The 19-day NCV Antarctica and Chilean Fjord cruise program features expedition guides, lectures, and zodiac landings. To view the Antarctica virtual cruise, click here.
DAY 1 - DEPART INDIA (airfare not included but can be arranged from New York, Miami or Los Angeles.)
DAY 2 - ARRIVE IN SANTIAGO
Morning arrival at the Santiago airport in Chile. During the transfer to your hotel, an orientation tour of the city will be given. Rest of the day at leisure or join one or both of the exciting optional excursions.
DAY 3 - SANTIAGO/PUNTA ARENAS/EMBARKATION - B,D
Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas where you will embark. Once you have boarded your ship, an information meeting and safety briefing will be held. During which the Captain, officers and staff will welcome you on board, tell you more about the schedule for the next few days as well as inform you on the ship's safety procedures. Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes region. It is the largest city in the entire region with its 114,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in the mid-1800s, and grew into a centre for commerce culture and society that spread its influence over the entire region with numerous museums and historical places of interest. And the city center (Plaza de Armas) is known for its government buildings, well-kept gardens and the monument to Ferdinand Magellan.
DAY 4 - MAGELLAN STRAIT - B,L,D
Fantastic sounds, fjords, and mountains dominate the next several days. Fjord visit and a closer look at one of the many magnificent glaciers. The Magellan Strait zone is located in the southern extreme of the South American continent. This magnificent sector includes the Strait itself, all the channels and fjords around the Brunswick Peninsula. You'll sail the Magellan Strait towards beautiful Tucker Island, famous for its colony of Magellan penguins. Weather permitting the ship will attempt cruising both near the Tucker Island and into the Seno del Almirantazgo (Admiralty Sound), known for sightings of cormorants, southern dolphins and sea lions.
DAY 5 - MAGELLAN STRAIT/PUERTO NATALES - B,L,D
Today you will pass either trough the Kirke Narrows or the Santa Maria Channel, depending on the tides, to reach Puerto Natales, where the ship will dock giving you ample opportunity to explore the city. Puerto Natales is the capital of the province of Ultima Esperanza. The city was founded in 1911 in a beautiful setting on a gently sloping point on the inlet. It has approximately 18,000 inhabitants. It is the natural base for excursions in to a region filled with sites of incomparable natural beauty, as well as wonderful hiking trails and fishing spots - one being Torres del Paine National Park.
DAY 6 - PUERTO NATALES/MAGELLAN STRAIT - B,L,D
You have the morning at leisure to further experience Puerto Natales and surroundings, or you can take part in the optional excursion to Torres del Paine National Park.
DAY 7 - BEAGLE CHANNEL - B,L,D
Today you will continue towards the spectacular Beagle Channel to the south of Tierra del Fuego. Near the southern tip of Chile, the Southern Andes plunge into the icy waters, leaving a region so wild and remote that it seems virtually untouched since the beginning of time. In these Chilean fjords, the ice has sliced its way between the mountains, leaving isolated islands and hidden coves in its wake. This region is practically unknown, except to the few tourists who have the opportunity to visit. As you enter the magnificent southernmost part of Patagonia, you will travel through narrow sounds flanked by dramatic mountains. You will be passing several glaciers on the journey, and - weather permitting - take a closer look at one of them.
DAY 8 - PUERTO WILLIAMS/CAPE HORN - B,L,D
Early this morning you will reach Puerto Williams, one of the world's most southernmost towns, located on the tiny islands of Isla Navarino. The town is named Williams after the Chilean Navy's outstanding marine who founded Fort Bulnes in 1845. Only the choppy waters of the narrow Beagle Channel separate it from Argentine Tierra del Fuego where high glaciated peaks provide a magnificent snowy backdrop. The town was founded as a radio station in 1953 and later developed as a naval base. It has a population of 1,800 people. In the afternoon you will arrive at the famous Cape Horn. The Cape is the southernmost point in Chile and South America, situated at almost 56 degrees south. This region is of great significance due to its location, history of exploration, discovery and commercial sailing. Weather permitting your ship will anchor off at Cape Horn, where you may disembark the ship in order to explore this desolate and yet poetic piece of land at the end of the world. Landing at this elusive Cape is extremely difficult due to the recurrent weather conditions that affect the area. Though all efforts will be made to perform a landing, it might not occur or be cancelled based on the sole discretion of the captain.
DAY 9-10 - DRAKE PASSAGE - B,L,D
The Drake Passage connects the southern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You will be heading for the Northern-most tip of the continent, the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, which will be reached in the afternoon on day 10. While you cross this stretch of water to Antarctica, a series of lectures will be held on board on topics related to the history and wildlife of Antarctica, as well as the "Guidelines for Visitors" to Antarctica.
DAYS 10-15 - ANTARCTICA - B,L,D
Antarctica, "The White Continent," is more than half the size of North America. On the Antarctic Peninsula you'll experience the narrow, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel, considered one of most beautiful passages in Antarctica-where humpback and killer whales, various penguins, and elephant seals are a common sight-and the breathtaking Neumayer Channel, with its majestic cliffs. Visits by PolarCirkel boats will be attempted in various locations (weather permitting), including: Half Moon Island, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, home to chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, and Antarctic terns. Whale spotting is also common here. Whalers Bay on Deception Island, with its warm springs and black volcanic sand, home to hundreds of chinstrap penguins. Ukrainian Vernadsky Base, with its abundant bird life. Almirante Brown in Paradise Harbor, named for its beauty, with ice cliffs and floating icebergs, home to gentoo and chinstrap penguins.
Port Lockroy, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and ice shelves, and known for its gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants. Neko Harbor off Errera Channel, home to hundreds of gentoo penguins, weddell and elephant seals, is believed to be part of main land Antarctica. Polish Arctowski Base in Admiralty Bay, where Adelie penguins and elephant seals can be found. Petermann Island, the southernmost island in the Lemaire Channel, home to a gentoo-penguin colony. You will depart from Antarctica early in the morning on day 15.
DAY 15-16 - THE DRAKE PASSAGE - B,L,D
During your crossing, various Antarctica topics will be summed up. The distance from the Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Horn, southern tip of South America, is approximately 800 kilometres, or around 35 hours of sailing time with good weather conditions. This is a unique crossing that few ever get to experience.
DAY 17 - USHUAIA/BUENOS AIRES - B
In the morning you will reach the Argentinean city of Ushuaia. Ushuaia is reckoned to be the most southerly city in the world and is situated on Tierra del Fuego Island south of the Magellan Strait. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel including a short orientation tour of the city before checking in. The afternoon is at your disposal to experience this "Paris of South America."
DAY 18 - BUENOS AIRES/RETURN TO INDIA (or your home country) - B
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S.
DAY 19 - ARRIVE IN INDIA (or your home country)

