HIGHLIGHTS
- Pass twice
through the Drake Passage, a 600-mile wide expanse that marks the
convergence of the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans. This is an
excellent area for whale-watching and pelagic birding. Look for
Southern Giant Petrels and albatrosses, as well as Cape Petrels, prions
and storm-petrels.
- Visit
the Antarctic Peninsula, the furthest-north extension of mainland
Antarctica. Hop on Zodiac cruises and via landings to see seals and
penguin colonies, expertly planned by your Captain and Expedition
Leader according to weather and ice conditions. In the South Shetland
Islands, a grouping of islands is 75 miles north of the Antarctic
Peninsula, some sixteen research stations are run by Argentina, the US,
Chile, Spain and several other countries.
- At
Tortel, Chile visit one of Chile’s most isolated settlements,
walk along its boardwalks and take a Zodiac for a cruise through the
river delta of the Baker to see Isla de los Muertos (the Island of the
Dead), a Chilean historical site.
- At
Castro, Chile explore the island of Chiloé, hiking in the
Chiloe National Park, venture out to the Puñuhuil Natural
Monument, three islets with the only known breeding site of both
Magellanic and Humboldt Penguins, or see its fascinating wooden
churches dating back to the time of the Jesuits in the 17th and 18th
century. The special version of colonial architecture using local
materials has brought UNESCO World Heritage status to 16 of
Chiloé’s churches.
- An
important town for the opening of the Lake Region during the mid-19th
century, Puerto Montt will be your gateway to Lago Llanquihue (with 860
square km it is Chile’s largest lake entirely within the
country), Lago Esmeralda, the Petrohué Falls and spectacular
views of the Osorno volcano.
- Enjoy
the opportunity to kayak in a small group under the guidance of
certified kayak instructors. These special excursions are a chance to
appreciate the wilds of Antarctica in peaceful silence.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Vista Suite | Veranda Suite | Deluxe Veranda Suite | Medallion Suite | Silver Suite | Royal Suite | Grand Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Vista Suite | (Mid-range)
Silver Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Departure
6:00 PM
A
southerly frontier - on the cusp of wild nature and extraordinary
adventures - the excitement in Ushuaia is palpable. Prepare for
memorable exploits amid the extremes of this southerly location - as
you adventure into the colossal scenery of the fractured Tierra del
Fuego and beyond. Known as the 'End of the World' Ushuaia looks out
across the Beagle Channel, and is surrounded by the Martial Mountains
to the north. Despite its remote location, Ushuaia is a surprisingly
busy and lively resort, with lots to keep its visitors entertained. For
many people, Ushuaia is their last glimpse of anything resembling a
city, before they jump off the map into the wilderness, to answer the
call of immense national parks or Antarctic expeditions. One of the
most dramatic landscapes on the planet - Argentina's land of fire,
National Park Tierra del Fuego, is a place of titanic natural forces
and limitless beauty. Snow-covered mountains poke the sky, while
glaciers spill down between peaks, and gaping fjords open up. With
incredible wildlife - from penguins to whales - the park offers some of
South America's most amazing hiking opportunities and panoramas. When
it comes to food in Ushuaia, locals cook up fierce flavours using the
freshest ingredients. King crab is one of the most popular dishes,
while sea bass - hauled freshly from the waters - and mounds of meaty
mussels - known as cholgas - are also on the menu here.
DAYS
2-3: Drake Passage
Sailing the
legendary Drake Passage is an experience that few are ever lucky enough
to experience. The southern tip of the Americas already feels like a
wild enough environment – but the sensation of watching the
distant cliffs of the peninsular known as the ‘End of the
World' fade into the horizon, is one that's equal parts epic, eerie and
magical. Set sail, to slowly drop off the bottom of the map from Cape
Horn, and voyage on an expedition down into the icy underworld of
Antarctica. Drake Passage is an extraordinary voyage of romantic ocean
faring legend, as you aim for Antarctica's icy realm. On arrival,
skyscraper sized icebergs salute you, as you traverse the waters of
this continent where snow and ice dwelling creatures like penguins and
whales roam undisturbed. Your first sight of this most-unexplored place
will most likely be the South Shetland Islands. Walk in the footsteps
of some of history's greatest and bravest explorers as you explore
famed, snow-covered landmasses like Elephant and Deception Island. If
the journey across Drake Passage sounds daunting, don't worry
– even in rough seas you're never alone, and will often be
accompanied on this spine-tingling adventure by soaring albatrosses and
maybe even a protective pod of humpbacks and hourglass dolphins or two.
Converging warm and cool ocean currents attract some spectacular animal
life to the passage.
