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Peregrine Travel Centre

Antarctica and Patagonia: Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords

Antarctica and Patagonia: Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords

From AUD $26,730

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Description

The southernmost realms of the planet are places of unimaginable beauty: Patagonia and Antarctica. Humpback whales breach and penguins gather by the thousands. Icebergs shimmer and sapphire-hued fjords harbor snowcapped peaks and virgin forests. Join us on an odyssey aboard the National Geographic Orion that combines the celebrated wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula, southern Patagonia, and the Chilean fjords—all in a single epic voyage. Follow in the wake of legendary explorers like Ernest Shackleton and Ferdinand Magellan to encounter otherworldly icescapes and calving glaciers, remote reserves and pristine parks, and the incredible creatures that thrive at the edge of the world.

Trip Name
Antarctica and Patagonia: Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords
Days
18
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 108 meters Passenger Capacity: 148 (single & twin cabins) Built / Refurbished: 1982 / 2008 National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship. It is a fully stabilized, ice-class vessel, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort. It carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. An Undersea Specialist operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and sophisticated video equipment, extending access to the underwater world. Public areas: Bistro Bar; Chart Room; Restaurant; Global Gallery; Library, Lounge with full service bar and state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations; Mud Room with lockers for expedition gear, and Observation Lounge. Our “Open Bridge” provides guests an opportunity to meet our Officers and Captain and learn about navigation. Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international with local flair. Cabins: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls. Expedition Equipment: Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, SplashCam, underwater video camera, Crow’s Nest remote controlled camera, video microscope, snorkeling gear. Special Features: A full-time doctor, Undersea Specialist, LEX Photo Specialist and Video Chronicler, Internet Cafe and laundry. Wellness: The vessel is staffed by two Wellness Specialists and features a glass enclosed Fitness Center, outdoor stretching area, two LEXspa treatment rooms and Sauna.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Santiago
Arrive in Santiago and settle into the MandarinOriental (or similar) before a guided overview ofthe vibrant Chilean capital backed by the Andes.(L)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Punta Arenas / Embark
Today we fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas,Chile’s southern gateway to Patagonia. EmbarkNational Geographic Explorer or NationalGeographic Resolution. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 3: Tierra del Fuego: Karukinka Natural Park & Ainsworth Bay
Cruise to Tierra del Fuego and venture into thearchipelago’s largest protected land area:Karukinka Natural Park. Visit this private reserveby special permission, searching for Andeanfoxes, guanacos, black-browed albatross, andmore. Then sail to Ainsworth Bay, a stunning fjordsurrounded by subpolar forest, keeping an eye outfor elephant seals. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 4: Francisco Coloane Marine Park
Today, we enter the Strait of Magellan to exploreFrancisco Coloane Marine Park. The park coversmore than 165,000 acres of land and sea and ishome to an abundance of wildlife, includinghumpback whales, two species of sea lions, andMagellanic penguins. Cruise along the coastlineby Zodiac and kayak to spot black-and-whitePeale’s dolphins, the endangered Chilean dolphin,and Andean condors. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - DAY 5: Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine Park
Early this morning we dock in picturesque PuertoNatales before heading out to explore majesticTorres del Paine National Park, a UNESCOBiosphere Reserve. Set out by foot or by vehicleacross the windswept, rugged landscape, whichspans more than 550,000 acres and harbors anastounding variety of geological forms, from thesoaring granite pillars of the “horns” to windsweptgrasslands to rivers, glaciers, and gem-coloredlagoons. Keep an eye out for guanacos, rheas,foxes, and armadillos. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - DAY 6: Puerto Natales / Kirke Narrows
Local pilots will join our Captain on the Bridge toguide us through the winding Kirke Narrows,accessible only to small expedition ships. We thencontinue our discovery of the Chilean fjords wherewe may explore by ship or take a forest walk.(B,L,D)
Day 7 - DAY 7-8: Exploring the Chilean Fjords
Sail into southern Patagonia’s vast wilderness offorested isles, mirror-like lakes, and snowcappedpeaks. Myriad fjords cut between soaring granitewalls and waterfalls tumble from high above.Explore the region known as Chile’s “GlacierAlley,” part of the UNESCO- recognized CapeHorn Biosphere Reserve. Cruise into the secludedPia Fjord, admiring views of its massive glacier;and glide into Garibaldi Fjord in Alberto deAgostini National Park, where the Andes meet thesea. Get up close to the monumental wall of icethat marks the edge of Garibaldi Glacier, exploringby Zodiac or kayak. Continue to Agostini Fjord,where numerous glaciers originate from thenearby mountains, for a chance to witnessthunderous glacial calving. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 8 - DAY 9: At Sea / Drake Passage
Sail to Antarctica via the Drake Passage, namedafter 16th-century English admiral Sir FrancisDrake. Watch for dozens of species of seabirdsgliding alongside our ship—including thealbatross, which boasts the longest wingspan ofany extant bird—and enjoy talks from our onboardnaturalists about the wildlife and geology thatawait us on the Antarctic Peninsula. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - DAY 10-15: Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, wehave ample opportunities to explore. Our scheduleis flexible, allowing us to take advantage of theunexpected, whether we’re watching whales atplay off the bow of our ship or enjoying an eveningZodiac cruise amid glittering icebergs. One day,we might set out by kayak to encounter toweringicebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiacexcursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags;or walk on a beach amid thousands of Adélie andgentoo penguins. The next, we might experiencethe thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice.Our expert expedition team will enrich ourexperiences. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 10 - DAY 16-17: At Sea
Relax onboard and enjoy the ship’s amenities asthe coast of Antarctica disappears from view.Round the southernmost tip of South America atCape Horn and witness the dramatic meeting ofthe Atlantic and Pacific Oceans en route toUshuaia, Argentina. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 11 - DAY 18: Ushuaia / Disembark / Buenos Aires (Explorer) or Santiago (Resolution)
Disembark in Ushuaia and board our flight toBuenos Aires or Santiago to connect with yourovernight flight home. (B,L)
Day 12 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $26,730Category 1
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $28,730Category 2
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $30,100Category 3
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $31,490Category 4
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $35,900Category SA (solo)
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $37,620Category SB (solo)
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $38,750Category 5
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $44,590Category 6
27-02-202516-03-2025AUD $51,770Category 7

Inclusions

    • Seek out Antarctica’s iconic wildlife—including penguins, seals, and killer whales—and marvel at incandescent icebergs using our fleet of kayaks and Zodiacs
    • Navigate Chile’s coastal fjords and explore spectacular Glacier Alley, where monumental glaciers calve into the sea
    • Hike among the snowcapped “horns” of Torres del Paine National Park and enjoy special access to Karukinka Natural Park, the largest protected land area in Tierra del Fuego
    • Cruise the waters of Francisco Coloane Marine Park, searching for the humpback whales and dolphins that inhabit this vast marine reserve

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