have preferred locations in mind, no landing site, route, or destination can ever be guaranteed. Some of the places we may explore include:
- Neko Harbor
- Paradise Bay
- Cuverville Island
- Danco Island
- Pleneau Bay
- Petermann Island
- Port Lockroy
- Lemaire Channel
- Crystal Sound
- The Gullet
- Lallemand Fjord
- Marguerite Bay
An early morning at Neko Harbor promises you the perfect canvas of massive mountain backdrops, sweeping glaciers, and bustling gentoo penguin colonies. Stepping ashore here puts the sheer scale of the continent into perspective, where gentoos nest high up on rocks to avoid surges from calving glaciers.
Another afternoon might take us to Paradise Bay, best captured from the water. Your Zodiac will silently glide through fields of broken sea ice, revealing feeding whales and resting seals against a background of sheer polar grandeur. After an early-evening dinner, you’ll head out through the Lemaire Channel, where steep, glaciated mountains rise on either side of the vessel, and icebergs drift across the water. If the sea is calm, you can experience the mesmerizing mirror effect, perhaps punctuated by the tail of a diving humpback whale.
Between locations, the rhythm of the workshop shifts back onboard. You might return from a morning landing for lunch and an image review, spend the afternoon talking through technique or editing with our Pros, then head back out as the light softens for an evening Zodiac cruise or ship-based shoot. Meals, talks, feedback sessions, and downtime all fit around the photographic opportunities, with the day often beginning early and finishing late when the light is at its best.
Further south is where the real magic happens, when you leave the main peninsula routes behind and push toward the Antarctic Circle. Sailing into Crystal Sound, The Gullet, Lallemand Fjord, and Marguerite Bay changes everything. Distant boats vanish, and a profound, heavy silence takes over. Out here, you are completely surrounded by monumental glacier fronts and endless fields of sea ice. It is raw and isolating, making any wildlife encounter feel like a privileged secret.
February 14, 2029: Await Return Flight and Farewell Dinner
As the expedition draws to a close, Aureum will position in Maxwell Bay while we wait for the safest weather window for our return charter flight. From this point, the ship must remain in the bay, and we need to be ready to depart as soon as conditions allow.
The timing of the flight is entirely weather dependent, so departure may come at short notice. While we wait, we remain comfortably aboard Aureum, with time to relax, review images, spend time with your pros, and enjoy our final views of Antarctica from the ship.
Once the flight window opens, we will transfer ashore at King George Island and make the approximately 2.5-hour flight back across the Drake Passage to Puerto Natales. From there, we return to the lodge for our final night together, finishing the expedition with a farewell dinner and a chance to reflect on an extraordinary journey south.
February 15, 2029: Flights Home
Depart Puerto Natales at any time today, with transfers arranged according to your onward travel plans.
Aboard the MV Aureum
The Aureum is a newly commissioned, purpose-built expedition vessel, engineered to balance the demands of Antarctica with five-star comfort. From first-class chefs to a top-deck wellness area with a sauna, hot tub, and gym, every detail has been considered to create a warm, comfortable retreat after long days exploring the ice.
Every guest aboard is part of the Muench Workshops family, meaning you will never have to compete with other groups for deck space, Zodiac departures, or time ashore. The ship's hybrid propulsion system also supports quieter, lower-impact travel through polar waters, particularly valuable when photographing wildlife or drifting through silent landscapes of ice.
With just 22 guest cabins, including spacious suites and eight dedicated single cabins, the Aureum offers an unusually personal expedition experience. Panoramic observation lounges, expansive outdoor viewing decks, and an open bridge give you exceptional access to the landscape throughout the voyage.
(Below images are renders as the ship is still being built, final images expected by February 2027)
Cabins
Aureum has five cabin categories across three decks. Every cabin has a private ensuite bathroom, with the main differences being size, deck location, window type, and the amount of natural light and living space.
Cabin pricing is per person. Twin and suite pricing is based on double occupancy, while single-cabin pricing is based on single occupancy. Hotel rooming is separate from ship cabin occupancy. Guests sharing a cabin aboard Aureum may request a private hotel room in Puerto Natales for an additional single room supplement.
- Classic Twin (Only 1 female cabin share remaining!): 189 ft² / 17.5 m², Main Deck, two separate lower berths, two portholes, desk, and chair. Comfortable and practical, with a cozier, more traditional expedition-cabin feel.
- Classic Single (SOLD OUT): 135 ft² / 12.5 m², Main Deck, single lower berth, upper bunk that can be used for non-breakable gear storage, porthole, desk and chair, and private ensuite bathroom. A compact and practical option with useful additional storage.
- Signature Twin (Only 2 berths/1 cabin remaining!): 194 ft² / 18 m², Upper Deck, configurable as a double or twin, three tall windows, desk and chair. Although only slightly larger than the Classic Twin, the additional windows make the cabin feel considerably brighter and more open.
- Signature Single (SOLD OUT): 135 ft² / 12.5 m², Upper Deck, single bed, two tall windows, desk and chair. The same floor area as the Classic Single, but without the upper bunk and with considerably more natural light and views.
