Exploration of the Southern Highlights

We refer to it as “The Jewel in the Pacific”

We start our expedition in the pretty, colourful city of Valparaíso. Known as the “Jewel in the Pacific”, Valparaíso went through rapid growth when it became a major stopover for ships as they travelled between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. To truly appreciate the beauty and sweeping views of this town we recommend that you take a ride on the cable car. And if time allows, before joining the ship, a visit to the Historic Quarter.

Southbound: Days 2 – 3

Heading south, we make our way along the Pacific coast of Chile. Whilst we are at sea, our Expedition Team will be making the most of the time by offering lectures, giving advice and general hints and tips to prepare you for the exciting experiences ahead. There will, of course, be plenty of time to spend on deck to look out for wildlife.

Let’s Explore Castro

An eclectic mix of palafitos (wooden houses on stilts) greet you as we pull into Castro. Established in the 16^th century, Castro is Chile’s third-oldest city and was once home to farmers. A blend of both old and new, there are plenty of place to see. While we’re here, why not take in the sights with our Castro Walking Tour.

The Quiet Waters of Patagonia

We sail south through the fabled waters of Patagonia to one of the world’s most remote and beautiful places, the province of Ultima Esperanza, or Last Hope. Make sure that you give yourself some ‘deck time’ to check out the iconic Andean seascapes – it’s a truly glorious expanse of undisturbed nature.

 A Nature Lover’s Paradise

Cruising through the Patagonian waters, we reach the village of Puerto Edén in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. A hamlet and minor port at the end of a deep fjord and surrounded by mountains, with only 250 inhabitants, it is considered one of Chile’s most isolated inhabited places.

Torres del Paine National Park: Days 7 – 8

Puerto Natales is a port city in southern Patagonia and is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. With so much to see and do in this region, you’ll be glad of the overnight stop. Scenes of Puerto Natales is an included excursion that combines the highlights of the charming town with the interesting Midodón Cave.

There is also the option to take advantage of an excursion to the National Park. Known as the “eighth wonder of the world” this overnight trip gives you plenty of time to explore the 242,000 hectares of rich habitat.

Pure Paradise

Deep fjords, creaking glaciers and tall mountains that literally plunge into the icy water – welcome to the breathtakingly and stunningly beautiful Chilean fjords. Scarcely explored, this remote region promises to be an experience that you will never forget. Epic colonies of penguins, gargantuan ocean seals lazing on the beaches and pods of humpback whales await you.

Cape Horn and the Drake Passage: Days 10 – 11

The morning sees us sailing through the scenic Beagle Channel before we continue into open waters, and, if conditions allow, a landing on Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America. Buckle up as we then set sail for the legendary Drake Passage.

Our lecture series continues en route, preparing you for the wonder that is Antarctica. Keen to preserve the environment, you’ll also learn how to make your visit as safe and sustainable as possible, as well as how you can help collect data for scientific research.

Remote and Beautiful: Days 12 – 15

Remote and arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth, Antarctica is made up of over 90% ice. In places, the ice can be up to 4000 metres thick! In the winter, sea ice virtually doubles the size of the continent and in summer, it becomes a fertile breeding ground for penguins, seals and whales.

Dedicated to peace, science and tourism, we follow strict environmental rules to ensure that we do not disturb the fragile ecosystem. Although wild and unforgiving, to give you a glimpse of the diverse wildlife, our experienced captain will attempt landings in the South Shetlands and on the Antarctic Peninsula. If possible, we hope to cross the Polar Circle and venture into the permanently iced down and almost unnavigable areas, that are far beyond the limits of most cruises.

The Drake Passage: Days 16 – 17

MS Fran will guide us safely through the infamous Drake passage over the next couple of days. On board, our Expedition Team launch their lecture programme. Featuring information about Antarctic wildlife, history and geology, it’s not to be missed. On board is also a Science Centre where you can discover a different type of ‘wildlife’ at cellular level from the samples collected during the expedition so far.

Farewell

Ushuaia is the final destination of our expedition cruise. From here, you will pick up your transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. Of course, if you haven’t had your fill of adventure, you could always your stay and book in a trip to Iguazu Falls.