Day 1: Embarkation in Punta Arenas
Welcome to Punta Arenas, Chile’s gateway to Antarctica. At your leisure, enjoy the Patagonian port city’s highlights, such as the Nao Victoria Museo, home to a replica of a 16th-century ship; the municipal cemetery with its European-style architecture; and the Museo Naval y Marítimo. In the afternoon, you’ll embark upon the Polar Angel, our home for the next 23 days. Get to know the ship and your fellow expeditioners as you settle in, then wave goodbye to Punta Arenas as we set sail at 6 p.m.
Day 2: Cruising the Strait of Magellan and Heading Out to Sea
To get to our first destination, the Falkland Islands, we’ll sail east through the legendary Strait of Magellan. This body of water separates Tierra del Fuego from the South American mainland and connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was named for Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, who first sailed through the strait in 1520 to become the first European to discover Chile. The Strait of Magellan is a wildlife hotspot for both birds like the Magellanic penguin and marine mammals like dolphins and whales.
Day 3–4: Exploring the Falkland Islands
On our first day in the Falkland Islands, we’ll hike across the rolling hills and white-sand beaches of West Falkland, looking for such birds as the black-browed albatross and the
southern rockhopper penguin. We may visit other islands here, such as Saunders Island or Carcass Island, conditions permitting. Our scientists will be on the lookout for Commerson’s dolphins, a small black-and white dolphin that frequents these waters.
On our second day in the Falkland Islands, we’ll visit the capital city Stanley. We use the term city loosely—only about 2,500 people live here. You’ll have time to walk around town, visit the Jetty Visitor Centre and the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust, and even have a pint at a local pub. Or you can choose to hike out to Gypsy Cove, home to a Magellanic penguin colony.
Days 5–6: Crossing the Scotia Sea
Departing from the Falkland Islands, we’ll spend two days crossing the Scotia Sea en route to South Georgia. During our time at sea, our expedition staff will share their knowledge about Antarctica’s wildlife and history, both human and natural, through a series of lectures. But don’t forget to spend time on deck to watch albatross circle the ship, or to scan the surface of the sea for whales. If whales are spotted, the science team may deploy a suite of instruments to study them, from drones to hydrophones.
Days 7–10: Wildlife Spotting and Hiking in South Georgia
South Georgia is a wildlife lover’s paradise. The star of the show might just be the massive colonies of king penguins, the largest of which comprises more than 150,000 pairs. Or if you’re more interested in songbirds, keep an eye out for the endemic South Georgia pipit—this bird was brought back from the brink of extinction after a successful rat eradication program in the 2010s. Pinnipeds more your style? See haulouts of fur seals and elephant seals along the beaches. As we explore the island, we hope to take guests on hikes through the breathtaking, rugged landscapes. In addition to its incredible wildlife, South Georgia has a rich human history, especially at Grytviken, a former whaling station that we’ll visit. Learn about the whaling history of the island at the South Georgia Museum—it’s incredible to see just how far we’ve come in terms of whale conservation during the last century—then visit the active post office to send a letter home. Grytviken is also the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the famed explorer who led the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917—toast his legacy at his grave. You’ll also find a full-size replica of James Caird, the lifeboat that Shackleton sailed across 800 miles of open ocean to initiate the rescue of his crew, at the museum.
Day 11: Crossing the Scotia Sea
It’s another sea day, which means our expedition staff will offer lectures and wildlife-spotting sessions. It’s also an excellent time to make use of the ship’s amenities, whether that’s the bar in the lounge or the sauna and plunge pool in the «whaleness center.»
Day 12–13: Exploring the South Orkney Islands
On this journey, we’ll make a rare visit to the South Orkney Islands. Like South Georgia, the South Orkneys have remarkably rugged, mountainous landscapes lined with glaciers, and the seas surrounding the islands are frequently filled with looming tabular icebergs. And, of course, there’s plenty of wildlife to be found—the islands are particularly known for their colonies of chinstrap penguins. We also might have the opportunity to pass by various research stations, including Argentina’s Orcadas Base, the oldest still-operating Antarctic station.
