Luxury South Georgia & Antarctica Combination

Day 1 of the voyage marks your scheduled departure for a flight to Puerto Williams, Chile, after which you'll board your ship, weather permitting.

The price of your trip also covers a range of additional services designed for a seamless experience from beginning to end, including a pre-cruise night of accommodation in Santiago. Therefore, please make sure to arrive in Santiago at least one day prior to the outlined dates. 

On arrival in Chile’s capital, make your own way to your included 5-star hotel in the city centre for an overnight stay. You then have free time to explore the city before the adventure begins in earnest tomorrow.

Today, you'll be taken to the airport for your charter flight to petite Puerto Williams in southern Chile's Patagonia region. Here you will join your ship, meet your wonderful crew and set sail.  

These first days at sea allow ample time for your highly experienced expedition guides to brief you on the logistics of your journey. They’ll inform you about the biosecurity rules to follow in South Georgia and Antarctica, and entertain you with educational lectures on everything from the history to the geology of these destinations, along with insights into the wildlife you will be encountering.  

It’s a great time to familiarise yourself with the ship, scoping out the plentiful amenities along with the spacious deck areas. Head out on deck to look for some of the Southern Ocean’s most iconic seabirds, including albatross with vast wingspans and giant petrels cruising alongside the ship. 

Jagged mountains draped in snow, jaw-droppingly large glaciers and crowds of wildlife come together to create one of the world’s most extraordinary islands: South Georgia. On beaches densely packed with wildlife, immerse yourself in the trilling sounds of thousands of king penguins, the various trumpets of belligerent elephant seals and the huffing of feisty fur seals. 

Once a remote whaling hub and now a heavily protected wildlife haven, South Georgia’s history is both haunting and inspiring, especially as the location of the epic finale of Sir Ernest Shackleton's legendary Antarctic rescue. In 1916, the heroic polar explorer reached these shores on a small boat, seeking rescue for his crew shipwrecked 800 miles (1,300 km) away on Elephant Island. In Grytviken, a museum honours Shackleton’s incredible journey and a grave in the small whalers’ cemetery marks his final resting place. 

The island’s iconic king penguins gather in thousands-strong rookeries and are recognisable by their vibrant orange markings or the fluffy brown kiwi-like chicks. But other birdlife abounds, whether it be macaroni penguins, grey headed albatross or the small cape petrel. 

During your time in South Georgia you may explore on foot or by shoreline safari using your sturdy zodiac rib boats. Exploring from the water’s edge is perfect for when the beaches are too heavily crowded with seals and penguins to keep the mandatory 16 foot (5 metre) distance from the abundant wildlife. 

Days at sea are the ideal chance to unwind. Head to the well-equipped gym, treat yourself in tranquil spa or spend time whale watching out on the spacious deck – there’s plenty to keep you occupied on your luxury ship.

These moments are the perfect antidote to those busy days spent exploring on shore once you reach the landing areas scheduled in by the Captain and Expedition Leader. However, the educational programme will continue, with excellent talks from your expert guides preparing you for the wildlife, history and geology of Antarctica. 

The plan on this day is to pause at Elephant Island, a place said to have taken its name from the elephant seals glimpsed on its rocky terrain by early explorers. This location was not extensively navigated until Sir Ernest Shackleton’s aforementioned expedition in 1916. Shackleton’s crew found shelter on the volcanic shores after a daring escape from their ship Endurance, which was crushed by ice in Antarctica’s Weddell Sea region. Your expedition guides will retell the epic story during your visit. 

While it’s near impossible to land on the island due to the notoriously challenging conditions, you may get to ship cruise past Point Wild, where the expedition’s 28 desperate crew members set up camp for 4.5 months. Have your binoculars at the ready to see if you can spot the small monument to their endeavour.

Antarctica's snow-shrouded landscapes and enormous ice formations make for an otherworldly experience. Untouched by people until 1820, the planet's least-explored continent offers the thrill of immersing yourself in the unknown. 

Everywhere you look, glaciers ripple down to the shoreline like icing pouring off a cake.  Mountain peaks stud the unique landscape, and small “dirty” looking marks from a distance often resolve into large rookeries of waddling penguins. Here you will be on the lookout for gentoo, chinstrap and perhaps even Adelie penguins.

As you zodiac cruise around vast sculptural icebergs keep your eyes peeled for snoozing crabeater and Weddell seals and listen out for the blow of surfacing humpback whales. 

You might also visit the South Shetland Islands near the tip of the Peninsula. Here the scenery varies dramatically, with epic skylines and lunar landscapes formed by past volcanic activity. 

A renowned stretch of ocean, sailing the Drake Passage an epic and unforgettable experience. You’re never alone on this legendary crossing as soaring seabirds will accompany your ship – head out to the stern decks to capture them cruising past on the thermals. The educational programme continues with more excellently delivered lectures and you also have time to reflect on your epic adventures and unwind before the journey home.

As you approach civilisation after your time at sea, Puerto Williams shimmers into view. Here you’ll disembark and say goodbye to your crew, expedition team and your ship. Your Antarctic adventure culminates with an included charter flight north to Santiago, where you can head home or continue your travels in South America.