Your adventure starts with an overnight stay in Santiago, the exciting and diverse capital of Chile. There is much to discover here: Andean glaciers at the city borders, skyscrapers in the city centre, and lovely colonial architecture on the shores of the fast-flowing Mapacho River. Why not extend your expedition by adding an optional Pre-Programme to the amazing Atacama Desert or Chilean Patagonia?

Estimated time of departure is 20:00

You fly early in the morning to Punta Arenas, where the hybrid powered expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen is docked, ready for your expedition cruise to Antarctica. 

We sail through the scenic Beagle Channel and over the legendary Drake Passage. Onboard, the Expedition Team starts the lecture programme, giving you information about Antarctica’s fantastic animals, geology and history. You’ll also learn how to make your visit as safe and as sustainable as possible and you’ll join Citizen Science programmes to help collect data for current scientific research. Enjoy the fresh sea air and look out for wildlife from the deck.

Antarctica never fails to inspire awe and wonder, with white horizons above oceans full of icebergs and whales. Perhaps even more awe-inspiring will be your first encounter with the huge colonies of penguins.

Our Expedition Team will lead ice-cruising and landings at every opportunity to come ashore and explore the impressive Antarctic scenery. From deck, there are great chances to spot whales. Of course, this is true wilderness, so nature is in charge, but our experienced captain will work with the elements to create the best possible itinerary for your adventure.

We will attempt landings at several sites in the South Shetlands and on the Antarctic Peninsula and aim to bring you to the incredible diversity of landscapes and rich wildlife on display in this pristine wilderness.

MS Roald Amundsen takes us safely back across the famous Drake Passage. We will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica. Using the state-of-the-art microscopes in the ship’s Science Center, you can analyse samples taken during the expedition cruise to see another kind of ‘wildlife’ at the cellular level. As we reach South America, we will attempt to land on historic Cape Horn before continuing towards the Chilean fjords.

Deep fjords and tall mountains plunging into the icy water await us in magnificent surroundings. This wild and remote area seems almost untouched by humans, full of isolated islands and hidden bays that harbour rich wildlife.

Puerto Natales is the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park, world famous for the impressive “Torres del Paine” (Towers of Paine) rock formation. Explore the park on our optional excursion to discover a landscape of stunning variety, from the vast open steppe to rugged mountain terrain topped by looming peaks that host a wide variety of wildlife. Watch for llamas, pumas, and foxes in addition to more than 100 species of birds like the Andean condor.

After a cruise through Patagonian waters, the village of Puerto Edén in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park will enchant you. It is known for its geographical isolation, situated at the end of a deep fjord and surrounded by mountains. Its population of 250 includes the 15 remaining members of the Kawéskar people.

Our expedition cruise continues north through the fabled waters of Patagonia. As we sail through iconic Andean seascapes, enjoy the vistas of the magnificent natural expanse.

Set among windswept hills and lush vegetation, Castro is known for its colourful `palafitos´, wooden houses mounted on stilts along the water's edge, and the UNESCO Site Iglesia San Francisco. Nearby wide beaches are home to dozens of seabirds, penguins and sea lions.

As we make our way along the Pacific coast to Valparaíso, we will recap the highlights of the expedition cruise and scan for wildlife.

Estimated time of arrival is 06:00

Sadly, every expedition must come to an end.  And this expedition ends in the colourful and poetic city of Valparaíso. Take some time to explore this scenic town before your flight home or extend your stay with a Post Programme to Easter Island, famous for its mysterious statues of giant heads and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.