Antarctic expedition on the classic route
from/to Santiago
12 days (11 nights)
MS Silver Wind/MS Silver Cloud/MS Silver Endeavour
12 days (11 nights) Antarctic voyage including flight from Santiago to Puerto Williams with crossing of the Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, and South Shetland Islands.
Your journey begins in Santiago, Chile's vibrant capital, where you will spend one night in a comfortable hotel. This gives you the opportunity to relax and prepare for the experience ahead. The next day, you will fly to Puerto Williams, the southernmost city in the world and the starting point of your expedition.
From there, the route leads through the Beagle Channel —surrounded by snow-capped peaks and sparkling glaciers—and past the famous Cape Horn.
The crossing through the legendary Drake Passage offers a glimpse of the immense expanse of the Southern Ocean before the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula comes into view. There you will land directly at one of the most spectacular places in the world – Antarctica. The coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most remote continent.
There you will find impressive glacier fronts, bizarre ice formations, and a rich wildlife: chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, and majestic humpback whales are just some of the fascinating inhabitants of this region. Zodiac excursions allow you to discover remote bays and encounter the impressive ice world up close.
A highlight of the trip is a visit to the South Shetland Islands, where research stations document life at the edge of the world and elephant seals and countless penguins populate the shores. This expedition combines nature, relaxation, and science for an unforgettable experience at the far end of the world.
Stephanie Gräf
Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in travel to the Arctic and Antarctic.
I am your contact person for questions and bookings relating to the Arctic and Antarctic, and I am delighted that you are one of the few people who are traveling to the ends of the earth.
You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de
Good to know
Arrival and departure: We offer a variety of individual travel packages including flights, hotels in Santiago, transfers, and activities. We are also happy to suggest pre- and post-programs in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay to extend your trip.
Attention solo travelers: If you do not wish to have a single occupancy cabin, you may be accommodated in a shared cabin on board. In this case, you will be accommodated with other travelers of the same gender and possibly of a different nationality. There is no single cabin surcharge.
Entry requirements: You can find constantly updated entry information for Chile for German citizens at the Federal Foreign Office.
Insurance: Proof of international health insurance covering medical repatriationmust be provided.
Medical questionnaire:You are required to completea medical questionnaire before departure.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Puerto Williams, Southern Chile/Tierra del Fuego – Starting point of the boat trip and southernmost city in the world on the Beagle Channel
- Twice crossingthe notoriousDrake Passage
- Antarctica Sound –"Iceberg Alley" with huge tabular icebergs that have broken off from the glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula
- Antarctic Peninsulawith pristine landscapes ofsnow, ice, mountains, and waterways
- South Shetland Islands: Home to penguins, fur seals, elephant seals, and relics of historic whaling stations
- Excursions with the Zodiacs toremotebays and along impressive ice formations
- Sea kayakingorsnowshoeing
- Lectures by instructors and specialistson board covering a wide range ofscientific topics
itinerary
Antarctic expedition on the classic route
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago
Your journey to remote Antarctica begins in Santiago. Upon arrival, you will be accommodated in a comfortable hotel, providing the perfect opportunity to rest from your journey and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Nestled between the majestic Andes Mountains and Chile's fertile Central Valley, Santiago combines modern elegance with a rich cultural heritage. Take the time to explore the city: visit the iconic Cerro San Cristóbal, which offers breathtaking views of the metropolis, or stroll through the charming streets of the artistic Bellavista district.
In the evening, you can enjoy the famous Chilean cuisine in one of the city's excellent restaurants before retiring to your hotel. The next day, your journey begins with a flight to Puerto Williams – the gateway to Antarctica and the starting point of your unforgettable expedition.
After flying from Santiago to Puerto Williams in business class, you will be welcomed by the crew of your expedition ship for the upcoming journey.
Puerto Williams – where your journey really begins – is a Chilean town on Navarino Island, located on the southern shores of the Beagle Channel. It claims to be the "southernmost city in the world." However, due to its small size – it has a population of around 2,500 – the much larger Argentine city of Ushuaia, located on the north side of the same channel, also claims this title. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking: rugged mountains above the tree line are regularly covered with snow. The town itself is dominated by a dramatic backdrop, the so-called "Dientes de Navarino" (literally "Teeth of Navarino"), which rival the famous Torres del Paine further north.
