Itinerary
- Day 1
Buenos Aires
You'll arrive in Buenos Aires this evening with time to settle in and explore on your own. Head to Plaza de Mayo if you're interested in the city's central landmarks, or grab dinner at a local parrilla for authentic Argentine steak. If you're feeling energetic, catch a tango show to get a feel for the city's cultural scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Informal tango lesson
- Tango dance show
- Sightseeing at Plaza de Mayo
- Sampling authentic steak dinner at local parrillas
- Pre-Program extension exploring wild Patagonia
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Mayo - Day 2
Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
An early flight gets you to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. You'll board MS Roald Amundsen and attend a safety meeting, then meet the Expedition Team. Dinner kicks off your journey, and from there you'll sail through Beagle Channel where you might spot Peale's dolphins and other wildlife along the scenic shoreline.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia (economy class)
- Transfer from Ushuaia airport to ship with brief town tour
- Mandatory safety meeting
- Welcome dinner
- Sailing through Beagle Channel with wildlife viewing opportunities
Landmarks/POIs Beagle Channel - Days 3 - 4
Drake Passage
You're crossing the Drake Passage over two days. The Expedition Team runs lectures in the Science Center about Antarctic exploration history and wildlife, plus information on Citizen Science programs. Between sessions, relax in the hot tubs, use the infinity pool, or enjoy the panoramic sauna. Three restaurants on board handle all your meals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expedition Team lectures on Antarctica's explorer history
- Expedition Team lectures on Antarctic wildlife
- Citizen Science program participation
- Access to hot tubs
- Access to infinity pool
- Access to panoramic sauna
- Use of Science Center
Landmarks/POIs Drake Passage - Days 5 - 9
Antarctica
Five days exploring Antarctica's landscape of ice and icebergs await. You'll do shore walks, cruise past glaciers, and look for seabirds, seals, whales, and penguin colonies. The Expedition Team follows strict safety and sustainability protocols throughout. Weather and conditions determine where you can actually go each day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Shore walks and landings
- Cruising by icebergs and glaciers
- Wildlife viewing (seabirds, seals, whales, penguin colonies)
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and all activity equipment
- Expedition Team guidance on safety and sustainability
Landmarks/POIs Antarctica - Days 10 - 11
Drake Passage
You're heading back across Drake Passage over two days to reflect on what you've seen. Join the optional Citizen Science program if you want to analyze microscopic samples, or attend lectures on climate change and ocean plastic pollution. Otherwise, just relax on board and process your Antarctic experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Citizen Science program with microscopic sample analysis (optional)
- Expedition Team lectures on climate change
- Expedition Team lectures on oceanic plastic pollution
- Reflection sessions on Antarctic experiences
Landmarks/POIs Drake Passage - Day 12
Ushuaia
This day focuses on Ushuaia itself. Visit Galería Temática Historia Fueguina to learn about the city's early settlers, European discovery, and Charles Darwin's time there. Get your passport stamped at the Tourist Information Center. You can sample local food or hike trails outside town with mountain views and quiet lakes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Galería Temática—Historia Fueguina (museum)
- Passport stamping at Tourist Information Center
- Local cuisine dining
- Hiking trails outside the city
Landmarks/POIs Galería Temática—Historia Fueguina Tourist Information Center - Day 13
Cape Horn
You're heading to Cape Horn where the Atlantic and Pacific collide, creating powerful waves driven by westerly winds. Landing isn't guaranteed because water conditions can be rough, but if the weather cooperates, you'll join a select group who've actually set foot on the island at the cape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Journey to Cape Horn
- Potential landing on Cape Horn island (weather dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Cape Horn - Day 14
Puerto Williams
Puerto Williams is your stop today, one of three cities claiming the southernmost title. Explore the Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum with Yahgan artifacts, maps, and a traditional canoe on display. Walk through the scenic surroundings and watch for seabirds including albatrosses. If conditions allow, kayaking is an option.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum
Optional Activities
- Guided walks through scenery
- Self-guided walks
- Kayaking excursion (weather dependent)
- Seabird and albatross spotting
Landmarks/POIs Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum - Day 15
Garibaldi Fjord
A scenic cruise takes you through Garibaldi Fjord in Alberto de Agostini National Park toward Garibaldi Glacier, one of Chile's most impressive. You'll navigate where the Andes meet the Pacific and spot seals, sea lions, seabirds, and potentially Andean Condors in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise in Garibaldi Fjord
- View of Garibaldi Glacier
Optional Activities
- Wildlife viewing (seals, sea lions, seabirds, Andean Condor)
Landmarks/POIs Garibaldi Glacier Garibaldi Fjord Alberto de Agostini National Park - Day 16
Chilean Fjords
Spend time on deck surveying the remote Chilean fjords with islands, glaciers, and towering mountains all around. Watch for elephant seals, dolphins, and whales in the waters. Expedition Team members help identify seabirds from the deck, and an onboard photographer offers tips for capturing landscapes and wildlife photography.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic sailing through Chilean fjords
