Day 1
Santiagi De Chile, Chile
Arrive at Santiago capital city and enjoy one night overstay to refresh
Our ultra sailing adventure begins with arrival to Santiago De Chile, the capital city of Chile. For those arriving early can explore its historic center and museums; enjoy panoramic views from Cerro San Cristóbal; savor Chilean cuisine at local markets or choose to experience its vibrant nightlife in neighborhood like Bellavista. Whether you arrive earlier or late in the evening, an overnight is arranged for everyone to recharge.
Day 2
Punta Arenas, Chile
Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas and enjoy a night's overstay
After breakfast, we fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas, the port town of Chile where our expedition to Antarctica begin s late in the evening. After a mandatory safety briefing, the captain and the crew welcome you onboard with a celebratory dinner, and brief you about your basecamp (the ship), and what to expect from your journey in the coming few days
Day 3-4
Crossing the Drake Passage
A drake shake or drake lake? An experience unique from many
Sailing the legendary Drake Passage is an experience that few are ever lucky enough to experience. The southern tip of the Americas already feels like a wild enough environment – but the sensation of watching the distant cliffs of the peninsular known as the ‘End of the World’ fade into the horizon, is one that’s equal parts epic, eerie and magical. Set sail, to slowly drop off the bottom of the map from Cape Horn, and voyage on an expedition down into the icy underworld of Antarctica. Drake Passage is an extraordinary voyage of romantic ocean faring legend, as you aim for Antarctica’s icy realm. On arrival, skyscraper sized icebergs salute you, as you traverse the waters of this continent where snow and ice dwelling creatures like penguins and whales roam undisturbed. Your first sight of this most-unexplored place will most likely be the South Shetland Islands. Walk in the footsteps of some of history’s greatest and bravest explorers as you explore famed, snow-covered landmasses like Elephant and Deception Island. If the journey across Drake Passage sounds daunting, don’t worry – even in rough seas you’re never alone, and will often be accompanied on this spine-tingling adventure by soaring albatrosses and maybe even a protective pod of humpbacks and hourglass dolphins or two. Converging warm and cool ocean currents attract some spectacular animal life to the passage
Day 5
Antarctic Sound
Our first touch point of the white continent as we make our way south
Few voyages ignite the imagination like a journey down to one of the planet’s most remote, extreme and enchanting wilderness, Antarctica. An adventure in its purest form, only a handful of people will ever be lucky enough to experience the majestic beauty of these monochrome landscapes first-hand. The Antarctic Sound will be one of your first encounters of this whitewash kingdom, located at the northerly tip of the Antarctic Peninsula - which sprawls up like a tentacle towards Tierra del Fuego, South America’s most southerly point, otherwise known as the ‘End of the World’. Taking its name from the first ship to brave the passageway between the peninsular and the Joinville Island groups back in 1902, the Sound is a raw, sensory assault of imposing iceberg slabs, broken away from the disintegrating Larsen Ice Shelf. Come face-to-face with stadium-sized islands of ice and meet the extraordinary birdlife that call this whitewash kingdom home. Watch on, as colonies of Gentoo penguins hop around, and cape petrels sweep overhead, as the continent’s unique wildlife thrives around you.
Included Excursions :
- Zodiac Cruising
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Day 6-8
Antarctic Peninsula
Explore the wonders of this pristine land for 3 whole days
Today we make our way further south to The Antarctic Peninsula. Stretching up from the heart of the world’s southernmost continent, the Antarctic Peninsula lies a mere 620 mile from Tierra del Fuego and, for many, offers a spectacular first taste of the snow-blanketed landscapes and colossal ice sculptures, which make up Earth’s least-explored continent. Unseen by humans until 1820 - a blink of an eye ago in relative terms - this is an adventure sure to make your hairs stand on end, as you experience the thrill of the truly unknown and extraordinary. The vast peninsula is sprinkled with research bases, which are at the frontline of human scientific endeavour, pushing to study and understand this unique landscape, its exceptional wildlife, and the impact that humans are having on this pristine continent. Witness cathedral-sized icebergs up close, and blue-hued glaciers, slowly slipping from imposing locations like Hope Bay. Blanched mountain peaks cover the peninsula, and you’ll find thousands of adorable Adelie penguin pairs thriving undisturbed in this peninsula’s unique setting.
Given the nature of expeditions, all activities and landings on this day are dependent on sea, ice and weather conditions. The captain and expedition leader would decide on type of activities and landings possible each day, as we spend 3 whole days exploring the region! So expect the unexpected!
Day 9
South Shetland Islands
Explore the archipelago of frozen islands before retuning to South America
The ice-coated Antarctic Peninsula forms perhaps the most accessible region of mainland Antarctica, lying a mere 480-miles away from South America, across the fabled waters of Drakes Passage. Lying close to the northwestern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, separated by the Bransfield Strait, the South Shetland Islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty, suspending claims on their sovereignty. Several countries maintain research bases here, and with plump elephant seals, and crowds of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie Penguins also calling the islands home, it can even feel a little crowded at times. King George Island is the largest and most hospitable island, hosting the majority of the research stations - some of which are populated all-year-round by tiny, hardy crews. Don’t be fooled though, these islands offer extraordinary adventure in one of the most remote locations on earth. The triple peaks of Mount Foster tower above the archipelago, and you’ll feel your heart pumping a little quicker, as you sail into the core of Deception Island’s magnificent collapsed volcano caldera. Hike the luna landscapes within, and even dip into the improbably warm, geothermally-heated waters of Pendulum Cove. Elephant Island, meanwhile, is written deep into the annals of Antarctic expedition legend, as the site where Ernest Shackleton and the stricken crew of the Endurance miraculously survived a harsh Antarctic winter, in 1916
Day 10
Sailing back via Drake Passage
Time to head back to civilisation!
We sail the legendary Drake Passage once again, but this time we cover the journey just in a day! Take time to review your discoveries from the last few days, share them with your fellow travelers, who are now almost family, and rejuvenate as we head back home
Day 11
Punta Arenas to Santiago De Chile
Transfer from Punta Arenas to Santiago De Chile and enjoy an overnight
We disembark at Punta arenas today, and take our domestic flights to Santiago De Chile. An overnight is arranged for everyone tonight at this capital city. For those flying today can take their international flights onward, or continue to enjoy another day at this vibrant city
Day 12
Santiago De Chile
Enjoy breakfast and fly back home with lifetime memories
After a refreshing sleep, you are free to join for post excursions or fly onward home