Settle into the Mandarin Oriental before going on a guided overview of the vibrant Chilean capital backed by the Andes. 

Today fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas. Embark your ship National Geographic Explorer.

Cruise to Tierra del Fuego and venture into the archipelago’s largest protected land area: Karukinka Natural Park. Visit this private reserve with special permission, searching for Andean foxes, guanacos, black-browed albatrosses, and more. Then sail to Ainsworth Bay, a stunning fjord surrounded by subpolar forest, keeping an eye out for elephant seals.

Today, we enter the Strait of Magellan to explore Francisco Coloane Marine Park. The park covers more than 165,000 acres of land and sea and is home to abundant wildlife, including humpback whales, two species of sea lions, and Magellanic penguins. Cruise along the coastline by Zodiac and kayak to watch for black and white Peale’s dolphins, the endangered Chilean dolphin, and Andean condors.

Early this morning, we dock in picturesque Puerto Natales before exploring the majestic Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Set out by foot or by vehicle across the windswept, rugged landscape, which spans more than 550,000 acres and harbors an astounding variety of geological forms, from the soaring granite pillars of the “horns” and windswept grasslands to rivers, glaciers, and gem-colored lagoons. Keep an eye out for guanacos, rheas, foxes, and armadillos.

Local pilots join our captain on the bridge to guide us through the winding Kirke Narrows, accessible only to small expedition ships. We then continue our discovery of the Chilean fjords, where we may explore by ship or take a forest walk.

From the latitudes of Cape Horn to the Reloncav Estuary, Chile's southern coast features a sizable number of fjords and channels that resemble fjords. Important navigable routes leading to ports like Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco, and Puerto Natales include some fjords and channels.

Sail to Antarctica via the Drake Passage, named after 16th-century English admiral Sir Francis Drake. Watch for dozens of species of seabirds gliding alongside our ship—including the albatross, which boasts the longest wingspan of any extant bird—and enjoy talks from our onboard naturalists about the wildlife and geology that await us on the Antarctic Peninsula.

With long hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunities to explore. Our flexible schedule allows us to take advantage of the unexpected, whether we are watching whales at play off the bow of our ship or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid glittering icebergs. One day, we might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk on a beach amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next day, we might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. Our expert expedition team enriches our experiences.

Relax on board and enjoy the ship’s amenities as the coast of Antarctica disappears from view. Round the southernmost tip of South America at Cape Horn and witness the dramatic meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans en route to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Disembark in Ushuaia and board our flight to Santiago to connect with your flight home.