5 Silversea expeditions that cater for every discerning adventurer

With all-suite accommodation offering ocean views and butler service, it’s no surprise that Silversea has earned widespread recognition as a world leader in luxury cruising.

Operating on a motto of ‘all-inclusive exclusivity’, Silversea‘s nine vessels each offers a unique, intimate experience, small enough to visit lesser visited destinations around the globe. Whether enjoying fine dining in a restaurant or in your suite, or the free-flowing bubbles, fresh flowers and incredible staff-to-guest ratio of nearly 1:1, indulge the body and feed the mind on a truly exceptional voyage. Here are five unmissable adventures to make our bucket list this year.

1. For the culture vulture

The vibrant cultures of South America are as variable as the destination itself, from the verdant Amazon rainforest to the dry sands of the Atacama Desert. Highlights of the 24-day Valparaiso to Ushuaia cruise include everything from the ports of Chile, abuzz with local fishermen and tourists, to the vast icy expanses of the Antarctic Peninsula, where the only locals that guests are likely to encounter are whales, orcas and penguins. For collectors of cultural experiences, stops in the provincial city of Punta Arenas, the shipping port of Puerto Natales and the island city of Castro will not disappoint.

2. For the water lover

Journey from the remote volcanic island of Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island) to the pristine beaches of Tahiti during this idyllic 14-day journey through the South Pacific Islands. Guests will visit Henderson, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to a number of rare bird species, and benefit from expert lectures on subjects such as botany, anthropology and ornithology while at sea. As you journey through the Pitcairn Islands and French Polynesia towards Bora Bora, swim and snorkel in sapphire-blue reefs off the shore of rarely visited islands.

3. For the fearless adventurer

Those looking to venture to the planet’s least explored destinations would be well advised to add the Russian Far East to their bucket list. Traverse the enigmatic Sea of Okhotsk from Hokkaido, Japan during the brief summer season, when wintry climates do not forbid intrepid travellers from discovering its secrets. Ancient volcanoes and hot springs characterise the geothermal landscape of the Kuril Islands, which guests can learn about in detail from a crew of onboard experts. Whales, sea lions, orcas and seals are just a handful of the wildlife guests may encounter.

4. On Australian soil

Ten days journeying the King George and Hunter River regions aboard Silver Discoverer delivers a rich itinerary studded by immersive cultural experiences, a dedicated expedition team and an opportunity to explore the often untouched ecosystems of Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region. Stretches of wild landscapes are dotted with cascading waterfalls, ancient gorges and Aboriginal rock art dating back centuries. Guests will cruise through narrow channels only made possible by Discoverer’s shallow draft and fleet of 12 Zodiacs, and learn about the history, geology and wildlife from onboard experts.

5. For the amateur zoologist

The remote volcanic islands of the Galápagos are home to one of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems, many of its fauna found nowhere else in the world. As such, the archipelago’s almost mythological status as a coveted destination for natural explorers is well deserved. A 10-day itinerary will see nature lovers hiking a volcano, exploring lava tunnels, zipping along the coastline on a Zodiac and trekking across lava fields on their search for unforgettable wildlife sightings. For avid snorkellers, too, the pristine waters of Punta Vicente may reveal Eastern Pacific green sea turtles, eagle rays and even penguins.