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Great Explorers and Wildlife

Get up close and personal with the local wildlife in their natural habitat and combine Patagonia, the Falklands and Antarctica into one single extraordinary journey. Cruising through ice and landings in the Falklands, we venture below the Antarctic Circle.

Vast yet Impressive

Made up of 98% ice, nature is king in this vast wilderness. Antarctica is the fifth largest and the southernmost continent. Inhospitable, infinite and impressive, it is a place of unimaginable beauty. This combined cruise celebrates the wonders of Antarctica, Chilean Fjords and the Falklands all in a single, remarkable trip.

Explore the amazing scenery and wonder at the unspoilt wilderness with our action-packed 20-day winter adventure.

  • Experience ice-cruising and landings in the Antarctica, Chilean Fjords and the Falklands
  • See the abundance of diverse wildlife
  • Hike, camp and kayak in unforgettable landscapes
  • Discover the powerful beauty of Antarctica

Day 1: Santiago de Chile

Cosmopolitan and Energetic

Santiago, the diverse capital of Chile is where your adventure begins. An overnight stay gives you some time to explore this exhilarating city. With so much to see and do – shopping, an eclectic mix of food, museums, panoramic views and nightlife – you’re guaranteed to find yourself wanting more.

Day 2: Santiago de Chile / Punta Arenas

The Start of your Expedition

Fly early in the morning to Punta Arenas where MS Roald Amundsen awaits, ready for your expedition cruise to Antarctica. New to the Hurtigruten fleet, MS Roald Amundsen has been specifically constructed for voyages in polar waters and features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20%.

Rich and comfortable, all of the cabins have ocean views, with 50% having private balconies. But one of the most inspiring features is the indoor / outdoor Observation Deck. Built over two levels, it is perfect for catching both the scenery and the wildlife with your binoculars.

Day 3: Chilean fjords - Patagonia

Beagle Channel

An impressive landscape of lush forest, imposing mountains and glaciers surround this unspoilt island. Wild, remote and virtually untouched by humans, the hidden bays are rich with wildlife.

Day 4: The Drake Passage

The Drake Passage: Days 4 – 5

A rocky headland on Hornos Island, Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile. Surrounded by wild, rough seas (the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet), it is renowned for its difficult sailing. If conditions allow, we make a stop here before crossing the famed Drake Passage en route to Antarctica.

Day 5: Antarctica

Seeing Really is Believing: Days 6 – 14

Made up of over 90% ice, in places up to 4000 metres thick, Antarctica will leave a lasting impression. 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 and almost unnavigable areas, that are far beyond the limits of most cruises.

Day 6: At Sea

Observe the Wildlife: Days 15 – 16

Leaving the indescribable Antarctic, we set course for the Falkland Islands. Consisting of two large and seven hundred smaller islands, Islas Malvinas (Falklands Islands) are a remote South Atlantic archipelago. This rugged terrain is home to sheep and abundant birdlife.

Day 7: The Falkland Islands

At The Edge of Antarctica: Days 17 – 18

Clear blue skies, seamless horizons and stunning white beaches. The Falklands is a natural wonderland where diverse wildlife live side by side. Here, it’s not unusual to find sheep grazing alongside large colonies of albatross and penguins, whilst the skies are filled with caracaras on the hunt for their next meal.

We dock at Stanley, the island’s capital for a full day, so you’ll have plenty of time to acquaint yourself with the town. There is also an included self-guided walk (can be taken as part of a group or on an individual basis). Starting at the historic Jubilee Villa gardens the walk takes in Christchurch Cathedral, Whalebone Arch and the Historic Dockyard Museum.

Day 8: At Sea

The Magellan Strait

Make sure that you keep some time aside to check out the wildlife as we complete the loop of the Magellan Strait. There will also be the opportunity to revisit and recap everything that you have experienced on this cruise in the Science Centre.

Day 9: Punta Arenas / Santiago de Chile

The End of Your Adventure

Your cruise ends where it started, in Punta Arenas, where you’ll fly back to Santiago de Chile.

