Fly from Punta Arenas to Antarctica and Sail Back to Ushuaia
On this sample itinerary, we fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the Antarctic Peninsula and motor-sail back from Antarctica to Ushuaia, Argentina.
Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, the city at the bottom of Tierra del Fuego overlooking the Strait of Magellan. Punta Arenas was a gold rush boomtown in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century it was a center for large-scale sheep farming, which remains an important economic enterprise today. Meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner on this first evening of your Antarctic adventure.
Day 2: Magallanes National Reserve / Rio Seco Natural History Museum
This extra day is included as a "reserve day" in case of delays with arriving flights. There's plenty to see around this scenic region, and we begin with a hike in the Magallanes National Reserve. This nearly 50,000-acre nature preserve contains a diverse range of native flora and fauna, including Andean and gray foxes, Darwin's leaf-eared mouse and abundant birdlife—look forMagellanic woodpecker, Chilean flicker, black-chested buzzard eagle, austral thrush and more. On a walk through the mixed deciduous forest, we'll observe native trees such as lenga and Magellan's beeches and stunted nirre trees with their crinkled, irregular leaves.
Return to Punta Arenas for lunch, then visit the Rio Seco Natural History Museum, housed in an old cold storage factory built in the last century. With more than 5,000 vintage botanical and zoological specimens from the region, the museum aims to educate visitors about the region's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. After our visit, there's free time to exploretown before dinner.
Day 3: Fly to King George Island—Board S/V Australis
The only airstrip on the Antarctic Peninsula archipelago that can reliably be served by the South American continent on a regular basis is located on King George Island in the South Shetland group. We plan to fly here today to meet our intrepid polar expedition vessel, the S/V Australis. Ashore, we have our first encounter with penguins and other wildlife of this southern polar wonderland.
Our real adventure begins when we board the Australis, a 75-foot-long ice-strengthened motorsailer, designed and outfitted to navigate the polar waters of the Southern Ocean. After introductions and a safety orientation, the Australis sets sail into the Antarctic waters surrounding the South Shetland Islands, headed south to the Antarctic Peninsula. We're excited to be cruising with one of the world's preeminent polar mariners and his seasoned crew. [Note: It is our intention to fly to King George Island today, but occasionally weather conditions may delay us. If that is the case, we will spend today exploring Punta Arenas.]
Days 4–12: Cruising and Camping on the Antarctic Peninsula
For the next 8-9 days we follow the best weather and safest water, exploring the bays and fjords of the Antarctic Peninsula. Our small vessel gives us a distinct advantage for exploring. Able to navigate narrow fjords inaccessible to larger vessels, or easily change course in response to the presence of whales or other sea life, or having the option to simply stop and observe, our intimate ship delivers the utmost freedom. Unconstrained by a fixed itinerary and led by expert guides with unsurpassed navigation skills on sea or land, we discover this wild and austere place away from crowds, where the loudest noises come from nature.
Kayaks on board allow opportunities to observe wildlife at eye-level, and where landings permit, we step ashore to hike. Some walks are gentle, and others take us through deep snow to geographic high points. Our highly attuned guides ensure that activities are appropriate for the group, and participation on excursions is always optional. For the most daring, plunging in the polar waters may be an option. And, with our special permits, we have the option to camp, weather and local conditions permitting. On these on pristine polar beaches, we share solitude with the legions of wildlife.
Though our environs are austere, these waters are a haven for a remarkable array of wildlife, including vast penguin rookeries and beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Taking advantage of the perpetual light, we spend long days cruising among the icebergs, watching for whales and seals. Sometimes, we get so close we can hear a whale blow, and we may even feel the spray from its spout. Birdlife is extraordinary, with huge populations of albatross, petrel, skua, gull, tern and cormorant. There are few places on the planet where the natural world feels more intact and grandiose, while we have never felt smaller.
Days 13–15: Crossing the Drake Passage
As the Australis continues northward, the most adventurous portion of our journey commences: navigating the fabled Drake Passage. Named for renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage is notorious for its often-fierce gales that create large, wind-whipped swells—we're likely to have some raucous sailing! But the Australis is a hardy vessel and her skipper and crew second-to-none—we are in good hands, and the journey is exhilarating.
Leaving the icebergs and snow-clad mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula behind, we sail into the Antarctic Convergence. This southern portion of the Drake constitutes a rich biological zone where a great upwelling of nutrients draws an amazing variety of seabirds. Keep an eye out for many big albatrosses that often follow in our wake. The exact timing of our Drake crossing depends on weather and sea conditions, but we generally expect it to take approximately three days.
Day 16: Ushuaia, Argentina—Disembark
As we sail northward, eventually we may be able to discern Cape Horn in the distance, with the mass of Tierra del Fuego rising ahead. Land ho! As the peaks of Patagonia come into view, the Australis enters the sheltered waters of the Beagle Channel, our scenic marine route into Ushuaia. Drink in the vista of endless mountain ridges lining either side of the channel as we cruise toward civilization once more. Once safely docked in Ushuaia harbor, we disembark, saying farewell to our skipper and crew. An overnight at a comfortable local hotel is included here in the southernmost city in the world. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with our Expedition Leader, reflecting on the indelible memories we've made on this truly singular adventure.
Day 17: Ushuaia / Depart
Fly homeward today from Ushuaia, with a cache of memories to last a lifetime and then some!