B=Buffet Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

MS Nordnorge and MS Nordkapp (photo courtesy: Norwegian Coastal Voyage).

ANTARCTICA PROGRAMS ON BOARD MS NORDNORGE 2007-2008:
NOV 14-DEC 2, 2007; DEC 12-DEC 30, 2007; JAN 9-JAN 27, 2008; FEB 6-FEB 24, 2008.
Contact us to learn about early booking discounts ranging from US$ 2200 to US$1400 per cabin (good through November).

Click here for more information and photos of MS Nordnorge.

For (REVERSE SAILING) 19-day Antarctica/Chilean cruises (Buenos Aires - Santiago), click here.

-For 21-day Antarctica, South Georgia, Falkland Island cruise in October (Buenos Aires-Buenos Aires), click here.

-For 21-day Antarctica, South Georgia, Falkland Island cruise in February (Buenos Aires-Buenos Aires), click here.

-For the 13-day Antarctica program on the 2007-built exploration ship MS Fram (Santiago - Santiago), click here.

To read Antarctica letters click here.

To view an Antarctica photo essay, click here.

To view the Antarctica virtual cruise, click here.

To read about pre and post Antarctica tours click here.

We offer the right Antarctica cruise at the right price. Call toll free 1-800-345-3324 (within INDIA) or +91 33 2473 8096 or go to How to Book.

Download Antarctica 2007/2008 expedition e-brochure

Download the 2008/09 Antarctica e-brochure (pdf file)