Patagonia Private

Patagonia Private

DURATION

12 DAYS

WHEN

Nov to Mar

DESTINATION

Argentina-Chile

TYPE

PRIVATE

Patagonia

KING PENGUINS OF TIERRA DEL FUEGO + AUSTRALIS SHIP TO CAPE HORN + TORRES DEL PAINE FROM EXPLORA HOTEL

The greatest natural marvels and upscale services of Patagonia.

WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY

  • Cross Tierra del Fuego to encounter King Penguins, birdwatch, and spend quality time with Gauchos.
  • Cruise the Magellan Straight, the Beagle Channel, and the fjords of the Darwin Mountain Range to the enigmatic Cape Horn.
  • Visit the biggest colony of Magellanic Penguins in the World
  • Spend four nights and days at the award-winning Explora Hotel, right in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park (The best location by far)
  • All excursions and activities are included.  The itinerary is flexible and adapts to your interests.
  • The best accommodations, transport, and guidance in Patagonia, guaranteed.

“The best dreams happen when you’re awake.”

~Cherie Gilderbloom

QUESTIONS?


If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 

Arrive in Punta Arenas

Arrive in Punta Arenas today. The flight from Santiago is simply beautiful: You will fly right over the Southern Patagonian Ice eld, the 3rd largest freshwater reserve on the planet composed of 220 miles of ice (17,000 cubic miles), forming one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Cabo de Hornos hotel, located in Punta Arenas Main Square. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the international flights. You can visit the interesting museums (great for learning the history of the now-extinct Patagonia Natives), and enjoy walks along the streets of this, the southernmost former city on the planet.

Overnight: Hotel Cabo de Hornos. No Meals.

Day 2

Free morning in Punta Arenas – Board Australis

After breakfast, you will have some free time to explore Punta Arenas before boarding your first class ship, the M/V Stella Australis.

Check in at 1398 Costanera del Estrecho Ave. (Arturo Prat Port) in Punta Arenas between 13:00 and 17:00 (1-5 PM) on the day of your Australis cruise departure.

Board the vessel at 6 PM. After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the remotest corners of planet Earth. During the night you cross the Strait of Magellan and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonian. The twinkling lights of Punta Arenas gradually fade into the distance as you enter the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.

Overnight: M/V Stella Australis. B, L, D and Open Bar.

Day 3 

Ainsworth Bay – Tuckers Islets

By dawn, the ship is sailing up Admiralty Sound (Seno Almirantazgo), a spectacular offshoot of the Strait of Magellan that stretches nearly halfway across Tierra del Fuego. You go ashore at Ainsworth Bay, which harbors copious bird life and a colony of southern elephant seals which can sometimes be spotted from the Zodiacs. Two guided excursions are available: one is along the edge of a stream, peat bog and beaver habitat to a waterfall-and-moss-covered rock face tucked deep inside a pristine sub-polar forest; the other is a more strenuous hike along the crest of a glacial moraine. Both afford views of Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin Mountains.

Leaving our Ainsworth Bay tour behind, you sail west along the sound to the Tucker Islets. After lunch, you board the Zodiacs again for a close-up view of the Magellan penguins that inhabit the tiny islands. More than 4,000 penguins use Tucker as a place to nest, give birth and nurture their chicks. Many other bird species also frequent the area including king cormorants, oystercatchers, Chilean skuas, kelp geese, dolphin gulls, eagles and even the occasional Andean condor.

Overnight Stella Australis. B, L, D and Open Bar

Day 4

Pia Glacier – Glacier Alley

Overnight you sail around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via the very narrow Gabrial Channel, Magdalena Channel, and Cockburn Channel. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the Australis cruise tacks eastward and enters the Beagle Channel again. By morning you are entering Pia Fjord and boarding the Zodiacs for a Pia Glacier tour. After disembarking you take a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea or a longer much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.

No one knows for certain how the hulking mass of snow and ice got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king.

Back on board the ship, you continue east along the Beagle Channel through an area called Glacier Alley. Living up to its name, the passage features a number of impressive tidewater glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore. Most of them named after European countries — Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.

Overnight Stella Australis. B, L, D, and Open Bar.

Day 5

To UNESCO Cape Horn, the legendary “end of the world”, and Wulaia Bay

During the morning you cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you shall go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition — and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland — Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the “End of the Earth.” The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005.

In the afternoon you navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where human history is just as compelling as the natural environment.  This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station — which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area — passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of di culty) that ascend the heavily wooden mountain behind the bay. On all of these, you will be strolling through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay.

Overnight: O/N Stella Australis. B, L, D and Open Bar.

