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Day 1 Santiago de Chile - Dynamic diversity
Your expedition starts with an overnight stay in Santiago, Chile’s energetic cultural epicenter. Its many museums, beautiful architecture, and top-notch restaurants provide all the captivating points of interest you would expect of a large capital city. There are a wide range of sites and attractions, so you’ll only be limited by time, not options.
Day 2 Santiago de Chile/Punta Arenas
Estimated time of departure is 7:00 PM
You’ll be leaving Santiago early in the morning to catch your flight in Santiago, so make sure to set your alarm. From the airport, you fly to Punta Arenas, the capital of Chile’s southernmost region, located on the Brunswick Peninsula, just north of the Strait of Magellan. This once-booming penal colony reached its peak during the gold-rush and sheep-farming periods of the 1880s and early 1900s. Now, it is one of only two low-tax ports in Chile.
MS Fram will be waiting for you, ready to embark on its expedition cruise to Antarctica.
Day 3 At sea - Across the Strait of Magellan
Day 4-6 The Falkland Islands - Charming island life
The Falkland Islands are probably best known for their checkered past. They were discovered by the British and then settled by the French and Spanish. Later, they were fought over during the Falklands War between Argentina and Great Britain. The allure of these islands is immediately evident. Their natural beauty will delight you throughout the three days we spend exploring them.
One of our most likely places to visit is Stanley, the capital of the archipelago on East Falkland. This little town is a great place explore on foot and an excellent jumping-off point for several optional excursions. In the center of town, don’t miss its nice selection of local shops. Maybe even pop in at an English pub to share a pint with the friendly locals.
Day 7-8 At sea - Cruising the South Atlantic
Day 9-13 South Georgia - The Serengeti of the Southern Ocean
If you love wildlife, you’re going to love South Georgia. Nicknames such as ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ and ‘Galápagos of the Poles’ are heavy claims, but the islands more than live up to their reputation. You’ll understand why wildlife photographers from around the world flock to South Georgia.
Uniquely positioned inside the Antarctic ecosystem yet outside the reach of sea ice, South Georgia is the ideal home for thousands of breeding penguins and seals. There are notable populations of king penguins, who prefer the warmer weather here than their emperor penguin cousins in Antarctica. Both South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands have been identified an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), supporting many seabirds, including albatross, penguins, petrels, shags, skuas, and terns.
Day 14 At sea - Antarctica bound
Day 15-19 Antarctica - A world of ice and wonder
Forget all your past experiences. Antarctica is in a league of its own. No matter how high your expectations, Antarctica never disappoints. Holding 90% of the world’s ice, the Great White Continent gives meaning to the word ‘massive’. The only country in the world with more surface area is Russia. Land lays underneath the ice, but in certain places you would have to dig through two and a half miles of snow and ice to reach it.
You will probably see your first seals and penguins from the ship, and that in itself is a fantastic experience. Nothing compares, however, to standing on the same shore as a colony of thousands of penguins. Same goes for the seals that might pop up beside you as you enjoy an optional kayaking activity among the icebergs. In the thrill of the moment, you might not even remember to reach for your camera to take a picture!
Just as the Antarctic icescapes change throughout its seasons, so does the wildlife. In early austral spring, there is much more snow, making the landscapes even more pristine. This is when the penguins are meeting up. We rarely see whales at this time of year, in October and November. In December, however, whales are more frequently seen in these waters. That’s also when the first penguin chicks hatch, which is always a delightful sight. February and March is peak whale-watching season, as the massive amounts of krill in the Antarctic waters attract a wide variety of whale species who come for a veritable feeding frenzy.
In February and March, there will be less snow, and you will be able to see the extremely cute, clumsy penguin chicks running around. For the bird aficionados, there are 46 species of birds to find here, including petrels, albatross, and terns.
Day 20-22 - Drake Passage & Beagle Channel
After five unforgettable days in Antarctica, it’s time for the MS Fram to reverse course and carry you back north over the Drake Passage. Known for its potentially high winds and strong currents, the passage can also be silent and still. Luck will dictate whether youwill experience the so-called ‘Drake Shake’ or the ‘Drake Lake’. Don’t worry, even if we experience rough seas, you can rest easy on our safe and purpose-built expedition ship.
Day 23 Punta Arenas/Santiago de Chile
Estimated time of arrival is 8:00 AM
In the morning we pull into Punta Arenas and back to civilization. You’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Santiago, where you’ll have a second chance to explore the capital of Chile. If you’re not ready to go home, consider extending your vacation with a Post-Program adventure to Easter Island, famous for its mysterious statues of giant heads. Prolong your adventures! Before disembarkatio, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to your fellow passengers, to the crew, and to the Expedition Team members.
After a 23-day experience at sea, surrounded by some of the most remote, awe-inspiring scenery known to man, how do you call it quits? You just don’t. The experience continues, both in your memory and the knowledge you now carry with you. It lives in the stories and photos you will bring back to your friends and family. We hope your sustainable expedition cruise experience has been inspiring and has renewed your awe of nature and reignited a passion to protect it.
