HIGHLIGHTS
- It’s prime season for whale watching, snow algae,
and colorful sunsets in Antarctica
- Spot penguins and seals in Antarctica and explore the
scenic Patagonian coast
- Enjoy delicious cuisine and science-focused lectures and
activities on MS Fram
- Go ice-cruising and join landings with the expert
Expedition Team
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Mar 15, 2025 | Apr 06, 2025 | EUR |
USD 16,369 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Mar 15, 2025 | Apr 06, 2025 | EUR |
USD 16,369 |
ITINERARY
Please Note: Voyages that begin
in March are Northbound (Santiago, Chile to Valparaíso,
Chile), while voyages that begin in October are Southbound (Valparaíso, Chile to Santiago, Chile) and a day shorter
Day
1 So much to see
Welcome
to Santiago, the vibrant capital of Chile. Even with just one
night in Santiago, you will see that a mouth-watering merlot wine
isn’t the only thing this city has to offer. Its plazas
feature lovely colonial architecture and its neighborhoods house art
galleries and award-winning restaurants. There are also a wide range of
cultural venues and museums for your entertainment. Meanwhile,
enchanting white glaciers beckon at the city’s border. As far
as options go, you will have many things to choose from.
A
panoramic 360-degree view of Santiago is one of the easiest things to
recommend. At nearly 1,000 feet, Sky Costanera offers stunning views of
the city and the surrounding Andes and Chilean Coastal Range. The
scenery here is especially spectacular at sunset. Or visit La Chascona,
one of three homes owned in the city by the famous Chilean poet Pablo
Neruda. Stroll around the stalls of the bustling La Vega market and try
the local chirimoya fruit.
If
you really want to get to know this exciting city, come a few days
early. Or, take this opportunity to add a Pre-Program to the amazing
Atacama Desert or Chilean Patagonia before your cruise.
Day
2 Setting off
See
Santiago from the air in the early morning light as your plane
leaves for Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your
polar vessel MS Fram and its crew await you here, ready to take you
farther south than most people ever go!
After
embarking the ship and checking in, all passengers must attend a
mandatory health and safety meeting. Later on, you will meet some of
the crew, and of course, the Expedition Team. They will be your guides,
hosts, and travel companions for the next three weeks. You will have
plenty of opportunities to get to know them during the welcome dinner
and over the course of the expedition!
Day
3-4 The
‘Drake
Shake’ … or the ‘Drake Lake’
The
Drake Passage is more than just the final frontier between Cape
Horn and Antarctica. Here brews emotion and anticipation. The Passage
was named after the English sea captain and privateer Sir Francis
Drake, who discovered it by chance in 1578 when heavy winds forced his
ship south, unintentionally, proving that open water existed below the
southern tip of Chile.
The
Passage is famous for its high winds, large waves, and strong
currents. As you can imagine, it was very difficult for the old sailing
ships to handle these extreme conditions. Even though the waters of the
Drake Passage are usually rough, they can also be incredibly still.
This dual nature has won the Passage two nicknames: ‘The
Drake Shake’ or ‘The Drake Lake’. No
matter which one we encounter, our modern expedition ship MS Fram was
built for these conditions—and worse, so you don’t
have to worry about safety.
As
we make our way south, the Expedition Team will begin its lecture
series to inform you about Antarctica’s fascinating wildlife,
geology, and history. You will also learn the importance of wearing our
special boots when we are on shore. Doing so will leave the smallest
impact, making your visit as safe and sustainable as possible, as per
to IAATO guidelines. You will also have the option of joining Citizen
Science programs to help collect data for current scientific research
projects. All the new knowledge will make your Antarctic exploration
much more enriching and interesting.
MS
Fram is an explorer's dream. Its cutting-edge technology makes it a
worthy adversary for any scenario the polar ocean can throw at it. That
said, it is very comfy and cozy. Head onto the wide observation deck
for fresh air, maybe accompanied by birds following the ship. You can
also enjoy the views from the restaurants and the Explorer Lounge
& Bar, which are the perfect places to do just that.
Day
5-12 The Great White
Continent
This
land mass holds about 90% of all the world’s ice, in an
area twice the size of Australia. It is home to about 12 million
penguins across seven species. Impressive statistics don’t do
Antarctica justice, though. Numbers don’t capture its
magnitude and magnificence, and words fail to describe the sensation of
personally seeing a colony of several thousand penguins.
You’ll know what we’re talking about once
you’ve experienced it!
