Day 1: Santiago, Chile
Arrive in Santiago, Chile's mountainous capital, and transfer to the Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, or similar.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 11:00 a.m. local time.
Arrival City: Santiago, Chile
Day 2: Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark Ship
Fly by private charter to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel. Embark the ship.
This day has a recommended group flight.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 3 and 4: At Sea / Drake Passage
This 500-mile-wide strait between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Sometimes ferocious, sometimes flat calm, the Drake is always a fascinating place in its own right. This part of the journey is your best opportunity to see gorgeous seabirds like the wandering albatross, and you might be lucky enough to encounter killer whales or rare species of dolphins. This is also a day to get to know the ship and prepare for the adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot wildlife), have a relaxing massage, attend a talk about the biology of the penguins you’ll soon be seeing or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge, look out over the waves and reflect on the incredible history of this fabled passage. If it does get a little rough, just take a couple of nice naps; you’ll be in Antarctica before you know it.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 5 to 8: Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, you'll have ample opportunities to explore. The schedule is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of the unexpected, whether you’re watching whales at play off the bow of the ship or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid glittering icebergs. One day, you might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk on a beach amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, you might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. The expert expedition team will enrich your experiences.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 9 and 10: At Sea
Relax onboard and enjoy the ship’s amenities as the coast of Antarctica disappears from view. Round the southernmost tip of South America at Cape Horn and witness the dramatic meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans en route to South America.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 11 and 12: Chilean Fjords
Sail into southern Patagonia’s vast wilderness of forested isles, mirror-like lakes and snowcapped peaks. Myriad fjords cut between soaring granite walls, and waterfalls tumble from high above. Explore the region known as Chile’s “Glacier Alley,” part of the UNESCO- recognized Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Cruise into the secluded Pia Fjord, admiring views of its massive glacier, and glide into Garibaldi Fjord in Alberto de Agostini National Park, where the Andes meet the sea. Get up close to the monumental wall of ice that marks the edge of Garibaldi Glacier, exploring by Zodiac or kayak. Continue to Agostini Fjord, where numerous glaciers originate from the nearby mountains, for a chance to witness thunderous glacial calving.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 13: Tierra del Fuego: Karukinka Natural Park and Ainsworth Bay
Cruise to Tierra del Fuego and venture into the archipelago’s largest protected land area: Karukinka Natural Park. Visit this private reserve by special permission, searching for Andean foxes, guanacos, black-browed albatross and more. Then sail to Ainsworth Bay, a stunning fjord surrounded by subpolar forest, keeping an eye out for elephant seals.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 14: Francisco Coloane Marine Park
Enter the Strait of Magellan to explore Francisco Coloane Marine Park. The park covers more than 165,000 acres of land and sea and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including humpback whales, two species of sea lions and Magellanic penguins. Cruise along the coastline by Zodiac and kayak to spot black-and-white Peale’s dolphins, the endangered Chilean dolphin and Andean condors.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 15: Kirke Narrows / Puerto Natales
Local pilots will join the Captain on the Bridge to guide the ship through the winding Kirke Narrows, accessible only to small expedition ships. You'll then continue your discovery of the Chilean fjords, where you may explore by ship or take a forest walk.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 16: Puerto Natales / Torres del Paine National Park
Dock in picturesque Puerto Natales before heading out to explore majestic Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Set out by foot or by vehicle across the windswept, rugged landscape, which spans more than 550,000 acres and harbors an astounding variety of geological forms, from the soaring granite pillars of the “horns” to windswept grasslands to rivers, glaciers and gem-colored lagoons. Keep an eye out for guanacos, rheas, foxes and armadillos.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 17: Puerto Natales / Disembark Ship / Santiago
Disembark in Puerto Natales and board your flight to Santiago to connect with your overnight flight home.
Departure Time: Depart after 9:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Santiago, Chile
This day has a recommended group flight.
Breakfast included.
