Chilean Patagonia Cruise Adventure

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 Depart USA
• 2 Arrive Santiago
• 3 Santiago, Punta Arenas & Embark Cruise
• 4 Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley
• 5 Cape Horn & Walaia Bay
• 6 Beagel Channel, Agostini Sound & Águila Glacier
• 7 Parry Fjord & Ainsworth Bay
• 8 Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas & Santiago
• 9 Maipo Valley & Depart Santiago

Post-Tour Extension to Torres del Paine

• 8 Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas & Torres del Paine
• 9 Torres del Paine National Park
• 10 Puerto Natales
• 11 Punta Arenas & Santiago
• 12 Maipo Valley & Depart Santiago

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA

• Depart the USA on your flight bound for Santiago, Chile

Day 2 Arrive Santiago

• Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
• Explore the colonial district of Santiago
• Visit Mercado de Abasto Tirso de Molina
• Join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner

Pullman Santiago Vitacura Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Arrive in Santiago, the bustling capital of Chile, where after completing immigration and customs formalities, you will meet our representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in. 

 

In the afternoon, explore Santiago, located between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Andes Mountains. Begin with a visit to the colonial district and Plaza Constitución. Later, visit the Palacio de la Moneda, which was built toward the end of the colonial period to house the Royal Mint, and is now the seat of the Chilean government.
 
Lastly, visit Mercado de Abasto Tirso de Molina, better known as La Vega, for a glimpse of exotic fruits, local vegetables and artisan cheeses. Wander the second floor of the market to witness a blending of traditional Chilean ingredients and culture through the various ethnic restaurants serving up Chilean, Peruvian, and Colombian dishes.

In the evening, meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Day 3 Santiago, Punta Arenas & Embark Cruise

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas
• Embark M/V Ventas Australis cruise ship
• Welcome cocktail reception and dinner
• Sail through Straits of Magellan

M/V Ventus Australis Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, journey to airport for your flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to the port and board your expedition cruise ship. The captain and crew will welcome you with a cocktail reception on board. After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the most remote corners of planet Earth. 

 

During the night, traverse the Straits of Magellan and make a brief appearance in the Pacific Ocean before cruising into Beagle Channel. 

Day 4 Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley

• Sail through the Beagle Channel
• Disembark in Pia Fjord via Zodiacs

M/V Ventus Australis Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

By morning, cruise into Beagle Channel, enter Pía Fjord, and board the Zodiacs for a shore excursion to Pía Glacier. After disembarking, take a short hike for a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea. For a more demanding walk, continue on a steep path over boulders and up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier for a spectacular view.
 
During the afternoon, the ship will continue down Beagle Channel through an area called Glacier Alley. Living up to its name, the passage features several impressive tidewater glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains.

Day 5 Cape Horn & Walaia Bay

• Disembark in Cape Horn National Park, UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
• Explore the fabled Wulaia Bay

M/V Ventus Australis Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Around the break of dawn, the ship crosses Nassau Bay and enters the remote archipelago that comprises Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn. Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition and named after the town of Horn in West Friesland, Cape Horn is a sheer 1,394-foot-high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years, it was the main sailing route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. Visit the lighthouse and chapel. 
 
Sailing back across Nassau Bay, anchor at fabled Wulaia Bay, the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal canoer settlements. Charles Darwin disembarked here in 1833 during his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. You will have the opportunity to choose from moderate to demanding hikes to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the area. 

Day 6 Beagel Channel, Agostini Sound & Águila Glacier

• Sail to Agostini Sound and see stunning glaciers
• Continue to Águila Glacier and walk along the shore of the lagoon

M/V Ventus Australis Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Early in the morning, sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound. From there, see the glaciers that descend from the middle of the Darwin Mountain Range, some of them reaching the water.

 

Later, disembark and enjoy an easy hike around a lagoon, which was formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier, to a spot right in front of that glacier with stunning views.

Day 7 Parry Fjord & Ainsworth Bay

• Zodiac tour near Parry Fjord and see amphitheater of glaciers
• Continue to Ainsworth Bay
• Disembark in Alberto De Agostini National Park

M/V Ventus Australis Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

At dawn, navigate Parry Fjord. From this area, it will be possible to appreciate various glaciers that come down to the sea from the upper ice field. Onboard Zodiac boats, motor to the far end of the fjord to see an amphitheater of glaciers in an area where sometimes it is possible to see leopard seals.

In the afternoon, navigate through Almirantazgo Sound, arriving at Ainsworth Bay which is situated within Alberto De Agostini National Park. It’s the perfect spot to see the Marinelli Glacier descending from Darwin Mountain Range in the distance and to appreciate how the land returns to life after glacial retreat. Choose from moderate to demanding excursions.

Day 8 Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas & Santiago

• Magdelena Island
• Disembark ship in Punta Arenas and transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas and fly to Santiago.
• Transfer to hotel

Pullman Santiago Vitacura Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

After an overnight cruise through Magdalena Channel and back into the Strait of Magellan, anchor off Magdalena Island, which lies about halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, the island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is currently inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic penguins. At the break of dawn, weather permitting, go ashore and hike a path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside the vintage 1902 lighthouse. Many other bird species are also found on the island.
 
