Experience the incredible diversity of landscapes and rich Antarctic wildlife on display in this pristine wilderness. Here in the Lemaire Channel visiting penguins. Discover the Antarctic Peninsula for four days before journeying north through the Chilean fjords, with opportunities to visit national parks at Puerto Natales, Puerto Edén, and Castro.
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.
The voyage starts in the port city of Valparaíso. It is the third-largest city in Chile with charming cobbled alleys, colorful buildings, regular festivals, and street artists and musicians.
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for a flight to Punta Arenas, where the ship awaits. Once aboard the ship, guests join a mandatory safety drill before the Captain’s introduction and welcome dinner.
Included transfers and flight:
· Transfer from hotel to Santiago airport
· Flight in coach class from Santiago to Punta Arenas
· Transfer from Punta Arenas airport to the ship
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 sailing time in good weather. During the voyage south, the expedition team will prepare 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.
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 12-13: 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 19: 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.
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Cabin (RS)
183 sq ft, Cabins on middle decks with queen bed.
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Outside Cabin on Lower/Middle Decks (RR)
205–248 sq ft, Larger cabins on middle decks with flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed. Most are 215 sq ft.
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Outside Cabin on Lower/Middle Decks (TY)
258–280 sq ft, Large middle-deck cabins without a balcony, with flexible sleeping arrangements, amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee. Accessible to guests with limited mobility.
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Outside Cabin on Lower/Middle Decks (TT)
291 sq ft, Large cabins without balcony. On middle decks, with flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa bed, amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee.
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Cabin XY
205 sq ft, High-deck cabins with a broad balcony, double bed, amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee. Accessible to guests with limited mobility
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Outside Cabin with Balcony (XTD)
161–205 sq ft, Spacious high-deck cabins with a balcony, double bed, some with sofa bed, amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee.
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Outside Cabin with Balcony (XT)
161–205 sq ft, Spacious high-deck cabins with a balcony, flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed, amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee
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Corner Suite (MF)
237 sq ft, Corner suite with large windows, without a balcony, with flexible sleeping arrangements, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
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Suite with Balcony (ME)
215–301 sq ft, Suites with a private balcony on high decks, with flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker
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Large Suite with Balcony (MD)
377 sq ft, Large corner suite with a private balcony, flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, espresso maker. Accessible to guests with limited mobility.
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Corner Suite with Balcony (MC)
215–323 sq ft, Aft corner suites with a private balcony and hot tub, large windows, flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
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XL Suite (MB)
474 sq ft, Extra-large corner suites without a balcony. Aft corner suites with sofa bed, flexible sleeping arrangements, large windows, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
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XL Suite with Balcony (MA)
495–517 sq ft, Extra-large corner suites with a private balcony. The ship’s most spacious cabins, with large windows, flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
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
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
