Chilean Fjords – Discovering the Heart of Patagonia Small Ship Cruise

Begin your adventure in this vibrant hilltop city

Your expedition ship awaits you in Valparaíso, the 'Jewel of the Pacific'. Built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean, it's well worth spending time in this UNESCO-listed city. 

Filled with attractions, the city is an exhilarating maze of winding alleyways, colourful houses, and mercados packed with local produce. Why not take it all in on a funicular ride up to Cerro Alegre and Concepción.  

If you’d like to explore more of Valparaíso, you can join one of our optional Pre-Programmes. 

After picking up your expedition jacket and meeting your Expedition Team, find your cabin and explore the ship, before enjoying the first of many delicious meals on board as we set sail.  

Sail south along the Peruvian trench

Prepare for the adventures ahead as we spend a day at sea. cruising south. Take the opportunity to get to know your ship better, perhaps trying out some of its facilities such as the hot tubs or sauna. There will also be lectures to attend and new friends to be made. 

Our journey takes us through the rich waters of the Humboldt Current as we pass over the Peruvian trench – a tectonically active, 5,000-foot-deep gouge in the seafloor. The deep water and swift-moving currents bring a variety of wildlife to the area. Your Expedition Team will tell you more about the Humboldt Current’s importance to the marine ecosystem, and help you spot birdlife like Peruvian Boobies, Brown Boobies, and various species of whales.  

Explore Spanish fortresses and lively markets

We go ashore at the pretty seaside town of Niebla, set on a picturesque peninsula with views of Corral Bay on one side and the Valdivia River on the other. Take a stroll on the wide sandy beach and, if the Feria Costumbrista market is on, you may want to sample some traditional snacks, such as empanadas, anticuchos and churros. 

Aside from the town itself, the ruins of the old Spanish fort and its associated museum are well worth a visit. Learn more about the region's history here, then wander around the lighthouse. You'll enjoy beautiful views across the river and bay. 

Stilt houses and historic churches

Set amidst the lush greenery of Chiloé Island, Castro is Chile’s third oldest city. It’s also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Iglesia San Francisco and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón. The former is one of the oldest colonial era buildings in the country and has survived 15 major earthquakes. 

Keep your camera ready for views of the city’s colourful palafitos – stilt houses along the waterfront. For an insight into local history and culture, head to the Museo Regional de Castro and the Modern Art Museum. 

Witness unforgettable seascapes

Your expedition cruise continues south through the waters of Patagonia. The seas here are captivating, with a whole palette of shades of blue, from the brightest aquamarine to the deepest midnight hues. 

As we sail, there's a good chance you’ll see whales, seabirds, seals and more. Take in the scenery from the panoramic sauna or on-deck hot tubs and infinity pool, or just enjoy the onboard cuisine, before relaxing in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. 

Your Expedition Team will be on hand with fascinating lectures on a range of topics, and our onboard photographer can help with tips on expedition photography. 

Receive a warm welcome in Caleta Tortel

We continue off the well-trodden path to visit isolated Caleta Tortel. Lying at the mouth of Río Baker, Chile's largest river, this charming village is home to around 500 inhabitants. 

Instead of streets, a maze of boardwalks connects the close-knit community, spreading over the water and around the mountain base. If conditions permit, you'll be able to investigate the milky blue waters here by kayak. 

While exploring the village, you'll come across locals selling handicrafts and you may even be treated to a performance by folk dancers. 

Explore the Patagonian fjords and cross the White Narrows

We’ll spend the next two days sailing through the maze of the Chilean fjords. Tidal conditions allowing, we hope to visit Puerto Edén, an enchanting village only accessible by sea. The 250-strong community here are some of the last remaining members of the Indigenous Kawésqar people, offering a fascinating insight into Patagonian culture.   

Alternatively, we’ll spend the day cruising the majestic fjords, drinking in the incredible scenery and spotting wildlife along the way. We may take the opportunity to launch our small expedition boats and explore even closer. Be ready for spontaneous adventures! 

The next day, according to the tide, we’ll sail through the White Narrows into Puerto Natales. At less than 330 feet wide in parts, this striking waterway between islets and sheer rock cliffs is only passable in slack water and daylight.  

Head out on deck to witness some of the most beautiful landscapes on the continent as your Captain skilfully navigates the ship through these famed channels.  

Enter the gateway to Torres del Paine

Today you’ll awake in Puerto Natales, gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park. The rugged landscape features steppe, forest and desert, punctuated by glaciers and lakes, and you can choose to see it either on a panoramic bus or hiking tour. 

Andean animals such as guanacos, rheas and the elusive puma roam here. Look out for Chilean Flamingos as well as the mighty Andean Condor. 

Puerto Natales is a popular hub for hikers and adventurers, with many eateries, bars and outdoor shops. Visit the artisan village at Etherh Aike or stroll along the photogenic waterfront. 

Sail through the Magellan Strait

We’ll depart Puerto Natales as the tides and currents allow, sailing through the White Narrows again. Once through, we’ll cruise deep into the heart of the Chilean fjords, surrounded by panoramic views, as we head towards Garibaldi Fjord. 

Sailing south along the Chilean coast, join your Expedition Team for fascinating lectures on topics that might include pre-Columbian history, the geology of our surroundings and the folklore of local communities. 

Enjoy the serenity and beauty of the maze of fjords we pass, surrounded by islands, glaciers and steep mountains. And keep an eye out for elephant seals, dolphins and whales, who often swim alongside the ship.  

Our resident photographer will be on hand to help you get the most from your wildlife and landscape photography. 

See one of Chile’s most impressive glaciers

The goal for the day is a scenic cruise within Garibaldi Fjord in Alberto de Agostini National Park, all the way up to Garibaldi Glacier. Here, the Andes tumble into the Pacific and great glaciers calve ice into the beautiful fjords. 

The area is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and its rich waters are home to seals, sea lions and many seabirds, including the impressive Andean Condor. 

If conditions allow, we'll reach the Garibaldi Glacier at the head of the fjord, one of the most impressive glaciers in all of Chile. 

Visit a remote paradise

Soak up the peaceful atmosphere of Puerto Williams, another contender for the world's southernmost city. Drop into the Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum where you'll find Indigenous Yaghan artifacts, maps, photographs and a traditional canoe. You can also see a replica of the bow of the Yelcho – the ship that rescued Shackleton’s men in 1916. 

Hike through the gorgeous scenery, on your own or as part of a guided excursion. You may be able to kayak if the weather allows, and keen birdwatchers should have their binoculars handy to spot seabirds, including the mighty albatross. 

Round Cape Horn and cruise the Beagle Channel

Today we cruise through the Beagle Channel and sail down to the southernmost tip of South America – Cape Horn. The rocky walls of the channel plunge straight into the deep blue icy waters of this wild and remote seascape. Watch out for rare, endemic Peale’s dolphins and other wildlife here. 

Cape Horn is where the open waters of the Atlantic and Pacific collide, creating powerful, swirling waves. Rounding the cape would once strike fear into the heart of hardened sailors. But with the benefit of our modern instruments, we'll attempt to safely land on and explore the cape … if the conditions cooperate, of course. 

Your expedition cruise continues through fabled waterways toward Ushuaia, our final stop.  

Enjoy your final stop before heading off to the city of the tango

Your expedition cruise to Patagonia and the Chilean fjords comes to an end in Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego Province. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Martial Glacier, Ushuaia vies for the title of the world’s southernmost city. 

From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. If you have time before your onward journey join our optional Post-Programme to enjoy even more adventure. 

Itineraries are subject to change.