*Camera extension poles are prohibited on Magdalena Island
 
Sail on to Punta Arenas, disembarking later this morning. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to your centrally located hotel.

Day 9 Maipo Valley & Depart Santiago

• Visit a vineyard in the Maipo Valley for a wine-tasting tour
• Lunch with your fellow travelers
• Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight
• Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning

Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

Visit the Santa Rita vineyard, located in the Maipo Valley, enjoy  a wine-tasting tour and learn about the growing techniques, sustainability projects, and innovating techniques used to produce  great wine. Enjoy lunch with your fellow travelers in Maipo Valley.

Later today, transfer to the airport in Santiago for your overnight return flight. Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning.

Post-Tour Extension to Torres del Paine

Day 8 Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas & Torres del Paine

• Magdelena Island
• Disembark ship in Punta Arenas and transfer to Torres del Paine

Rio Serrano Hotel + Spa Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After an overnight cruise through Magdalena Channel and back into the Strait of Magellan, anchor off Magdalena Island, which lies about halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, the island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is currently inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic penguins. At the break of dawn, weather permitting, go ashore and hike a path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside the vintage 1902 lighthouse. Many other bird species are also found on the island.
 
*Camera extension poles are prohibited on Magdalena Island
 
Sail on to Punta Arenas, disembarking later this morning. Transfer to hotel in Torres del Paine for check-in. 

Day 9 Torres del Paine National Park

• Visit Torres del Paine National Park
• See the majestic granite towers at Torres del Paine

Rio Serrano Hotel + Spa Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today, visit the majestic Torres del Paine National Park, home to iconic natural areas such as Milodón Cave, Grey Lake, and granite towers known as Torres d'Agostini, Torres Central, and Torres Monzino. The towers peak at 8,200 feet above sea level, and are encompassed by valleys, rivers, lakes and glaciers.  

Once inside the national park, walk around the shore of Gray Lake and admire the beautiful surrounding landscape. Weather permitting, continue to the viewpoint of Peninsula Gray where you will see Gray Glacier, the Macizo del Paine, and the Lago del Toro. Later, visit Salto Grande, giving you access to a viewpoint of Nordenskjold Lake and eventually leading to Laguna Amarga sector. Admire the viewpoint over Lake Sarmiento before returning to your hotel.

Day 10 Puerto Natales

• Visit the Milodón Caves
• Pass through "Silla del Diablo" rock formations

Hotel Costaustralis Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, depart for Milodón Caves, a natural monument composed of several caves, including one particular cave that is notable for the discovery of skin, bones and other parts of a giant ground sloth called Mylodon darwini. To reach the caves, pass through a rock formation called "Silla del Diablo", a name given for its armchair appearance which is said to have been "seat" of the Milodón and that the legend transformed into "devil".

Continue to Puerto Natales and check into your hotel. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner at your hotel. 

Day 11 Punta Arenas & Santiago

• Transfer to airport for flight to Santiago

Pullman Santiago Vitacura Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to your hotel.

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Day 12 Maipo Valley & Depart Santiago

• Visit a vineyard in the Maipo Valley for a wine-tasting tour
• Lunch with your fellow travelers
• Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight
• Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning

Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

Visit the Santa Rita vineyard, located in the Maipo Valley, enjoy  a wine-tasting tour and learn about the growing techniques, sustainability projects, and innovating techniques used to produce  great wine. Enjoy lunch with your fellow travelers in Maipo Valley.

Later today, transfer to the airport in Santiago for your overnight return flight. Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning.

Hotels & Ship

Hotels

Pullman Santiago Vitacura

First Class

The Hotel Pullman Santiago Vitacura is nestled in the affluent Vitacura neighborhood within walking distance of the Bicentenario Park and known for its flamingos and koi carp filled pond surrounded by modern buildings, art galleries, and posh rooftop bars with spectacular mountain views.

More information

Rio Serrano Hotel + Spa

First Class

The Rio Serrano Hotel + Spa is an upscale hotel nestled in Torres del Paine region, just steps away from Serrano River, and surrounded by the mountains, glaciers, and lakes of southern Chilean Patagonia. Rio Serrano Hotel is a family business, welcoming tourists to visit the remote and majestic Torres del Paine National Park.

More information

Hotel Costaustralis

Tourist Class

The Hotel Costaustralis is located in the heart of Puerto Natales, the gateway to adventure travel in Southern Patagonia. The chateau-style Hotel Costaustralis offers spectacular views of Ultima Esperanza fjord and the Patagonian landscapes. 

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Cruise Ship

M/V Ventus Australis

M/V Ventus Australis welcomes you aboard for a spectacular scenic cruise through the waterways of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Launched in January of 2018, the M/V Ventus Australis was tailor-made to navigate narrow fjords and channels of the southern tip of South America, bringing you up close and personal with the spectacular glaciers, rugged terrain and pristine environment of this remote corner of the Earth.

More information

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Chile? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Patagonia? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

Other Packages

Small Group Tour

Patagonian Explorer by Land & Sea

from $9199 w/ Flights from $8299 Tour Only 14 days

per person, double occupancy*

See package map dates