Our most comprehensive expedition to the Southern Ocean spans four iconic regions, bringing travelers to remote and seldom-seen locations where wildness and wildlife reign supreme. On this epic adventure aboard the ultimate polar ship, National Geographic Resolution, spend days immersed in the stunning landscapes of Patagonia’s fjords and glaciers; enjoy the windswept Falkland Islands, awash in British charm and history; continue on to the shores of South Georgia, where vast colonies of king penguins throng the beaches; and finish among the otherworldly beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. Flexibility is the hallmark of our expedition style, so the day-by-day itinerary often changes as we take full advantage of rare wildlife sightings, like whales feeding off the ship’s bow, or perfect conditions to embark on an evening Zodiac excursion.    

Highlights

• Discover four iconic regions in the company of top naturalists, National Geographic Photography Experts, and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica, with 55+ years of expedition heritage

• Navigate Chile’s coastal fjords and explore spectacular Glacier Alley, where monumental glaciers calve into the sea

• Visit Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands and a charming outpost of British culture tucked into a small bay

• Observe elephant seals, gentoo penguins, and 100,000 pairs of king penguins on a single beach in South Georgia

• Seek out Antarctica’s iconic wildlife—including penguins, seals, and orcas—and marvel at incandescent icebergs using our fleet of kayaks and Zodiacs

• Day 1 Santiago, Chile

  
  Transfer from the airport to the Ritz Carlton, Santiago (or similar). 

  Arrival Time: Arrive before 11:30 a.m. local time. 
  Arrival City: Santiago, Chile   

• Day 2 Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark Ship

  
  Today we fly south on our recommended flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost inhabited city, where we meet our ship; we’ll provide transfers to the airport and hotel and luggage assistance.*

  *If you are not purchasing our recommended flight, please get in touch with us to confirm your arrangements.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 3-5 Exploring the Chilean Fjords

  
  Sail into southern Patagonia’s vast wilderness of forested isles, mirror-like lakes, and snowcapped peaks. Myriad fjords cut between soaring granite walls and waterfalls tumble from high above. Explore the region known as Chile’s “Glacier Alley,” part of the UNESCO-recognized Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Cruise into the secluded Pia Fjord, admiring views of its massive glacier; and glide into Garibaldi Fjord in Alberto de Agostini National Park, where the Andes meet the sea. Get up close to the monumental wall of ice that marks the edge of Garibaldi Glacier, exploring by Zodiac or kayak. Continue to Agostini Fjord, where numerous glaciers originate from the nearby mountains, for a chance to witness thunderous glacial calving.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 6-7 Bahia Ainsworth / Tierra del Fuego: Karukinka Natural Park / At Sea

  
  Today begins in Ainsworth Bay, a stunning fjord surrounded by subpolar forest at the base of Marinelli Glacier, where we’ll keep an eye out for elephant seals. Then cruise to Tierra del Fuego and venture into the archipelago’s largest protected land area: Karukinka Natural Park. Visit this private reserve by special permission, searching for an array of wildlife that includes Andean foxes, guanacos, and black-browed albatross.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 8-9 Falkland Islands

  
  Everything we love about expedition travel seems to come together in the western Falkland Islands. Here, you can land on a beach tucked into a rocky cove, hike out across a rolling green pasture, and suddenly find yourself at the crest of a sea cliff looking out over the South Atlantic surf. Witness a breeding colony of black-browed albatross, and check out thousands of irresistible gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins that congregate on the shores, along with fur seals. 

