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 12 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 Beagle Channel
Today, our outdoor wildlife adventure truly begins. En route to the Drake Passage, 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 encounter Italia Glacier, an extraordinary cascade of ice making its way down the mountains to the sea. Conditions permitting, we’ll take our first Zodiac cruise, bringing you up close to icebergs long before we reach the White Continent. As breathtaking as the Italia
Glacier might be, it, like many other glaciers in the region, is retreating. Through archival photography, you can trace its retreat over the decades—and be inspired to take real environmental action.
Days 3–4: Crossing the Drake Passage
After exiting the Beagle Channel, we head south. 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.
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.
Our crossing is 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 5: Exploring the South Shetland Islands
Rise and shine—it’s our first 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 6–8: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
This morning, you awake in Antarctica. 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 three 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.
In early December, the days are growing longer in Antarctica, approaching nearly 24 hours of daylight. And the temperature is getting a little bit warmer, too, making outdoor adventures all the more pleasant. Many penguins are incubating their eggs, waiting for their chicks to hatch, while whales start arriving for their summer feeding frenzy in the food-rich waters of the
Southern Ocean.
Days 9–10: Crossing the Drake Passage
Sadly it’s time to make our return journey to Punta Arenas, but the fun isn’t over yet. As we cross the Drake once more, 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.
Day 11: Cruising the Strait of Magellan
Rather than trace our wake through the Beagle Channel, we’re taking an alternative route back to Punta Arenas. We’ll complete a circumnavigation of Tierra del Fuego by sailing around the east side of the island and entering the Strait of Magellan, which separates Tierra del Fuego from the South American mainland and connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The strait was named for Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, who first sailed through the body of water in 1520 to become the first European to discover Chile. It’s a wildlife hotspot for both birds like the Magellanic penguin and marine mammals like dolphins and whales.
Day 12: 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.