Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition (Southbound)
From Valparaíso, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina
18 Days | October 27, 2023 | Hurtigruten Expeditions
Ship: MS Fridtjof Nansen
AAA Member Price: From $15,382*
18-day expedition cruise from Chile to Antarctica, aboard hybrid-powered ship MS Fridtjof Nansen, exploring the Chilean fjords and Patagonia
Visit Antarctica in late spring and discover its incredible wildlife, like colonies of Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins courting and building nests.
Four days exploring the Antarctic peninsula up close, on landings and ice cruises with your Expedition Team, or optional kayaking and snowshoeing activities.
Guided by your Expedition Team, you'll spend four incredible days exploring Antarctica's immense, pristine icescapes. Springtime is courting season and you'll be able to observe penguins mating. There's no fixed program: we adapt our itinerary to take every opportunity to get closer to nature and enjoy unique experiences on ice cruises and landings.
AAA Member Benefits:
• 90 euro per person onboard credit for all Expedition Cruises
• Kr300 (Norwegian Krone) onboard credit per person for all one-way sailing dates
• Kr600 (Norwegian Krone) onboard credit per person for all roundtrip sailing dates
Flights
Transfer
Expedition Cruise
Onboard Activities
Landing Activities
Note
Day 1: Valparaiso, a UNESCO gem
Your expedition cruise begins in colorful Valparaíso, known as the 'Jewel of the Pacific'. Friendly and bursting with color, this gloriously sprawling UNESCO-listed city is filled with exciting smells, sounds and people. It’s an exhilarating maze of hillside alleyways and barrios, winding streets of colorful houses and mercados packed with local produce. Take it all in on the funicular ride up to Cerro Alegre and Concepción. If you'd like to explore more of the region, you can join our optional Pre-Program to tour the extraordinary Atacama Desert before you embark MS Fridtjof Nansen, your hybrid-powered expedition ship.
Day 2-3: Orientation and Discovery
Our Expedition team are experts in fields from oceanography and geology to ornithology and history. Get stuck in with fascinating lectures, hands-on presentations in the Science Center, and learn about our Citizen Science projects.
It's also the perfect time to unwind. With three excellent restaurants, a pool, hot tubs and wellness centre – not to mention our Explorer Lounge & Bar—you’ll have everything you need to relax, recharge, and get ready for adventure.
Day 4: Castro's Chilotan charm
You can enjoy terrific views of the city’s colorful palafitos—stilt houses along the waterfront—from the nearby hills, so keep your camera ready. For some culture, head to the Regional Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.
Bring your binoculars as Chiloé is an important habitat for bird species like Green-backed Firecrowns and Chilean flamingos. It’s also home to penguins, Black-necked swans, Ringed Kingfishers and Silvery Grebes.
Day 5: The waters of Patagonia
As we sail, there's a good chance you’ll see whales, seabirds, penguins and more. Take in the scenery from the panoramic sauna or on-deck hot tubs and pool, enjoy locally sourced cuisine, or relax in the Explorer Lounge.
Our Expedition Team will be on hand with fascinating lectures on local history and wildlife, and our onboard photographer can help with tips on landscape photography.
Day 6: Remote Puerto Eden
This tiny village sits at the end of a deep fjord. It’s only accessible by sea, and the ferry that connects it to the mainland only visits once a month. There are no roads here—just wooden boardwalks connecting houses and shops.
Among its 250-strong population, you’ll meet some of the last remaining members of the indigenous Kawéskar, giving you a fascinating insight into Patagonian culture. The unique community is designated a Living Human Treasure by UNESCO.
Day 7-8: Bohemian Puerto Natales
The rugged landscape has steppe, forest and desert, punctuated by glaciers and lakes. Guanacos, rheas and pumas roam freely. Look out for Chilean Flamingos and you may even spot the mighty Andean condor.
Puerto Natales is a popular hub for hikers and adventurers, with many eateries, bars and outdoor shops. Visit the artisan village at Etherh Aike; enjoy a gin tour at the Last Hope Distillery; or stroll the photogenic waterfront.
Day 9: Exploring Chile's fjords
From deck, you can scan for colonies of Magellanic Penguins. If you’re lucky you might also spot elephant seals and whales. Or you can get hands on in the Science Center and study ice samples under the microscopes.
Your day’s activities will be decided by your Expedition Team. If the conditions are right, we'll take to the water in our small expedition boats for a closer look, or you might join a guided hike on a glacier.
Day 10-11: Rounding Cape Horn
From here, we'll navigate the legendary Drake Passage towards Antarctica. En route, you'll find out what lies ahead and how to make your visit as safe and as sustainable as possible.
In the Science Center, the Expedition Team will give lectures about Antarctica’s animals, history, geology, as well as the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. You can also get involved in our Citizen Science projects.
Day 12-15: Antarctica: another world
You’ll spend an exciting four days busily 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 penguin colonies on optional activities.
