Sail to Antarctica and Fly Back to Punta Arenas
Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrive in Punta Arenas, the most southern town in Chile 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 had become a center for large-scale sheep farming, which remains an important economic enterprise today. Meet your Expedition Leader and fellow adventurers at a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2: Magallanes National Reserve / Rio Seco Natural History Museum
There's plenty to see around this scenic region, and we begin with a hike in 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 Magellanic woodpecker, Chilean flicker, black-chested buzzard eagle, austral thrush and more. On a walk through the mixed deciduous forest, we observe native trees such as lenga and Magellan's beech and stunted nirre, an Antarctic beech with crinkled, irregular leaves.
Return to Punta Arenas for lunch, then visit the Rio Seco Natural History Museum, housed in an old cold storage warehouse. With more than 5,000 vintage botanical and zoological specimens from the Magallanes region, the museum aims to educate visitors about the region's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Imaginative displays use fine naturalist drawings and painstakingly restored skeletons of seabirds, sea lions and whales to give a picture of life on the strait. After our visit, there's free time to explore town before dinner.
Days 3-4: Puerto Williams—Embark Ship / Sailing the Drake Passage
Today we fly to Puerto Williams and board the Hanse Explorer. Built and outfitted to navigate the daunting conditions in the world's polar regions, this elegant vessel has been designed with every conceivable amenity to make our experience comfortable and inspiring. After introductions and a safety orientation, we set sail into the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula with an eminent polar mariner, seasoned crew and Nat Hab Expedition Leader at the helm.
As we sail southward through the scenic marine route from Puerto Williams, we bid farewell to the endless mountain ridges lining either side of the channel. Leaving the protected waters of the Beagle Channel. as we cruise into the open Southern Ocean and the legendary Drake Passage. Named for renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake is notorious for its often-fierce gales, creating large, wind-whipped swells. But the Hanse Explorer is a hardy vessel and we are in good hands, embracing a journey that is sure to be exhilarating. The southern portion of the Drake marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological zone where a great upwelling of nutrients draws an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses that follow in our wake. The exact timing of our 600-mile Drake crossing depends on weather and sea conditions, but we generally expect it to take approximately two days.
Days 5–10: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by Luxury Expedition Yacht
In the South Shetlands, step ashore for our first encounter with penguins and other wildlife of this southern polar wonderland. From here 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.
After each monumental day, settle into the exceptional comfort and hospitality provided on board the Hanse Explorer. Relax with a cocktail in the lounge, or if you're not quite ready to retreat from the open air, take a soak in the hot tub on the top deck and watch the iceberg parade drift past. Each evening, the chef and culinary team prepare memorable dinners, while the expanse of windows in the dining room ensures you won't miss a thing happening beyond. With the late light of the austral summer lingering until well after dinner, it's tough to pull away from the magnificent scenery surrounding our ship, but a restorative night's sleep awaits in well-appointed staterooms, renewing us for the next day's slate of adventures.
Day 11: King George Island
The only airstrip on the Antarctic Peninsula archipelago that can reliably serve the South American continent on a regular basis is located on King George Island in the South Shetland group. We arrive here today, one day prior to meeting up with our return flight home, as a hedge against potential weather problems. Tomorrow morning, it will be time to say farewell to the Hanse Explorer and her valiant crew.
Day 12: Fly to Punta Arenas from KGI
Weather permitting, we board our airplane for the 2-hour flight back to Punta Arenas on the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia. On arrival, we check in to our hotel. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in town, regaling one another with stories and indelible memories of this truly singular adventure.
Day 13: Punta Arenas / Depart
Fly homeward today from Punta Arenas, with a cache of memories to last a lifetime and then some!
Important note regarding flights: When flying from King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsula, weather determines all schedules. If weather does not allow us to travel as scheduled, we must wait on King George Island 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.
Arrive in Punta Arenas, the most southern town in Chile 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 had become a center for large-scale sheep farming, which remains an important economic enterprise today. Meet your Expedition Leader and fellow adventurers at a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2: Magallanes National Reserve / Rio Seco Natural History Museum
There's plenty to see around this scenic region, and we begin with a hike in 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 Magellanic woodpecker, Chilean flicker, black-chested buzzard eagle, austral thrush and more. On a walk through the mixed deciduous forest, we observe native trees such as lenga and Magellan's beech and stunted nirre, an Antarctic beech with crinkled, irregular leaves.
Return to Punta Arenas for lunch, then visit the Rio Seco Natural History Museum, housed in an old cold storage warehouse. With more than 5,000 vintage botanical and zoological specimens from the Magallanes region, the museum aims to educate visitors about the region's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Imaginative displays use fine naturalist drawings and painstakingly restored skeletons of seabirds, sea lions and whales to give a picture of life on the strait. After our visit, there's free time to explore town before dinner.
Days 3-4: Puerto Williams—Embark Ship / Sailing the Drake Passage
Today we fly to Puerto Williams and board the Hanse Explorer. Built and outfitted to navigate the daunting conditions in the world's polar regions, this elegant vessel has been designed with every conceivable amenity to make our experience comfortable and inspiring. After introductions and a safety orientation, we set sail into the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula with an eminent polar mariner, seasoned crew and Nat Hab Expedition Leader at the helm.
As we sail southward through the scenic marine route from Puerto Williams, we bid farewell to the endless mountain ridges lining either side of the channel. Leaving the protected waters of the Beagle Channel. as we cruise into the open Southern Ocean and the legendary Drake Passage. Named for renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake is notorious for its often-fierce gales, creating large, wind-whipped swells. But the Hanse Explorer is a hardy vessel and we are in good hands, embracing a journey that is sure to be exhilarating. The southern portion of the Drake marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological zone where a great upwelling of nutrients draws an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses that follow in our wake. The exact timing of our 600-mile Drake crossing depends on weather and sea conditions, but we generally expect it to take approximately two days.
Days 5–10: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by Luxury Expedition Yacht
In the South Shetlands, step ashore for our first encounter with penguins and other wildlife of this southern polar wonderland. From here 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.
After each monumental day, settle into the exceptional comfort and hospitality provided on board the Hanse Explorer. Relax with a cocktail in the lounge, or if you're not quite ready to retreat from the open air, take a soak in the hot tub on the top deck and watch the iceberg parade drift past. Each evening, the chef and culinary team prepare memorable dinners, while the expanse of windows in the dining room ensures you won't miss a thing happening beyond. With the late light of the austral summer lingering until well after dinner, it's tough to pull away from the magnificent scenery surrounding our ship, but a restorative night's sleep awaits in well-appointed staterooms, renewing us for the next day's slate of adventures.
Day 11: King George Island
The only airstrip on the Antarctic Peninsula archipelago that can reliably serve the South American continent on a regular basis is located on King George Island in the South Shetland group. We arrive here today, one day prior to meeting up with our return flight home, as a hedge against potential weather problems. Tomorrow morning, it will be time to say farewell to the Hanse Explorer and her valiant crew.
Day 12: Fly to Punta Arenas from KGI
Weather permitting, we board our airplane for the 2-hour flight back to Punta Arenas on the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia. On arrival, we check in to our hotel. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in town, regaling one another with stories and indelible memories of this truly singular adventure.
Day 13: Punta Arenas / Depart
Fly homeward today from Punta Arenas, with a cache of memories to last a lifetime and then some!
Important note regarding flights: When flying from King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsula, weather determines all schedules. If weather does not allow us to travel as scheduled, we must wait on King George Island 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.