DAY
4: Antarctic Sound, Antarctica
Few voyages
ignite the imagination like a journey down to one of the planet's most
remote, extreme and enchanting wilderness, Antarctica. An adventure in
its purest form, only a handful of people will ever be lucky enough to
experience the majestic beauty of these monochrome landscapes
first-hand. The Antarctic Sound will be one of your first encounters of
this whitewash kingdom, located at the northerly tip of the Antarctic
Peninsula - which sprawls up like a tentacle towards Tierra del Fuego,
South America's most southerly point, otherwise known as the
‘End of the World'. Taking its name from the first ship to
brave the passageway between the peninsular and the Joinville Island
groups back in 1902, the Sound is a raw, sensory assault of imposing
iceberg slabs, broken away from the disintegrating Larsen Ice Shelf.
Come face-to-face with stadium-sized islands of ice and meet the
extraordinary birdlife that call this whitewash kingdom home. Watch on,
as colonies of Gentoo penguins hop around, and cape petrels sweep
overhead, as the continent's unique wildlife thrives around you. If
you're planning your first venture into Antarctica, you'll want to
brush up on your photography skills in advance, to capture this
unforgiving continent in all of its unrestrained glory.
DAYS
5-7: Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
The
Antarctic Peninsula unravels upwards towards South America, reaching
out a beckoning finger to the adventurous, who dare to explore this
untamed realm. Stretching up from the heart of the world's southernmost
continent, the Antarctic Peninsula lies a mere 620 mile from Tierra del
Fuego and, for many, offers a spectacular first taste of the
snow-blanketed landscapes and colossal ice sculptures, which make up
Earth's least-explored continent. Unseen by humans until 1820 - a blink
of an eye ago in relative terms - this is an adventure sure to make
your hairs stand on end, as you experience the thrill of the truly
unknown and extraordinary. The vast peninsula is sprinkled with
research bases, which are at the frontline of human scientific
endeavour, pushing to study and understand this unique landscape, its
exceptional wildlife, and the impact that humans are having on this
pristine continent. Witness cathedral-sized icebergs up close, and
blue-hued glaciers, slowly slipping from imposing locations like Hope
Bay. Blanched mountain peaks cover the peninsula, and you'll find
thousands of adorable Adelie penguin pairs thriving undisturbed in this
peninsula's unique setting.
DAY
8: South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
The
ice-coated Antarctic Peninsula forms perhaps the most accessible region
of mainland Antarctica, lying a mere 480-miles away from South America,
across the fabled waters of Drakes Passage. Lying close to the
northwestern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, separated by the
Bransfield Strait, the South Shetland Islands fall under the
jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty, suspending claims on their
sovereignty. Several countries maintain research bases here, and with
plump elephant seals, and crowds of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie
Penguins also calling the islands home, it can even feel a little
crowded at times. King George Island is the largest and most hospitable
island, hosting the majority of the research stations - some of which
are populated all-year-round by tiny, hardy crews. Don't be fooled
though, these islands offer extraordinary adventure in one of the most
remote locations on earth. The triple peaks of Mount Foster tower above
the archipelago, and you'll feel your heart pumping a little quicker,
as you sail into the core of Deception Island's magnificent collapsed
volcano caldera. Hike the luna landscapes within, and even dip into the
improbably warm, geothermally-heated waters of Pendulum Cove. Elephant
Island, meanwhile, is written deep into the annals of Antarctic
expedition legend, as the site where Ernest Shackleton and the stricken
crew of the Endurance miraculously survived a harsh Antarctic winter,
in 1916.
DAYS
9-10: Drake Passage
DAY 11: Cruise
Chilean Fjords, Chile
Winding
through the vast expanses of the Chilean Fjords will reveal mountains
looming on both sides, waterfalls, and the marvel of hardy flora
clinging to barren rocks. Seals and dolphins patrol the length of these
uninhabited fjords as they have done for millennia. Small fishing-boats
come out of Punta Arenas luring fish and trapping for king crab, while
terns dip and glide coaxing their own small fish out of the deep, dark
fjord waters amongst tiny islands thick with vegetation.
DAY
12: Cruise English Narrows, Chile
The English
Narrows warrant time spent on the outer decks as the Captain and local
Chilean Pilots expertly maneuver through the slalom course of islands
and channel markers. The waterway is home to Magellanic Diving Petrels,
Steamer Ducks, and the rare endemic Chilean dolphin. This small dolphin
is shy of ships and enjoys spending its time in constricted straits
with heavy tidal rips such as the English Narrows.
