The sights of Santiago de Chile 

Your flight from Australia takes you to Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital, where you´ll have an overnight stay. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central market to the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. Check out the Sky Costanera, which offers panoramic views of the city from 1,000 feet up.  

You may want to arrive a few days early to join one of our optional Pre-Programmes.

Board your expedition cruise in Punta Arenas 

You’ll have an early start today as we depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your expedition ship awaits you. Once you’ve boarded, get settled in, explore the ship, and meet your Expedition Team. 

As well as being your guides, hosts and local experts, they’re also your travel companions for the next three weeks. Friendly and welcoming, they’ll answer any questions you may have during your Antarctic adventure.

Through the Strait of Magellan 

With our course set for the Falkland Islands, soak up the mesmerising views all around you as you cruise through the Strait of Magellan. You can take in the scenery from the deck, the outdoor hot tub or the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar.  

You can also join your Expedition Team in the onboard Science Center to listen to lectures, participate in Citizen Science projects and more. Whether it’s marine biology, Antarctic survival, oceanography or photography, your Expedition Team offers fascinating insights into the places you’ll see on your journey, and you’ll feed off their enthusiasm.

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 to come.  

You’ll also enjoy a community walk of 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.

Cruising the South Atlantic 

Sailing from the Falklands, we spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.  

Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers.  

You’ll also learn how to make your visit as safe and low-impact as possible, and you can join our Citizen Science programmes to help collect data for global research projects.

Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise 

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

You’ll spend four days exploring this remarkable area. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. We’re always guided by nature, responding to daily conditions to bring you the best possible experience. 

While our itineraries are always flexible, they’re even more so during peak breeding seasons when the wildlife is most vulnerable to disturbance. When it’d safe to do so, we’ll wildlife watch. When our presence could disturb the animals, we’ll choose another place to visit and as always, these decisions are made by your Expedition Team and are based on lifetimes of combined experience in these destinations. Sometimes we’ll land, sometimes we’ll cruise, it’s all part of the adventure!

Time to relax and reflect 

After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while we head towards Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far.  

Antarctica is a continent dedicated to peace, science and wildlife. As we get closer, the Expedition Team will talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that we follow when visiting. We leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures.

Experience Antarctica in all its majesty 

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. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge. 

You’ll spend four exciting days exploring several 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. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you’ll learn more about this precious habitat and how we can all protect it for the future

Looking for land ahead 

As we say goodbye to the frozen continent, MS Fram turns to take you north over the Drake Passage and towards Punta Arenas.  

This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. Enjoy the onboard comforts. Relax in the hot tubs or panoramic sauna or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar.  

When the Drake Passage is behind us, we’ll enter the scenic Beagle Channel, surrounded by mountains plunging straight into the icy water. Watch for Patagonian wildlife as we sail through this wild and remote area.

Onwards from Punta Arenas 

Your expedition cruise of the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica comes to an end in Punta Arenas. From here, you’ll catch a flight back to Santiago de Chile, where you will enjoy another overnight stay.

If you’re not ready to end your adventures just yet, why not join one of our optional Post-Programmes.

The end of your adventure

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport. Your journey ends with your flight back to Australia. You’ll take home with you a wealth of fantastic memories that will no doubt endure. If you’re not ready to end your adventures just yet, why not extend your trip and join our optional Post-Programme.

Discover the World Like Never Before with Hurtigruten Expeditions

Hurtigruten Expeditions invites you to step beyond ordinary travel and embark on an extraordinary journey to the world’s most remote and breathtaking destinations. Whether you’re cruising through the icy realms of Antarctica, navigating the Arctic’s pristine landscapes, or exploring the tropical wonders of the Amazon, our expeditions offer an immersive travel experience that combines adventure, luxury, and sustainability.

As pioneers in responsible travel, Hurtigruten is committed to reducing its environmental footprint. Our fleet of hybrid-powered ships is designed with sustainability at the forefront, allowing you to explore some of the world’s most fragile environments while knowing your journey is part of a broader commitment to preserving them. With every expedition, you’ll leave with not just memories, but the knowledge that you’re traveling with a company that cares deeply about the planet.

Hurtigruten Expeditions offers a unique, small-ship experience that sets it apart from traditional cruises. With fewer passengers, you’ll enjoy a more intimate and personalized journey. You’ll have access to off-the-beaten-path destinations that larger ships can’t reach, and every aspect of your voyage will be tailored to provide you with maximum comfort and enjoyment, from stylish cabins to world-class dining.

But Hurtigruten Expeditions is not just about luxury—it’s about discovery. Our expert-led teams of naturalists, scientists, and local guides provide in-depth knowledge of the places you visit, enriching your journey with insightful lectures and hands-on exploration. Whether you’re learning about the unique wildlife of the polar regions or uncovering the rich history of the places you visit, each day is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the world.

The experiences you’ll have aboard a Hurtigruten ship are truly one of a kind. From witnessing awe-inspiring wildlife encounters to watching the Northern Lights dance above the Arctic Circle, your voyage will be filled with moments of wonder and excitement. You’ll encounter animals in their natural habitat, from penguins and whales to sea birds and seals, making each expedition a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Designed for the passionate traveler who seeks more than just a vacation, Hurtigruten Expeditions is for those who yearn to explore the world’s wildest corners while enjoying the comfort and luxury they deserve. Our guests are those who are not only looking to escape but to experience the world in its most authentic and transformative form.

Are you ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? With Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s most stunning and remote destinations await. Let us help you make your dream expedition a reality.

The original Fram was the most famous explorer ship of its time, and the achievements of her expeditions are unparalleled. MS Fram brings on the heritage of the original Fram, using the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well suited for expedition voyages in Polar Regions.

Fram means ‘forward’ – lifting expectations of the voyage at hand. MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind – to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. The spacious outside decks include access to the very front of the ship – a great place to observe marine wildlife.

After a decade of exploring some of the most spectacular waters on our planet, Hurtigruten’s MS Fram will receive a total makeover – and reemerge as a brand-new expedition ship.

Leading up the 2020 season, MS Fram will be completely upgraded with new suites, new cabins, more environmentally friendly engines and a total makeover of all public areas – including new restaurants and Hurtigruten’s signature, high-tech Science Center.