This 10-day expedition makes your childhood games of Robinson Crusoe and Easter Island come true. Visit mysterious, majestic monoliths of Rapu Nui, and discover sites famous in history and literature, but rarely seen or even visited. With a chance to explore UNESCO sites, spot rare and endangered seabirds and enjoy Zodiac cruises along the way, memories of this voyage last forever.
Highlights
Explore the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Juan Fernandez
Look for the endemic pink-footed shearwaters and Masatierra petrels
Take a Zodiac cruise along the shores of Alexander Selkirk
Sail along Easter Island’s coast, part of the Rapa Nui National Park
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Embark the Silver Explorer and depart on your exciting expedition “In Search of Robinson Crusoe”. Once you have settled in and before Silver Explorer leaves Valparaiso, attend a mandatory safety drill.
Join a Sail Away Cocktail on the outer decks as you sail away from Valparaiso’s Historic Center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Later, be introduced to your Expedition Team. This evening the Restaurant Manager and Executive Chef would like to invite you to the delights of a specially prepared menu in The Restaurant.
Having left Valparaiso behind, Silver Explorer has to cover some 370 miles to reach the first of the Juan Fernandez Islands. During your day at sea cross the Humboldt Current and look for the occasional seabirds, perhaps spotting the Juan Fernandez Petrel. Your lecturers present talks about the natural history and other topics related to your next destination, the Juan Fernandez Archipelago.
Day 3: Robinson Crusoe | Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile
Anchor in Cumberland Bay, not too far from the main settlement and only village of Robinson Crusoe. Formerly it was called “Mas a Tierra” (closer to land) as it is closer to mainland Chile than Alexander Selkirk –a further 112 nautical miles to the west. In 1966 the island’s name was changed to Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe’s famous literary character, hoping to attract more tourism.
Land at San Juan Bautista in Cumberland Bay to offer several walks and hikes to various lookout points –including Alexander Selkirk’s viewpoint- and to look for the endemic plants and birds that have put Juan Fernandez on the list of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list. Heading up to the Plazoleta El Yunque (the anvil), hike through pine, cypress and eucalyptus forests, and be able to see many of the local plants and the Juan Fernandez Firecrown.
Both hikes to the viewpoints offer different views of Cumberland Bay and the surrounding landscape, but from Selkirk’s lookout you can also see the barren eastern side of Robinson Crusoe with the small island of Santa Clara in the background.
An easy walk leads to the cliff where the projectiles shot at the German light cruiser SMS Dresden during WWI can still be seen. During this walk it is normally possible to see the Juan Fernandez fur seals in the water, while hummingbirds might frequent the shrubs and flowers near the cemetery.
Day 4: Alexander Selkirk | Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile
Today reach one of the most isolated islands of Chile. Formerly called “Más Afuera” -which clearly stated that is was “further away”- it received the name of Alexander Selkirk in 1966 to entice tourism to the archipelago, but not to the island. Alexander Selkirk is only sporadically used by fishermen from Robinson Crusoe to harvest spiny lobster. There is a small group of buildings on the island’s eastern shore, but landing is conditioned by swell.
Use the Zodiacs for a cruise along the shore, looking for the feral goats that were left in the archipelago already in the 16th century, and the Juan Fernandez fur seal colonies on the western coast. If possible go ashore near one of the colonies.
After leaving Alexander Selkirk almost 1400 nautical miles has to be covered before reaching Salas y Gomez. During your days at sea look for large schools of dolphins that have been observed on this transect before.
Your lecturers present talks about Chile, the Pacific Ocean and obviously topics related to your next destination, Easter Island, and the famous statues. Attend workshops and seminars, relax, enjoy the solitude of the open ocean, and sample the culinary specialities prepared by your Executive Chef and his team.
Approach Salas y Gomez during the early morning. Take your Zodiacs to circumnavigate the island and some of the submerged rocks. In terms of wildlife you can expect to see Christmas shearwater, brown noddies, masked boobies, as well as great frigatebirds and sooty terns –the last two of prime importance to Easter Island’s socio-religious birdman cult.
In the afternoon your onboard Videographer presents the DVD-documentary of your voyage. Sail along Easter Island’s coast, part of the Rapa Nui National Park –a UNESCO World Heritage Site- at dawn and anchor in front of Hanga Roa, the island’s only settlement at sunrise.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Select a Date
Adventurer Class
6 cabins on Deck 3, 180 sq. feet, Twin or Queen beds, 2 portholes.
Select a Date
Explorer Class
4 cabins on Deck 4, Twin or Queen beds, 180 sq. feet with view window.
Select a Date
View Suite
12 suites on Deck 3, 230 sq. feet with view window, Twin or Queen beds.
Select a Date
Vista Suite
16 suites on Deck 4, 194 - 230 sq. feet with large window, Twin or Queen beds.
Select a Date
Veranda Suite
8 suites on Deck 5, 215 sq. feet with French balcony, Twin or Queen beds.
Select a Date
Medallion Suite
2 suites on Deck 7, 358 sq. feet with private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
Select a Date
Silver Suite
6 suites on Deck 5, 430 sq. feet with 2 French balconies, Twin or Queen beds.
Select a Date
Grand Suite
2 suites on Deck 7, 650 sq. feet with large private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
Select a Date
Owner
2 suites on Deck 7, 540 sq. feet with large private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
Notes
Please note: Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change at any time without notice. All prices are in US dollars, cruise-only per person based on double occupancy.
- The supplement for single occupancy in a Vista, Veranda or Midship Veranda Suite ranges from 25% – 100% above the double occupancy fare, depending upon the sailing and suite selected. Single supplement for a Silver or Medallion Suite (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper), Owner’s, Grand or Royal Suites are 100% above of the double occupancy fare. Suites for single and third guests are capacity controlled.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.