Exploration of Antarctica, Patagonia, and Chilean Fjords

Unescorted overnight in Santiago de Chile. There is a lot to discover in Chile’s capital, be it the Andean glaciers and mountains at the edges of the city or the colonial architecture and artistic neighborhoods that line the Mapacho River.
 
Included:
 
·  One-night bed and breakfast at a centrally located three-star hotel

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

From Punta Arenas, the ship journeys south through the Magellan Strait and into the wild and remote Beagle Channel. Guests will be able to admire the stunning scenery as we sail past a maze of islands, mountains, and fjords. 
 
They may also be able to spot colonies of Magellanic penguins on the beaches together with lounging elephant seals. In the water, migrating blue, grey, and humpback whales, orcas, and playful dolphins may also be seen.

Exiting the Beagle Channel, we turn due south towards Antarctica, passing the iconic Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America. Before the Panama Canal, ships had to pass this infamous rocky island in order to cross between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Depending on sea and weather conditions, we will attempt to make a landing on Cape Horn, at the Captain’s discretion.
 
The Drake Passage connects the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans and is the shortest crossing to Antarctica. It is also nicknamed the ‘Drake Shake’ when the seas are stormy or the ‘Drake Lake’ when the waters are still. 

Each day, we venture to one of 22 possible sites to go cruising in small boats and to make landings where guests are able to observe penguin colonies, seals, whales, glaciers, and icebergs up close.
 
All aboard are invited to participate in lectures on glaciology, climate change, and marine biology. Guests can also engage in Citizen Science programs like photographing leopard seals and spotting whale tails that contribute directly to scientific research.
 
 Included:
 
·  Daily landings with short hikes to scenic or wildlife spots 
·  Small boat cruises near the ship and landing site
·  Lectures on a wide range of scientific topics
 
Additional optional activities may include:
 
·  Kayaking near icebergs, and possibly seals and penguins
·  Longer small boat cruises to explore hard-to-reach areas
·  Guided longer hikes to scenic viewpoints
·  Camping ashore possibly with penguins
·  Snowshoeing through pristine snowfields
·  In-depth photography lessons

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 Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory and guests can enjoy a pint of beer in one of the many typically English local pubs in the capital of Stanley. The ship will try to call at New Island, to the west of the Falkland archipelago and characterized by beautiful white-sand beaches. It is a habitat for Gentoo, Magellanic, and Rockhopper penguins, the black-browed albatross, and peregrine falcons. May also visit Carcass Island. Its steep cliffs and pretty coves attract rich birdlife such as various species of songbirds, ducks, geese, caracaras, and wrens. 
 
Included:
·  Stanley self-guided walk (1-2 hrs)
·  Daily landings with short hikes to scenic or wildlife spots 
·  Small boat cruises near the ship and landing site
·  Lectures on a wide range of scientific topics
 
Included activity:
Stanley self-guided walk (1 - 2 hrs)
Take a short self-guided walk to get insight into life in the Falklands. Start at the historic Jubilee Villa gardens where local flora and fauna are found, stroll along Ross Road and visit Christchurch Cathedral and the Whalebone Arch before proceeding to the Historic Dockyard Museum. Take the tour as part of a group or on an individual basis.

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.

It’s time to return home via Punta Arenas and Santiago de Chile. 
 
Included transfers and flight:
 
•      Transfer from the ship to Punta Arenas airport
•      Flight in coach class from Punta Arenas to Santiago de Chile