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!

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!

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.

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 20^th 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!

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.

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.