ANTARCTICA:
JOURNEY to the FAR SOUTH
There is Antarctica, and then there is the world beyond 66°33′S: the Antarctic Circle. This journey takes us deep into the White Continent, where immense glaciers meet sculpted blue ice, penguin colonies animate remote shores, seals rest among the ice, and whales move through the krill-rich waters of the Antarctic summer. With seven planned full days to explore, our ambition is to venture beyond the familiar reaches of the Peninsula and cross the Antarctic Circle, entering a world few travelers ever experience.
Traveling later in the season brings Antarctica to life in a different way. Humpback whales gather to feed, penguin chicks prepare for independence, and the retreat of summer sea ice can open passages into increasingly remote reaches of the continent. Here, our days aren’t dictated by anything but wildlife, weather, ice, and opportunity, allowing us to discover Antarctica on its own terms and experience one of Earth’s last great wildernesses with remarkable intimacy and access.
YOUR SAFARI at a GLANCE
WE WILL BE BACK!”
WHERE you’ll STAY
Aureum is an intimate, purpose-designed expedition vessel created for exploration at the farthest reaches of the map, offering an exceptional balance of capability, stability, and refined comfort. With just 36 guests, the experience feels distinctly personal and unhurried.
Following an extensive 2026–27 refit, Aureum pairs a 1C ice-class hull with active fin stabilizers and hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, combining serious polar capability with contemporary comfort. With six senior polar guides and four Zodiacs, everyone onboard can be exploring within minutes, maximizing precious time ashore and on the water.
Life on board is designed around the world outside. An unobstructed forward observation deck provides a front-row vantage point for wildlife and photography, while the open bridge invites guests alongside the captain and expedition team to watch navigation, ice charts, and the journey itself unfold in real time.
Warm, contemporary interiors and ensuite cabins provide an inviting retreat between excursions, complemented by an intimate dining room and lounge. After returning from the ice, a top-deck sauna, hot tub, and gym offer a welcome place to unwind while remaining surrounded by the extraordinary polar landscape.
Set along the waterfront of Puerto Natales with sweeping views across the fjord and surrounding Patagonian mountains, Weskar Lodge offers a warm and intimate base before and after our Antarctic expedition. Built with native lenga wood and inspired by the landscapes and traditions of southern Patagonia, the lodge combines a relaxed sense of place with easy access to the character and restaurants of Puerto Natales.
Upon our return, Weskar provides an inviting base for a few final days in Patagonia, whether spent exploring Puerto Natales or venturing into the extraordinary landscapes of nearby Torres del Paine.
DAY by DAY ITINERARY
Arrive in Puerto Natales, our gateway to Antarctica, where you’ll be met and transferred to Weskar Lodge overlooking the waters and mountains of Patagonia. The afternoon is yours to settle in before gathering for our expedition briefing and a Patagonian welcome dinner as we prepare for the journey ahead.
Weather permitting, we board our private charter flight for the approximately two-hour journey across the Southern Ocean to King George Island. Stepping onto Antarctica for the first time, we’ll make our way to the shore and board a Zodiac for the short transfer to Aureum.
Once aboard, we settle into our cabins and begin our journey south, leaving the South Shetland Islands behind as the landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula begin to unfold.
Our first days are spent exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, where immense glaciers descend from mountain peaks and sculpted icebergs drift through nearby bays and channels. Each day brings opportunities to venture ashore and explore by Zodiac, visiting penguin colonies and searching the surrounding ice and water for seals and whales.
Possible areas of exploration include the Gerlache Strait and some of the Peninsula’s celebrated waterways and landing sites, but there is no fixed route. Wildlife, light, weather, and ice will determine where we go and how each day unfolds.
As we continue south, the landscape becomes increasingly remote and the sense of exploration deepens. Our ambition is to reach and cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33′S, navigating through a world of immense glaciers, narrow channels, drifting sea ice, and rarely visited shores.
Conditions may allow us to explore areas such as Crystal Sound, The Gullet, Lallemand Fjord, Marguerite Bay, and Detaille Island. Here, far from the more frequently traveled reaches of the Peninsula, each landing and Zodiac excursion carries the possibility of something unexpected.
Our journey north offers new opportunities to explore places passed earlier or to follow entirely different routes as the conditions evolve. Late summer is an especially rewarding time for wildlife, with humpback whales feeding in krill-rich waters, penguin chicks preparing for independence, and seals resting among the ice.
Our expedition team continues searching for the most compelling wildlife encounters, landscapes, and conditions, making the most of every opportunity as we journey north.
Weather permitting, we return to King George Island and board our private charter flight across the Southern Ocean to Puerto Natales. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to Weskar Lodge and gather for a farewell dinner, reflecting on an extraordinary week spent deep within the Antarctic wilderness.
After breakfast, our hosted journey comes to a close. If our return from Antarctica operates on schedule, you may begin your journey home today or choose to take advantage of the three additional nights at Weskar Lodge included as part of our Peace of Mind Promise.
For those who stay, the days are yours to enjoy independently in Patagonia. Explore Puerto Natales at your own pace, relax along the waterfront, or arrange optional excursions into nearby Torres del Paine National Park through the lodge.
For guests choosing to stay, continue enjoying your included accommodation at Weskar Lodge and explore the region at your leisure. Optional experiences range from hiking and wildlife viewing to horseback riding and excursions into the extraordinary landscapes of Torres del Paine.
After breakfast, your included Peace of Mind stay concludes and you’ll be transferred to Puerto Natales Airport for your onward journey home.
Contact us to make this itinerary a private journey for your family or group or if you’d like to be notified of future departure dates.
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We welcome solo travelers on every trip, and chances are you won’t be the only one joining independently. For lodging, many trips offer a single supplement option, or you can opt to share accommodations with a traveler of the same gender.
If you have any questions about traveling alone, please reach out, and we would be more than happy to assist.
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"Drew’s journeys are in a league of their own. I just returned from Botswana — my fourth trip with Drew — every moment is intentional, immersive, and inspiring.”
"Drew’s journeys are in a league of their own. I just returned from Botswana — my fourth trip with Drew — every moment is intentional, immersive, and inspiring.”
"Drew’s journeys are in a league of their own. I just returned from Botswana — my fourth trip with Drew — every moment is intentional, immersive, and inspiring.”