  Stanley, the colorful capital of the Falkland Islands, is a wonderfully unexpected place: a charming outpost of British culture tucked into a small bay on the shore of these windswept islands in the far South Atlantic. Many Falkland Islanders still live in very traditional ways, and we’ll have a chance to visit a small farm to see some expert sheep shearing and learn the best techniques for cutting blocks of peat for the fire. The rocky hills and white sand beaches outside town offer some excellent hikes, and afterward, a cup of tea or a pint at the local tavern goes down very nicely.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 10-11 At Sea

  
  During our time at sea, learn about the fascinating history of Antarctic exploration, as well as the flora, fauna, and geology of South Georgia. Your naturalists will help identify the seabirds that follow the ship: wandering albatross, prions, and black-browed albatross.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 12-15 South Georgia

  
  Simply put, there is nowhere else in the world like South Georgia. Often referred to as the “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean,” for its jaw-dropping abundance of wildlife, this rugged and remote island offers one of nature’s most dazzling spectacles: tens of thousands of king penguins, the second largest species in the world, all nesting together on a single two-mile-long beach. It’s also home to huge elephant seals and playful Antarctic fur seals.  

  In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our schedule is flexible with opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac excursions as we explore South Georgia’s spectacular coastline. Enjoy a variety of activities each day, including visits to Grytviken—the final resting place of Shackleton—and Stromness Harbour, where Ernest Shackleton, Tom Crean, and Frank Worsley finally reached aid at a whaling station.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 16-17 At Sea

  
  As we voyage towards the Antarctic Continent, head up to the Bridge to watch for icebergs and observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There will also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, work out in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 18-22 Exploring Antarctica

  
  With long hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunities to explore. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected, whether we’re watching whales at play off the bow of our ship, hiking alongside penguin highways, or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid porpoising penguins. 

  While wildlife is magnificent, ice defines the Antarctic. You’ll get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze. One day, we might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, we might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. 

  Everywhere we go in Antarctica we’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way your expert expedition team will enrich every experience.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 23-24 At Sea

  
  This 500-mile-wide strait between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Sometimes ferocious, sometimes flat calm, the Drake is always a fascinating place in its own right. This part of the journey is our best opportunity to see gorgeous seabirds like the wandering albatross, and we might be lucky enough to encounter orca whales or rare species of dolphins. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot wildlife), attend a talk about the biology of the penguins you’ve just seen, or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge to look out over the waves and reflect on your incredible journey. Toast our epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner. Savor your final moments aboard ship as we make our way toward Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of the South American continent.

  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 25 Ushuaia / Disembark Ship / Santiago

  
  Disembark in Ushuaia and board our recommended flight to Santiago to connect with your flight home; we'll provide transfers to the airport and luggage assistance.*

  *If you are not purchasing our recommended flight, please get in touch with us to confirm your arrangements.

  Departure Time: Depart after 9:00 p.m. local time. 
  Departure City: Santiago, Chile 

  Meals Included: Breakfast

• Please note:

  Itineraries are subject to change.

15 January, 2027 to 08 February, 2027

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$66,816 NZD pp

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#406, 408, 411, 413, 415 — Fore Deck, with two large windows, two singles that can convert to a queen, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, window sofa, and a closet.

• National Geographic Resolution

  National Geographic Resolution

  Vessel Type: Expedition Ship

  Passenger Capacity: 126

  Built: 2020

  One of two next-generation ships purpose-built for polar exploration, National Geographic Resolution is named in tribute to Captain James Cook’s legendary second voyage aboard HMS Resolution. With a Polar Code Category A ice-class hull and a pioneering X-Bow® design, she offers unmatched comfort, stability, and quiet passage through even the most challenging polar waters—opening access to remote corners of the Arctic, Antarctica, and beyond.

  Designed for immersive exploration, the ship’s interior is warm, modern, and elegantly Scandinavian, with expansive windows throughout that keep the wild, ice-bound world always within view. Her six decks house 76 spacious cabins, inviting public spaces, and a full complement of expedition tools. Guests can relax in the observation lounge, library, or spa; enjoy flexible dining across three venues; or gear up in the Expedition Base before heading out in Zodiacs or kayaks. From polar bear sightings in Svalbard to navigating ice-choked channels in the Southern Ocean, Resolution is a state-of-the-art platform for discovering the planet’s most astonishing frontiers.