The gigantic Patagonian Ice Sheet covered southern Chile in a thick blanket of ice and snow during the last Ice Age. Around 12,000 years ago, rising temperatures caused it to begin melting, carving out the Patagonian landscape as it receded. Today, two vast sections, northern and southern, remain of this ancient ice sheet. Together, they cover more than 5,400 square miles and form the third largest frozen landmass on Earth. At their edges are towering glaciers of blue-tinged ice, whose ever-changing faces create the large icebergs that float in the fjords and channels.
A Day in the Life of an Explorer
Coffee with a View
Enjoy the stillness of dawn while watching the sun rise over the fjord with a warm cup of coffee from your Nordic Balcony.
Kayaking
Silently propel through the water, admiring the unspoiled vistas as you listen to the distinct crackling sound of glacial ice.
Ongoing Research
Learn about Viking’s collaborations with esteemed members of the scientific community and participate in fieldwork.
Glacier Landing
Take a short Zodiac ride to rocky shores, where you can marvel at the immense wall of blue-tinged ice that towers over the pristine landscape.
Lab
Don a white lab coat and participate in the many ongoing research projects that are happening on board your ship.
Stargazing
Watch as the night sky comes alive in a kaleidoscope of twinkling stars. Remote and free from ambient city light, you may see Alpha Centauri and the steady glow of distant planets.
