Antarctic Cruise to the Late Summer Sun

Your journey commences with a night in Santiago, the vibrant cultural hub of Chile. Bursting with museums, stunning architecture, and eateries, the city boasts all the features you'd anticipate from a South American capital. There's an abundance of sites and attractions to discover, ensuring your options are plentiful and time, not choice, will be your only constraint. If time allows, a visit to the Mercado Central fish market to savor the traditional Chilean seafood stew, caldillo de congrio, is recommended.

Given the city's numerous offerings, we understand the desire for more exploration time in the capital. That's why we suggest arriving a few days early. We provide optional Pre-Programs such as the South America Winelands tour or the Chilean Patagonia tour, allowing for an extended experience before the main itinerary begins.

Departing from Santiago in the early morning, you will fly to Punta Arenas, the largest city in Chilean Patagonia. This city exudes old-world charm and offers a sense of discovery at every turn, situated as one of the southernmost cities in the world.

Upon arrival, you will board the expedition ship MS Maud. Following boarding, a mandatory health and safety briefing will be conducted for all passengers. Subsequently, you will have the opportunity to meet the crew and the Expedition Team, who will serve as your guides, hosts, and fellow travelers throughout the journey.

Before reaching Antarctica, the journey south entails crossing the renowned Drake Passage—a pivotal two-day voyage marked as a 'rite of passage'. This crossing presents varying sea conditions and is named after Sir Francis Drake, who stumbled upon it when strong winds blew his boat southward.

Visit the Science Center to learn about the upcoming experiences. The Expedition Team will conduct lectures on Antarctica covering its history, wildlife, and ecosystems. They will also provide guidance on ensuring a safe and environmentally conscious visit, and introduce Citizen Science projects available for participation.

Take advantage of the onboard amenities during this time. Relax in the hot tubs or panoramic sauna, observe icebergs, whales, and albatrosses from the deck, or unwind in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

Your initial encounter with Antarctica's vast frozen landscape is truly indescribable. Natural sculptures of icebergs drift in the straits while Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins observe from the shores, accompanied by seabirds soaring above. Here, nature reigns supreme.

Over the next five days, we will visit various landing sites among the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, offering over 20 potential locations to explore. Regardless of our destination or activities, each day promises excitement and unprecedented experiences.

We may navigate into a submerged volcanic caldera or disembark in icy bays dotted with remnants of abandoned whaling equipment. Opportunities may arise for kayaking amidst icebergs and seals or embarking on snowshoe excursions to breathtaking viewpoints.

Bird enthusiasts should keep watch for Antarctic seabirds like skuas, petrels, and terns overhead. Through informative onboard lectures and onshore discussions, you'll gain deeper insights into this precious ecosystem and discover ways to safeguard it for future generations.

After an unforgettable five days in Antarctica, we will begin our return journey northward across the Drake Passage, allowing ample time for relaxation on board as we head towards South Georgia.

In South Georgia, you will have the opportunity to explore an archipelago teeming with remarkable and diverse wildlife. Throughout the sailing, the Expedition Team will provide insights into what awaits, sharing details about South Georgia's fauna, history, and geology, including tales of the legendary Norwegian whalers from the past.

South Georgia is renowned as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ due to its rich wildlife diversity. Its strategic location, free from sea ice, makes it an ideal breeding ground for extensive colonies of penguins, along with various seabirds and seals. Designated as an Important Bird Area, South Georgia hosts albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas, and terns.

Over three days in this area, we will make frequent landings to explore the wilderness and observe the wildlife. Our goal is to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of the legendary Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. The route of our expedition is always determined by nature, and our experiences will vary based on daily conditions as we strive to adapt and ensure the best possible encounters.

As we progress on our exploratory voyage, take moments to pause and contemplate our journey. Engage in enlightening lectures delivered by the Expedition Team to deepen your understanding of our destinations. You may delve into topics such as the geological processes that shaped the surrounding mountain ranges, and explore rock samples, ice cores, or reconstructed skeletons in the onboard Science Center.

For those seeking to stay active, visit the gym to invigorate your body. MS Maud offers a variety of onboard amenities for your enjoyment, so take the opportunity to discover the panoramic sauna or simply relax on deck in a hot tub while gazing out at the rolling seas. Extend your adventure and make the most of your experience!

The Falkland Islands boast expansive horizons and pristine white sand beaches bustling with birdlife. Apart from occasional farms, the landscape is dominated by grassy hills and wildflowers, a striking contrast to the vast icy landscapes of Antarctica. Explore the town of Stanley with a community walk that includes visits to Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Historic Dockyard Museum.

Our landings, hikes, and excursions are always dependent on weather conditions. We aim to visit colonies of albatrosses and penguins, often encountering seals in their natural habitats, while ensuring minimal disruption to these remarkable wildlife populations.

Having completed our extraordinary journey through Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, it's time to unwind and connect with new friends while enjoying the insights of our Expedition Team during our final three days together as we sail north to Buenos Aires.

After 23 days at sea, surrounded by some of the most remote and awe-inspiring scenery on Earth, how do you let go? You simply don't. The experience lives on in your memories and the knowledge you have gained. It resonates in the stories and photos you will share with friends and family. We hope this journey has been inspiring for you, reigniting a sense of wonder for nature and a determination to protect it.

Home to a proud and diverse community of ‘porteños’, or ‘people of the port’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendor and Latin American panache.

There are plenty of places to explore, including many ‘parrillas’ serving authentic Argentine steak. This is the renowned birthplace of the tango, so maybe you’d like to practice your dance moves.

After such an extraordinary adventure, we understand if you’re not ready to head home. If that’s the case, you can join one of the optional Post-Programs and stay a little longer.