In-depth South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctica Expedition
23-day all-inclusive Antarctica expedition cruise with round-trip flights from Santiago de Chile
Start among the rolling green hills of the remote Falklands where penguin colonies and soaring albatross thrive.
Sail to South Georgia, ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’, for vast King Penguin colonies, fur seals, and echoes of historic polar exploration.
You’ll then venture to Antarctica’s frozen frontier and explore a realm of white mountains, glaciers, whales and penguins.
Wild islands of adventure
We’ll sail from Chile to explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, both Important Bird Areas teeming with wildlife. Falklands offers windswept beauty, while South Georgia features alpine landscapes, penguin colonies, fur seals, and abandoned whaling stations. Your Expedition Team will assess and adapt to the local weather conditions and ensure you have a truly unforgettable adventure.
An Antarctic expedition
Next up is incomparable Antarctica, the Seventh Continent. Every day that we explore the Antarctic Peninsula, our route and landings are guided by nature. In October and November, penguins start courting and nesting. In December and January, penguin chicks are adorable sights in the longer, milder days. Come February and March, more whales visit the polar waters and penguin chicks start to molt their down feathers.
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 market 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.
You may want to arrive a few days early to join one of our optional Pre-Programmes.
Board 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. Your expedition ship awaits you. Once you’ve boarded, get settled in, explore the ship, 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 Antarctic adventure.
Through the Strait of Magellan
With our course set for the Falkland Islands, soak up the mesmerising views all around you as you cruise through the Strait of Magellan. You can take in the scenery from the deck, the outdoor hot tub or the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar.
You can also join your Expedition Team in the onboard Science Center to listen to lectures, participate in Citizen Science projects and more. Whether it’s marine biology, Antarctic survival, oceanography or photography, your Expedition Team offers fascinating insights into the places you’ll see on your journey, and you’ll feed off their enthusiasm.
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 to come.
You'll also enjoy a community walk of Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum.
Our 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.
Cruising the South Atlantic
Sailing from the Falklands, we spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.
Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers.
The Expedition Team will also talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that we follow to make your visit as safe and low-impact as possible.
Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise
South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds and seals. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas and terns.
You'll spend four days exploring this remarkable area. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. We’re always guided by nature, responding to daily conditions to bring you the best possible experience.
While our itineraries are always flexible, they’re even more so during peak breeding seasons when the wildlife is most vulnerable to disturbance. When opportunities allow, we’ll land and wildlife watch. When our presence could disturb the animals, we’ll choose another place to visit and as always, these decisions are made by your Expedition Team and are based on lifetimes of combined experience in these destinations. Sometimes we’ll land, sometimes we’ll cruise, it’s all part of the adventure!
Time to relax and reflect
After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while we head towards Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far. Antarctica is a symbol of global cooperation, dedicated to peace, science and wildlife conservation. Protected by the Antarctic Treaty, it remains free of military conflict, preserving its pristine environment for future generations.
As a hub for scientific research on climate change and ecosystems, it offers unique insights into nature's resilience. Why not join one of our Citizen Science programmes to help collect data for global research projects.
Experience Antarctica in all its natural majesty
Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins watch erect from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge.
While we’re here we’ll explore several possible landing sites, on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling.
We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays, where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also get a chance to go kayaking among icebergs and seals, or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint.
Bird enthusiasts should look skywards for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you'll learn more about this precious habitat and how we can all protect it for the future
Looking for land ahead
As we say goodbye to the frozen continent, MS Fram turns to take you north over the Drake Passage and towards Punta Arenas.
This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. Enjoy the onboard comforts. Relax in the hot tubs or sauna or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar. When the Drake Passage is behind us, we’ll enter the scenic Beagle Channel, surrounded by mountains plunging straight into the icy water. Watch for Patagonian wildlife as we sail through this wild and remote area.
Onwards from Punta Arenas
Your Antarctica expedition cruise comes to an end in Punta Arenas. From here, you'll catch a flight to Santiago de Chile and then your connecting flight home, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories.
However, if you're not ready to end your adventures just yet why not extend your trip and join our optional Post-Programme.
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
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.
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.
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, the suite guests will find a carabiner watch, a bottle of champagne, and a welcome greeting from the captain in their suite after check-in.
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.
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%).