Day 6

Disembark-Tour The Estancia-Rio Grande City

Early in the morning, you will say goodbye to Stella Australis and disembark at Ushuaia, Argentina. Meet your Argentinian Guide and drive to Estancia Las Hijas. Enjoy a delicious lunch and a tour of the Estancia. If you desire you can birdwatch. After this, you will drive to Rio Grande City and check in at Grande Hotel.

Overnight: Grande Hotel. B, L.

Day 7

King Penguin Park – Tierra del Fuego

After breakfast, you will drive to the Chilean Border, then you will arrive at the King Penguin Park, a private reserve wherein 2011, a king penguin colony established itself; this is the only one found outside of South Georgia and Antarctica. You will enjoy close sightings of this species, arguably the most beautiful penguin on earth. You will enjoy lunch at Porvenir. Check-in in your hotel.

Overnight Hotel Cabo de Hornos. B, L.

Day 8

Torres del Paine National Park – Explora

You will be picked up and travel to UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Torres del Paine National Park. This is a drive-on comfortable van, that will be broken up by lunch, and panoramic stops.

Torres del Paine is one of the world’s most spectacular national parks. It is an unrivaled landscape of jagged peaks, impossibly blue lakes, iceberg-loaded rivers, and pampas filled with guanacos. It has the highest density of Andean condors and South American pumas in the world. Its unique microclimate creates high temperatures up to 82 F, but part of its beauty is that one can experience the four seasons every day.

Once in the park, you will travel to its heart, where the award-winning Explora hotel is located. Explora, our home for the next four nights, is recognized as one of the best expedition hotels in the world, by far the finest in the area, and a winner of so many awards it would be hard to mention them all here. Food is great and services are exceptional. Staying at Explora is a true highlight of the expedition. Please check the accommodations sections of this booklet for more details.

You will arrive in time to enjoy, and photograph, one of the greatest sunsets you have ever seen.

Overnight Explora Patagonia. B, L, D, and Open Bar

Day 9, 10 & 11

Torres del Paine – Explora Base

Torres del Paine is big, the activities are plenty, and its weather is unpredictable. That is why we suggest four nights and days in the park for a complete and memorable experience.

Also, and for the same reasons, we have selected Explora hotel, the only upscale property located in the middle of the park. With Explora we have secured the shortest drives to each destination, thus maximizing the time to explore and enjoy. Also, Explora is right in front of Pehoe Lake and the Paine Horns. Sunsets and Sunrises are spectacular.

During your days at Explora Torres del Paine, you will have a varied menú of small-group activities to choose from (No more tan 6 participants), all guided by well trained Explora local guides: From birdwatching, soft walking, horseback riding (The horse operation is top class) hiking, and even demanding hiking (You may even choose to climb to the base of the Paine Towers). It doesn’t matter what your level of fitness is, you will find the right excursions to explore the highlights of the park, at your pace.

You have included, every day, two half day excursions or one full day. All activities are planned daily based on the weather conditions and the guests interests. The hotel also has an indoors pool (With incredible vistas), hot tubs, lecture rooms (Daily lectures are offered) and a great lounge with several fireplaces.

All meals are included, and you will be amazed at the quality of them. They are served paired with an assortment of Chilean wines (included), and you will also have access to the open bar. Your days at Torres del Paine using Explora as your base will remain in your memory as some of the most beautiful and rewarding of your life.

Overnight Explora Patagonia. B, L, D and Open Bar

Day 12

Drive to Punta Arenas and fly back to the US

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive from Torres del Paine back to Punta Arenas, and then fly to Santiago de Chile and connect with your flight back home.

B, L.

Lodgings

Explora Hotel

On the shores of Lake Pehoe and beside the Salto Chico waterfall, right in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park, it has breathtaking views of the Paine ridge and the granite towers. Its construction is based around essential luxuries, allowing the traveler to inhabit the remote location in its essence without distractions. Explora Patagonia has won several architecture and tourism awards since 1996.

The Ship: M/V Stella Australis

Built in 2010, the M.V. Stella Australis has 100 outside-facing cabins and was made specifically to cruise the spectacular Patagonian waterways. All cabins are the same size and feature a large window, an ensuite bathroom, and individual temperature controls. Cabins are available on three levels: Category A on the second level, Category AA on the third level, and Category AAA on the fourth level. Facilities aboard include an open deck, three lounges, a library, a game room, an exercise room, a single seating dining room, and an infirmary. 

Hotel Cabo de Hornos

Chaparri Ecolodge is located in the dry forests of northern Peru. It provides a tranquil escape in a spectacular landscape of the foothills of the Andes, with excellent wildlife viewing. It is a communal award-winning project. Even though basic, the sta is truly warm. The 6 Rooms available are clean, feature en suite bathrooms, solar hot water, and electricity. Food is served on a simple terrace. A stream pool and hammocks are available. No AC (One night stay).

