DAY 1 — U.S./Santiago, Chile
Depart Miami on an overnight flight to Santiago.
DAY 2 — Santiago
With the soaring Andes as a backdrop, Santiago makes a welcoming first impression on arrival — as does our hotel, the Grand Hyatt Santiago, located in a gracious residential neighborhood. The morning is free. After lunch, join a panoramic exploration of the city, including a visit to the Pre-Columbian Museum. (L,D)
DAY 3 — Santiago/Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark ShipThe morning’s LAN Chile charter flight offers some rare views as we fly over the rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. We’ll have a traditional Argentinian barbecue for lunch and then embark our ship. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 — At Sea—South Atlantic Ocean
We relax and settle in to shipboard life, listening to informal discussions from our Naturalist staff to prepare us for the wildness ahead and spending time on deck and on the Bridge, scanning for seabirds, humpback and southern right whales. (B,L,D)
DAY 5-6 — Falkland Islands
Each Falkland Island is a variation on the theme of topographical beauty with white-sand beaches, vaulting cliffs, windswept moors and the sunlit yellows and sage greens of waving tussock grass. The Falklands boast the largest albatross colony in the world, thousands of irresistible gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, as well as herds of fur and elephant seals. And, our visit to Port Stanley offers a chance to meet the hospitable locals, hoist a few at the famous Upland Goose pub and meander this remote Victorian town. (B,L,D)
DAY 7-8 — At Sea
During our days at sea, we learn about the fascinating history of Antarctic exploration, as well as the flora, fauna and geology of South Georgia. A lookout is kept to identify the seabirds that follow our ship: wandering albatross, prions and black-browed albatross. (B,L,D)
DAY 9-14 — South Georgia Island
These days are devoted to exploring the spectacular coastline of South Georgia Island. In keeping with the nature of an expedition, the schedule is flexible. Throughout our journey there will be opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking and Zodiac excursions. Leisurely circumnavigating the island, we plan to make stops every day including Grytviken, the final resting place of Shackleton, and Stromness Bay where Shackleton, Tom Crean and Frank Worsley finally reached aid at a whaling station. And, at St. Andrew’s Bay, you may come upon 100,000 king penguins! (B,L,D)
DAY 15-16 — At Sea
These days are spent relaxing at Sea in the Southern Ocean, enjoying the amenities of the ship, hearing talks from our expedition staff, and absorbing all that we’ve seen and heard so far. (B,L,D)
DAY 17 — Falkland Islands
Our journey across theSouth Atlantic Ocean takes us once more to the island archipelago that teems with the wondes of nature and wildlife. Take a last walk along the beautiful white-sand beaches, meander through the tussock grass or sit atop a cliff and ponder the views. (B,L,D)
DAY 18 — At Sea
Our final days at sea allow us time to relax and reflect on all that we have seen and learned. At the Bridge, observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers navigate the same waters that Shackleton and his expedition sailed aboard the Endurance. Sometimes misty and gray, other times calm and clear, the crossing is unforgettable — a milestone in any adventurer’s personal travel history. (B,L,D)
DAY 19 — Ushuaia, Argentina/Disembark/Santiago
Our journey ends in Ushuaia this morning, with time to explore before boarding our chartered LAN Chile flight to Santiago, and an overnight flight to the U.S. (B,L)
DAY 20 — Arrive U.S./Home