In-depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition

ITINERARY

Day 1: Santiago, Chile’s capital - The sights of Santiago de Chile

Welcome to Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants, and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central market to the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. Check out the Sky Costanera, which offers panoramic views of the city from 1,000 feet up.

Day 2: Depart from Punta Arenas - Board your expedition cruise in Punta Arenas

You’ll have an early start today, as we depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your expedition ship awaits. Once on board, get settled in, explore the ship, and meet your Expedition Team.

As well as being your guides, hosts, and local experts, they’re also your travel companions for the next three weeks. Friendly and welcoming, they’ll answer any questions you may have during your Antarctic adventure.

Day 3: Preparing for more adventure - Through the Strait of Magellan

With our course set for the Falkland Islands, soak up the mesmerising views all around you as you cruise through the Strait of Magellan. You can take in the scenery from the deck, the outdoor hot tub or the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar. 

You can also join your Expedition Team in the onboard Science Center to listen to lectures, participate in Citizen Science projects and more. Whether it’s marine biology, Antarctic survival, oceanography or photography, your Expedition Team offers fascinating insights into the places you’ll see on your journey, and you’ll feed off their enthusiasm.

Days 4-6: The many charms of island life - Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands

The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica to come. 

You'll also enjoy a community walk of Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum. 

Our landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, which are often found sharing space with seals, and getting as close as we can without disturbing them.

Days 7-8: Adventure lies ahead - Cruising the South Atlantic

Sailing from the Falklands, we spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife. 

Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers. 

You’ll also learn how to make your visit as safe and low-impact as possible, and you can join our Citizen Science programmes to help collect data for global research projects.

Days 9-12: The ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ - Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise

South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds and seals. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas and terns. 

You'll spend four days exploring this remarkable area. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. We’re always guided by nature, responding to daily conditions to bring you the best possible experience.

While our itineraries are always flexible, they’re even more so during peak breeding seasons when the wildlife is most vulnerable to disturbance. When it’d safe to do so, we’ll wildlife watch. When our presence could disturb the animals, we’ll choose another place to visit and as always, these decisions are made by your Expedition Team and are based on lifetimes of combined experience in these destinations. Sometimes we’ll land, sometimes we’ll cruise, it’s all part of the adventure!

Days 13-15: Towards Antarctica - Time to relax and reflect

After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while we head towards Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far. 

Antarctica is a continent dedicated to peace, science and wildlife. As we get closer, the Expedition Team will talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that we follow when visiting. We leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures.

Days 16-19: A world of ice and wonder - Experience Antarctica in all its majesty

Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins watch erect from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge.

You’ll spend four exciting days exploring several possible landing sites, on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling.

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

Bird enthusiasts should look skywards 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.

Days 20-22: Relax and unwind at sea - Looking for land ahead

As we say goodbye to the frozen continent, MS Fram turns to take you north over the Drake Passage and towards Punta Arenas. 

This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. Enjoy the onboard comforts. Relax in the hot tubs or panoramic sauna or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar. 

When the Drake Passage is behind us, we’ll enter the scenic Beagle Channel, surrounded by mountains plunging straight into the icy water. Watch for Patagonian wildlife as we sail through this wild and remote area.

Day 23: Arrival in Punta Arenas - Onwards from Punta Arenas

Your expedition cruise of the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica 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 no doubt endure.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

What’s included?

• Overnight in Santiago de Chile before the expedition cruise, including breakfast
• Flights in economy class between Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas
• Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Santiago de Chile before the expedition cruise
• Transfers between the Punta Arenas airport and the ship  

Expedition Cruise

• A stay in a cabin of your choice
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws; excludes premium drinks)
• All day coffee, tea, and soft drinks
• Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
• A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
• A polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX gear
• Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
• Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note that streaming is not supported.
• Use of sauna, hot tubs, fitness room, lounges, and more
• Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX (though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated).
• Range of included activities

Onboard Activities

• In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
• Full access to the ship’s Science Center
• The Citizen Science Program allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research
• An onboard professional photographer will give tips and tricks for taking the best landscape and wildlife photos
• Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings

Landing Activities

• Escorted landing with small expedition boats
• Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
• Expedition photographers on hand to assist you

Notes

• All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
• Excursions and activities are subject to change
• Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
• Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight stay might be needed (not included)

Not Included

• International flights
• Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Optional shore excursions with our local partners
• Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team

Get the most out of your cruise with activities run by our Expedition Team. They start from the ship, and are available for reservation once you get on board. Activities are subject to change.

• Camping in Antarctica (An Amundsen Night)
• Extended Hikes in Antarctica
• Kayaking Adventure in Antarctica
• Snowshoeing in Antarctica