DAY
13: Tortel, Chile
Tortel is a
commune located in Southern Patagonia, a spectacular wilderness region
of rugged mountains, glaciers, rivers and forests of infinite beauty.
The uneven geography of Tortel shapes a unique landscape, characterized
by an archipelagic area with numerous islands and channels. Tortel is
known as the “footbridge city” for the unique
beauty of its wooden walkways that connect the piers and houses of this
quaint place through bridges and stairs, built from cypress wood, that
run for four and a half miles around the cove and that respect the rich
vegetation that grows under them. Even though it is the sixth largest
commune in Chile, it has the lowest population of all with roughly 531
people. The history of the town dates back to 1520 when it was
inhabited by nomadic Kawesqar, now extinct. Its definitive foundation
was in 1955, after numerous attempts to populate the area. In 2001, it
was declared by the Chilean government as a Picturesque Zone of
National Heritage.
DAY
14: Day At Sea
Days at sea
are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what
you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym,
visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply
topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to
busy days spent exploring shore side.
DAY
15: Castro, Chile
Bright,
wooden huts teeter on stilts over Castro's estuary waterfront, inviting
you into a patchwork of colour that's sure to brighten any day. These
traditional palafitos give the warmest of welcomes, as you prepare to
experience Chile at its most vibrant. Castro has faced something of a
tumultuous past, having been hit by a by a succession of earthquakes
and fires - the most recent a devastating earthquake in 1960. But this
city is incredibly resilient, and today the capital of Chiloe Island
makes for a fantastic base for exploring the archipelago that surrounds
it.
DAY
16: Puerto Montt, Chile
For most of
its history, windy Puerto Montt was the end of the line for just about
everyone traveling in the Lake District. Now the Carretera Austral
carries on southward, but for all intents and purposes Puerto Montt
remains the region's last significant outpost, a provincial city that
is the hub of local fishing, textile, and tourist activity.Today the
city center is full of malls, condos, and office towers—it's
the fastest-growing city in Chile—but away from downtown,
Puerto Montt consists mainly of low clapboard houses perched above its
bay, the Seno de Reloncaví. If it's a sunny day, head east
to Playa Pelluco or one of the city's other beaches. If you're more
interested in exploring the countryside, drive along the shore for a
good view of the surrounding hills.
DAY
17: Niebla, Chile
Niebla is a
small village on the banks of the Rio Valdivia where Chile's Corral Bay
meets the Pacific Ocean. Today Niebla is a beach resort, but in 1671 it
was a defensive fortress built by the order of the Viceroy of Peru to
prevent attacks against the town of Valdivia by pirates and corsairs.
Niebla is well-known for its lively markets, the remains of the
colonial fortress declared a National Monument in 1950 and restored in
1992, and a museum dedicated to its history. Nearby is the charming
river port city of Valdivia, where cultural influences from the native
Mapuche, Spanish settlers, and German immigrants have blended.
DAY
18: Day At Sea
DAY
19: Valparaiso, Chile
Arrive
7:00 AM
Valparaíso's
dramatic topography—45 cerros, or hills, overlooking the
ocean—requires the use of winding pathways and wooden
ascensores (funiculars) to get up many of the grades. The slopes are
covered by candy-color houses—there are almost no apartments
in the city—most of which have exteriors of corrugated metal
peeled from shipping containers decades ago. Valparaíso has
served as Santiago's port for centuries. Before the Panama Canal
opened, Valparaíso was the busiest port in South America.
Harsh realities—changing trade routes, industrial
decline—have diminished its importance, but it remains
Chile's principal port. Most shops, banks, restaurants, bars, and other
businesses cluster along the handful of streets called El Plan (the
flat area) that are closest to the shoreline. Porteños
(which means "the residents of the port") live in the surrounding hills
in an undulating array of colorful abodes. At the top of any of the
dozens of stairways, the paseos (promenades) have spectacular views;
many are named after prominent Yugoslavian, Basque, and German
immigrants. Neighborhoods are named for the hills they cover. With the
jumble of power lines overhead and the hundreds of buses that slow
down—but never completely stop—to pick up agile
riders, it's hard to forget you're in a city. Still, walking is the
best way to experience Valparaíso.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- One
night pre cruise hotel
- Transfers
(between airport/hotel and ship)
- Charter
flight to/ from Ushuaia
- Guided
Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the
Expeditions Team
- Parka
- Enrichment
lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
- Spacious
suites
- Butler
service in every suite
- Unlimited
Free Wifi
- Personalised
service – nearly one crew member for every guest
- Choice
of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
- Beverages
in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and
spirits
- In-suite
dining and room service
- Onboard
entertainment
- Onboard
gratuities