Day 15: Spotting Elephant Island
The remote, inhospitable Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands played a crucial role in Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917. After his ship, Endurance, sank in the Weddell Sea, Shackleton and his 27 men eventually reached Elephant Island in lifeboats, following months trapped on the sea ice. When Shackleton and five others made the daring 800-mile journey to South Georgia in one of the lifeboats, the 22 men remained on Elephant Island for 4.5 months before eventually being rescued.
Today, we’ll cruise past the islan —you’ll see just how bleak the experience must have been for those stranded here. Pick up a pair of binoculars and see if you can spot the bust of Captain Luis Alberto Pardo, the captain of the Chilean navy ship Yelcho that rescued Shackleton’s men.
Days 16–18: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
This morning, you awake in the Antarctic Peninsula. Look at your window, and you might see porpoising penguins swimming by. Step outside, and you might hear the thunderous crack of an iceberg calving off a glacier. It’s a profound experience to visit the seventh continent, and we’re here to make the most of it. For the next two days, we’ll explore the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac, and foot.
The expedition team will ensure your safety and enjoyment during your time in Antarctica, considering weather, sea, and land conditions as they decide your activities for the day.
Depending on their determinations, you might make a landing to hike across the Antarctic terrain, visiting chinstrap, Adélie, and gentoo penguin colonies. On a Zodiac cruise, keep your eyes peeled for seals—Weddell, fur, crabeater, and leopard—along the shoreline, as well as whales like humpbacks, minkes, or even orcas in the sea. Excursions might also include visits to research stations. February marks the start of whale season in Antarctica. Though you’ll find cetaceans in these waters throughout the summer, their numbers grow greatly in February and March. On shore, the fuzzy penguin chicks are growing larger and more active, and you’ll likely spot the adults heading out to sea to fish. February also sees the days getting shorter (and the temperatures getting cooler), so you can expect gorgeous sunrises and sunsets that paint the sky in pastels.
Day 19: Exploring the South Shetland Islands
It’s our last day in the Antarctic region, or more specifically, in the South Shetland Islands. Here, the science team will get to work. Positive Polar plans to stop in the South Shetland Islands on every Antarctic voyage, allowing scientists to conduct long-term research in the area.
While the scientists are working, your off-ship activities might include an expedition landing ashore, a Zodiac cruise, or even a visit to an active research base. Your Expedition Leader will determine the best options given the conditions, maximizing the opportunity to see wildlife like penguins, seals, and whales.
Days 20–21: Crossing the Drake Passage
Sadly it’s time to make our return journey to Punta Arenas, but the fun isn’t over yet. South America and Antarctica are separated by the Drake Passage, a 500-mile stretch of water known for its unpredictable conditions, ranging from perfectly calm to absolutely tempestuous. But don’t worry: Polar Angel is designed to make our crossing as smooth as possible.
As we cross the Drake, we still have ample time to spot wildlife. Plus, the expedition staff and scientists will again regale you with their knowledge during lectures. During our two days at sea, we encourage you to reflect on your trip of a lifetime and share memories with your new friends.
If we’re lucky and the weather conditions allow it, at the end of the crossing we’ll be able to reach and disembark into the historical and iconic Cape Horn, the southern part of America.
Day 22: Cruising the Beagle Channel and checking “Puerto Williams”
As we return to the South American continent, we’ll explore the Beagle Channel, named after the iconic HMS Beagle, which took Charles Darwin around the world. Sailing through the dramatic, mountainous landscape of Tierra del Fuego, we’ll have the chance to spot all manner of wildlife, from seabirds and sea to whales and dolphins, if we’re lucky.
During our transit, we’ll reach the southern city of the world “Puerto Williams” where normally live up to 3000 people but during the summers there could be much more because of the tourist industry. Here is also the southern rescue helicopter station of the world, which our founder was chief and where did mature the concept of the business. After a couple of hours where you’ll be able to walk around the streets of the iconic city, we’ll continue our transit through the fjords and seen glaciers getting inspired to take real environmental action upon your return home.
Day 23: Disembarkation in Punta Arenas
The time has come to say farewell to your fellow expeditioners, expedition staff, scientists, and crew. Disembarkation is at 8 a.m., leaving you the day to explore Punta Arenas or head to the airport for your flight home.