When to go

The best ideal opportunity to visit Chilean Patagonia is November to early Walk (mid-year in the southern side of the equator). Despite the fact that you’ll contend with hefty groups during this pinnacle season, the climate is ideal for investigating Torres del Paine Public Park and Tierra del Fuego. September, October, and November (spring) welcome brilliant sprouts, while Walk, April, and May (fall) introduce pre-winter tints. The two seasons experience gentle temperatures and fewer groups. Try not to visit in June and August (winter), when most attractions close and Southern Chilean Patagonia purges out. Anyways, make sure to pack layers and a tough coat to protect yourself from Patagonia’s crisp all-year winds.

QUESTIONS?


If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!

START YOUR ADVENTURE HERE:

Recommended Expeditions

Patagonia Private

Patagonia

DURATION

12 DAYS

PRICE

$ 10820.00

WHEN

MAR 14th, 2022

DESTINATION

Argentina-Chile

TYPE

SMALL GROUP 

Epic Patagonia Expedition

It all begins in Punta Arenas-Chile, where you will start a 5-night navigation through the Magellan Strait and the Darwin Mountain Range towards iconic Cape Horn. Then it is up through the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the world.

You will then spend two days crossing Tierra del Fuego visiting Gaucho farms and the only colony of King Penguins in the continent before reaching Punta Arenas.

After a night of rest, you will drive to Torres del Paine National Park, the most beautiful on Earth. Your home for 5-nights is the award-winning Explora Hotel, the only one located right in the middle of the park and in front of the Paine Horns mountains. Birdwatching, hiking, trekking, climbing, horseback riding, spa, open bar, and superb meals will allow you to experience the extremes of Patagonia in total comfort. All activities adapt to your interests and activity level.

Extensions to Easter Island, the outstanding Colchagua Wine Valley of central Chile, and the Atacama Desert are available.

Max Group Size: Only 12 participants!

Departure: March 19th, 2022

Guides: Local Guides supplied by the Ship and Explora hotel. An NPE Master Guide will lead the cross of Tierra del Fuego.

WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY

  • Cross Tierra del Fuego to encounter King Penguins, birdwatch, and spend quality time with Gauchos.
  • Cruise the Magellan Straight, the Beagle Channel, and the fjords of the Darwin Mountain Range to the enigmatic Cape Horn.
  • Visit the biggest colony of Magellanic Penguins in the World
  • Possibility to add extra nights at Visa VIK, the most upscale boutique wine hotel in South America.
  • Spend four nights and days at the award-winning Explora Hotel, right in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park (The best location by far)
  • All excursions and activities are included.  The itinerary is flexible and adapts to your interests.
  • The best accommodations, transport, and guidance in Patagonia, guaranteed.
  • Pre or Post extension to Easter Island.
  • Pre or Post extension to Atacama.
  • Post extension to Argentina to visit El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, and return through Buenos Aires.

This must be our greatest travel experience. Setting foot in Cape Horn, enjoying the Darwin Fjords, crossing Tierra del Fuego, enjoying sunsets and sunrises in front of the most beautiful mountains. Fishing, horseback riding, hiking. We did it all!

Charle L. – Boulder. CO

QUESTIONS?


If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!

4-NIGHT NAVIGATION TO CAPE HORN + CROSS TIERRA DEL FUEGO VISITING GAUCHOS AND KING PENGUINS + 4-NIGHTS AT TORRES DEL PAINE LODGGIN AT AWARD-WINNING EXPLORA LODGE. ALL FOR $10820. EXTENSIONS TO EASTER ISLAND, VINA VIK WINERY, AND ARGENTINA EL CHALTEN AND BUENOS AIRES ARE AVAILABLE

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 

Arrive in Punta Arenas

Arrive in Punta Arenas today. The flight from Santiago is simply beautiful: You will fly right over the Southern Patagonian Ice eld, the 3rd largest freshwater reserve on the planet composed of 220 miles of ice (17,000 cubic miles), forming one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Cabo de Hornos hotel, located in Punta Arenas Main Square. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the international flights. You can visit the interesting museums (great for learning the history of the now-extinct Patagonia Natives), and enjoy walks along the streets of this, the southernmost former city on the planet.

Overnight: Hotel Cabo de Hornos. No Meals.

Day 2

Free morning in Punta Arenas – Board Australis

After breakfast, you will have some free time to explore Punta Arenas before boarding your first class ship, the M/V Stella Australis.

