In-Depth Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition (Southbound)

Your Antarctica and Patagonia expedition cruise begins in colorful Valparaíso. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’, this friendly UNESCO-listed city is built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean.

Filled with enticing scents and sounds, it’s an exhilarating maze of alleyways and barrios, colorful houses, and ‘mercados’ packed with local produce. Take it all in on a funicular ride up to Cerro Alegre and Concepción.

If you’d like to do some more exploring before we set sail, we recommend joining one of our optional Pre-Programs.

Over the next two days at sea, you’ll learn more about the wonders we’ll encounter on our trip.

Expedition Team members are experts in everything from oceanography and geology to ornithology and history. Drop in on their fascinating lectures and hands-on presentations in the Science Center.

Grab a pair of binoculars and look for rare wandering albatrosses and petrels. Make the most of your onboard facilities and enjoy the hot tubs, panoramic sauna, and gym.

Set among the lush vegetation of Chiloé Island, Castro is Chile’s third-oldest city. It’s home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely Iglesia San Francisco and Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón.

From various vantage points, enjoy great views of the city’s colorful ‘palafitos,’ which are stilt houses situated along the waterfront. For a bit of culture, head to the Regional Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Bring your binoculars, as Chiloé is an important habitat for bird species such as green-backed firecrowns and Chilean flamingos, along with penguins, black-necked swans, ringed kingfishers, and silvery grebes.

We cruise south toward Puerto Natales, the capital of Última Esperanza. The iceberg-studded waters of Patagonia are captivating, with mesmerizing shades of blue, from the brightest aquamarine to the deepest midnight hues.

As we sail, there’s a good chance you’ll see whales, seabirds, penguins, and more. Take in the scenery from the panoramic sauna or the hot tubs on deck, enjoy locally sourced cuisine, and relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

The Expedition Team will be on hand with fascinating lectures about local history and wildlife. Our onboard photographer can also help with tips on landscape photography.

Set at the end of a deep fjord, our next stop is the enchanting Patagonian village of Puerto Edén, set in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.

The tiny settlement is only accessible by sea, and the ferry that connects it to the mainland only visits once a month. There are no roads here – just wooden boardwalks connecting houses and shops. Its 250 inhabitants include some of the last remaining members of the Indigenous Kawésqar people. You will have the chance to talk to them and gain insight into their unique culture.

Our expedition cruise continues to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. You can choose to see this beautiful national park on either a bus or hiking tour – both experiences are worth doing.

The rugged landscape features steppe, forest, and desert, punctuated by glaciers and lakes. Guanacos and rheas roam freely. Look out for Chilean flamingos and you may even spot the mighty Andean condor.

Puerto Natales is a popular hub for hikers and travelers, with many eateries, bars, and outdoor shops. Set out on your own to visit the artisan village at Etherh Aike, enjoy a gin tour at the Last Hope Distillery, or stroll along the photogenic waterfront.

Witness scenic landscapes filled with wildlife on your journey south along the Chilean coast, taking you through the ruggedly beautiful island chains that make up the fjords of Magallanes Province. Isolated islands and hidden bays create a rich haven for wildlife.

Whether cruising aboard our small boats (RIBs) or on deck, look out for colonies of Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, and various whale species. You may also see majestic waterfalls along this dramatic and beautiful section of coastline.

After sailing through the Beagle Channel, we’ll pass the southernmost tip of South America, Cape Horn. This formidable icon often presents challenging conditions, but weather permitting, we’ll attempt to land there.

From here, we’ll navigate the legendary Drake Passage toward Antarctica. En route, we will prepare you for what lies ahead and show you how to make your visit as safe and sustainable as possible.

In the Science Center, the Expedition Team will give lectures about Antarctica’s fauna, history, and geology, as well as the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. You can also get involved in our Citizen Science projects.

Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo and chinstrap penguins court while Adélie penguins nest. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge.

During the next seven days, you’ll be busy exploring several landing sites. There are more than 20 possible sites on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do, every day will be thrilling and unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also have the chance to kayak among icebergs and seals or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint.

Bird enthusiasts should look skyward for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels, and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you’ll learn more about this precious habitat and how we can all protect it for the future.

After seven days on your expedition cruise in Antarctica, it’s time to head back. Your mind will be full of unforgettable sights and sounds and your camera’s memory cards will be bursting with impressive images.

During your last few days at sea, you can recap your experiences with your Expedition Team and fellow guests, satisfy your curiosity in the Science Center, relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, and enjoy delicious onboard cuisine as the waves roll by.

You can also unwind from all the excitement by making the most of the panoramic sauna and hot tubs before we arrive in Punta Arenas.

Your Antarctica and Patagonia expedition cruise comes to an end in Punta Arenas. From here, you’ll catch a flight back to Santiago de Chile, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re not ready to end your adventure just yet, we recommend extending your trip and joining one of our optional Post-Programs.