Beautiful Santiago

Start your adventure in style 

Your trip starts with an overnight stay in Santiago, the energetic and cultural core of Chile. Packed with museums, beautiful architecture and restaurants, the city hits all the high notes you’d expect of a South American capital. You’ll discover a wealth of sites and attractions, and you’ll only be limited by time, not choice. If you’ve time, head to the Mercado Central fish market to sample the classic Chilean seafood stew caldillo de congrio. 

With so much on offer, if you feel you need more time to explore the capital, we recommend coming a few days early. We also offer an optional South America Winelands tour, or a Chilean Patagonia tour – both of which are Pre-Programmes.

Punta Arenas, Chile’s southern port

Get set for adventure 

You’ll leave Santiago early in the morning and fly to Punta Arenas, the largest city in Chilean Patagonia. This is a place of old world, romantic charm, where discovery lies around every corner, and it’s also one of the southernmost cities in the world.  

Your expedition ship MS Maud awaits you. After boarding there will be a mandatory health and safety session for everyone. Later on, you will meet some of the crew, and of course, the Expedition Team, who will be your guides, hosts and travel companions.

Sailing the Drake Passage

Prepare for your Antarctic adventure 

Heading south, before we reach Antarctica, we must first experience the legendary Drake 'rite of' Passage, a two-day crossing where sea conditions can vary dramatically. It's named after Sir Francis Drake, who discovered it by chance when his boat was blown south by heavy winds. 

Visit the Science Center and find out what lies ahead. Your Expedition Team will deliver lectures on Antarctica – its history, wildlife and ecosystems. You'll learn how to make your visit as safe and as low-impact as possible, and about the Citizen Science projects you can join. 

Take this time to enjoy all the comforts you’ll find on board. Relax in the hot tubs or panoramic sauna, look out for icebergs, whales and albatrosses on deck, or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar.

Antarctica: another world

The most remote and starkly beautiful place on Earth 

Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins watch erect from the shores while flying seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge. 

You’ll spend five exciting days exploring several of more than 20 possible landing sites, on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling. 

We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays, where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also get a chance to go kayaking among icebergs and seals, or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint. 

Bird enthusiasts should look skywards for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels and terns. By attending onboard lectures and onshore talks, you'll learn more about this precious ecosystem and how we can all protect it for the future.

Cruising the Southern Ocean

Relax at sea as we head towards South Georgia 

After five unforgettable days in Antarctica, we’ll turn around and head back north across the Drake Passage. You'll have plenty of time to relax on board as we sail towards South Georgia. 

In South Georgia you can look forward to exploring an archipelago of impressive and diverse wildlife. As we sail, the Expedition Team will inform you about what you can expect, including giving you information about South Georgia’s fauna, history and geology, as well as the legends of the intrepid Norwegian whalers from past times.

The Serengeti of the Southern Ocean

Explore wildlife-rich South Georgia 

South Georgia’s abundant fauna has earned it the nickname “The Serengeti of the Southern Ocean”. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, as well as other seabirds and seals. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas and terns.  

Throughout our three days in the area, we’ll land as often as we can to explore the wilderness and wildlife. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of legendary Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Our expedition route will as always be guided by nature, responding to daily conditions to seek out the best possible experience.

Sailing to the Falklands

Relax and reflect at sea 

As we continue our voyage of exploration there’s time to pause and reflect on our journey. Why not immerse yourself in the informative lectures from the Expedition Team and learn more about our destinations. You might learn about how tectonic activity formed the surrounding mountain ranges, then examine rock samples, ice cores, or skeletal recreations in the onboard Science Centre.  

If you want to exercise your body as well as your mind, head to the gym and get your blood pumping. MS Maud has many onboard facilities for your enjoyment, so why not take some time to discover the panoramic sauna, or simply sit out on deck in a hot tub and watch the seas roll by. The choice is yours.

Wildlife of the Falklands

Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands 

The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica. You'll also enjoy a community walk around Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum.  

Our landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, which are often found sharing space with seals, and getting as close as we can without disturbing them.

The final stretch

Enjoy your last couple of days at sea 

With Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands behind us, it’s time to relax and rejuvenate as we head towards our final port of call. Spend time with new friends and enjoy the expertise of your Expedition Team for our last three days together as we sail north to Buenos Aires.  

How do you end an experience of 23 days at sea surrounded by some of the most remote, awe-inspiring scenery known to humankind? The answer is: you don’t. The experience will continue on with the memories and knowledge you now carry with you. It lives in the photos and stories you’ll bring back to your friends and family. We hope your experience of has been an inspiring one, renewing your awe for nature and reigniting a passion to protect it.

One last tango

Disembark and enjoy this fabulous city 

Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache.  

There are plenty of places to explore, including many parrillas serving authentic Argentine steak. Or maybe you’d like to practise your dance moves in the famed birthplace of the tango. 

After such an extraordinary adventure, if you're not yet ready to head home you can join one of our optional Post-Programmes and stay a little longer.