Check in at 1398 Costanera del Estrecho Ave. (Arturo Prat Port) in Punta Arenas between 13:00 and 17:00 (1-5 PM) on the day of your Australis cruise departure.

Board the vessel at 6 PM. After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the remotest corners of planet Earth. During the night you cross the Strait of Magellan and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonian. The twinkling lights of Punta Arenas gradually fade into the distance as you enter the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.

Overnight: M/V Stella Australis. B, L, D and Open Bar.

Day 3 

Ainsworth Bay – Tuckers Islets

By dawn, the ship is sailing up Admiralty Sound (Seno Almirantazgo), a spectacular offshoot of the Strait of Magellan that stretches nearly halfway across Tierra del Fuego. You go ashore at Ainsworth Bay, which harbors copious bird life and a colony of southern elephant seals which can sometimes be spotted from the Zodiacs. Two guided excursions are available: one is along the edge of a stream, peat bog and beaver habitat to a waterfall-and-moss-covered rock face tucked deep inside a pristine sub-polar forest; the other is a more strenuous hike along the crest of a glacial moraine. Both afford views of Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin Mountains.

Leaving our Ainsworth Bay tour behind, you sail west along the sound to the Tucker Islets. After lunch, you board the Zodiacs again for a close-up view of the Magellan penguins that inhabit the tiny islands. More than 4,000 penguins use Tucker as a place to nest, give birth and nurture their chicks. Many other bird species also frequent the area including king cormorants, oystercatchers, Chilean skuas, kelp geese, dolphin gulls, eagles and even the occasional Andean condor.

Overnight Stella Australis. B, L, D and Open Bar

Day 4

Pia Glacier – Glacier Alley

Overnight you sail around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via the very narrow Gabrial Channel, Magdalena Channel, and Cockburn Channel. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the Australis cruise tacks eastward and enters the Beagle Channel again. By morning you are entering Pia Fjord and boarding the Zodiacs for a Pia Glacier tour. After disembarking you take a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea or a longer much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.

No one knows for certain how the hulking mass of snow and ice got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king.

Back on board the ship, you continue east along the Beagle Channel through an area called Glacier Alley. Living up to its name, the passage features a number of impressive tidewater glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore. Most of them named after European countries — Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.

Overnight Stella Australis. B, L, D, and Open Bar.

Day 5

To UNESCO Cape Horn, the legendary “end of the world”, and Wulaia Bay

During the morning you cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you shall go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition — and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland — Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the “End of the Earth.” The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005.

In the afternoon you navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where human history is just as compelling as the natural environment.  This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station — which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area — passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of di culty) that ascend the heavily wooden mountain behind the bay. On all of these, you will be strolling through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay.

Overnight: O/N Stella Australis. B, L, D and Open Bar.

Day 6

Disembark-Tour The Estancia-Rio Grande City

Early in the morning, you will say goodbye to Stella Australis and disembark at Ushuaia, Argentina. Meet your Argentinian Guide and drive to Estancia Las Hijas. Enjoy a delicious lunch and a tour of the Estancia. If you desire you can birdwatch. After this, you will drive to Rio Grande City and check in at Grande Hotel.

Overnight: Grande Hotel. B, L.

Day 7

King Penguin Park – Tierra del Fuego

After breakfast, you will drive to the Chilean Border, then you will arrive at the King Penguin Park, a private reserve wherein 2011, a king penguin colony established itself; this is the only one found outside of South Georgia and Antarctica. You will enjoy close sightings of this species, arguably the most beautiful penguin on earth. You will enjoy lunch at Porvenir. Check-in in your hotel.

Overnight Hotel Cabo de Hornos. B, L.

Day 8

Torres del Paine National Park – Explora

You will be picked up and travel to UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Torres del Paine National Park. This is a drive-on comfortable van, that will be broken up by lunch, and panoramic stops.

Torres del Paine is one of the world’s most spectacular national parks. It is an unrivaled landscape of jagged peaks, impossibly blue lakes, iceberg-loaded rivers, and pampas filled with guanacos. It has the highest density of Andean condors and South American pumas in the world. Its unique microclimate creates high temperatures up to 82 F, but part of its beauty is that one can experience the four seasons every day.

Once in the park, you will travel to its heart, where the award-winning Explora hotel is located. Explora, our home for the next four nights, is recognized as one of the best expedition hotels in the world, by far the finest in the area, and a winner of so many awards it would be hard to mention them all here. Food is great and services are exceptional. Staying at Explora is a true highlight of the expedition. Please check the accommodations sections of this booklet for more details.

You will arrive in time to enjoy, and photograph, one of the greatest sunsets you have ever seen.

