Itinerary
- Day 1
Santiago
You'll start in Santiago, where there's plenty to see around the capital. Check out the colonial buildings scattered throughout the city, then head to Sky Costanera for views across the whole area. Wander through Mercado Central to browse the market stalls and vendors, and spend some time at Plaza de Armas soaking in the atmosphere. The city has some great restaurants if you want to grab a meal, and several museums worth your time if you're interested. If you're arriving early, there are optional pre-program activities available to make the most of your first days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Mercado Central market
- Explore Plaza de Armas
- See the Presidential Palace
- Visit Sky Costanera for panoramic views
- Pre-Program activities (available for early arrivals)
Landmarks Mercado Central Plaza de Armas Presidential Palace (La Moneda) Sky Costanera - Day 2
Santiago to Punta Arenas
You'll fly out from Santiago to Punta Arenas in the morning, heading south to Chile's southernmost port. Once there, you'll board your expedition ship and get yourself settled into your cabin. Later that day, you'll meet the expedition team—the guides, hosts, and local experts who'll be with you for the next three weeks helping with everything along the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Board expedition ship
- Explore the ship
- Meet the Expedition Team
- Days 3 - 4
Drake Passage Crossing
The two-day crossing of the Drake Passage begins, and sea conditions can be rough or calm depending on the weather. During the crossing, you'll attend lectures at the Science Center learning about Antarctica's history, wildlife, and how the ecosystems function. You'll get briefed on safety protocols and can sign up for citizen science projects if interested. Between sessions, soak in the hot tubs on deck, relax in the sauna with panoramic views, or watch from the rails for icebergs and whales passing by.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Science Center
- Attend lectures on Antarctica
- Learn safety and low-impact practices
- Join Citizen Science projects
- Use ship facilities (hot tubs, panoramic sauna)
- Days 5 - 12
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
Over the next eight days, you'll explore multiple landing sites across Antarctica's frozen landscape. You'll see icebergs in various shapes and sizes, encounter Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins in their colonies, and watch seabirds soaring overhead. Depending on conditions and the itinerary, you might kayak among icebergs with seals nearby, try snowshoeing to higher viewpoints, or visit abandoned whaling sites. The ship's lectures cover Antarctica's ecology and conservation efforts, and you'll learn from talks given on shore as well about this fragile environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore multiple landing sites on Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
- RIB boat excursions
- Possible kayaking among icebergs and seals
- Possible snowshoeing to viewpoints
- Escorted landings with small boats
- Expert onboard lectures and onshore talks
- Wildlife viewing and bird watching
Landmarks Antarctic Peninsula South Shetland Islands - Days 13 - 14
Drake Passage and Cape Horn
You'll head back north across the Drake Passage and around Cape Horn after your eight days exploring Antarctica. As you sail toward the Chilean fjords, there's time to relax on board and catch up with other travelers. The expedition team continues with lectures in the Science Center, this time focusing on Chile's geology and wildlife. You can keep contributing to citizen science projects, and the captain will try for a Cape Horn landing if weather permits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail Drake Passage
- Possible landing and exploration at Cape Horn
- Expert lectures on Chile's geology and wildlife
- Citizen Science project contributions
Landmarks Cape Horn - Day 15
Magallanes Province Fjords
The ship cruises north along the Chilean coast through the rugged island chains and fjords of Magallanes Province. You'll watch for Magellanic penguin colonies from small boats or right from the deck, plus elephant seals and different whale species. The coastline here features dramatic waterfalls and isolated terrain that you'll see as the ship moves through the channels and narrow passages heading north.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Magallanes Province fjords
- Wildlife viewing (penguins, elephant seals, whales)
- Days 16 - 17
Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine
You'll arrive at Puerto Natales, which sits as the main gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Choose between taking a bus tour or hiking to explore the park's steppe, forests, deserts, glaciers, and lakes. Watch for guanacos roaming the landscape, rheas moving across open ground, Chilean flamingos, and if you're lucky, an Andean condor. During free time, explore Puerto Natales' restaurants and bars, check out outdoor shops, visit the artisan village at Etherh Aike, take a gin tour at the Last Hope Distillery, or walk along the waterfront.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Puerto Natales
Optional Activities
- Torres del Paine bus tour
- Torres del Paine hiking tour
- Visit artisan village at Etherh Aike
- Gin tour at Last Hope Distillery
- Explore Puerto Natales waterfront
Landmarks Torres del Paine National Park Last Hope Distillery - Day 18
Puerto Edén
You'll visit Puerto Eden, a small village accessible only by sea, set deep in a fjord within Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Explore the wooden boardwalks that connect the houses and shops throughout the settlement. You'll have the chance to meet members of the Kaw'esqar indigenous people, some of the last remaining in the region, and learn about their distinct culture and traditional way of living in this remote area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Puerto Edén village
- Meet Indigenous Kaw\u00e9sqar people
- Cultural exchange
Landmarks Puerto Edén Bernardo O'Higgins National Park - Day 19
Patagonian Coast
The ship sails north along the Patagonian coast, moving through fjords lined with channels, mountains, and alpine glaciers mixed with Nothofagus forests. Watch for whales, seabirds, and penguins from the deck. Onboard, relax in the panoramic sauna or hot tubs, enjoy meals made with local ingredients, or unwind in the Explorer Lounge. The expedition team gives talks about local history and wildlife, and the onboard photographer shares tips on photographing the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise Patagonian coast
- Expert lectures on local history and wildlife
- Photography tips from onboard photographer
- Use ship facilities (panoramic sauna, hot tubs)
- Day 20
Castro, Chiloé Island
You'll visit Castro on Chiloé Island, Chile's third-oldest city, surrounded by lush green vegetation. See the colorful palafitos stilt houses from different vantage points around the town. Explore Iglesia San Francisco and Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nerc∏n, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Check out the Regional Museum and Museum of Modern Art. Bring binoculars to spot local bird species like green-backed firecrowns, Chilean flamingos, penguins, black-necked swans, ringed kingfishers, and silvery grebes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Castro
- View 'palafitos' stilt houses
Optional Activities
- Visit Iglesia San Francisco (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore Regional Museum
- Visit Museum of Modern Art
- Bird watching
Landmarks Iglesia San Francisco Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón Regional Museum Museum of Modern Art - Days 21 - 22
Final Days at Sea
Your final two days onboard happen as the ship sails toward Valpará∏so. Spend time with fellow travelers, search for rare birds from the deck, enjoy drinks in the Explorer Lounge, soak in the hot tub, or stop by the Science Center for more discoveries. The expedition team is available to recap your entire Antarctic and Patagonian adventure and answer any lingering questions about what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Final days on board
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Rare bird watching on deck
- Science Center activities
- Expedition Team recap session
- Day 23
Valparaíso
The ship docks at Valpará∏so, known as the Jewel of the Pacific, where your expedition cruise concludes. Explore this UNESCO-listed city built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean. Walk through the colorful barrios and alleyways, browse local markets packed with produce and goods, then take a funicular ride up to Cerro Alegre and Concepción for views back over the city. If you're interested in extending your time, optional post-program activities are available for further exploration of Chile.
Optional Activities
- Explore Valparaíso city
- Funicular ride to Cerro Alegre
- Funicular ride to Concepción
- Post-Program activities
Landmarks Cerro Alegre Concepción