The area was originally inhabited by the Yaghan, a people of hunters and gatherers who, despite their will to survive in the harsh regional climate, were unable to withstand the arrival of Europeans. The present-day city was founded in 1953 as a naval base and honors the 16th-century British-Chilean naval commander John Williams Wilson. It originally served to protect territorial possessions and fishing rights in the region, as well as providing logistical support to Antarctic bases. More recently, it has established itself as a starting point for scientific and tourist expeditions to Antarctica.
In contrast to the hustle and bustle and traffic of the highly commercial Ushuaia, Puerto Williams offers a quieter, more relaxed experience. The town charms visitors with its village charm, rustic buildings, and the cozy smell of wood smoke in the air. A peaceful retreat at the end of the world.
Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage
The legendary crossing of the Drake Passage is an experience that only a few are privileged to enjoy. Even the southern tip of America feels like a wild, untamed world – but the feeling of watching the distant cliffs of the peninsula known as the "end of the world" slowly disappear on the horizon is equally epic, eerie and magical. From Cape Horn, you set sail to slowly glide away from the bottom of the world map and embark on an expedition into the icy underworld of Antarctica. The Drake Passage is an extraordinary journey full of romantic legends of ocean navigation, en route to the icy realm of Antarctica.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by giant, skyscraper-sized icebergs as you traverse the waters of this continent, home to snow and ice dwellers such as penguins and whales. Your first glimpse of this least explored place on Earth will most likely be the South Shetland Islands. Follow in the footsteps of some of history's greatest and most courageous explorers as you explore famous snow-covered landmasses such as Elephant Island and Deception Island.
If crossing the Drake Passage seems intimidating, don't worry—even in rough seas, you are never alone. You will often be accompanied on this exciting adventure by majestically soaring albatrosses, perhaps even a protective pod of humpback whales or a few black and white hourglass dolphins. The converging warm and cold ocean currents attract spectacular wildlife, making this passage a paradise for nature lovers.
The Antarctic Sound will be one of your first points of contact with the white kingdom of Antarctica. It is located at the northernmost tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, which extends like a tentacle towards Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost point of South America, also known as the "end of the world."
The sound owes its name to the first ship that ventured through the passage between the peninsula and the Joinville archipelago in 1902. Today, it is an unadulterated sensory experience, characterized by enormous iceberg formations that have broken away from the disintegrating Larsen Ice Shelf. Here you will encounter stadium-sized islands of ice and a fascinating bird life that calls this white kingdom home. Watch colonies of gentoo penguins hop around and Cape petrels glide elegantly overhead as the unique wildlife of this continent thrives in all its glory around you.
The Antarctic Peninsula stretches towards South America and beckons adventurers who have the courage to explore this untamed realm. It extends from the heart of the southernmost continent on Earth and is only about 1,000 kilometers from Tierra del Fuego. For many, it offers a spectacular first impression of the snow-covered landscapes and massive ice formations that make up this least explored continent.
Until 1820—in relative terms, just a blink of an eye ago—this region remained undiscovered by humans. Today, it is a place that will set your pulse racing and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as you experience the thrill of the truly unknown and extraordinary. The vast peninsula is dotted with research stations at the forefront of scientific endeavour. They are working to understand this unique landscape, its extraordinary wildlife and the impact of human activity on this untouched continent.
Get up close to iceberg-like cathedrals and shimmering blue glaciers that slowly descend from imposing locations such as Hope Bay. Snow-white mountain peaks stretch across the peninsula, and you will discover thousands of adorable Adélie penguin pairs thriving undisturbed in this unique environment.
Near the northwestern tip of the peninsula, separated by Bransfield Strait, are the South Shetland Islands. These are subject to the Antarctic Treaty, which suspends all sovereignty claims to the islands. Several countries maintain research stations here, and with plump elephant seals and colonies of gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins also calling the islands home, it can sometimes seem a little crowded.
King George Island is the largest and most hospitable of the islands and is home to most of the research stations, some of which are inhabited year-round by small, hardy crews. But don't be fooled: these islands offer extraordinary adventures in one of the most remote places on Earth. The three peaks of Mount Foster tower over the archipelago, and your heart will beat a little faster as you sail into the core of Deception Island's impressive collapsed volcanic caldera. Hike through the moon-like landscapes inside and even venture into the surprisingly warm, geothermally heated waters of Pendulum Cove.
Elephant Island, on the other hand, is deeply engraved in the legends of Antarctic expeditions. It was here that Ernest Shackleton and the stranded crew of the Endurance miraculously survived a harsh Antarctic winter in 1916.
