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Trip Inspiration

22 Days in Antarctica

Experience the beauty of Antarctica

Embark on an extraordinary adventure to the heart of the White Continent, where exploration takes on a whole new meaning. This journey immerses you in snow-dusted landscapes, towering glaciers, and vibrant wildlife, including emperor penguins, albatrosses, leopard seals, and blue whales. Along the way, explore the remote Falkland Islands and South Georgia, where every moment is a chance to connect with nature.

An outline of Antarctica.

Trip Highlights

Locations

  • Chile: Experience the vibrant culture of Santiago
  • Antarctica: Venture into the remote wonderland teeming with unique wildlife and breathtaking scenery

Activities

  • Savor a one-of-a-kind culinary experience in Santiago with fine Chilean wines
  • Hike scenic landscapes, spotting a variety of wildlife
  • Cruise past towering icebergs
  • Join expert-led Zodiac excursions
  • Unwind with fine dining, a luxury spa, elegant lounges, and an outdoor pool
Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client,

offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. We are sharing this itinerary to inspire and provide an example of what a trip to Antarctica might look like. When you are ready to design a trip just for you, please let us know.

Day 1

Arrive in Santiago, Chile

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival, you will be met for your private transfer to the Ritz Carlton Hotel where reservations will be made for two nights.

Ritz Carlton Meals: N/A

Day 2

Santiago

Enjoy the morning and afternoon at leisure. Explore the vibrant city of Santiago or take advantage of the amenities available at your hotel.

Cooking class in Santiago, Chile.

This evening, a local chef will welcome you into their home for a culinary experience showcasing Chile’s rich heritage. Enjoy a memorable night where each course takes you on a journey, perfectly paired with wines selected to complement and enhance the flavors of your meal. As you dine, take in remarkable views of the Andes from the exclusive Vitacura neighborhood.

Ritz Carlton Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 3

Santiago to Puerto Williams

Today you will be met for your private transfer to the Santiago Airport for your flight to Puerto Williams. Upon arrival in Puerto Williams, you will be met for your transfer to the pier to board the Silver Wind.

About the Silver Wind

Timelessly elegant and luxuriously relaxed, Silver Wind’s enhanced versatility allows it to seamlessly navigate from the Polar Regions to iconic ports with ease. With 24 zodiacs and a zodiac-to-guest ratio of 1:11, you’ll explore further in unparalleled comfort. Guests enjoy four exceptional restaurants, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a luxury spa, a show lounge, and more aboard the Silver Wind.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4

At Sea

Days at sea offer the ideal chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy onboard activities. Whether it’s hitting the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading, or soaking up the sun, these tranquil sea days perfectly complement the excitement of exploring onshore.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Woman lounging by the pool.

Day 5

West Point Island, Falkland Islands

A remote northwestern outpost of the Falkland Islands, West Point Island teems with wildlife. Step ashore to the calls of black-browed albatrosses, the island’s original namesake, as they nest in colonies along the cliffs.

Albatrosses in the Falkland Islands.

Hike through quiet landscapes, spotting endemic plants like Felton’s flower, and take in dramatic coastal views. Towering sandstone cliffs, including the archipelago’s highest, drop into swirling waves where Commerson’s dolphins play. Keep an eye out for fur seals lounging along the shore as you explore this windswept sanctuary.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6

Saunders Island, Falkland Islands

Meet some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife on Saunders Island, where the British established their first Falklands settlement in 1765. Now a grazing ground for sheep, it’s also home to other animals such as elephant seals, Peale’s dolphins, and king penguins.

Connected by sweeping beaches and dunes, the island’s dramatic landscapes lead to The Neck, a hotspot for penguin activity. Watch gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins waddle, chatter, and dive into the waves. Hike to Mount Richards’ summit for panoramic views of Carcass and West Point Islands and visit the northern cliffs to spot black-browed albatrosses nesting and taking flight.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

King Penguin in the Falkland Islands.

Day 7

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, is a fascinating blend of remote wilderness and British charm—where you can grab a pint, enjoy fish and chips, and stroll past Christ Church Cathedral’s iconic whalebone arch. The islands’ history is complex, having been claimed by the French, Spanish, British, and Argentinians before the brief but intense Falklands War of 1982 ensured they remained a British territory. Today, reminders of this past can be seen in landmarks like Thatcher Drive and the Historic Docklands Museum.

The true stars of Stanley are the penguins. Five species, including the rare rockhopper, nest here, offering incredible opportunities to observe them up close in their natural habitat.

Rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands.

For those looking to explore, four distinct shore excursions await: a guided tour of Stanley’s highlights, a visit to the 1982 battlefield sites, a scenic hike up Mount William, or a trip to Gypsy Cove, where stunning beaches and Magellanic penguins make for an unforgettable outing.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8-9

Coffee and a book on the table at the observation lounge.

At Sea

Days at sea offer the ideal chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy onboard activities. Whether it’s hitting the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading, or soaking up the sun, these tranquil sea days perfectly complement the excitement of exploring onshore.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 10-12

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

A land of towering, snow-draped peaks and immense glaciers, South Georgia is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural sanctuaries. Here, wildlife reigns supreme—king penguins gather in vast, colorful colonies, elephant seals lounge along the shores, and albatrosses glide effortlessly on the wind.

Penguins and seals in South Georgia.

Once a remote whaling outpost, this British overseas territory now serves as a haven for marine life, with whales freely navigating its icy waters once more. The island is also deeply tied to the legacy of Ernest Shackleton, whose legendary Antarctic expedition led him to these shores in 1916. During your time here, visit the museum honoring his story and pay tribute at his final resting place.

South Georgia town.

Throughout your time in South Georgia, join the Silversea Expedition Team for guided excursions that bring you closer to the island’s remarkable landscapes and wildlife. From the lively calls of seabirds to the breathtaking sight of glaciers meeting the sea, these days promise a truly immersive encounter with the raw beauty and history of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 13-14

At Sea

Days at sea offer the ideal chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy onboard activities. Whether it’s hitting the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading, or soaking up the sun, these tranquil sea days perfectly complement the excitement of exploring onshore.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Massage table.

Day 15

Elephant Island

Today you will explore Elephant Island, a place of legend where history and beauty collide. Named for the elephant seals once seen on its shores, it became famous in 1916 when Ernest Shackleton and his crew sought refuge here. Stranded for months in the brutal Antarctic winter, their survival remains one of exploration’s greatest feats.

Elephant Island monument.

On arrival, you’ll see Endurance Glacier, named for their lost ship, and visit Point Wild, where a monument to Shackleton’s expedition stands among gentoo penguins. Beyond its history, Elephant Island offers striking icy landscapes, magnificent wildlife, and the thrill of tracing the path of past explorers.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 16

Antarctic Sound

On this day, you’ll explore the Antarctic Sound, where massive icebergs drift through the waters at the northern tip of the peninsula. Named for the first ship to navigate it in 1902, the Antarctic, this passage is a gateway to breathtaking landscapes and thriving wildlife.

Iceberg in the Antarctic Sound.

Experience it up close with two unforgettable excursions: a Zodiac cruise among towering ice and a hike across the frozen terrain. Along the way, watch for gentoo penguins, cape petrels, and other remarkable wildlife that calls this icy world home.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 17-18

Antarctic Peninsula

Over the next two days, you will explore the Antarctic Peninsula. Unseen by humans until 1820, the peninsula is a place of discovery, dotted with research stations at the forefront of scientific exploration. Here, scientists study the landscape and its astonishing wildlife.

Adelie penguin in the Antarctic Peninsula.

As you explore this region, you’ll cruise past towering icebergs, watch glaciers calve into the sea, and spot thriving colonies of Adélie penguins against a backdrop of snow-covered peaks.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 19

South Shetland Islands

Today you will explore the South Shetland Islands, a remote archipelago just beyond the Antarctic Peninsula. Home to research stations, elephant seals, and bustling colonies of gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, these rugged islands are alive with activity.

South Shetland Islands hike.

Cruise past towering Mount Foster and into the heart of Deception Island’s caldera volcano. Step ashore to hike its otherworldly terrain and, if you’re feeling adventurous, take a dip in the steaming, geothermally heated waters of Pendulum Cove.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 20-21

The Drake Passage

As you cruise through these iconic waters, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings, including the giant petrel gliding above and the elusive albatrosses soaring across the vast, open sea. This crossing, often referred to as a rite of passage for those venturing to Antarctica, offers a chance to reflect on the adventure you’ve just experienced while being immersed in the beauty of the Southern Ocean.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Albatross bird flying.

Day 22

Puerto Williams

Today marks the end of your extraordinary expedition. You will disembark the Silver Wind and continue to your onward travels home.

Aboard Silver Wind Meals: Breakfast