What’s included

Included in your voyage:

  • Hurtigruten Expedition Cruise in a cabin grade of your choice
  • Overnight in Santiago de Chile before the voyage including breakfast
  • Return economy flight from Santiago de Chile to Punta Arenas
  • Transfer hotel to airport in Santiago de Chile
  • Transfer airport to ship including city tour and lunchbox and transfer ship to airport in Punta Arenas
  • A rich programme of included activities on all voyages designed to immerse you in the destinations you will visit, including ice-cruising and onshore exploration with the Expedition Team
  • Professional hand-picked English-speaking Expedition Team experienced in the region we sail in
  • Complimentary wind and water-resistant jacket
  • Loan of boots, trekking poles and equipment needed for optional and included activities
  • All meals including beverages (ship beer and wine, sodas and mineral water in all restaurants)
  • Fredheim restaurant meals included
  • A la carte restaurant (for suite guests only)
  • Coffee and tea throughout the day
  • Early riser and afternoon treat offered in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Rejuvenating wellness areas with separate treatment rooms, infinity pool, outdoor gym, running track
  • Gym, hot tubs and panoramic sauna

Onboard activities and lectures:

  • In-depth lectures on science, history, biology, geography, geology or culture providing context to your voyage and helping you to understand the destinations you will experience
  • Explorer Science programme, with educational and Citizen Science activities – learn about the signs you’ll see while contributing to research
  • Introduction photo lecture, camera adjustment and tips and tricks, photo and film footage from the voyage shared in an Expedition logbook
  • Casual opportunities to engage with the Expedition Team and other guests, including a welcome event, daily gathers to recap the day and prepare for the day to come
  • Opportunities to dine and interact with the Expedition Team and officers
  • Destination-focused onboard library
  • Port presentations providing destination insight
  • A farewell event

What’s not included in your voyage:

  • International flights
  • Optional shore excursions with local partners
  • Optional small group adventures with our Expedition Team such as kayaking, camping, glacier walks, long hikes (availability contingent on weather conditions and safety)
  • Optional small-group Explorer photo programme with our Expedition Photographer
  • Travel insurance
  • Luggage handling

Please Note:

  • All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
  • It is essential to complete a medical questionnaire

Life On Board

The Hurtigruten line was originally launched to transport people and goods along the coast of Norway. It was particularly prevalent in winter when infrastructure was still in its infancy and land travel was generally more difficult. Even though there are now alternative means of transport, the Hurtigruten line still runs, calling at 34 ports along the Norwegian coastline.

They are though, not traditional cruise ships and life on board a Hurtigruten ship is vastly different to what you might expect onboard a traditional cruise liner and offers less in terms of entertainment. However, as a majority of their ships are much smaller than traditional cruise ships (150 – 500 passengers as opposed to 1000s) it means that they can enter the fjords in both winter and summer. And because they stop at so many ports, you will get to see more of the Norwegian coastline as opposed to just the ‘highlights’.

They also don’t fall short when it comes to comfort and amenities. The cabins are all elegantly furnished with a choice of cabin to suit all budgets. One of the most popular ships, the MS Polarlys, was refurbished in 2016. Featuring a modern, Arctic-inspired interior, there are three restaurants offering a range of different cuisine, a Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. On deck you can while the time away and take in the view from one of the two hot tubs, or if you prefer, enjoy a drink at the bar at the front of the ship.

But Hurtigruten really does come into its own with its on-board Expedition team. Passionate and experienced about all things ‘Norwegian’, the team host lectures, presentation programmes and activities on a regular basis.

Features at a glance:

  • Expedition Team
  • Three restaurants
  • Multe bakery and ice cream bar
  • Explorer bar lounge
  • Wi-Fi
  • Sauna
  • Hot tubs
  • Fitness room
  • Conference room
  • Lift
  • Car deck

Can’t see what you are looking for? Don’t worry, in all probability we can still do it.
Call us on 01582 349480.

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About Suitcase Travel

A family run boutique travel agency, we specialise in creating memorable travel experiences. Offering unique adventures, tailored to your specific requirements, we focus solely on you, helping you to understand the experience that your holiday will give you and equipping you with those all-important tips that will help to make your holiday that extra bit special. Oh, and the best part? Our service is free – it literally costs you no more than if you were to book direct. Come and talk to us and we’ll help you to create memories that really will last a lifetime.

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