After visiting the South Shetland Islands, you will begin your return journey to Puerto Williams. Just like on the way there, you will cross the infamous Drake Passage and have one last chance to enjoy the magic of Antarctica.
After crossing the Drake Passage once again, you will arrive back in Puerto Williams late in the evening. The journey takes you back to this remote spot, which was the starting point of your expedition, allowing you to reflect on the experiences of the past few days.
After you leave the ship, the crew bids you a warm farewell—with memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
In Puerto Williams, you board your plane and begin your return journey to Santiago. With one last glance out of the window, you bid farewell to the rugged, fascinating world at the southernmost edge of the earth.
The daily programs described here are for your guidance. The itinerary may vary considerably due to local ice and weather conditions, last-minute permit procedures, and local authorities, but also to respond to current conditions regarding wildlife viewing.Theexpedition leader on board will determine the final itinerary and daily program. Flexibility is of utmost importance during our expedition-style voyages.
DATES & PRICES
January 7, 2027 – January 18, 2027
from €17,400 per person
12 days/11 nights
MS Silver Cloud (Maximum occupancy: 254 (Antarctica max. 199))
Puerto Williams Puerto Williams
Contact us so that we can check further discounts for you.
February 1, 2027 – February 12, 2027
from €16,900 per person
12 days/11 nights
MS Silver Cloud (Maximum occupancy: 254 (Antarctica max. 199))
Puerto Williams Puerto Williams
Contact us so that we can check further discounts for you.
Selected date
January 7, 2027 – January 18, 2027 (12 days/11 nights)
MS Silver Cloud | Antarctic Expedition Classic Route
Vista Suite
Veranda Suite
Deluxe Veranda Suite
Medallion Suite
Silver Suite
Royal Suite
Grand Suite
Owner's Suite
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Summary
activities
Selected date
February 1, 2027 – February 12, 2027 (12 days/11 nights)
MS Silver Cloud | Antarctic Expedition Classic Route
Vista Suite
Veranda Suite
Deluxe Veranda Suite
Medallion Suite
Silver Suite
Royal Suite
Grand Suite
Owner's Suite
cabin
options
personal data
By clicking on the "Request now" button, you agree to the Processing of your personal data to complete the reservation.
Summary
activities
Information
Included services:
- One night in Santiago before the cruise
- Accommodation in the booked cabin category
- Flights within the country between Santiago and Puerto Williams
- One piece of luggage weighing up to 23 kg per person and one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 8 kg per person.
- 24-hour room service
- Selection of restaurants, varied cuisine, open seating
- Beverages in the suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, selected wines, and spirits
- Entertainment on board
- Tips on board
- Thermally insulated rubber boots on loan and personal expedition anorak
- Guided Zodiac rides and selected land and sea activities with experts
- Lectures by a highly qualified expedition team
- Accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers that are not included in the travel and emergency plan for the respective trip
- Flights from/to your home town to/from Santiago
- Passport and visa fees
- State arrival and departure taxes
- Cancellation, personal evacuation, and health insurance
- Excess baggage fees and selected services on board (laundry, telecommunications costs, etc.)
Important:
- Onboard language:English, English-speaking expedition team
- Onboard currency: US dollarsand major credit cards
- Medical care: Doctoron board
- WLAN/WiFi: available free of charge and without restriction
- Completing a questionnaire, medical certificate, cruise contract, and flight information form is mandatory.
Your ship during the voyage
Your ship: The MS Silver Endeavour
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Your ship: The MS Silver Cloud
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Your ship: The MS Silver Wind
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MS Silver Endeavour Antarctica
MS Silver Endeavour on an Antarctic voyage
MS Silver Cloud
MS Silver Cloud
MS Silver Wind expedition ship
MS Silver Wind Expedition Ship I (c) Roger Paderno I Silversea Cruises
Classic Route - Icebergs - Silversea
icebergs
Classic Route - King Penguins 2 - Silversea
king penguins
Classic Route - Antarctic Mountains - Silversea
mountain landscapes
Classic Route - Sea Lions - Silversea
sea lions
Classic Route - Antarctic Peninsula - Silversea
Antarctic Peninsula
Classic Route - Walflosse - Silversea
whales
Classic Route Kayak Tour Bird's Eye View Silversea
kayak tours
Classic Route - King Penguins - Silversea
king penguins
Classic Route - Zodiac Tour - Bird's Eye View - Silversea
Zodiac trips
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