Overnight Explora Patagonia. B, L, D, and Open Bar

Day 9, 10 & 11

Torres del Paine – Explora Base

Torres del Paine is big, the activities are plenty, and its weather is unpredictable. That is why we suggest four nights and days in the park for a complete and memorable experience.

Also, and for the same reasons, we have selected Explora hotel, the only upscale property located in the middle of the park. With Explora we have secured the shortest drives to each destination, thus maximizing the time to explore and enjoy. Also, Explora is right in front of Pehoe Lake and the Paine Horns. Sunsets and Sunrises are spectacular.

During your days at Explora Torres del Paine, you will have a varied menú of small-group activities to choose from (No more tan 6 participants), all guided by well trained Explora local guides: From birdwatching, soft walking, horseback riding (The horse operation is top class) hiking, and even demanding hiking (You may even choose to climb to the base of the Paine Towers). It doesn’t matter what your level of fitness is, you will find the right excursions to explore the highlights of the park, at your pace.

You have included, every day, two half day excursions or one full day. All activities are planned daily based on the weather conditions and the guests interests. The hotel also has an indoors pool (With incredible vistas), hot tubs, lecture rooms (Daily lectures are offered) and a great lounge with several fireplaces.

All meals are included, and you will be amazed at the quality of them. They are served paired with an assortment of Chilean wines (included), and you will also have access to the open bar. Your days at Torres del Paine using Explora as your base will remain in your memory as some of the most beautiful and rewarding of your life.

Overnight Explora Patagonia. B, L, D and Open Bar

Day 12

Drive to Punta Arenas and fly back to the US

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive from Torres del Paine back to Punta Arenas, and then fly to Santiago de Chile and connect with your flight back home.

B, L.

Lodgings

Explora Hotel

On the shores of Lake Pehoe and beside the Salto Chico waterfall, right in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park, it has breathtaking views of the Paine ridge and the granite towers. Its construction is based around essential luxuries, allowing the traveler to inhabit the remote location in its essence without distractions. Explora Patagonia has won several architecture and tourism awards since 1996.

The Ship: M/V Stella Australis

Built in 2010, the M.V. Stella Australis has 100 outside-facing cabins and was made specifically to cruise the spectacular Patagonian waterways. All cabins are the same size and feature a large window, an ensuite bathroom, and individual temperature controls. Cabins are available on three levels: Category A on the second level, Category AA on the third level, and Category AAA on the fourth level. Facilities aboard include an open deck, three lounges, a library, a game room, an exercise room, a single seating dining room, and an infirmary. 

Hotel Cabo de Hornos

Chaparri Ecolodge is located in the dry forests of northern Peru. It provides a tranquil escape in a spectacular landscape of the foothills of the Andes, with excellent wildlife viewing. It is a communal award-winning project. Even though basic, the sta is truly warm. The 6 Rooms available are clean, feature en suite bathrooms, solar hot water, and electricity. Food is served on a simple terrace. A stream pool and hammocks are available. No AC (One night stay).

Departure Dates & Rates

DEPARTURE

Mar 19, 2022

PRICE

$10820

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

$10820

STATUS

OPEN

MORE INFO
RESERVATION

Details

Included in the Land Cost:

  • Services of New Paths Expeditions in-house support team.
  • Services of English-speaking certified guides.
  • All ground transportation (including airport transfers).
  • Accommodations as noted, including three nights onboard the first-class Stella Australis and 4 nights at Explora hotel.
  • Open bar available at these properties.
  • All sightseeing, entrance fees, excursions, and visits as noted.
  • Meals as noted.
  • Bottled water included meals, transfers, and tours.
  • Services of transfer assistants, drivers, and local staff.

Not Included:

  • International and domestic flights.
  • Passport and visa fees.
  • Excess baggage charges, departure fees, and airport taxes.
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers.
  • Personal expenses and incidentals, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, e-mail, and laundry.
  • Trip cancellation, travel delay, baggage loss, and medical insurance.
  • Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of New Paths Expeditions.

Deposits and final payments:

  • A deposit of US$ 1500.00 is required at the time of booking.
  • The remaining expedition cost will be charged 120 days before the expedition begins.

 

Recommended Expeditions

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Islands

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Islands

DURATION

21-23 DAYS

PRICE FROM

$ 13395

WHEN

2022

DESTINATION

Antarctica 

TYPE

SMALL SHIP CRUISE

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Islands

Explore the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica. Weather and ice conditions permitting, we also plan to make a continental landing on the Antarctic Peninsula. Each of these destinations is legendary for abundant marine mammals, exceptional subantarctic birdlife, spectacular scenery, and fascinating history.

WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY

  • The waters around the Falkland Islands are home to various species of cetacean including the southern right whale, killer whale, and Peale’s dolphin.
  • The windswept and treeless Falkland Islands are a birders’ paradise.
  • The island’s beaches are packed with fur seals and elephant seals jostling for space alongside innumerable king penguins.
  • The island is home to albatross, petrels, prions, skuas, shags, gulls, terns, and the carnivorous South Georgia pintail duck.
  • Witness the breeding behavior of the world’s largest seabird, the wandering albatross.

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” ~ Aldous Huxley

QUESTIONS?


If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 

Buenos Aires, Argentina (hotel night)

Welcome to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. The name of the city can be translated as “fair winds” but it is also referred to as the “Paris of South America”. This is an exuberant brew of traditions, languages, and different types of cultures.

Upon your arrival at the airport, we provide a transfer to your hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore this welcoming city.

Day 2

Embarkation in Buenos Aires

We provide a group transfer to the pier and welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come. Savor the anticipation of your Antarctic dreams coming true as we slip our moorings and sail toward a true wilderness where wildlife abounds.

Day 3-5

South Atlantic Ocean

As we head south, ocean breezes become cooler and seabirds become more abundant. We keep a sharp eye out for cetaceans such as Commerson’s dolphins and southern right whales in these productive southern seas. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough weather. Presentations by our expert naturalists and historians prepare you for our arrival in the Falkland Islands.

Day 6-7

Falkland Islands

Our exploration of the Falklands includes visiting the isolated outlying islands. These bleakly beautiful isles are havens for wildlife. Large colonies of seabirds, perched on windy bluffs overlooking azure seas, are easily accessible by hiking over lush meadows. At this time, black-browed albatross has returned to the islands and are just starting to lay their eggs amongst the tussocks while feisty rockhopper penguins leap up surf-battered cliffs to start building their nests nearby.

On sandy beaches below, gentoo penguins are also starting to lay their eggs while king penguin chicks of all ages look on. They are joined by female elephant seals suckling their newborn pups. Just offshore, you may see Peale’s dolphins and even killer whales patrolling the coasts. A wide range of land birds, including the endemic Cobb’s wren and inquisitive striated caracara, contribute to an abundance of wildlife that will leave nature lovers breathless.

On these days we intend to come alongside the wharf at Stanley, the historic capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, various war memorials, quality gift shops, and charming pubs. Christ Church Cathedral features an impressive whalebone arch and dramatic views of shipwrecks in the harbor.

We also plan to offer an excursion to Gypsy Cove, a national nature reserve where white sand beaches are frequented by numerous bird species, including the endemic Falklands flightless steamer duck. Here you can also see Magellanic penguins, who have just started to lay their eggs in burrows by the seashore.

Day 8 & 9

Southern Ocean

We sail east toward South Georgia, passing the remote, seabird-covered pinnacles known as Shag Rocks on the way. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. Briefings, bio-security procedures, and presentations by our lecture staff prepare you for our arrival in South Georgia.

Day 10-14

South Georgia Island

The next five days will be devoted to the exploration of the unique and spectacular wilderness of South Georgia, home to some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. This isolated subantarctic island is said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, shags, skuas, gulls, and terns. Among these is one of the largest flying birds in the world—the wandering albatross. Here you have the opportunity to see large downy chicks stretching their wings after spending the long Antarctic winter on snowy nests overlooking the wild Southern Ocean.

On South Georgia’s legendary beaches, king penguins are gathered in huge colonies that stretch from sandy shorelines to the foothills of glaciated mountains. Also at this time, hundreds of thousands of macaroni penguins are coming ashore to start their breeding season. Rare birds such as the endemic South Georgia pipit and yellow-billed pintail round out the list of 78 bird species found across the territory. The successfully completed rat eradication program has made this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

South Georgia is also home to staggering numbers of southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals. At this time, thousands of massive bull elephant seals are defending and occasionally fighting to maintain their harems of females, who have recently given birth. Meanwhile, male fur seals are just arriving to stake out their mating territories. Once hunted nearly to extinction, large whales are also returning to the bountiful seas surrounding South Georgia. With the whalers long gone, the historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum. Here you will also find the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, heroic polar explorer, and leader of the famous Endurance expedition.

In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. There are many opportunities for guided treks through this snowy wilderness, including the famous Shackleton Walk. For sea kayakers, the wildlife-rich waters of South Georgia offer the chance to paddle with hordes of seals and penguins in some of the world’s most scenic waterways.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our precise route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather in this wild and remote corner of the world. Our experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions and circumstances at hand. You can be sure that we will take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this challenging environment.

Day 15 & 16

Scotia Sea
After our amazing time in South Georgia, we proceed southwest toward Antarctica. We keep a constant lookout for humpback and fin whales along the way. The majestic wandering albatross and other graceful subantarctic seabirds are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks and balconies.

