Founded in 1541, Santiago has been the capital city of Chile since colonial times. The city has a downtown core of 19th century neoclassical architecture and winding side-streets, dotted by art deco, neo-gothic, and other styles. Santiago's cityscape is shaped by several stand-alone hills and the fast-flowing Mapocho River, lined by parks such as Parque Forestal. Mountains of the Andes chain can be seen from most points in the city.

Today you will fly to Punta Arenas, where your expedition ship is awaiting you. Once on board the MS Midnatsol we kick off everything with a welcome-on-board dinner.

The next three days we will sail through amazing areas like the Magellan Strait and the Beagle Channel, with channels, fjords and mountains plunging strait into the icy water. The wild and remote area seems almost undisturbed by humans. The ice has scoured its way between the mountains, leaving isolated islands and hidden bays and creating the unique fjord landscape of Chile.

Any nature enthusiast will find it exciting to explore the Chilean fjords, Garibaldi fjord being one of them. When we enter the last part of this fjord you're in for a beautiful surprise; the Garibaldi glaciers. The mountains and valleys are steep with snow-capped mountains making a striking contrast to an otherwise very green area rich in wildlife. Come ashore and maybe we will see sea lions, Andean Condors and several other birds only found here. There will be an Argentinean wine tasting in the evening.

At almost 56 degrees south, Cape Horn is the southernmost point of South America. When ranking the mythical places on Earth, Cape Horn is high on the list. Before the Panama Canal, seafarers had to pass this infamous rocky island in order to cross from one side of the Americas to the other. We will do our best to make a landing on Cape Horn – however, this is an area known for high seas and challenging conditions and if we make it this will be a great achievement.

As we cross the famous Drake Passage on our way to Antarctica, we continue our “Young Explorers Antarctica” classes. There will also be several lectures on popular science topics, the explorer room is buzzing with activity and there is a tango course in the afternoon.

It’s not like it hasn’t been a lot of photo opportunities so far on this adventure, but Antarctica is probably where you will use most of your memory card. Come ashore to explore the impressive Antarctic scenery, penguins and seals. From deck there are lots of chances of seeing whales as well. Enjoy close encounters with wildlife and glaciers, old whaling stations and relics. Trust us when we say that you will not be bored for one single second.Now you are in one of the most remote areas of the world! Weather, wind and ice conditions dictate our programme and schedule. Safety is always the first priority and the captain will decide the final sailing schedule during the voyage.While in Antarctica, we will attempt to land on several sites. Among the places we will see are The South Shetlands and Cuverville Island, home to one of the largest known colonies of gentoo penguins. We may also explore Neko Harbour, beautifully located in the inner part of Andvord Bay; Paradise Harbour which got its descriptive name from the whalers during the last century; and Wilhelmina Bay or “Whale-mina Bay” as it is called due to its spectacular scenery and humpback whales in December.During our stay here, you can come ashore and join our expedition team to see the penguins, seals and possibly whales up close; enjoy field days, kayaking and exploring the waters and ice in small boats.

After an exhilarating time in Antarctica, you can spend the day in the explorer room, with lectures, on deck or see a recap of our experiences so far.

Seeing Cape Horn again means we are back in civilization. In the Beagle Channel we visit Puerto Williams, a small town between the ocean and the mountain. On our way back to Punta Arenas, we sail through the majestic Chilean fjords.

We will make one last landing in the Chilean fjords, surrounded by high mountains and glaciers. As this is the last night on board, there will be a farewell dinner and gathering. Arriving in Punta Arenas it is time to say goodbye to all your new friends and the crew. After debarkation we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Santiago de Chile.

Sadly, every adventure must come to and end. It is time to say goodbye to all your new friends and the crew when we reach Punta Arenas, on the edge of the Strait of Magellan. Your journey home continues with our flight to Santiago de Chile.

This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather, wind and ice conditions will determine our schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the final sailing itinerary during the voyage. Hence, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience and why every expedition with us is unique.