We
will arrive here in the late austral Antarctic summer, which means
fantastic sunsets and penguin chicks starting to molt into adult
plumage. This is also prime whale-watching season. Imagine standing on
the ship’s deck as whales breach close by, splashing
saltwater high up in the air. Now imagine that same situation while
sitting in a kayak (an optional activity)! Talk about your close
encounters! Antarctica gives you the strange sensation of making you
feel incredibly small amid all the grandeur and magnitude. Snow algae
will also be blooming, dotting the normally pure-white landscapes with
bright pink and green hues. A wide variety of seabirds, such as geese,
skuas, shearwaters, and possibly even albatross, soar in the skies
above and rest and feed on the shores below.
Our
expert Expedition Team will guide you ice-cruising and out for
landings by small boats (RIBs) to get you closer to this incredible
world of ice and wildlife. We spend eight days exploring Antarctica
with no fixed itinerary, attempting landings at several possible sites.
After sailing these waters for so many years, we know the best places
to go and what to do. Trust us to lead you to the best places at the
best time. We work with (or sometimes around) the weather and sea ice
to make the most of each day. It’s what makes this an
authentic expedition and a true adventure!
Day
13-14
Attempting Cape Horn
After
eight unforgettable days in Antarctica, MS Fram will carry you
safely back across the Drake Passage. The Expedition Team will recap
our experiences. Join them in the Science Center to study water samples
of wildlife at a microscopic level.
Our
return journey across the Drake Passage will last approximately two
days, giving you plenty of time to relax and think about all your
experiences. If you’re feeling invigorated after last
week’s activities and landings, perhaps work out in the gym.
This will also whip up a heightened appetite, which is easily quelled
with the delicious dishes in the restaurant. Of course, we
won’t hold it against you if sitting in the sauna is number
one on your to-do list.
When
we have the Drake Passage behind us, we arrive at Cape Horn. The
tumultuous waters here are as notorious as the Drake Passage, maybe
even more so. Should the winds and waves relent, we might attempt to
land ashore. If we do, it will be due to both skill and of luck, and an
accomplishment to boast about for years to come.
Day
15
Cruising through paradise
This
wild and remote wonderland was once the domain of the canoe-faring
indigenous people who lived, sailed, and hunted in these very fjords
for centuries. Admire this serene maze of waterways surrounded by
islands, glaciers and steep mountains.
If
we have time and weather plays is in our favor, we might launch our
small boats (RIBs) to take you on a scenic cruise of the fjords or to a
landing site. If not, the fjords can also be enjoyed from out on deck.
You might even spot wildlife such as Magellanic penguins—and
maybe even elephant seals—along the coastline. If
you’re lucky, you can catch a sight of dolphins and several
whales species that are known to explore these waters.
Day
16-17 Gateway to the
‘Blue Towers’
Located
at the opening of Última Esperanza Sound, the city
of Puerto Natales was founded in 1911 as a port for the sheep industry.
Today, it is mostly known as an entry point to Torres del Paine
National Park, famous for its impressive three-pronged mountain peak
that appears a shade of blue when the light is just right. As such,
‘Paine’ (pronounced ‘pie-nay’)
means ‘blue’ in the native Tehuelche language,
while ‘Torres’ is Spanish for
‘towers’.
We
offer a very popular optional excursion to this UNESCO World
Biosphere Reserve.. You can also just enjoy the chilled-out vibe of
Puerto Natales itself. At the waterfront, views of the fjord and the
mountains around it make for great photos, especially with the
town’s monuments and sculptures in the foreground. The old
pier, stripped of its former utility and now just a series of
picturesque, stripped-down posts in the water, which is also popular to
photograph. You can find this image on many of the Puerto Natales
postcards. There are also an ever-growing range of bars,
cafés, and restaurants that cater to the international
hiking crowd, giving you plenty of options to wine and dine.
Day
18
Hard-to-reach village
At
the end of a deep fjord surrounded by mountains, we will reach the
village of Puerto Edén in Bernardo O’Higgins
National Park. There are no roads to get here; it is only accessible by
sea. You won’t find a village more isolated than this. To get
around, you must walk on the pedestrian boardwalks that connect the
houses and shops of the 250 residents. Don’t forget your
umbrella or raincoat, though, Puerto Edén has among the
highest number of rainy days a year in the entire world.
The
15 remaining full-blooded members of the indigenous
Kawéskar people settled in Puerto Edén late in
the 20th century. They make their living fishing and weaving wicker
baskets, which they sell to the passengers in the passing cruise ships.
This once-nomadic and seafaring tribe used to travel in canoes up to 30
feet long, capable of transporting an entire family!
