Arrive in Santiago and settle into the Mandarin Oriental (or similar) before a guided overview of the vibrant Chilean capital backed by the Andes.

Today, you fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southern gateway to Patagonia. Embark National Geographic Explorer or National Geographic Resolution

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 Andean foxes, guanacos, black-browed albatross, and more. Then sail to Ainsworth Bay, a stunning fjord surrounded by subpolar forest, keeping an eye out for elephant seals.

Local pilots will join your Captain on the Bridge to guide you through the winding Kirke Narrows, accessible only to small expedition ships. You then continue your discovery of the Chilean fjords, where you may explore by ship or take a forest walk.

Early this morning, you dock in picturesque Puerto Natales before exploring the majestic Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Set out by foot or by vehicle across the windswept, rugged landscape, which spans more than 550,000 acres and harbors an astounding variety of geological forms, from the soaring granite pillars of the “horns” to windswept grasslands to rivers, glaciers, and gem-colored lagoons. Keep an eye out for guanacos, rheas, foxes, and armadillos.

Today, enter the Strait of Magellan to explore Francisco Coloane Marine Park. The park covers more than 165,000 acres of land and sea and is home to abundant wildlife, including humpback whales, two species of sea lions, and Magellanic penguins. Cruise along the coastline by Zodiac and kayak to spot black-and-white Peale’s dolphins, the endangered Chilean dolphin, and Andean condors.

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.

Sail to Antarctica via the Drake Passage, named after 16th-century English admiral Sir Francis Drake. Watch for dozens of species of seabirds gliding alongside the ship—including the albatross, which boasts the longest wingspan of any extant bird—and enjoy talks from the onboard naturalists about the wildlife and geology that await us on the Antarctic Peninsula.

With long hours of daylight at this time of year, you have ample opportunities to explore. Your flexible schedule allows you to take advantage of the unexpected, whether you’re watching whales at play off the bow of your ship or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid glittering icebergs. One day, you 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 on a beach amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. The next, you might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. Your expert expedition team will enrich your experiences.

Relax onboard and enjoy the ship’s amenities as the coast of Antarctica disappears from view. Round the southernmost tip of South America at Cape Horn and witness the dramatic Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meeting en route to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Disembark in Ushuaia and board your flight to Santiago to connect with your overnight flight home.