New Dates! Follow the footsteps of great explorers to the ends of the world and explore unique wildlife and scenery on this expedition cruise exploring the desolate and hauntingly beautiful Antarctic and Falkland Islands. En route, you will witness the spectacular glaciers, wilderness, and wildlife of the Chilean fjords. Once in Antarctica, the sight of flocks of penguins and whales in the icy seas will create indelible memories. Set against a backdrop of breath-taking scenery, giant icebergs drift past on the surface of the icy waters. No other landscape on earth compares to the vast wilderness of the ‘White Continent’, and nowhere else will you experience such unspoiled wilderness! Antarctica is simply stunning and completely unforgettable. More than a cruise, journeys with Hurtigruten are expeditions with learning-rich daily excursions carefully crafted to make the most of your Antarctic experience. On board, attend exciting lectures and workshops, enjoy the modern wellness center and pools, or simply take in the majesty of the surrounding landscape and passing wildlife from the Observation Deck or Panoramic Lounge.
February 28 to March 16, 2022
$ 9141 USD
Price per person starting from $ 9141 USD based on Outside Cabin Lower Deck, twin share. Single Cabins rate TBA. BOOK BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST FOR REDUCED DEPOSIT OF $500 PP! Not included: International airfare & taxes, personal expenses, meals not specified, luggage handling, and gratuities.
CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOADABLE PDF OF TOUR
Your Package Includes:
- Accommodations in the cabin grade of your choice
- All meals aboard the ship with beer, wine, soda & juice
- Professional expedition team guides & lectures
- Use of water-resistant jackets & Muck Boots
- Pre-cruise hotel in Santiago de Chile with breakfast
- Flights between Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas
- Transfers in Santiago de Chile & Punta Arenas
Itinerary:
Monday 28 February - Santiago de Chile
Your adventure starts with an overnight stay in vibrant and lively Santiago de Chile. The capital city of Chile offers much to explore, from Colonial architecture to gleaming skyscrapers, tranquil parks to Bohemian neighborhoods, all set against the backdrop of the Andean mountains and glaciers.
Tuesday 1 March - Santiago de Chile - Punta Arenas (B)
After breakfast, fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost city, often called “The City at the End of the World”. It is also the gateway to the Antarctic peninsula. There you will embark on the world’s first hybrid electric-powered expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen, to begin your Expedition.
Wednesday 2 March - Patagonia - Scenic Beagle Channel (B/L/D)
Enjoy cruising the scenic Beagle Channel, surrounded by mountains plunging straight into the icy water. This wild and remote area seems almost undisturbed by humans. Take in the isolated islands, hidden bays and rich wildlife that create one the world ́s most beautiful landscapes.
Thursday 3 - Friday 4 March - Cape Horn -Drake Passage (B/L/D)
At almost 56° South, Cape Horn is the southernmost tip of South America. Before the Panama Canal, seafarers had to pass this iconic rocky island in order to cross from one side of the Americas to the other.
Depending on weather conditions, crossing through the Drake Passage may take 1.5-2 days. Named after Sir Francis Drake (although he never sailed it!) the Drake Passage is part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the most voluminous current in the world. Roughly 25 to 40 billion gallons of water per second are transported from west to east. As you cross the Drake, you sail over the mid-ocean West Scotia Ridge and over the nearly 20,000 feet deep South Shetland Trench. The Drake is densely populated with plankton, which allows for healthy populations of dolphins, whales, and seabirds.
Saturday 5 - Thursday 10 March - Antarctica (B/L/D)
Isolated from the rest of the world by ocean currents, 90% of the world’s ice is here, 13,000 feet thick and covering the entire landmass. In winter months, sea ice forms off the coast, virtually doubling the size of the continent! In summer, it is a breeding ground for millions of penguins, whales, and seals. It’s a landscape like no other and defies description. You will be visiting a rare place on earth which has evolved through millennia without human interference. The Expedition will attempt to land at several places, including Deception Island, Half Moon Island, Brown Bluff, Cuverville Island, and Neko Harbor. All of these places are serene and offer untouched nature, opportunities to observe penguin colonies, seals, glaciers, icebergs in every shape and colour, and old whaling stations.
Friday 11 - Saturday 12 March - At Sea (B/L/D)
The ship sets course for the Falkland Islands. The first recorded landing here occurred in 1690 by the HMS Welfare.Enjoy shipboard lectures which focus on the dramatic history and diverse wildlife of the islands and enjoy watching sea life and landscapes from the decks. Keep your eyes peeled for wandering albatross!
Sunday 13 - Tuesday 15 March - Falkland Islands (B/L/D)
The Falklands consist of two large islands and around 700 smaller ones. The Falklands are teeming with wonders of wildlife and nature. This is an unpolluted environment with fantastically clear blue skies, seamless horizons, vast open spaces, and stunning white-sand beaches. The westernmost outposts are dotted with remote farms where sheep graze alongside immense colonies of albatross and rockhopper penguins. Carcass Island is a birder’s paradise; enjoy a closer look at ducks, geese, penguins, albatrosses, caracaras, and wrens by small boat launch to the shore.
Wednesday 16 March - At Sea (B/L/D)
The ship sails the loop of the Magellan Sea. On-board, you can enjoy a recap of the Expedition, or simply enjoy time on deck watching for wildlife.
Thursday 17 March - Punta Arenas/Santiago de Chile (B)
We arrive back in Punta Arenas in the morning and fly back to Santiago de Chile for your flight home or extend your journey with a post-cruise stay (not included).
To book contact:
Departures Travel 1889 Oak Bay Ave. Victoria BC V8R 1C6
Ph: 250.595.1161
and
105 – 2506 Beacon Ave. Sidney BC V8L 1Y2
Ph: 250.999.9800
Toll-Free: 1.800.475.3755
https://www.departurestravel.com