Antarctica & The Chilean Fjords Cruise

Day 1: Departure
Depart on your overnight flight to Santiago, Chile, on LAN Airlines. 

Day 2: Arrive In Santiago
Morning arrival at the Santiago airport in Chile. During the transfer to your hotel, an orientation tour of the city will be given. Rest of the day at leisure or join one or both of the exciting optional excursions.

Day 3: Santiago/Punta Arenas/Embarkation
Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas where you will embark. Once you have boarded your ship, an information meeting and safety briefing will be held. During which the Captain, officers and staff will welcome you on board, tell you more about the schedule for the next few days as well as inform you on the ship's safety procedures. Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes region. It is the largest city in the entire region with its 114,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in the mid-1800s, and grew into a centre for commerce culture and society that spread its influence over the entire region with numerous museums and historical places of interest. And the city center (Plaza de Armas) is known for its government buildings, well-kept gardens and the monument to Ferdinand Magellan. (B,D)

Day 4: Magellan Strait
Fantastic sounds, fjords, and mountains dominate the next several days. Fjord visit and a closer look at one of the many magnificent glaciers. The Magellan Strait zone is located in the southern extreme of the South American continent. This magnificent sector includes the Strait itself, all the channels and fjords around the Brunswick Peninsula. You'll sail the Magellan Strait towards beautiful Tucker Island, famous for its colony of Magellan penguins. Weather permitting the ship will attempt cruising both near the Tucker Island and into the Seno del Almirantazgo (Admiralty Sound), known for sightings of cormorants, southern dolphins and sea lions. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Magellan Strait/Puerto Natales
Today you will pass either trough the Kirke Narrows or the Santa Maria Channel, depending on the tides, to reach Puerto Natales, where the ship will dock giving you ample opportunity to explore the city. Puerto Natales is the capital of the province of Ultima Esperanza. The city was founded in 1911 in a beautiful setting on a gently sloping point on the inlet. It has approximately 18,000 inhabitants. It is the natural base for excursions in to a region filled with sites of incomparable natural beauty, as well as wonderful hiking trails and fishing spots - one being Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Puerto Natales/Magellan Strait
You have the morning at leisure to further experience Puerto Natales and surroundings, or you can take part in the optional excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Beagle Channel
Today you will continue towards the spectacular Beagle Channel to the south of Tierra del Fuego. Near the southern tip of Chile, the Southern Andes plunge into the icy waters, leaving a region so wild and remote that it seems virtually untouched since the beginning of time. In these Chilean fjords, the ice has sliced its way between the mountains, leaving isolated islands and hidden coves in its wake. This region is practically unknown, except to the few tourists who have the opportunity to visit. As you enter the magnificent southernmost part of Patagonia, you will travel through narrow sounds flanked by dramatic mountains. You will be passing several glaciers on the journey, and - weather permitting - take a closer look at one of them. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Puerto Williams/Cape Horn
Early this morning you will reach Puerto Williams, one of the world's most southernmost towns, located on the tiny islands of Isla Navarino. The town is named Williams after the Chilean Navy's outstanding marine who founded Fort Bulnes in 1845. Only the choppy waters of the narrow Beagle Channel separate it from Argentine Tierra del Fuego where high glaciated peaks provide a magnificent snowy backdrop. The town was founded as a radio station in 1953 and later developed as a naval base. It has a population of 1,800 people. In the afternoon you will arrive at the famous Cape Horn. The Cape is the southernmost point in Chile and South America, situated at almost 56 degrees south. This region is of great significance due to its location, history of exploration, discovery and commercial sailing. Weather permitting your ship will anchor off at Cape Horn, where you may disembark the ship in order to explore this desolate and yet poetic piece of land at the end of the world. Landing at this elusive Cape is extremely difficult due to the recurrent weather conditions that affect the area. Though all efforts will be made to perform a landing, it might not occur or be cancelled based on the sole discretion of the captain. (B,L,D)

Days 9-10: Drake Passage
The Drake Passage connects the southern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You will be heading for the Northern-most tip of the continent, the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, which will be reached in the afternoon on day 10. While you cross this stretch of water to Antarctica, a series of lectures will be held on board on topics related to the history and wildlife of Antarctica, as well as the "Guidelines for Visitors" to Antarctica. (B,L,D)

Days 10-15: Antarctica
Antarctica, "The White Continent," is more than half the size of North America. On the Antarctic Peninsula you'll experience the narrow, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel, considered one of most beautiful passages in Antarctica-where humpback and killer whales, various penguins, and elephant seals are a common sight-and the breathtaking Neumayer Channel, with its majestic cliffs. Visits by PolarCirkel boats will be attempted in various locations (weather permitting). (B,L,D)

Day 17: Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
In the morning you will reach the Argentinean city of Ushuaia. Ushuaia is reckoned to be the most southerly city in the world and is situated on Tierra del Fuego Island south of the Magellan Strait. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel including a short orientation tour of the city before checking in. The afternoon is at your disposal to experience this "Paris of South America." (B)

Day 18: Buenos Aires/Return
Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Day 19: Arrival
Morning arrival in New York on LAN Airlines.