- Wildlife viewing opportunities (elephant seals, dolphins, whales)
- Onboard seabird identification assistance
- Professional photographer assistance with expedition photography
Landmarks/POIs Chilean Fjords - Days 17 - 18
Puerto Natales
You arrive at Puerto Natales, gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. An optional excursion takes you into the park to see vast steppes, jagged mountains, and iconic peaks while looking for llamas, pumas, foxes, and over 100 bird species. Otherwise stay in Puerto Natales and check out trendy restaurants, Bohemian bars, a gin distillery, and artisan shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Torres del Paine National Park
- Wildlife viewing in Torres del Paine (llamas, pumas, foxes, birds, Andean Condor)
- Exploring Puerto Natales restaurants and bars
- Visiting gin distillery
- Shopping at artisan craft village
Landmarks/POIs Torres del Paine National Park - Day 19
Pio XI Glacier
Sailing east through Eyre Fjord lined with temperate forest leads you to Pio XI Glacier in Bernado O'Higgins National Park. This glacier grows roughly 150 feet daily and ranks as the longest outside Antarctica in the southern hemisphere. Dolphins and tern seabirds live in these waters. Expedition boats explore when weather allows, keeping safe distance from calving ice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic sailing through Eyre Fjord
- View of Pio XI Glacier
Optional Activities
- Expedition boat exploration of fjord and glacier (weather dependent)
- Wildlife viewing (dolphins, terns, seabirds)
Landmarks/POIs Pio XI Glacier Eyre Fjord Bernado O'Higgins National Park - Day 20
Puerto Edén
Puerto Edén appears today, a remote location reachable only by sea and one of Chile's hardest places to access. Fewer than 200 people live there with no roads, only boardwalks and footpaths. You'll meet and talk with members of the Kaw'eskar people, designated a Living Human Treasure by UNESCO, and learn about their connection to local plants and marine animals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Puerto Edén
- Interaction with Kaw\'eskar community members
Landmarks/POIs Puerto Edén - Day 21
Caleta Tortel
Caleta Tortel is a unique timber village built on stilts where turquoise and milky-blue waters surround it from melting glacial ice. Navigate through the complex wooden boardwalk system connecting homes built in Chilotan architecture. Expect a warm local welcome, possibly with folk dancing. Optional kayaking and a guided village tour are available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Kayaking excursion (weather dependent)
- Village tour with local guide
- Folk dancer performance viewing
Landmarks/POIs Caleta Tortel - Day 22
Patagonia
Sailing continues northward through Patagonian waters with chances to spot whales. Learn about explorer history here, including how Magellan named the inhabitants 'Patagons' in 1520 after a Spanish literary character. Attend lectures on seabirds, geography, or indigenous culture. Join an art workshop painting your experiences or participate in Citizen Science projects.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expedition Team lectures on seabirds
- Expedition Team lectures on geography
- Expedition Team lectures on indigenous culture
- Art Workshop
- Citizen Science program participation
Optional Activities
- Whale spotting
Landmarks/POIs Patagonia - Day 23
Castro
Castro, capital of Chiloé Island, sits amid windswept hills and green landscape. Visit the famous palafitos at Gamboa wharf, brightly painted wooden houses on stilts along Fiordo de Castro. Check out the UNESCO-listed Iglesia San Francisco in the main square and the Museum of Modern Art of Chiloé. Eat at good local restaurants, and optionally head to nearby Chiloé National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Gamboa wharf and palafitos
- Visit Iglesia San Francisco (UNESCO-listed church)
- Visit Museum of Modern Art of Chiloé
- Local cuisine dining
- Excursion to Chiloé National Park
Landmarks/POIs Iglesia San Francisco Gamboa Wharf Museum of Modern Art of Chiloé Chiloé National Park - Day 24
Niebla
Niebla, which means fog in Spanish, is a seaside town on a peninsula with views of Corral Bay and the Valdivia River mouth. Walk the wide beach and try traditional empanadas, antichuchos, and churros at the Feria Costumbrista market if it's open. Most of your time goes to exploring the old Spanish fort ruins, visiting the museum about regional history, walking past the lighthouse, and taking in views across the river and bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Beach stroll
- Feria Costumbrista market sampling (if open)
- Spanish fort ruins exploration
- Fort museum visit
- Lighthouse walk
Landmarks/POIs Niebla Fort Corral Bay - Day 25
At Sea
A relaxing day at sea on MS Roald Amundsen lets you watch for birds and marine life, soak in a hot tub on deck, or grab a drink in the Explorer Lounge and Bar. The Expedition Team recaps cruise highlights and keeps things interesting. The onboard photographer may show a slideshow of expedition photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expedition Team recap session
- Potential onboard photographer slideshow presentation
Optional Activities
- Seabird and marine life spotting
- Hot tub use
- Explorer Lounge & Bar beverage service
- Day 26
Valparaiso
Your 26-day expedition ends in Valparaiso, Chile's cultural hub built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean. This UNESCO-listed city features monuments, churches, historic funicular lifts, cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and charming squares. You'll leave MS Roald Amundsen and the Expedition Team after experiencing remarkable scenery throughout. Optional city tours, Santiago overnight stays, and a Post-Program to Easter Island are available.
Optional Activities
- City tour of Valparaiso
- Optional overnight stay in Santiago de Chile
- Optional Post-Program to Easter Island
Landmarks/POIs Valparaiso
