This expedition cruise takes you to the untouched wilderness of Antarctica and the beautiful fjords of Chile. Join this 20-day fantastic adventure to explore the great white continent with ice-cruising, landings, and other exciting activities, followed by a voyage of discovery to the remote and spectacular Chilean coast.
Highlights
Enjoy the rare chance to explore Antarctica and Patagonia in one expedition
Sail into the Chilean fjords and see Cape Horn in full summer bloom
Take part in landings, hiking and ice-cruising in Antarctica
Get the opportunity to visit Torres del Paine National Park
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your expedition starts with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, the bustling capital of Argentina. Optional city tour. Spend the evening at your leisure and discover the “Paris of South America” for yourself.
The following day, you fly to Ushuaia. The flight leaves Buenos Aires early in the morning, allowing you a few hours to explore Ushuaia or join an optional excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park before embarking on MS Fram. In the evening, sail through the scenic Beagle Channel.
MS Fram takes us safely across the famous Drake Passage. The voyage from the Antarctic Peninsula to the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 600 miles or 40 hours of sailing time in good weather. During the voyage south, the expedition team prepares you for your exploration through a series of informative lectures and demonstrations.
This pure wilderness is full of overwhelming impressions. The elements rule here, so your expedition team works with the conditions to select the best possible landing sites to create unforgettable experiences on the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula. Flexibility allows us to take advantage of the unexpected, and wildlife will be at the forefront of our plans.
At every opportunity, your expedition team will take you out for landings or ice cruising to get close and truly explore Antarctic beauty, while ensuring not to disturb the wildlife.
The optional activities offer you the chance to experience Antarctica with all your senses as you sail remote waters with icebergs floating by, hike up snowy pathways to spectacular views, and listen to the sounds of glaciers calving or penguins squabbling. Every day will be different, and each is carefully designed to create lasting memories.
Sailing northbound across the Drake Passage is the chance to re-cap all we have seen and heard in Antarctica. The expedition team will continue their lecture program to prepare you for the delights ahead. Enjoy priming your knowledge about the history and ecosystems of the area. Make sure to spend some time on deck to enjoy the fresh sea air and watch for wildlife.
Attempt a landing on Cape Horn – the southernmost tip of South America. Going ashore can be very difficult because of the weather in this area. This is the southernmost point of South America, marking the boundary between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Next, we will sail on to the sheltered waters of Beagle Channel.
The glacier-created Chilean fjords are a true highlight, with their deep channels, placid fjords and mountains plunging into icy waters. The snow-capped mountains and steep valleys make a striking contrast to an otherwise lush coastal plain that is rich in wildlife.
Day 13-14: Puerto Natales | Torres del Paine National Park
The impressive “Torres del Paine” (Towers of Paine) rock formation gives the park its name. The peaks, Torre Central, Sur and Norte, create spectacular vistas. Explore the nature sanctuary on our optional excursion.
Torres del Paine hosts stunning variety, from the vast open steppe to rugged mountain terrain. The park is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora - watch for llamas, pumas, and foxes, in addition to more than 100 species of birds like the Andean condor.
Included activity: Scenes of Puerto Natales (3 hrs)
Explore the small city of Puerto Natales and its scenic surroundings. Visit Plaza de Armas, a tree-lined square in the town center, and then go to a large cave where the bones of a prehistoric ground sloth called a Milodón were found in 1896. The cave attracts many visitors and features a historical display of the tribes who inhabited the area as far back as 12,000 years ago.
The village of Puerto Edén in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park will enchant you. This deeply isolated community is situated at the end of a deep fjord and surrounded by mountains. Its population of 250 includes the 15 remaining members of the Kawéskar tribe.
Your expedition cruise continues south to one of the world’s most remote and beautiful places, the southern province of Ultima Esperanza, meaning Last Hope. This is an iconic Andean seascape of amazing beauty.
Castro is set among windswept hills and lush vegetation. The city is known for its colorful “palafitos,” wooden houses mounted on stilts along the water's edge. While here, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Iglesia de San Francisco.
Included activity: Castro Walking Tour (2 hrs)
Explore landmarks and cultural sights on a city walk through Castro, the capital of Chile’s Chiloé Island. Castro is famous for its ornate church, Iglesia de San Francisco, and the nearby districts of Rilán, Nercón and Chelín are known for their unique wooden churches, designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Castro and Chiloé are also famous for palafitos, traditional wooden stilt houses.
Heading towards Valparaíso, you have the chance to relax and enjoy the deep relaxation of a day at sea. The expedition team will entertain you with stories of the area, help you to plan your next exploration or show you an interesting creature or two under the microscope in our Science Center.
Day 20: Valparaíso, Chile | Disembark
1 Breakfast
This remarkable expedition cruise ends in the colorful and poetic port of Valparaíso. One of the best ways to see this scenic city is to climb the hills aboard a funicular, which provides sweeping views.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Select a Date
Polar Inside - I
Size: 10-13 m2. Upper-deck cabin, No window, Double bed (optional twin)
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Polar Outside - FJ
172-226 square feet. Outside cabin: Double bed, seating area, TV, refrigerator, shower/wc, limited or no view. (FJ 503 with twin beds).
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Polar Outside - N
113-140 square feet. Outside cabin: One bed, one sofa bed, table, TV, refrigerator, shower/wc. (N-352 with upper/lower berths).
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Arctic Superior - U
118-252 square feet. Outside cabin: One bed, one sofa bed, table, TV, refrigerator, kettle, shower/wc. (U-526 with upper/lower berths).
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
19 Breakfasts, 18 Lunches, 18 Dinners
19 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Photography Guide on Expedition Team
Complimentary Expedition Jacket
Loan of Boots, Trekking Poles, & All Equipment for Activities
Photos & Film/Video Footage from the Voyage Shared in The Expedition Logbook
Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board ship
Coffee and tea are included throughout the day. Beverages (beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water in all ship restaurants)
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with very limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
Outbound flight Buenos Aires - Ushuaia selected, in economy class
Transfer from the Hotel in Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires Airport Before the Voyage
Transfers between Ushuaia Airport & Ship, Including a Short City Tour
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Buenos Aires Hotel tax (up to $2 per person/night) - paid at checkout
Luggage Handling
Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
Optional small-group adventures and landing activities with our expedition team such as kayaking, camping, glacier walks, long hikes (availability contingent on weather conditions and safety)
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.