Antarctica & Falklands Expedition
From Punta Arenas to Buenos Aires
24-day all-inclusive Antarctica expedition cruise from Santiago de Chile to Buenos Aires
A 24-day late-summer odyssey to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and Patagonia's Puerto Madryn. Includes an epic ten days exploring the White Continent.
Spot whales and penguins; witness breathtaking, extended sunsets; and join the Expedition Team hiking, kayaking, ice-cruising and perhaps even camping overnight on the Antarctic snow.
Land on scenic beaches and follow grassland trails to discover the wildlife of the Falkland Islands, and visit the charming capital, Stanley.
The frozen continent
After a flight from Santiago de Chile, you’ll embark in Punta Arenas and head towards Antarctica. You’ll spend 10 days exploring the continent in its late summer months. At this time of year, beautiful sunsets paint the ice and snow in shades of gold, orange and pink. As always, nature is in charge. We’ll adjust our plans according to the elements to bring you the best possible landing sites and wildlife-spotting opportunities.
The Falklands and Puerto Madryn
Your adventure then continues with three days in the Falkland Islands. Visit the capital Stanley with its charming red buses, restaurants and pubs, and discover the variety of wildlife living on the more remote parts of the islands. You’ll then call at Puerto Madryn, known for its stunning beaches and nearby nature reserve, before your adventure comes to an end in vibrant Buenos Aires.
Key Expedition Details
Itinerary
Your adventure at a glance. Daily highlights, included activities, and optional extras to make it unforgettable.
The sights of Santiago de Chile
Welcome to Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central to the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. Check out the Sky Costanera, which offers panoramic views of the city from 1,000 feet up.
With so much to discover in and around the city, you may want to arrive a few days early to join one of our optional Pre-Programmes.
Begin your expedition cruise in Punta Arenas
You'll have an early start today as we depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port, where your expedition ship awaits. Once you’ve boarded the ship, get settled in, explore, and meet your Expedition Team.
As well as being your guides, hosts and local experts, they’re also your travel companions for the next three weeks. Friendly and welcoming, they’ll answer any questions you may have during your adventure in Antarctica, the Falklands and Puerto Madryn.
Centre on science before your Antarctic adventure
On the two-day crossing through the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will equip you with all you need to make the most of your expedition cruise.
Visit the onboard Science Centre and find out what lies ahead. Listen to experts talk passionately about Antarctica’s history, the science beneath the ice, and the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. You'll learn how to make your visit as safe and as low-impact as possible, and about the Citizen Science projects you can join.
There's plenty of time to relax, so unwind in the hot tub and sauna, enjoy some delicious cuisine and meet fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.
Experience Antarctica in all its natural majesty
Nothing quite prepares you for the awe of Antarctica. Surrounded by towering glaciers, the continent will fill you with wonder as you spend ten magical days exploring its frozen landscape.
Large groups of penguins huddle on the ice floes, avoiding the cunning leopard seals that hunt them. Migrating whales glide among amazing icebergs as they feed on krill. Bird enthusiasts should look out for some of the many species of Antarctic seabirds that live here, such as skuas, cormorants, petrels and terns.
When we arrive, the Antarctic summer is coming to an end, so you can look forward to seeing the landscape beautifully illuminated by breathtaking sunsets. It’s a great time to see penguins in their final stage of moulting and its peak whale-watching season as large amounts of krill lure cetaceans to the area.
Here, nature is king, and we are mere observers. Our experienced Captain will continually monitor conditions to create the best possible itinerary for your adventure. You’ll spend an exciting 10 days busily exploring several of the many possible landing sites in the South Shetlands and on the Antarctic Peninsula based on when and where conditions are at their best. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling.
You'll go on landings and ice cruises. You may even get a chance to go kayaking among the icebergs. Back on board, the Expedition Team will continue their lectures, giving you a deeper insight into the frozen continent.
Relax and prepare for more adventures ahead
As you savour your Antarctic experiences, prepare for more adventures ahead as we cruise towards the Falkland Islands. Your Expedition Team will brief you about the history and biology of the islands. In the Science Centre, you can look through the microscope at the tiny krill and phytoplankton that sustains so much of the region's wildlife.
Enjoy all the amenities on the ship and get tips on how to improve your images from our professional photographer, or join workshops on topics such as wildlife painting and nautical knot tying.
Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands
The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica. Enjoy a community walk around Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum.
Landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, which are often found sharing space with seals, and getting as close as we can without disturbing them.
Relax and get ready for Puerto Madryn
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we sail towards Puerto Madryn. You’ll have experienced so much in Antarctica and the Falklands that your head will likely be a swirling kaleidoscope of special memories and new knowledge.
Join the Expedition Team in the Science Centre to examine special interests in more depth. Or simply relax on deck, recalling the highlights of your memorable adventure.
End the day in the Explorer Lounge & Bar with the new friends you’ve made on your trip, sharing experiences over a relaxing drink.
Visit a UNESCO wildlife haven
Puerto Madryn boasts warm temperatures and beautiful beaches. It’s also the gateway to the dramatic Valdes Peninsula, and while we’re here, you can explore a stunning nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You might get the chance to see marine mammals. There are also no less than 180 species of birds living on the peninsula, so don’t forget to bring your binoculars. Stroll through the tranquil natural beauty of the reserve, enjoy a delicious bite to eat and browse the local arts and crafts shops.
Time at sea to rest and reflect
As we sail the final leg from Puerto Madryn to Buenos Aires, enjoy your final day at sea.
This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in Antarctica, the Falklands and Puerto Madryn. Enjoy the onboard comforts one last time. Relax in the hot tubs or sauna or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar. And you can join the Expedition Team in the Science Centre for further investigations and contribute to Citizen Science projects.
