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Day 1 Pacific Jewel
This expedition starts in the colorful and poetic city of Valparaíso. One of the best ways to see this scenic town is by riding its funiculars, which are scattered around the city, and allow for sweeping views of the bay.
Day 2-3 Sailing South
Day 4 Cosmopolitan Castro
Located on Isla Grande de Chiloé, Castro is set among windswept hills and green vegetation. The city is known for its colorful 'palafitos', wooden houses mounted on stilts along the water's edge. Go ashore and enjoy the local character and curious energy, mixed with a dash of modern development. The Iglesia San Francisco is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The church is a visual delight: bright yellow and orange with a lavender trim. The varnished-wood interior is stunning, illuminated by rows of stained-glass windows.
Other sights include Plazuela del Tren, a small plaza right by the waterfront with an odd collection of old trains. A stroll in the Cementerio Parroquial is fascinating, as some of the tombs are quite grand and ornately decorated. Feria Campesina Yumbel is a bustling fruit and vegetable market. There are also household goods and fish stalls here. In the shop Feria Artesanal Lillo, located just south of the port, you can buy excellent hand-knit woollen goods and other handicrafts. Most of the restaurants and cafés in Castro are concentrated along the Calle Blanco, running from the southern end of the plaza down to the waterfront, and this is where you can get a taste of the renowned meat, potato, and seafood stew known as curanto.
Close to the town is Chiloé National Park, a largely unexplored wilderness hosting rare flora and fauna. The park features wide deserted beaches and long stretches of rugged coastline, and is home to dozens of seabird species, penguins, and sea lions.
Day 5 At Sea
Day 6 An Isolated Village at the End of a Fjord
After an unforgettable cruise through the Patagonian waters, the unique village of Puerto Edén will enchant you. It is a tiny settlement in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, situated at the end of a deep fjord and surrounded by mountains. Its population of 250 includes the 15 remaining members of the Kawéskar people. There are no roads, only wooden walkways, and electricity is only available for a few hours each day. Puerto Edén is a great place to experience the traditional indigenous culture of the Patagonian tribes. The villagers sell fish, mussels, and shellfish, which are taken weekly to markets by boat. For souvenirs, admire traditional Kawéskar crafts such as wicker baskets and boats made from sea lion skins and tree bark.
Enjoy a stroll among the pathways, and maybe you will spot one of the many Magellan hummingbirds found here when you join the Expedition team for hiking or kayaking.
Day 7-8 Bohemian Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is situated at the picturesque opening of Última Esperanza Sound and acts as the gateway to the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Guests can wander the boutique shops and corrugated-tin houses, or sample some local Chilean cuisine. We will also visit the ancient Milodón Cave which is 100 ft high and 656 ft deep and made up of interesting rock formations.
A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Torres del Paine National Park features towering mountain peaks, azure lakes, emerald forests, roaring rivers, one big, radiant blue glacier, and the third largest ice field on the planet. Guests might see llamas, pumas, chilla foxes, and skunks in addition to more than a hundred species of birds such as the Andean condor and black-chested buzzard eagle.
Day 9 A Paradise for Nature Lovers
The Chilean fjords' deep channels, fjords, and mountains plunging into the icy water always leave a profound impression on visitors. This wild and remote area seems almost untouched by humans. The ice has scoured its way between the mountains, creating the isolated islands and hidden bays that form the unique fjord landscape of Chile. Snow-capped mountains and steep valleys make a striking contrast to a lush coastline that is rich in wildlife. You might be lucky enough to spot sea lions, Andean condors, and several bird species that can only be found here.
Day 10-11 Cape Horn and the Drake Passage
Day 12-15 Explore Antarctica
Antarctica is isolated from the rest of the world by ocean currents. 90% of the world's ice is found here, at 13,123 feet thick, covering the landmass. In winter it is further cut off by the sea ice forming off the coast – virtually doubling the size of the continent. In summer, it is a breeding ground for millions of penguins, whales, and seals who, for the rest of the year, simply spend their time at sea. Most wildlife here depend on krill as a cornerstone species. The krill population in the Southern Ocean represents the largest biomass of one species on Earth.
As outlined in the Antarctic Treaty, this is a continent dedicated to peace, science, and tourism. No human activity is allowed to alter the perfect natural balance. We are visiting a place that has evolved through millennia without human interference. Therefore, we adhere to very strict environmental guidelines and rules. We want to leave nothing behind but footprints and take nothing but pictures!
Because of the power of this remote and beautiful environment, we need to be pragmatic: We change landings, re-route, and shift plans to ensure safety and the best possible experiences for our guests – this means that every cruise experience is unique! We will take full advantage of the often-ideal conditions spending hours ashore hiking, on the water with kayaks, or simply cruising among a huge pod of whales.
We will attempt to land several places, including Deception Island, Half Moon Island, Brown Bluff, Cuverville Island, and Neko Harbor. All of these places are serene and offer untouched nature, penguin colonies, seals, whales in the ocean, glaciers, icebergs in every shape and colour, old whaling stations, and research bases. It's hard to sum up all the impressions you will gain and adventures you will have. As a well-known quote from a veteran Antarctic traveler put it:
“If you can describe Antarctica with words, you have probably never been there.”
Day 16-17 Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 18 The End of the Expedition
Our expedition cruise ends as we reach Ushuaia, and we transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. For more adventure, you can extend your stay in Buenos Aires or join an optional Post-Program to Iguazu Falls.
