18 Nights Patagonia to Antarctica Expedition - Southbound

18 Nights Patagonia to Antarctica Expedition - Southbound

$13,710.00 Regular Price
$10,709.00Sale Price
Discover the Natural Beauty of Patagonia
Staring in the colourful city Valparaiso, we sail along the Chilean Pacific coastline that is filled with snow-tipped volcanoes that is reflected in beautiful lakes, raging rivers and lush vegetation. The vastness and untouched beauty of the rugged and mountainous landscape will surely make a great impression!
 
Stunning Fjords and Cape Horn
We continue one of the most scenic national parks in the world and into the fjords of Chile. This wild and remote area seems almost untouched by humans, with mountains plunging into icy waters. The steep valleys with snow-capped mountains make a striking contrast to an otherwise green area that is rich so in wildlife. Cape Horn is a mystical place where to oceans meet. We might even go ashore here.
 
Exploring the Deep South
Further, we will be crossing of the treacherous Drake Passage to Antarctica to the mighty frozen wastes of the south. In Antarctica we will attempt to do landings at several places. Penguins, seals, whales and large flocks of sea birds give life to this surrealistic and beautiful landscape. We will bring you on shore to experience some of the most unique wildlife viewing while setting foot on the Antarctic continent. You might also get a chance to kayak in the icy waters of Antarctica. And while on board our comfortable ship you can hear presentations by experts in Antarctica's rich history, so that you can get even more out of what you will experience along the way. Then we cross the Drake Passage again, before this expedition ends in Ushuaia.

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    • No Single Supplement

     

    Please scroll down and click "Prices and Departures" for details.

     

     

    Day 1 The “Jewel Of The Pacific”
    Location : Valparaíso, Chile

     

    The voyage starts in the port city of Valparaíso. It is the third largest city in Chile with charming cobbled alleys, colorful buildings, regular festivals, and street artists and musicians. Guests will be given the address and times for embarkation.

     

    Temperature range in October: 47 – 64°F

     

    DAY 2-3 Sailing South
    Location : At Sea

     

    While at sea, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures about the upcoming destination in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s hot tubs, sauna, and gym.

     

    DAY 4 Cosmopolitan Castro
    Location : Castro


    Castro has colorful 'palafitos’ wooden houses mounted on stilts along the water's edge. Other highlights include Iglesia San Francisco, a UNESCO World Heritage church with wood interiors and stained-glass windows, and Feria Campesina Yumbel, a bustling food market. Most of the restaurants in Castro are concentrated along Calle Blanco, which is where guests can get a taste of curanto, a local meat, potato, and seafood stew.

     

    Close to the town is Chiloé National Park and its wide beaches and rugged coastline are home to dozens of seabird species, penguins, and sea lions. The waters here are also visited by a number of whale species such as humpbacks, finbacks, seis, and the much rarer pygmy blue whales and southern right whales.

     

    Temperature range in October: 42 – 58°F

     

    Included activity: Castro Walking Tour (2 hrs) - Explore landmarks and cultural sights on a city walk through Castro, the capital of Chile’s Chiloé Island. Castro is famous for its ornate church, Iglesia de San Francisco, and the nearby districts of Rilán, Nercón and Chelín are known for their unique wooden churches, designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Castro and Chiloé are also famous for palafitos, traditional wooden stilt houses.

     

    DAY 5 Waters Of Patagonia
    Location : At Sea


    While at sea, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures about the upcoming destination in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s hot tubs, sauna, and gym.


    DAY 6 A Small And Isolated Village At The End Of The Fjord
    Location : Puerto Edén


    The sleepy village of Puerto Edén sits at the end of a deep fjord surrounded by mountains in the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Its tiny population of 250 includes the 15 remaining members of the Kawéskar people, an indigenous Patagonian tribe. Guests can buy traditional Kawéskar crafts as souvenirs, such as wicker baskets and toy boats made from sea lion skins and tree bark. Birdwatchers should keep on the look-out for Magellan hummingbirds which are local to the area.

