Check in to your fine hotel, centrally located in Santiago, and have the morning to relax. Santiago is nearly surrounded by the Andes, which form an inspiring backdrop to your afternoon guided overview of this vibrant city. Explore the Plaza de Armas, the main square, and nearby Presidential Palace, enjoying wonderful views from the many hills that dot the city.

Today we fly by private charter flight to the Falklands, arriving in Mount Pleasant with a transfer to Stanley, the capital. Have time to stroll the photogenic tin-roofed, colonial-style houses of Stanley, seeing the Anglican Cathedral with its organic archway of whale bones before embarking your ship.

Each Falkland Island is a variation on the theme of topographical beauty with white-sand beaches, vaulting cliffs, windswept moors, and the sunlit yellows and greens of waving tussock grass. While the Falklands boasts a human population (3,000 people in total; 2,500 of whom live in the capital, Stanley) the animals—specifically thousands of irresistible Gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, as well as magnificent albatross with 11-foot wingspans and curious fur seals—vastly outnumber them and constitute a major draw for wildlife.

During our days at sea, we learn about the fascinating history of Antarctic exploration, as well as the flora, fauna, and geology of South Georgia—and the riveting story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance. The naturalists help you identify the seabirds that follow us: wandering albatross, prions, and black-browed albatross. There’ll also be time to browse the library, enjoy a massage in the wellness center, or workout in the gym.

Steeped in Shackleton and whaling lore, covered mostly in glaciers, South Georgia explodes with life: gentoo and macaroni penguins, enormous snorting elephant seals, and a thriving fur seal population. Here on South Georgia—the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean—you can observe one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles: literally tens of thousands of stately king penguins on a single beach! This is also the setting for the historic adventure story of Sir Ernest Shackleton aboard the ill-fated Endurance, and we’ll visit his gravesite at Grytviken to hoist a toast

Whales beneath, birds above, as you continue on. The naturalists prepare you for the exciting days ahead with presentations on the wildlife and history of the Falkland Islands. 

With long hours of daylight, we make the most of our days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands. We’ll sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel (conditions permitting) and land on the “White Continent,” exploring via Zodiac, kayak and on foot, and using our arsenal of tools for exploration. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected—watching whales play off the bow, taking an after-dinner Zodiac cruise, or heading out on an unplanned excursion. We anticipate offering opportunities each day to hike, kayak among the ice floes, and experience close encounters with wildlife. You may have the thrill of watching our powerful ship crunch through the pack ice or step ashore to thousands of Adelie and chinstrap penguins. Our expert staff will craft an expedition where you will learn, see and experience more. (

Sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the escort of seabirds that cross our bow. There’s time to share photos with the onboard National Geographic photographer, catch up on the book you haven’t had a minute to read, and write emails home, saying “don’t want this to end.”

Disembark in Ushuaia. Fly by charter to Buenos Aires, Argentina and connect with your flight home.