Patagonia Cruise to Ushuaia, Torres del Paine & Santiago

Get ready to discover Santiago, the cosmopolitan capital of Chile. Situated between imposing mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean, the city has it all. Your tour guide will accompany you to your hotel, then take advantage of a free afternoon to discover this urban hub that lies in the shadow of the Andes mountain range.

See the key landmarks of Santiago on a city tour this morning. Be inspired by the San Francisco church built in the 16th century, the Government Palace colloquially called La Moneda, the Plaza de Armas and key political and cultural monuments such as the Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the City Hall. Ascend San Cristobal Hill and discover even more of the city’s local treasures such as the Zoo, the Metropolitan Park and the Cultural House. Revel in the generous views of the city and the mountains before returning to your hotel.

Depart Santiago today and travel 120km to the seaport of Valparaiso, one of Chile’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This bohemian town features bright-colored houses nestled in the hillside and spacious green parks. To get a sense of its history and culture, visitors can admire some of its many monuments or vibrant murals and enjoy a chat with the locals at one of the lively bars or restaurants. Take pleasure in the friendly ambience of the plazas and head to the top of the hills to gaze at the picturesque scene of the Pacific Ocean and the city’s rooftops below. Travel to Viña del Mar also known as the Garden City to view the iconic Flower Clock, a famous local landmark and then relax at one of the beaches. Return to your hotel in Santiago in the afternoon.

This morning, get ready to experience the remote natural beauty of Patagonia. Travel to Punta Arenas, one of the main contenders along with Puerto Williams and Ushuaia for the title of the world’s southernmost city. Upon arrival, transfer to Puerto Natales, the gateway city to Torres del Paine National Park.

Awake early this morning and take a transfer to Torres del Paine National Park, a natural gem in the Patagonia region. See the mountains’ images reflected in the turquoise lakes creating a surreal and magical landscape. Explore the lodge’s facilities and meet your guides to discover the range of exciting excursions available on the following day.

Discover the highlights of the National Park with your guide today. Wonder at the magnitude and rough beauty of the cragged peaks of Paine Horns and Paine Towers and the wide, flat expanse of Sarmiento Lake in the foreground. Watch out for llamas and guanacos as you amble through their home, and perhaps catch sight of the mighty Andean condor soaring gracefully through the clear blue sky. Afterward, return to your lodge and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Rise with the sun and witness the majestic views of the Park one last time. Transfer to Punta Arenas where your guide will escort you to the port to board the M/V Stella Australis. Cruise through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, rarely visited highlights of southern Patagonia. Icy glaciers, deep blue fjords and exotic marine wildlife feature in this isolated yet starkly beautiful landscape.

Today, visit the Ainsworth Bay inside Alberto De Agostini National Park. Take in the view of the icy and spectacular Marinelli Glacier. Visit a native Magellan wood forest and explore the vast, remote coast and intermittent islands. Keep your eyes open to spot the southern elephant seals, board a Zodiac boat to visit a colony of Magellanic Penguins in their frosty habitat and peer skywards to catch sight of soaring cormorants. In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a short walk to a nearby glacier at Brooks Bay.

Journey through the Beagle Channel today, the frontier between Argentina and Chile. Disembark at the Pia Fjord, marvel at its hidden depths and be rewarded with a splendid view of the grand Pia Glacier emerging from the mountainside. Advance through the majestic Glacier Alley, passing by frozen rivers of ice and study their unique formations.

Take a trip to the end of the earth and enter the Cape Horn National Park, declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2005. The meridian of Cape Horn also denotes the frontier between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Land at Wulaia Bay where the largest settlement of the indigenous Yamana people was once found. Explorers and scientists from near and far have always been attracted to this intriguing region including the famous Charles Darwin. Dare to follow their pioneering steps and discover exotic, wild and resilient vegetation amongst the native forests.

Your journey on the Australis cruise ends in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia was founded in 1884, and its name is derived from the Yamana word for 'penetrating bay,' since this area is one of the original points where the Yamana and Anglican cultures collided. Ushuaia is surrounded by the end of the Andes Mountain peaks. Take in the spectacular scenery as your ship approaches the city.

Australis cruise: arrival between 8:30 am and 9:30 am.

Visit the stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina's only coastal national park. Once in the park, make a stop at Ensenada Bay, where you will see beautiful views of Redonda Island. Next, drive to the End-of-the-World Train Station for your train tour. Arrive at Lapataia Bay, one of the highlights of the park that has a unique green and black lagoon. Take a short walking tour of the black lagoon or to the Beavers trail before returning to your hotel in Ushuaia.

The train ride is included.

Back in Ushuaia, head to the airport to board a flight to Trelew.  Upon arrival, transfer to Puerto Madryn.  This beautiful region in Patagonia is famous not only for its wildlife but also for the Welsh heritage of settlers that arrived in the area in the 17th century.

Please note that the Ushuaia Airport demands an airport tax, which can only be paid on the spot in cash in Argentine currency.

Depart from Puerto Madryn to the north, arriving in Carlos Ameghino Isthmus, a narrow area of land from where you can see the San Jose Gulf and Nuevo Gulf. On your way to Peninsula Valdes, arrive in Punta Piramide, where one-haired sea lions abound during their breeding season (December to March).

Continue to Punta Delgado and take in spectacular views of the cliffs and the ocean from the lighthouse. Next visit the geographically unusual Valdes Inlet, home to the 6-meter long elephant seals weighing between 1 and 3 tons! The return journey takes you to Birds Island. Use the telescopes to spot flamingos, sea gulls, petrels, and other exotic birds.

From Puerto Madryn, travel south to arrive at Punta Tombo, the famous continental penguin rookery in South America. Here you will see hundreds of penguins walking just a few meters from the path. One interesting little-known fact about these birds is that their cawing is similar to the sound donkeys make.

After a short visit to Rawson, continue to Trelew, the most populous city in the region and a great cultural center, home to the impressive Egidio Feruglio Paleontology Museum.

Head to the airport to board a flight to Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital.

Note: This tour operates from October to March

Explore this bustling city often referred to as ‘the Paris of South America’ on a city tour. Admire the neoclassical buildings of the elegant Recoleta, the colorful ‘conventillos’ of La Boca, and the colonial charm of San Telmo. Head north of the city to visit Palermo, ideal for shopping. Finish your tour in Puerto Madero and stroll along the waterfront past the Woman’s Bridge.

In the evening, marvel at couples performing the most symbolic ‘Porteño’ dance at a Tango Show & Dinner.

The tour finishes in Buenos Aires, where you can board an international flight back to your home or to your next destination in South America.