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Day 1 Santiago de Chile - So much to see
Welcome to Santiago, the vibrant capital of Chile. Even with just one night in Santiago, you will see that a mouth-watering merlot wine isn’t the only thing this city has to offer. Its plazas feature lovely colonial architecture and its neighborhoods house art galleries and award-winning restaurants.
Day 2 Santiago de Chile/Punta Arenas - Setting off
See Santiago from the air in the early morning light as your plane leaves for Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your polar vessel MS Fram and its crew await you here, ready to take you farther south than most people ever go!
Day 3-4 At sea - The ‘Drake Shake’ … or the ‘Drake Lake’
The Drake Passage is more than just the final frontier between Cape Horn and Antarctica. Here brews emotion and anticipation. The Passage was named after the English sea captain and privateer Sir Francis Drake, who discovered it by chance in 1578 when heavy winds forced his ship south, unintentionally, proving that open water existed below the southern tip of Chile.
Day 5-12 Antarctica - The Great White Continent
This land mass holds about 90% of all the world’s ice, in an area twice the size of Australia. It is home to about 12 million penguins across seven species. Impressive statistics don’t do Antarctica justice, though. Numbers don’t capture its magnitude and magnificence, and words fail to describe the sensation of personally seeing a colony of several thousand penguins. You’ll know what we’re talking about once you’ve experienced it!
We will arrive here in the late austral Antarctic summer, which means fantastic sunsets and penguin chicks starting to molt into adult plumage. This is also prime whale-watching season. Imagine standing on the ship’s deck as whales breach close by, splashing saltwater high up in the air. Now imagine that same situation while sitting in a kayak (an optional activity)! Talk about your close encounters! Antarctica gives you the strange sensation of making you feel incredibly small amid all the grandeur and magnitude. Snow algae will also be blooming, dotting the normally pure-white landscapes with bright pink and green hues. A wide variety of seabirds, such as geese, skuas, shearwaters, and possibly even albatross, soar in the skies above and rest and feed on the shores below.
Our expert Expedition Team will guide you ice-cruising and out for landings by small boats (RIBs) to get you closer to this incredible world of ice and wildlife. We spend eight days exploring Antarctica with no fixed itinerary, attempting landings at several possible sites. After sailing these waters for so many years, we know the best places to go and what to do. Trust us to lead you to the best places at the best time. We work with (or sometimes around) the weather and sea ice to make the most of each day. It’s what makes this an authentic expedition and a true adventure!
Day 13-14 At sea - Attempting Cape Horn
Day 15 Chilean fjords - Cruising through paradise
This wild and remote wonderland was once the domain of the canoe-faring indigenous people who lived, sailed, and hunted in these very fjords for centuries. Admire this serene maze of waterways surrounded by islands, glaciers and steep mountains.
Day 16-17 Puerto Natales - Gateway to the ‘Blue Towers’
Located at the opening of Última Esperanza Sound, the city of Puerto Natales was founded in 1911 as a port for the sheep industry. Today, it is mostly known as an entry point to Torres del Paine National Park, famous for its impressive three-pronged mountain peak that appears a shade of blue when the light is just right. As such, ‘Paine’ (pronounced ‘pie-nay’) means ‘blue’ in the native Tehuelche language, while ‘Torres’ is Spanish for ‘towers’.
Day 18 Puerto Edén - Anchored - Half Day - Hard-to-reach village
At the end of a deep fjord surrounded by mountains, we will reach the village of Puerto Edén in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. There are no roads to get here; it is only accessible by sea. You won’t find a village more isolated than this. To get around, you must walk on the pedestrian boardwalks that connect the houses and shops of the 250 residents. Don’t forget your umbrella or raincoat, though, Puerto Edén has among the highest number of rainy days a year in the entire world.
Day 19 At sea - Fabled Patagonian waters
Day 20 Castro, Chile - Chilote charm
Castro is the capital of Chiloé Island and has a little something for everyone. One of the first things you will notice are the characteristic and colorful wooden ‘palafitos’, houses mounted on stilts along the water’s edge. There are also a number of artisan shops, making it a great place for shopping for souvenirs. For bargains and a glimpse of authentic day-to-day life here, Feria Campesina Yumbel is a busy farmers and fish market selling all sorts of fresh foods and household goods.
Another highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Iglesia San Francisco, a church built in 1567 during the founding of the city. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the Museum of Modern Art of Chiloé, which is well worth a visit. There are a lot of great local snacks to try, too, so have a light breakfast on the ship and leave room for churros, and empanadas with sweet and savory fillings.
Day 21-22 At sea - The home stretch
Your expedition cruise is coming to an end, but it is not over just yet. Make the most of your remaining time on MS Fram! Watch for birds and wildlife out on deck, chat with your new friends, or enjoy your favorite drink in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. The Expedition Team will recap the highlights of your cruise and keep you engaged through lectures and science projects.
Day 23 Valparaíso, Chile - Homeward bound
When we dock at Valparaíso, your expedition cruise will come to an end. If you have time, we recommend spending a few extra exploring this unique city. The city’s many funiculars have been declared one of the world’s 100 most endangered historical treasures, and they’ll carry you up the colorful hilltop neighborhoods for panoramic views of the Pacific. If you want more adventure before going home, we recommend a Post-Program to Easter Island, a UNESCO Heritage Site famous for the mysterious statues of giant heads.
Whether you stay on or head home, it might be hard to say goodbye to the ship, the captain, the crew, the Expedition Team, and your fellow explorers. We hope you’ll never forget our three weeks together exploring the fabled continent of Antarctica and your trip up and sailing through Patagonia and its fabulous fjords.
We hope you remember your voyage with us as one of your very best adventures! May your fond memories inspire you to continue viewing the natural world with wonder and respect, and do everything you can to protect it.
