Antarctica trip | Ponant expedition cruise: in search of the emperor penguin

Sandwiched between Antarctica's South Shetland Islands and Cape Horn in South America, the Drake Passage is said to be the world's roughest passage. This famous passage stretches 800 kilometres wide and is the point where the Pacific, Atlantic and South Seas meet to create an area known for its crashing mix of strong winds and turbulent waters. This two-day crossing brings its own rewards with visitors enjoying a thrilling cruise on an Antarctic expedition. An array of wildlife can be spotted in the icy waters, including dolphins, whales, petrels, albatrosses and penguins.

Warmer and more accessible than the rest of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula is a popular destination for those looking to experience one of the most fascinating landscapes on the planet. Snow-capped mountains descend into icy blue waters with beautiful icebergs and numerous islands. Although it extends only 1,300 km into the ocean, the peninsula is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including penguins, whales and seals. Activities include trips to a volcanic island, swimming in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove, and the chance to cross the Antarctic Circle.

At the Weddell Sea, the enormous icebergs and endless ice sheets form a landscape unlike any other. The Weddell Sea is a rarely visited, heavily ice-covered and beautiful part of Antarctica where penguin colonies thrive and which is home to many seals and seabirds. The best-known seal in this area is the Weddell seal, with its dark grey coat and speckled belly. To maintain access to the sea and to be able to fish, the Weddell seal has special teeth that enable it to chis-el a hole in the thick ice.
Travellers can enjoy viewing the huge colony of Adélie penguins on Paulet Island, exploring the historic Snow Hill Island and visiting the northernmost point of the Antarctic continent, Brown Bluff, with its unique ice-covered volcanic formations, impressive cliffs and fallen boulders.

Situated between the Joinville archipelago and the north-eastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Antarctic Sound is a waterway approximately 56 kilometres long and 13 to 22 kilometres wide. The strait was named after the expedition ship Antarctic, which was used during the Swedish Antarctic Expedition led by Otto Nordenskjöld. In 1902, under the command of Carl Anton Larsen, the ship became the first vessel to successfully navigate these icy waters.
The region is renowned for its impressive table icebergs and spectacular polar landscapes. It also serves as a vital habitat for a wide variety of animal species, including penguin colonies, seals and seabirds. Since 2005, an increasing number of expedition ships have been visiting the Antarctic Sound, giving travellers the chance to experience Antarctica’s remote beauty and unique ecosystem up close.

Santiago de Chile lies in a valley surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Andes. It is one of the most European cities in Latin America and is one of the few cities in the world from which, within an hour’s drive, you can find yourself on a ski slope or on a beach by the sea.
Santiago de Chile is also close to Chile’s wine regions, where the world-famous Chilean wines are produced. The city itself boasts many monuments and beautiful parks. Be sure not to miss the statue of the Virgin Mary atop ‘Cerro de San Cristóbal’. The view over the city from here is spectacular. You’ll find cosy restaurants and bars in the colourful Bellavista district and the bohemian Lastarria district, amongst others.

Remote and stunningly beautiful, Patagonia stretches across part of both Chile and Argentina and offers some of the most awe-inspiring hiking trails in the world. It is made up of several regions, each with its own unique beauty. Southern Patagonia, with its icy landscapes and geometric granite peaks; central Patagonia, a wilderness of rainforest and coastal plain; and northern Patagonia, where the cobalt lakes and lush valleys of the Lakes District and Araucania converge.

The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world stretching over 7000 km. The southern tip of this majectic mountain range lies south of Llullaillaco in Argentina and Chile and is home to the southern Andean steppe. It is a unique ecoregion defined by its cold desert climate and tough grasslands. Some of the larger mammals that have adapted to this harsh environment are the puma, the Andean fox and two relatives of the llama: the vicuña (Peru's national animal) and the guanaco.

Located on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, this world-renowned national park was the first coastal beach in Argentina. The park consists of forests close to the coast and has parallel mountain ranges that divide the park into valleys. Activities in the national park include hiking and exploring the unique animal and plant life.