Important note regarding flights: When flying to King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsula, weather determines all schedules. If weather conditions do not allow us to travel as scheduled, we must wait in Punta Arenas for the weather to clear. Though historic weather patterns dictate that we should not be delayed for more than a few days, we can never predict when, or even if, inclement weather will clear to allow our departure. While we have "padded" our itinerary a bit as a precaution against such circumstances, we ask that all guests purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover tour costs, should your adventure be delayed or canceled because of the weather.
Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, the city at the bottom of Tierra del Fuego overlooking the Strait of Magellan. Punta Arenas was a gold rush boomtown in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century it was a center for large-scale sheep farming, which remains an important economic enterprise today. Meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner on this first evening of your Antarctic adventure.
Day 2: Magallanes National Reserve / Rio Seco Natural History Museum
This extra day is included as a "reserve day" in case of delays with arriving flights. There's plenty to see around this scenic region, and we begin with a hike in the Magallanes National Reserve. This nearly 50,000-acre nature preserve contains a diverse range of native flora and fauna, including Andean and gray foxes, Darwin's leaf-eared mouse and abundant birdlife—look for
Return to Punta Arenas for lunch, then visit the Rio Seco Natural History Museum, housed in an old cold storage factory built in the last century. With more than 5,000 vintage botanical and zoological specimens from the region, the museum aims to educate visitors about the region's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. After our visit, there's free time to explore
Day 3: Fly to King George Island—Board S/V Australis
The only airstrip on the Antarctic Peninsula archipelago that can reliably be served by the South American continent on a regular basis is located on King George Island in the South Shetland group. We plan to fly here today to meet our intrepid polar expedition vessel, the S/V Australis. Ashore, we have our first encounter with penguins and other wildlife of this southern polar wonderland.
Our real adventure begins when we board the Australis, a 75-foot-long ice-strengthened motorsailer, designed and outfitted to navigate the polar waters of the Southern Ocean. After introductions and a safety orientation, the Australis sets sail into the Antarctic waters surrounding the South Shetland Islands, headed south to the Antarctic Peninsula. We're excited to be cruising with one of the world's preeminent polar mariners and his seasoned crew. [Note: It is our intention to fly to King George Island today, but occasionally weather conditions may delay us. If that is the case, we will spend today exploring Punta Arenas.]
Days 4–12: Cruising and Camping on the Antarctic Peninsula
For the next 8-9 days we follow the best weather and safest water, exploring the bays and fjords of the Antarctic Peninsula. Our small vessel gives us a distinct advantage for exploring. Able to navigate narrow fjords inaccessible to larger vessels, or easily change course in response to the presence of whales or other sea life, or having the option to simply stop and observe, our intimate ship delivers the utmost freedom. Unconstrained by a fixed itinerary and led by expert guides with unsurpassed navigation skills on sea or land, we discover this wild and austere place away from crowds, where the loudest noises come from nature.
Kayaks on board allow opportunities to observe wildlife at eye-level, and where landings permit, we step ashore to hike. Some walks are gentle, and others take us through deep snow to geographic high points. Our highly attuned guides ensure that activities are appropriate for the group, and participation on excursions is always optional. For the most daring, plunging in the polar waters may be an option. And, with our special permits, we have the option to camp, weather and local conditions permitting. On these on pristine polar beaches, we share solitude with the legions of wildlife.
Though our environs are austere, these waters are a haven for a remarkable array of wildlife, including vast penguin rookeries and beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Taking advantage of the perpetual light, we spend long days cruising among the icebergs, watching for whales and seals. Sometimes, we get so close we can hear a whale blow, and we may even feel the spray from its spout. Birdlife is extraordinary, with huge populations of albatross, petrel, skua, gull, tern and cormorant. There are few places on the planet where the natural world feels more intact and grandiose, while we have never felt smaller.
Days 13–15: Crossing the Drake Passage
As the Australis continues northward, the most adventurous portion of our journey commences: navigating the fabled Drake Passage. Named for renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage is notorious for its often-fierce gales that create large, wind-whipped swells—we're likely to have some raucous sailing! But the Australis is a hardy vessel and her skipper and crew second-to-none—we are in good hands, and the journey is exhilarating.
Leaving the icebergs and snow-clad mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula behind, we sail into the Antarctic Convergence. This southern portion of the Drake constitutes a rich biological zone where a great upwelling of nutrients draws an amazing variety of seabirds. Keep an eye out for many big albatrosses that often follow in our wake. The exact timing of our Drake crossing depends on weather and sea conditions, but we generally expect it to take approximately three days.
Day 16: Ushuaia, Argentina—Disembark
As we sail northward, eventually we may be able to discern Cape Horn in the distance, with the mass of Tierra del Fuego rising ahead. Land ho! As the peaks of Patagonia come into view, the Australis enters the sheltered waters of the Beagle Channel, our scenic marine route into Ushuaia. Drink in the vista of endless mountain ridges lining either side of the channel as we cruise toward civilization once more. Once safely docked in Ushuaia harbor, we disembark, saying farewell to our skipper and crew. An overnight at a comfortable local hotel is included here in the southernmost city in the world. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with our Expedition Leader, reflecting on the indelible memories we've made on this truly singular adventure.
Day 17: Ushuaia / Depart
Fly homeward today from Ushuaia, with a cache of memories to last a lifetime and then some!
Important note regarding flights: When flying to King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsula, weather determines all schedules. If weather conditions do not allow us to travel as scheduled, we must wait in Punta Arenas for the weather to clear. Though historic weather patterns dictate that we should not be delayed for more than a few days, we can never predict when, or even if, inclement weather will clear to allow our departure. While we have "padded" our itinerary a bit as a precaution against such circumstances, we ask that all guests purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover tour costs, should your adventure be delayed or canceled because of the weather.