Day
19
Fabled Patagonian waters
Your
expedition cruise will continue north through the fabled waters of
Patagonia. When Magellan sailed here in 1520 on his circumnavigation of
the Earth, he and his crew somehow imagined the indigenous people here
to be giants that were over 16 feet tall! He therefore named them
‘Patagons’ after a literary character in a Spanish
novel that was popular at the time. While the indigenous people here
were slightly taller than most Europeans at the time, they were far
from giants. However, the name stuck. Thus, we have the region the
world now knows as ‘Patagonia.’ Today, it is known
more for the beautiful Andean seascapes, rather than its giants! There
are plenty of interesting lectures to attend and engaging Citizen
Science projects in which you can participate in the Science Center.
Day
20 Chilote charm
Castro
is the capital of Chiloé Island and has a little
something for everyone. One of the first things you will notice are the
characteristic and colorful wooden ‘palafitos’,
houses mounted on stilts along the water’s edge. There are
also a number of artisan shops, making it a great place for shopping
for souvenirs. For bargains and a glimpse of authentic day-to-day life
here, Feria Campesina Yumbel is a busy farmers and fish market selling
all sorts of fresh foods and household goods.
Another
highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Iglesia San
Francisco, a church built in 1567 during the founding of the city. Art
enthusiasts will enjoy the Museum of Modern Art of Chiloé,
which is well worth a visit. There are a lot of great local snacks to
try, too, so have a light breakfast on the ship and leave room for
churros, and empanadas with sweet and savory fillings.
Day
21-22 The
home stretch
Your
expedition cruise is coming to an end, but it is not over just
yet. Make the most of your remaining time on MS Fram! Watch for birds
and wildlife out on deck, chat with your new friends, or enjoy your
favorite drink in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. The Expedition
Team will recap the highlights of your cruise and keep you engaged
through lectures and science projects.
Day
23 Homeward bound
When
we dock at Valparaíso, your expedition cruise will come
to an end. If you have time, we recommend spending a few extra
exploring this unique city. The city’s many funiculars have
been declared one of the world’s 100 most endangered
historical treasures, and they’ll carry you up the colorful
hilltop neighborhoods for panoramic views of the Pacific. If you want
more adventure before going home, we recommend a Post-Program to Easter
Island, a UNESCO Heritage Site famous for the mysterious statues of
giant heads.
Whether
you stay on or head home, it might be hard to say goodbye to
the ship, the captain, the crew, the Expedition Team, and your fellow
explorers. We hope you’ll never forget our three weeks
together exploring the fabled continent of Antarctica and your trip up
and sailing through Patagonia and its fabulous fjords.
We
hope you remember your voyage with us as one of your very best
adventures! May your fond memories inspire you to continue viewing the
natural world with wonder and respect, and do everything you can to
protect it.
MS Fram (Expedition, 200-guests)
MS Fram is purpose built as an expedition vessel with a higher ice-class, chart drawing tools, ship depth sounding database, extractable forward sounding sonar, iceberg search lights, autonomous tracking system, oversized oil retention system for self-sufficiency, and a full 'expedition tools-deck' equivalent to a car-deck that holds 25 vehicles. We believe that as an explorer you need an 'expedition base-camp' that is comfortable - something that combines 'all oceans capabilities' with safety, flexibility and environmental friendliness. That's Fram - simply the best expedition ship imaginable.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Hotel
- Overnight in Santiago de Chile before the expedition
cruise, including breakfast
Flights
- Flight in economy class from Santiago de Chile to Punta
Arenas
Transfers
- Transfer from the hotel in Santiago to the airport before
the expedition cruise
- Transfer from the Punta Arenas airport to the ship,
including an orientation tour and a pre-packed lunch
Expedition Cruise
- Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner including beverages (house
beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurant Aune
- Fine-dining À la carte restaurant
Lindstrøm is included for suite guests
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in
remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard
water refill stations
- English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and guide
activities, both on board and ashore
- Range of included activities
Onboard activities
- Experts from the Expedition Team present detailed lectures
on a variety of topics
- Use of the ship’s Science Center which has an
extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
- The Citizen Science program allows guests to contribute to
current scientific research projects
- The onboard professional photographer will give tips and
tricks for taking the best landscape and wildlife photos
- The ship has hot tubs, a sauna, and an indoor gym
- Participate in informal gatherings with the crew, such as
daily recaps and the next day’s preparations
Landing activities
- Escorted landings in a small boat (RIB) while in Antarctica
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment needed for
the activities
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
- Expedition photographer will help configure your camera
settings before landings
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel protection
- Baggage 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