The Argentine part of southern Patagonia is a phenomenal place. It is known for its icy, windswept landscapes, vast remote empty Patagonian steppe and diverse wildlife. This picturesque remote landscape is home to the region's main highlights: the Torres del Paine National Park that overflows into Chile and Los Glaciares National Park, both of which contain deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and ancient forests. Visitors to this area can enjoy some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world, including: the annual whale encounter on the rugged Valdes Peninsula and the stunning Patagonian ice fields with colossal glaciers. Popular activities include hiking, camping, whale watching, mountaineering, climbing and horse riding.

Located in Argentina's Patagonia, the region known as 'Atlantic Patagonia' is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. The remarkable landscape is characterised by stunning fjords, glistening bays and remote coves that meet the lowlands of the Pampas. This spectacularly beautiful area is home to the famous Valdes Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its marine life, especially for the orcas that hunt sea lions on the beach itself. This wild Patagonian coastal area offers visitors plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. Don't miss the Cabo Dos Bahias nature reserve, inhabited by a huge penguin colony and countless birds, sea lions and walruses.

The Gerlache Strait, which divides the Palmer Archipelago and the Antarctic Peninsula, is a vast waterway known for its surreal beauty. Its spectacularly stark landscape includes distant snow-capped mountains, spiky blue icebergs and remarkably impressive glacial landscapes. Visitors can look forward to spotting penguins waddling and gliding on huge ice shelves, catching a glimpse of humpback whales breaking through into arctic waters, checking out the abandoned Norwegian ghost ship in Gouvernoren Harbour and simply enjoying the awe-inspiring views on one of the many expeditions and cruises that meander through this scenic channel.

The Southern Ocean, also known as the Australian Ocean and the Antarctic Ocean, consists of the southern foothills of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, making it the fourth largest ocean in the world. It is dotted with a variety of islands, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Heard and Macquarie Islands, the South Shetland Islands and the Southern Orkney Islands. Visitors can explore this majestic, icy ocean and follow the footsteps of some of the most legendary expeditions of our time.

Central Chile is home to the capital, Santiago, as well as a number of fantastic off-the-beaten-track destinations and stunning natural attractions. Pichilemu is one of the continent’s premier surfing destinations, whilst Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its beautiful hilly surroundings, colourful buildings and historic harbour areas – is one of Chile’s most popular places to visit.
For outdoor and adventure enthusiasts, the region offers a number of excellent ski resorts (such as Valle Nevado and Portillo), incredible hiking trails in the waterfall-rich Radal Siete Tazas National Reserve, and some attractive coastal destinations, such as Renaca, Viña del Mar and Cobquecura. Cobquecura also offers easy access to Loberia Island, which is famous for its impressive flora and fauna, including large numbers of sea lions and seals.

Located in the southernmost tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego province is a picturesque province in the southernmost reaches of Argentina. Purportedly one of the world's last frontiers, this region offers breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife and a rich cultural heritage. This corner of Patagonia offers endless activities and attractions for thrill seekers and nature lovers. It offers an array of natural wonders, including ancient glaciers, pristine wilderness, national parks, high snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, rivers and waterways. Don't miss a visit to Ushuaia, the city at the 'end of the world', which serves as a starting point for expeditions to Antarctica.

Las Condes is situated in the greater Santiago metropolitan area in central Chile. Las Condes, nicknamed ‘Sanhattan’ (together with the neighbouring district of Vitacura), is an affluent area boasting a number of excellent cultural attractions alongside some of the continent’s tallest skyscrapers. Explore Santiago’s glitzy CBD around Boulevard Nueva Las Condes, before visiting the Museum of Chilenidad (housed in the beautiful parish church of Santa Rosa de Apoquindo) and the Counts’ Cultural Centre, which hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions. Take a stroll through the flower-filled Araucano Park to recharge your batteries, then buy exquisite handicrafts in Pueblito Los Dominicos, before visiting the Cerro Calan Observatory to learn more about its impressive collection of telescopes. Finally, bear in mind that – with over 500 restaurants to choose from – Las Condes is a delight for food lovers.