Day 17-21

Scotia Sea

During the next five days, we undertake an in-depth exploration of the islands near the Antarctic Peninsula. This region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and the best wildlife viewing in Antarctica. Sheltered bays and channels sparkle with ice and reflect towering mountain peaks coated in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land.

The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will be our primary area of exploration. This wildly beautiful island chain contains many landing sites with historical significance and abundant wildlife. Among them is Elephant Island, where men from Shackleton’s Endurance expedition spent the winter of 1916. We continue west to King George Island, home to numerous Antarctic research bases of various nationalities, some with gift shops and post offices.

Weather and ice permitting, we also hope to visit the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals, and bustling penguin colonies. Here we have a chance to land on the continent of Antarctica.

Throughout this area, we encounter Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, sometimes nesting side by side. At this time of the season, all three species are busy courting and mating. This is a good time to observe the importance of pebbles in penguin culture, as prized nesting material to be stolen from rivals and given to mates. Also at this time, very high concentrations of sea ice provide more opportunities for seals and penguins to congregate on ice floes, a situation that attracts killer whales. Photographers will appreciate the pristine appearance of fresh, undisturbed snow across the landscape in this early summer month.

Antarctica is a true wilderness with unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which will dictate our route and exploration opportunities. With more than 17 hours of daylight per day, we seize every chance to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery via Zodiac cruises and shore excursions.

Day 22 & 23

Drake Passage

It is now time to head north across the Drake Passage toward South America, but the adventure is not quite over. Seabirds are our constant companions and there is always the possibility of whale encounters in these wild waters. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow. Finally, as we enter the calm Beagle Channel, we enjoy a night of smooth sailing toward Ushuaia.

Day 24

Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

After a final delicious breakfast on board, we bid you a fond farewell in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend more time in Tierra del Fuego. As you look back on your wonderful experience in the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next polar adventure!

The Ship

M/V Sea Spirit

The m/v Sea Spirit, like most birds, is migratory and follows the sun, northbound in the summer and southbound in the winter, always ready for spontaneous discoveries — a pod of whales, a family of polar bears, or a glaciated mountain vista. She is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of East Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen.

Onboard, it creates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all the guests. They are united by one goal — to have a memorable wilderness experience and to become real polar adventurers.

Length: 90.6 meters (297 ft.)
Beam: 15.3 meters (50 ft.)
Speed: 15 knots
Passengers: 114
Crew: 72

Departure Dates & Rates

DEPARTURE

2022

PRICE FROM

$13395

Single Supplement

Request a quote

STATUS

OPEN

MORE INFO
RESERVATION

Details

Included:

  • 1 pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa Hotel;
  • Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation;
  • Group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
  • Shipboard accommodation;
  • All meals onboard throughout the voyage;
  • Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
  • All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team;
  • Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka;
  • Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
  • All port fees;
  • Group transfer to airport or central location right after disembarkation;
  • Pre-departure materials;
  • Digital Voyage Log;
  • Wi-Fi onboard.

Not included:

  • Airfare;
  • Transfers from the airport to the hotel if arriving prior to Day 1 of the program;
  • Visa and passport fees (if applicable);
  • Luggage and trip cancellation insurance;
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations;
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and onboard communication (telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service);
  • Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings;
  • Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person;
  • Staff gratuities;
  • Kayaking, camping;
  • Pre- or post-cruise travel expenses.

START YOUR ADVENTURE HERE:

Recommended Expeditions

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Islands

Antarctic Peninsula

DURATION

11-12 DAYS

PRICE FROM

$ 8795

WHEN

Dec 10, 2022

DESTINATION

Antarctic Peninsula

TYPE

SMALL SHIP CRUISE

Antarctic Peninsula

Your time in the Antarctic Peninsula region focuses on the Gerlache Strait area, where towering mountains, immense glaciers, and blue icebergs create a picture-perfect setting for incredible penguin and marine mammal encounters. This cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula is an authentic expedition in a wilderness of epic proportions.

WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY

  • In the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, you can go ashore at sites where Gentoo, chinstrap, and adélie penguins come together in boisterous nesting colonies.
  • The waters of Antarctica are also home to impressive numbers of marine mammals. Humpback and killer whales can be spotted feeding in bountiful seas.
  • The scenery in Antarctica is unique in the world.
  • You will be following in the historic footsteps of early whalers, polar explorers, and scientific expeditions.
  • Have the opportunity to appreciate modern human ingenuity at scientific research stations of various nationalities.

Antarctica is otherworldly, like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Stark, cold, beautiful desolation.

– Mark Hoppus

QUESTIONS?


