Antarctica, Patagonia, Chilean Fjords - Voyage of Discovery (Northbound)

The capital of Chile is exciting and diverse. There is a lot to discover, from the Andean glaciers at the city borders, to tall mountains and skyscrapers, to quiet parks, colonial architecture, bohemian quarters and the fast-flowing Mapacho River. Your adventure starts with an overnight hotel stay here.

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 program, giving you information about Antarctica’s fantastic animals, geology and history. Enjoy the fresh sea air and look out for wildlife from the deck.

Home to ninety per cent of the world´s ice, Antarctica never fails to amaze and astound. In winter sea ice virtually doubles the size of the continent. In summer, it is a breeding ground for millions of penguins, whales and seals. This is a continent dedicated to peace, science and tourism that has evolved through millenniums without human interference. Therefore, we adhere to very strict environmental guidelines and rules. We want to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures!

Antarctica is a true wilderness, so local conditions will dictate our final itinerary. We will attempt landings at several sites in the South Shetlands and on the Antarctic Peninsula with the aim of showing you the incredible diversity of landscapes and rich wildlife on display. At every opportunity, our expert Expedition Team will take you ice-cruising and out for landings. There may also be chances to kayak among icebergs, hike in stunning surroundings and even camp on the most remote continent on Earth.

MS Roald Amundsen takes us safely back across the famous Drake Passage. We will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica in the Science Center. 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 Torres del Paine National Park, world-famous for the `Torres del Paine rock formations. Explore the park on our optional excursion to discover a stunning terrain, from the vast open steppe to rugged mountains topped by looming peaks.

This diversity of environments hosts a wide variety of a flora and fauna - llamas, pumas, and foxes in addition to more than 100 species of birds like the Andean condor.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.