In-Depth Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition (Northbound)

Welcome to Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants, and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central market to the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. Check out the Sky Costanera, which offers panoramic views of the city from 1,000 feet up.

You’ll have an early start today, as we depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your expedition ship awaits. Once on board, get settled in, explore the ship, and meet your Expedition Team.

As well as being your guides, hosts, and local experts, they’re also your travel companions for the next three weeks. Friendly and welcoming, they’ll answer any questions you may have during your Antarctic adventure.

Before you reach Antarctica, you must first experience the legendary Drake Passage – a ‘rite of passage’ if you will – a two-day crossing where sea conditions can vary dramatically. It’s named after Sir Francis Drake, who discovered it by chance when his boat was blown south by heavy winds.

Visit the Science Center and find out what lies ahead. Your Expedition Team will deliver lectures on Antarctica, including its history, wildlife, and ecosystems. Learn how to make your visit as safe and as low-impact as possible and discover the Citizen Science projects you can join.

Use this time to enjoy all the onboard comforts at your disposal. Relax in the hot tubs or the panoramic sauna, look out for icebergs, whales, and albatrosses on deck, or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar.

Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins watch from the shores while seabirds soar overhead. Nature is in charge.

During the next eight days, you’ll be busy exploring several landing sites. There are more than 20 possible sites on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do, every day will be thrilling and unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also have the chance to kayak among icebergs and seals or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint.

Bird enthusiasts should look skyward for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels, and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you’ll learn more about this precious habitat and how we can all protect it for the future.

After eight unforgettable days in Antarctica, we’ll turn around and head back north across the Drake Passage and around Cape Horn. You’ll have plenty of time to relax on board as we sail toward the Chilean fjords.

The Expedition Team will continue their lectures in the Science Center and you can learn more about Chile’s geology and wildlife. You can also contribute important data to Citizen Science projects and find out more about what you’ve seen in Antarctica.

The waters around Cape Horn can change just as fast as the Drake Passage. Don’t fret because your experienced Captain will try to find a way to land and explore if conditions allow.

We cruise north along the Chilean coast through the ruggedly beautiful island chains that make up the fjords of Magallanes Province. These isolated islands and hidden bays create a rich haven for wildlife.

Whether cruising aboard our small boats (RIBs) or on deck, look out for colonies of Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, and various whale species. You may also see majestic waterfalls along this dramatic and beautiful section of coastline.

Our expedition cruise continues to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. You can choose to see this beautiful national park on either a bus or hiking tour – both experiences are worth doing.

The rugged landscape features steppe, forest, and desert, punctuated by glaciers and lakes. Guanacos and rheas roam freely. Look out for Chilean flamingos, and you may even spot the mighty Andean condor.

Puerto Natales is a popular hub for hikers and travelers, with many eateries, bars, and outdoor shops. Set out on your own to visit the artisan village at Etherh Aike, enjoy a gin tour at the Last Hope Distillery, or stroll along the picturesque waterfront.

Set at the end of a deep fjord, our next stop is the enchanting village of Puerto Edén, set in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.

The tiny settlement is only accessible by sea, and the ferry that connects it to the mainland only visits once a month. There are no roads here – just wooden boardwalks connecting houses and shops. Its 250 inhabitants include some of the last remaining members of the Indigenous Kawésqar people. You will have the chance to talk to them and gain insight into their unique culture.

We cruise north along the Patagonian coast. You’ll be captivated by the fjord landscapes of Patagonia, with their channels, mountains, and alpine-like glaciers interspersed with forests of Nothofagus trees.

As we sail, there’s a good chance you’ll see whales, seabirds, penguins, and more. Take in the scenery from the panoramic sauna or the hot tubs on deck, enjoy locally sourced cuisine, and relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

The Expedition Team will be on hand with fascinating lectures about local history and wildlife. Our onboard photographer can also help with tips on landscape photography.

Set among the lush vegetation of Chiloé Island, Castro is Chile’s third-oldest city. It’s home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely Iglesia San Francisco and Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón.

From various vantage points, enjoy great views of the city’s colorful ‘palafitos,’ which are stilt houses situated along the waterfront. For a bit of culture, head to the Regional Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Bring your binoculars, as Chiloé is an important habitat for bird species such as green-backed firecrowns and Chilean flamingos, along with penguins, black-necked swans, ringed kingfishers, and silvery grebes.

Enjoy the final two days on board the ship as we sail toward Valparaíso, where your expedition cruise ends. Make the most of the onboard facilities and spend time with the people you’ve met during your adventures.

The choice is yours – whether that means searching for rare birds on deck, enjoying a drink in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, or soaking in the hot tub. You can continue your discoveries in the Science Center and join the Expedition Team to recap your incredible Antarctica and Patagonia expedition cruise.

Your Antarctica and Patagonia expedition cruise begins in colorful Valparaíso. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’, this friendly UNESCO-listed city is built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean.

Filled with enticing scents and sounds, it’s an exhilarating maze of alleyways and barrios, colorful houses, and ‘mercados’ packed with local produce. Take it all in on a funicular ride up to Cerro Alegre and Concepción.

And if you’re up for more adventures, you can join an optional Post-Program.