Enjoy an expedition finale in Buenos Aires
Your expedition cruise to Antarctica, the Falklands and Puerto Madryn comes to an end in Buenos Aires.
Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache. If you have time before your onward journey, enjoy exploring this vibrant city.
And if you're not ready to end your adventures just yet, why not join one of our optional Post-Programmes.
Included activities & excursions
These activities are included with your trip. Dates and times will be confirmed closer to departure, you’ll just need to reserve your spot after booking.
What else is included?
Optional extras
Enhance your journey with optional extras. Some activities are only bookable onboard and can’t be reserved online or by phone. Subject to availability.
Our Antarctica ship
Get a taste of what life is like on board the ships that sail on this itinerary
Offers
Enjoy limited-time savings on selected sailings. Combinable on select offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to complete a Medical Screening Form?
Due to the remote nature of our expeditions to Antarctica, it’s important for us to be aware of any health concerns. To prioritise the health and safety of our guests and crew, a Medical Screening Form is required for expeditions to Antarctica. For more detailed information on this topic, click here.
What is the Medical Screening Form Promise?
Our promise to you is that if your Medical Screening Form is declined for medical reasons as determined by Vikand Solutions, we will refund you of all bookings made by HX up until the date of declinature. This includes all applicable flights, hotels and ground transportation.
This offer applies per booked cabin on voyages to Antarctica departing from 1 October 2024.
The Medical Screening Form must be submitted to HX via the Vikand portal no later than 4 weeks prior to the departure date.
Our promise to you is that if your Medical Screening Form is declined for medical reasons as determined by Vikand Solutions, we will refund you of all bookings made by HX up until the date of declinature. This includes all applicable flights, hotels and ground transportation.
This offer excludes a refund of any bookings made outside of HX (including any bookings made by yourself). Please refer to your insurance policy for any costs booked outside of HX.
This offer must be claimed within 60 days prior to the departure date.
HX reserves the right to withdraw or amend this offer at any time. Please check at the time of booking as to the status of this offer.
This offer does not apply to re-scheduled or cancelled voyages.
This promise only applies to the first Medical Form submitted. It is not allowed to re-submit multiple form until failure.
Rebookings can be made at no additional cost, subject to applicable booking conditions.
How do I complete the Medical Screening Form?
We require all guests (including children) to submit and complete the Medical Form prior to departure to Antarctica.
Complete the form online through the Vikand Medical portal. It includes sections for both you and your doctor to fill out. You can begin the process up to 120 days before your sailing start date. Group bookings: access opens 90 days before your sailing start date. To start, Vikand will verify your name against our passenger list. If your name isn’t found, please contact HX or your local travel agent(if you booked through one) to ensure your name has been added to the booking exactly as it appears on your passport. For Doctor’s section - if your doctor can't sign the form, please consult an alternative or use Vikand’s online doctor service.
To make sure you receive important updates about your Medical Screening Form, we’ll send a verification email to the address you provided. Please check your inbox (and Spam/Junk folders) and click the verification link to continue. Once verified, you can complete the Guest Section of the form. If you don’t receive the email, try using an alternative address for future updates.
Please note: We only accept the Medical Screening Form available through Vikand portal and has been specially designed for HX sailings to remote destinations.
What is a solo supplement?
A solo supplement is an additional cost for occupying a cabin alone. At HX, we actively work to reduce or remove this wherever possible. We offer two kinds of solo offers, (1) no solo supplement offers and (2) reduced solo supplements offers (e.g., 25% instead of a 100%).
What is included when I book a suite?
À la carte dining option | On the ships that have a Lindstrøm restaurant, suite guests are offered the chance to have all their meals here. Reservations must be made on board and are offered upon availability.
Room service | Room service is available only aboard MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen in these selected suites: MF-700, MD-701, MC-749, MC-756, MA-800, MA-801, MC-849, MC-856, MC-919, MC-932. Free of charge, room service is available only from the Lindstrøm menu during the restaurant’s opening hours.
Suite check-in | Are first to check in as per our timeslot system. An exclusive welcome area in Lindstrøm is available for suite guests, where they may meet and greet some of the ship officers.
Welcome greeting | On embarkation day, all guests receive a Galápagos Big 15 wildlife book and a reusable water bottle. Turn-down service | Suite guests will receive a daily turn-down service, including fresh towels and chocolate or similar on the pillow.
Laundry service | This service is free of charge for all suite guests. One laundry bag limit per day per suite.
Minibar | Daily replenishment of the minibar is included for suites (The first round is included, any additional refills will charged ).
Beverages | House wine, beer, soft drinks, and still and sparkling water are available and complimentary at lunch and dinner. For cabin guests, premium drinks and signature cocktails are not included; for suite guests, signature cocktails, premium beers and wines by the glass are included (premium wines including sparkling by the bottle at extra cost). Coffee, tea, and potable water that has been purified on board are included throughout the day.
For those on Santa Cruz II, only guests who book a suite will receive:
Welcome greeting | On embarkation day, all guests will receive a complimentary Galapagos wildlife book and a reusable water bottle. Suite guests will receive an additional welcome gift in their cabin.
Turn-down service | Guests will receive a daily turn-down service, including fresh towels and chocolate or similar on the pillow.
Wi-fi | Guests will receive limited complimentary Wi-fi access. Additional Wi-Fi is available for purchase, but due to the Galapagos’ remote location, please be aware that the internet connection is intermittent and low-bandwidth.
Wetsuit rental | Wetsuit rental is complimentary for all guests on request.
