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Explore the remote Antarctic via zodiac as you sail on the MS Fram

Exploration of Antarctica, Chilean Fjords and Patagonia

Example 19 Day Cruise aboard MS Fram
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MS Fram calls at Castro, Puerto Edén, and Puerto Natales before voyaging south through the Chilean fjords and across the Drake Passage to Antarctica for five days of exploration on the incredible white continent!
The dramatic landscape of AntarcticaPenguin rookeries on the Antarctic peninsulaChilean FjordsChilean FjordsExplore the remote Antarctic via zodiac as you sail on the MS Fram
Highlights
  • Discover the infinite white wilderness of Antarctica
  • Admire the birdlife and penguin colonies of the Falkland Islands
  • Discover Puerto Madryn to spot sea lions and join a range of excursions
  • Meet the famous Gentoo Penguins in Cuverville Island, Antarctica
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Valparaíso, Chile | Embark

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. Guests will be given the address and times for embarkation.

Day 2-3: At sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
While at sea, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures about the upcoming destination in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s hot tubs, sauna, and gym.

Day 4: Castro

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Castro has colorful 'palafitos’ wooden houses mounted on stilts along the water's edge. Other highlights include Iglesia San Francisco, a UNESCO World Heritage church with wood interiors and stained-glass windows, and Feria Campesina Yumbel, a bustling food market. Most of the restaurants in Castro are concentrated along Calle Blanco, which is where guests can get a taste of curanto, a local meat, potato, and seafood stew. 
 
Close to the town is Chiloé National Park and its wide beaches and rugged coastline are home to dozens of seabird species, penguins, and sea lions. The waters here are also visited by a number of whale species such as humpbacks, finbacks, seis, and the much rarer pygmy blue whales and southern right whales. 

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.

Day 5: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
While at sea, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures about the upcoming destination in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s hot tubs, sauna, and gym.

Day 6: Puerto Edén

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The sleepy village of Puerto Edén sits at the end of a deep fjord surrounded by mountains in the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Its tiny population of 250 includes the 15 remaining members of the Kawéskar people, an indigenous Patagonian tribe. Guests can buy traditional Kawéskar crafts as souvenirs, such as wicker baskets and toy boats made from sea lion skins and tree bark. Birdwatchers should keep on the look-out for Magellan hummingbirds which are local to the area.

Additional optional activities may include:
 
·  Kayaking in small groups with a guide
·  Longer small boat cruises to explore hard-to-reach areas
·  Guided longer hikes to scenic viewpoints and wildlife habitats

Day 7-8: Puerto Natales

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Puerto Natales is situated at the picturesque opening of Última Esperanza Sound and acts as the gateway to the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Guests can wander the boutique shops and corrugated-tin houses, or sample some local Chilean cuisine. Visit the ancient Milodón Cave which is 100 ft high and 656 ft deep and made up of interesting rock formations. 
 
A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Torres del Paine National Park features towering mountain peaks, azure lakes, emerald forests, roaring rivers, one big, radiant blue glacier, and the third-largest ice field on the planet. Guests might see llamas, pumas, chilla foxes, and skunks in addition to more than a hundred species of birds such as the Andean condor and black-chested buzzard eagle.  
 
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.

Day 9: Chilean fjords

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 10-11: At sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The ship journeys the scenic Beagle Channel before turning due south towards Antarctica. We pass 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. 
 
While at sea, and provided conditions are calm, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures and watch films about Antarctica in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s hot tubs, sauna, and gym.

Day 12-16: Antarctica

  • Ship
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
As guests are limited to just 200 people on MS Fram, we have a much wider choice of 45 possible sites on the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula to go cruising in small boats and to make landings. Each site offers opportunities 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

Day 17-18: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Return to open water, guests will have time to learn more in the Science Center, attend lectures, enjoy the ship’s infinity pool, hot tubs, gym, and Wellness Center, or just relax while bird and whale watching out on deck.

Day 19: Ushuaia | Buenos Aires | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in Ushuaia, disembark the ship, and fly back to Buenos Aires
It’s time to return via Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world, and Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina and home of Tango. Guests can extend their trip with a choice of excursions or a post-voyage program.
 
Included transfers and flight:
 
•      Transfer from the ship to Ushuaia airport
•      Flight in coach class from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires

Ship/Hotel

MS Fram

Take advantage of the large windows aboard the MS Fram
Enjoy views from the bridge as you sail on the MS Fram
Attend informative lectures as you sail on the MS Fram

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$13,709
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Cabin I MS Fram
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Polar Inside - I
113-140 square feet. Inside cabin: One bed, one sofa bed, TV, refrigerator, shower/wc
Cabin FJ MS Fram
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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).
A comfortable twin cabin on the MS Fram
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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).
Cabin U MS Fram
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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).
Cabin F MS Fram
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Arctic Superior - F
183-248 square feet. Double bed, seating area, TV, refrigerator, kettle, shower/wc.
Cabin M MS Fram
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Expedition Suite - M
172-215 square feet. One room with seating area, TV, mini-bar, kettle, double bed, shower/wc.
Cabin MG MS Fram
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Expedition Suite - MG
260-420 square feet. One room with private balcony, seating area, TV, mini-bar, kettle, double bed, shower/wc.
Included
  • 18 Breakfasts, 17 Lunches, 18 Dinners
  • 18 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
  • Domestic flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires in Economy class
  • Group Transfer upon Disembarkation in Ushuaia from the Ship to the Local Airport
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

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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