- Signature Suite (Only 1 male cabin share remaining!): 264 ft² / 24.5 m², Bridge Deck, configurable as a double or twin, panoramic windows, separate sitting area with sofa and chairs, desk and chair. The most spacious accommodation onboard, with significantly more living space and expansive views directly from the cabin. These are not sold at half occupancy unless you plan to travel with a pre-determined friend or spouse.
(Below images are renders as the ship is still being built, final images expected by February 2027)
A typical day on the workshop
No two days in Antarctica are ever quite the same. Your day might begin with an early Zodiac departure as the first light reaches a penguin rookery, or on deck as the Aureum moves quietly through a field of icebergs. Throughout the day, we will make the most of the conditions in front of us, typically with two major excursions combining shore landings and long, immersive Zodiac cruises, with plenty of photographic opportunities from the ship in between.
Back on board, the workshop continues. Between excursions, you can settle into the ship's luxury lounges for talks, image reviews, editing sessions, and informal conversations with your Pros and fellow photographers. There is time to review what you have just photographed, ask questions while the experience is still fresh, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. With four Muench Workshops Pros onboard, learning is not confined to scheduled sessions; conversations about composition, wildlife behavior, camera technique, and post-processing continue naturally throughout the day.
Around all of this comes the five-star experience of the Aureum. Exceptional meals, comfortable lounges, observation decks, and a top-deck wellness area with a sauna, hot tub, and gym give you space to recharge between periods of intense photography. Then, when a whale appears beside the ship, or extraordinary light breaks across the ice, you can be back outside with your camera in moments.
Crossing the Drake Passage
Our itinerary is designed to fly over the Drake Passage in both directions, avoiding four days at sea and maximizing our time in Antarctica. The Drake can be notoriously rough, and in our experience, flying is by far the best logistical approach for a photography-first expedition like this. These flights are entirely weather dependent, so we have built a generous weather window into the itinerary to give us the best possible chance of flying when conditions are suitable.
Fitness
Moderate: Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven, rocky, snowy, and occasionally slippery terrain, sometimes with limited assistance, and be able to safely step in and out of Zodiacs from the ship and shoreline. Shore landings may involve short uphill sections, loose rocks, snow, or wet surfaces, and conditions can change quickly. You should be prepared for early starts, late finishes, cold and windy weather, and full days built around photography, but there are no long hikes or sustained strenuous activities planned.
Flights
Arrive at Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT), Puerto Natales before 3:00 PM on February 5, 2029. Flights out can be made anytime on February 15, 2029. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Chartered flights over the Drake Passage in both directions, between Punta Arenas and King George Island.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Meals and lodging onboard the ship.
- Waterproof boots for shore excursions.
- Many hours of basic and advanced Lightroom instruction.
- Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
- Naturalist lectures and presentations on board.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 4 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Puerto Natales, Magallanes.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
Payment Terms
- Your non-refundable deposit will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further non-refundable payment is due by September 1, 2027.
- The non-refundable balance is due not later than May 1, 2028.
- The payment amounts are determined by your cabin choice.
- In addition to our standard Terms and Conditions, for this workshop all payments are non-refundable, and this is why we recommend comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancelation. All other Muench Workshops Terms and Conditions apply.
- While not expected, we do reserve the right to add a surcharge for possible fuel cost increases. This can happen even right up until the time of the expedition, but we try to get as much notice as possible.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
| Cabin Choice | Tuition | Deposit | Further Payment | Balance Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Twin Cabins | $26,000 | $8,000 | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Signature Twin Cabins | $29,000 | $9,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Classic Single | $33,000 | $10,000 | $12,000 | $11,000 |
| Signature Single | $35,000 | $11,000 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Signature Suite | $35,000 | $11,000 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
No, all payments for this Antarctica Fly-Over Expedition are non-refundable. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage.
You'll learn techniques for capturing wildlife as intimate portraits and in their environment, working with challenging lighting conditions, and composing dramatic landscapes. Our pros will also guide you through post-processing and image reviews to enhance your skills further.
You'll have opportunities to photograph a variety of wildlife, including humpback whales, Adélie, Gentoo, and chinstrap penguins, as well as leopard seals and seabirds like skuas and petrels, all set against the stunning Antarctic landscape.
A moderate fitness level is required. You should be comfortable walking on uneven, rocky, snowy, and occasionally slippery terrain, and be able to safely step in and out of Zodiacs. There are no long hikes, but you should be prepared for early starts and full days dedicated to photography.
Bring a range of lenses, such as wide-angle lenses from 14–35mm for landscapes and telephoto lenses from 100–400mm for wildlife. Also, pack weatherproof gear to protect your equipment from the cold and wet conditions.
The itinerary includes chartered flights over the Drake Passage, avoiding the rough seas and maximizing your time photographing in Antarctica. These flights are weather-dependent, but we have built in a generous weather window to ensure the best chance of flying when conditions are suitable.
The maximum group size for this expedition is 34 guests, ensuring a personalized experience with plenty of opportunities for one-on-one guidance from our four professional photographers.
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