Bird enthusiasts should look skywards for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, jaegers, petrels and terns. Through Citizen Science projects and onboard lectures you'll learn more about polar exploration, this precious habitat, and how we can all protect it.
Day 16-17: Sailing towards Argentina
After four days expedition cruising in Antarctica, it’s time to head back. Recap your experiences with your Expedition Team and fellow guests, visit the Science Center, relax in the Explorer Lounge, or share a delicious meal as the waves roll by.
You'll be joined on board by an anthropologist and some younger members of the Yaghan community from Puerto Williams. Learn about the life and traditions, and the challenges they face in modern Chile, in a presentation, followed by some traditional songs.
Make the most of your time on board with some pampering in our Wellness Centre. Unwind in the sauna, pool and hot tubs too before we arrive in Ushuaia.
Day 18: Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
Why not join our popular Post-Program to tour the legendary Iguazu Falls, an amazing way to wrap up your travels. Or you can stay on in Buenos Aires, enjoying the city sights, cosmopolitan culture and tango shows before heading home.
Start: October 27, 2023 End: November 13, 2023 Price: $15,382 pp Get an Estimate Get an Estimate |
All pricing and offers for accommodations and other non-air travel are per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change without notice. Pricing does not include taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, gratuities, resort fees, or airfare unless otherwise noted and is valid on new bookings only. Prices, fees, and other restrictions are subject to supplier policies. All offers, including but not limited to, bonus amenities, upgrades, prices, and group benefits are based on select dates, resorts, room categories, and/or fare codes. Specialty pricing may require proper identification. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply. When traveling outside the United States a valid passport is required. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to have the proper documentation and identification required by the United States and other governments at the time of travel. When passports are required, it must be valid for a minimum of six months past your date of return. AAA strongly recommends the purchase of Travel Insurance. Usage of a credit card for travel arrangements may provide additional protection, please consult your credit card policies. Under certain circumstances the package price may be subject to supplemental price increases imposed by the supplier. Price increases include, but are not limited to fuel surcharges, taxes or fluctuations in foreign exchange markets that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Air-inclusive prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees, including but not limited to a September 11th Security Fee, U.S. or international government imposed taxes and fees, Federal Excise Fees, among others. Some carriers charge additional fees for checked bags, fuel surcharge, meals, etc. Please check the carriers website for details. Air-inclusive pricing is based on select departure cities. Prices from other cities may vary. AAA Oregon/Idaho acts solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We monitor all of the information presented on our website; however, we do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Review full Travel Disclosure and Consent at time of booking.
The fares listed are in U.S. dollars, are per person based on double occupancy and does not include land arrangements or services. Fares are based upon the lowest cabin category and are subject to availability and can change with out notice. Exact cruising pricing depends upon selected day of departure, departure city, ship, cabin level, and airfare if added. We reserve the right to correct errors. Other restrictions apply. For more information contact AAA Oregon/Idaho.
Airfare, taxes, surcharges, gratuities, transfers, port charges and excursions are additional unless otherwise indicated. Fuel surcharges, government taxes, other surcharges, deposit, payment and cancellation terms/conditions are subject to change without notice. Baggage fees are not included in your trip cost, you should re-verify with the airline directly or on their website prior to your departure for current details on allowable luggage pieces, fees, size and weight limitations since they vary from airline to airline. Rates quoted are per person, land only, based on adult double occupancy unless otherwise stated. Discounts, products, vendors, rates, terms, conditions, availability and itinerary are subject to change without notice. Cruise rates are capacity controlled. Certain restrictions may apply. AAA members must make advance reservations through AAA Travel to obtain Member Benefits and savings. Member Benefits may vary based on departure date. Be advised that any and all costs associated with air reservations made outside of these packages will not be refunded by AAA or the tour operator in the event of an unforeseen change and/or cancellation by you and/or the tour operator. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Rates are accurate at the time of printing and are subject to availability and change. AAA Oregon/Idaho acts only as an agent for the various tour and/or cruise providers listed and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such providers. AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee and 24/7 Member Care are applicable to AAA members only. If you book a qualifying AAA Vacations® cruise or tour package and find a valid better rate for the exact itinerary within 24 hours of your booking, AAA will match the lower rate and send you a $50 AAA Vacations® future travel credit certificate. Certain restrictions apply. Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations for full details.
AAA Travel Alert: During these uncertain times, many travel destinations have implemented COVID-19-related health and safety restrictions and entry requirements. Please check to see if local authorities, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, and restaurants at your intended travel destination have issued health and safety-related alerts, entry requirements or other restrictions. These new travel restrictions may be imposed or amended with little warning. Failure to comply with applicable rules may result in denied entry or quarantine upon arrival.
As things change, so do policies. Please contact your AAA Travel Professional or the travel provider directly to obtain the most current policy.