If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 

Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina (hotel night)

Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and the starting point of our Antarctic expedition! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore this vibrant port city and adventure hub.

For an introduction to local history and wildlife, the interesting Museo del Fin del Mundo is worth a visit. If you have time to spare, a variety of nature activities can be arranged to suit all interests and fitness levels, from hiking in nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park to wildlife viewing in the Beagle Channel. For dinner, Ushuaia offers a wide range of restaurants featuring Patagonian lamb and delectable Fuegian seafood.

Day 2

Welcome Aboard!

After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Ushuaia. Explore the delightful waterfront and savor views of the snowcapped Martial Range, the southernmost peaks of the Andes. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow onboard the ship. For lunch, the many cafés, parrillas, and gelato shops on Avenida San Martín will be sure to satisfy any appetite.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the luxury expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as we pass through the Beagle Channel.

Day 3 & 4

Across the Drake Passage

After passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, we turn south to begin our crossing of the Drake Passage. We watch for humpback and fin whales along the way. The majestic wandering albatross and other graceful subantarctic seabirds are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks and balconies. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Briefings, bio-security procedures, and presentations by our lecture staff prepare you for our arrival in Antarctica. We hope to arrive in the South Shetland Islands on the evening of our second day at sea.

Day 5-8

South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

During the next four days, we explore the highlights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land. Here we also find Antarctic research bases of various nationalities, some with gift shops and post offices.

The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first area of exploration. We will also explore the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals, and bustling penguin colonies. 

Throughout the islands and on the mainland, we find nesting colonies of Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, sometimes side by side. At this time, penguin eggs are just starting to hatch, causing parents to rush to the sea and back to gather krill for their tiny, helpless chicks. Killer whales are also on the hunt for seals and minke whales. Groups of crabeater seals occupy the last of the ice floes while Weddell seals haul out on land. Solitary leopard seals can be spotted patrolling the coast near penguin colonies.

In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. Our knowledgeable guides will offer hiking and hill-climbing for an even greater perspective of this raw polar wilderness. For sea kayakers, the wildlife-rich waters of Antarctica offer many chances to paddle with seals and penguins in some of the world’s most scenic waterways. 

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our precise route and exploration opportunities will be shaped by weather and ice. Our experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions in this challenging polar environment. With nearly 22 hours of daylight per day, we seize every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery onshore excursions and Zodiac cruises.

Day 9 & 10

Back across the Drake Passage

It is now time to head back across the Drake Passage toward South America, but the adventure is not quite over. Seabirds are our constant companions and there is always the possibility of whale encounters in these wild waters. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow. Finally, as we enter the calm Beagle Channel, we enjoy a night of smooth sailing toward Ushuaia.

Day 11

Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

After yet another delicious breakfast on board, we bid you a fond farewell in Ushuaia. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next polar adventure!

The Ship

M/V Sea Spirit

Our m/v Sea Spirit, like some birds, is migratory and follows the sun, traveling both north and south depending on the season. It is always prepared for unforeseen discoveries, such as a pod of whales, a family of polar bears, or a view of a glaciated mountain range. She is extremely elegant and capable of slipping into Spitsbergen’s tiny coves and East Greenland’s tiny fjords. 

All of our passengers experience a warm and welcoming environment onboard. Their shared objective is to have an unforgettable outdoor trip and become polar explorers. We think that seeing these locations firsthand makes one a conservation ambassador and helps fortify our resolve to preserve these natural areas for future generations.

Length: 90.6 meters (297 ft.)
Beam: 15.3 meters (50 ft.)
Speed: 15 knots
Passengers: 114
Crew: 72

Departure Dates & Rates

DEPARTURE

Dec 10, 2022

PRICE FROM

$ 8795

Single Supplement

Request a quote

STATUS

OPEN

MORE INFO
RESERVATION

Details

Included:

  • 1 pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa Hotel;
  • Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation;
  • Group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
  • Shipboard accommodation;
  • All meals onboard throughout the voyage;
  • Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
  • All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team;
  • Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka;
  • Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
  • All port fees;
  • Group transfer to airport or central location right after disembarkation;
  • Pre-departure materials;
  • Digital Voyage Log;
  • Wi-Fi onboard.

Not included:

  • Airfare;
  • Transfers from the airport to the hotel if arriving prior to Day 1 of the program;
  • Visa and passport fees (if applicable);
  • Luggage and trip cancellation insurance;
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations;
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and onboard communication (telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service);
  • Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings;
  • Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person;
  • Staff gratuities;
  • Kayaking, camping;
  • Pre- or post-cruise travel expenses.

START YOUR ADVENTURE HERE:

Recommended Expeditions