     

    Temperature range in October: 41 – 53°F

     

    Additional optional activities may include:

    · Kayaking in small groups with a guide

    · Longer small boat cruises to explore hard-to-reach areas

    · Guided longer hikes to scenic viewpoints and wildlife habitats

     

    DAY 7-8 Torres Del Paine National Park
    Location : Puerto Nataloes


    Puerto Natales is situated at the picturesque opening of Última Esperanza Sound and acts as the gateway to the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Guests can wander the boutique shops and corrugated-tin houses, or sample some local Chilean cuisine. We will also visit the ancient Milodón Cave which is 100 ft high and 656 ft deep and made up of interesting rock formations. A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Torres del Paine National Park features towering mountain peaks, azure lakes, emerald forests, roaring rivers, one big, radiant blue glacier, and the third largest ice field on the planet. Guests might see llamas, pumas, chilla foxes, and skunks in addition to more than a hundred species of birds such as the Andean condor and black-chested buzzard eagle.

     

    Temperature range in October: 43 – 53°F

     

    Included activity: Scenes of Puerto Natales (3 hrs) - Explore the small city of Puerto Natales and its scenic surroundings. Visit Plaza de Armas, a tree-lined square in the town centre, and then go to a large cave where the bones of a prehistoric ground sloth called a Milodón were found in 1896. The cave attracts many visitors and features a historical display of the tribes who inhabited the area as far back as 12,000 years ago.

     

    DAY 9 A Paradise For Nature Enthusiasts
    Location : Chilean Fjords


    Guests will be able to admire the stunning scenery as we sail past a maze of islands, mountains, and fjords. They may also be able to spot colonies of Magellanic penguins on the beaches together with lounging elephant seals. In the water, migrating blue, grey, and humpback whales, orcas, and playful dolphins may also be seen.

     

    Temperature range in October: 41 – 54°F

     

    DAY 10-11 Cape Horn And The Drake Passage
    Location : At Sea


    The ship journeys the scenic Beagle Channel before turning due south towards Antarctica. We pass iconic Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America. Before the Panama Canal, ships had to pass this infamous rocky island in order to cross between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Depending on sea and weather conditions, we will attempt to make a landing on Cape Horn, at the Captain’s discretion.

     

    The Drake Passage connects the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans and is the shortest crossing to Antarctica. It is also nicknamed the ‘Drake Shake’ when the seas are stormy or the ‘Drake Lake’ when the waters are still.

     

    While at sea, and provided conditions are calm, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures and watch films about Antarctica in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s hot tubs, sauna, and gym.

     

    DAY 12-16 The White Wonder That Is Antarctica
    Location : Antarctica


    As guests are limited to just 200 people on MS Fram, we have a much wider choice of 45 possible sites on the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula to go cruising in small boats and to make landings. Each site offers opportunities to observe penguin colonies, seals, whales, glaciers, and icebergs up close. All aboard are invited to participate in lectures on glaciology, climate change, and marine biology. Guests can also engage in Citizen Science programs like photographing leopard seals and spotting whale tails that contribute directly to scientific research.

     

    Temperature range in October: 18 – 32°F

     

    Included:

    · Daily landings with short hikes to scenic or wildlife spots

    · Small boat cruises near the ship and landing site

    · Lectures on a wide range of scientific topics

     

    Additional optional activities may include:

    · Kayaking near icebergs, and possibly seals and penguins

    · Longer small boat cruises to explore hard-to-reach areas

    · Guided longer hikes to scenic viewpoints

    · Camping ashore possibly with penguins

    · Snowshoeing through pristine snow fields

    · In-depth photography lessons.

     

    DAY 17-18 Crossing The Drake Passage
    Location : At Sea

     

    As we return to open water, guests will have time to learn more in the Science Center, attend lectures, enjoy the ship’s infinity pool, hot tubs, gym, and Wellness Center, or just relax while bird and whale watching out on deck.

     

    DAY 19 Arrive in Ushuaia, disembark the ship, and fly back to Buenos Aires
    Location : Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

     

    It’s time to return via Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world, and Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina and home of Tango. Guests can extend their trip with a choice of excursions or a post-voyage program.

     

    Included transfers and flight:

    • Transfer from the ship to Ushuaia airport

    • Flight in coach class from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires