Patagonia & Chilean Fjords

Day 1 Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile

Embark the Prince Albert II and depart on your exciting 11-day expedition. This evening, you will be introduced to your Expedition Leaders.

Day 2 Day at Sea

Today cruise southward along the Chilean coast. Meet some of your fellow explorers as you become acquainted with the luxurious amenities found onboard the Prince Albert II. Attend informative lectures led by your onboard naturalists or guest specialists that will prepare you for the upcoming ports-of-call and the many possible unscheduled adventures that lie ahead. Or, in the comfort of your own accommodations, enjoy a movie on the in-suite interactive television.

Day 3 Niebla, Chile

Your tour will begin today in the Lakes District at Niebla, a small village on the banks of the Rio Valdivia where Chile’s Corral Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. Tour the strategically placed Fort Niebla, which was designed and constructed in 1647 by Spanish military engineers with the help of Chilean-born technicians and builders. Built on the backs of prison laborers from the nation’s prisons, Fort Niebla’s fine stone workmanship was specially designed to endure continual canon bombardment.

Next drive to the charming river port city of Valdivia, where there is an interesting blend of influences from the native Mapuche, Spanish settlers, and German immigrants. Set amidst vibrant rainforests and river channels, Valdivia is filled with an abundant history of anecdotes and legends. Traverse the paths of pirates and Spanish galleon captains. Visit the historical and anthropological Museum Maurice Van der Maele, which houses a collection of Mapuche artifacts and jewelery as well as important pieces from Hispanic and German periods. As the first colonists, Germans diligently worked to develop the area and their impact can be seen everywhere from the architecture to the local brewery.
Explore a variety of native plant species, including the lotus at the botanical gardens at the Universidad Austral de Chile, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch have some time to wander around on your own before returning to the Prince Albert II in late afternoon.

Day 4 Puerto Montt

The one-time German colony of Puerto Montt is your gateway to the myriad splendours of Chile’s Lake Region. Hundreds of picturesque lakes and dozens of active volcanoes dominate the landscape. Your tour takes you along the southern shores of Llanquihue Lake, dominated by the impressive snow-capped Osorno volcano, and through Ensenada, located at Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. Here, arrive at Lake Todos los Santos, also known as Emerald Lake, and board a catamaran for a 45-minute navigation of its clear green waters. Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the lake. The menu includes local favourites such as Pisco sour, cheese empanadas and grilled salmon with Kuchen (German pie) for dessert. On your return journey to Puerto Montt, see the famous Petrohue Waterfalls and stop in Puerto Varas to visit the handicraft market. Once back in Puerto Montt, return to the pier or explore on your own the nearby fishing village with houses built on stilts over the water, and the Angelmó Fish and Handicraft Market.

Day 5 Castro, Chile

Drop anchor in Castro and go ashore via the Zodiacs to explore. Chiloé Island is home to an amazing collection of 150 Jesuit-carved wooden churches, houses raised up on poles out of the water, and more than 400 native plant varieties. From Castro, head south to the picturesque village of Dalcahue. After a brief ferry ride to Quinchao, pass through a tiny village, Curaco de Velez. This is small village of approximately 500 inhabitants had its best times around 1850 when cattle raisers and whalers lived here. Today, beautiful houses remain as a testament to these better times. Another highlight of this village is the coastal avenue where it is sometimes possible to see black-necked swans. Fifteen kilometres ahead, arrive in Achao, which was founded by the Jesuits in 1743 and now has almost 2,500 inhabitants. Achao is a lively town with boats arriving every day from all the surrounding islands. While here, visit the Jesuit’s Achao Church, the oldest wooden structure in Chiloé. Constructed in 1730, it contains beautiful baroque imagery and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, cross Achao’s main square to enjoy a local snack and authentic regional music before returning to Dalcahue. Here visit the well-preserved Dalcahue Church with its galvanized iron roof. Carved by Jesuits from locally grown Patagonian cypress, larch and luma trees, the detailing and precision are amazing. It was founded in 1849, and declared a World Heritage site in 2000.

Alternatively, visit Chiloé National Park, located on the western coast of Chiloé Island. It encompasses an area of 430.57 km² and includes dunes, temperate rain forests, swamps, and peat bogs. The park’s warm and humid climate contributes to the existence of the evergreen forest, which is made up mostly of terebinth shrubs, coigüe, luma, myrtle, tepu and larch. The fauna includes fox, sea lion, mountain monkey, sea otter, opossum, pudú, finch, and patagonian woodpecker. Some of these species are endemic, due to the insular nature of this island. Our walk takes us along the El Tepual Trail through evergreen tepú forest.

Isla Magdalena National Park is filled with dense forests guarded by Luma and Cypress of the Guaitecas trees, among a host of other native species watching overhead as you enter their domain. Various mosses and ferns are at your feet; splashes of colorful flora blush all around as you investigate this magnificent canvas. You are on our own, free to explore, hike or simply walk through nature’s spectacle.

Day 6 Puerto Chacabuco, Chile

This small but busy port lies at the eastern end of a narrow fjord, and serves as a jumping-off point for adventures amidst the splendid natural beauty and wildlife of western Patagonia. Your intended destination for today is the naturally beautiful Aysén District and the impressive landscapes of Aikén del Sur Private Park. On your guided walk see a 22-metre-high waterfall; the placid, transparent blue waters of Riesco Lake; indigenous perennial forests with humid variety ferns, moss and lichen; and endless prairies of myrtle, wild fuschia and calafate shrubbery as well as mallines or swamps. Your naturalist guide will point out the most outstanding trees indigenous of this area. Your outing concludes at the quincho with folkloric music, a pisco sour or glass of wine and a sampling of local hors d’oeuvres.

Day 7 Chilean Fjords Cruising

Spend today cruising the Chilean Fjords on your way south into a stunningly remote domain through fjords and channels fringed by majestic mountains. A voyage into Chilean Patagonia is an exhilarating experience. It offers the traveller extraordinary sights of untamed natural beauty. Marvel at the abundance of sea lions, the occasional sighting of dolphins and whales and the astonishing array of seabirds and marine life.
The most attractive features are found in the rugged nature, where indigenous fauna and flora exist in often harsh and unpredictable weather conditions. In this vast arid region of Patagonia and within the confines of Torres del Paine National Park, find breeding populations of 15 bird of prey species including the Andean condor, Black-chested buzzard-eagle, Rufous-tailed hawk, Cinereous harrier, Chimango caracara, Magellanic horned owl, and the Austral pygmy-owl, amongst others. It is a veritable birder’s paradise.

Friendly and knowledgeable ship staff and expert local guides guide you through the park. Following, sample some local cuisine. Lamb and seafood are top choices, and the empanadas especially nice when paired with a glass of Chilean wine. As evening descends, return to the Prince Albert II.

Day 8 Pio XI Glacier, Chile

Head out on deck to watch as your ship heads towards the English Narrows, one of several narrow channels navigated during your Chilean Fjords voyage. Your Captain expertly manoeuvres the Prince Albert II as you weave your way through the slalom course of islands and channel markers. During this time, spot Magellanic Diving Petrels and Steamer Ducks, and if you are very lucky, you may spot the endemic Chilean Dolphin. Shy of ships, this small dolphin enjoys spending its time in narrow channels with heavy tidal rips.

Upon reaching your destination at the end of the fjord, find the Pio XI Glacier. This tidewater glacier sprawled out in front of us is 4.5 km wide and a remarkable shade of brilliant blue. An outlet glacier of the South Patagonian Ice Field, the Pio XI had once extended out into the fjords which waters you ply today. Conditions permitting, climb into your Zodiacs and dodge brash ice and bergy bits as you approach the glacier at a safe distance. Alert for signs of calving, you may see small chunks of ice falling from the glacier front.

Day 9 At Sea

Attend informative lectures led by your Expedition Leader and guest specialists that will prepare you for the upcoming ports-of-call and the many possible unscheduled adventures that lie ahead. Relax on deck or peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library. Before turning in, take a stroll on deck and enjoy the solitude and splendour of a vast velvet sky strewn with shimmering stars.

Day 10 Punta Arenas, Chile

Located on the western side of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is a bustling base for fishing boats and Antarctic research vessels. Today plan to leave the busy port town for a visit to Otway Sound. Your route takes us some 40 miles northwest into the Patagonia countryside, across undulating land with just enough low shrubs to offer camouflage to guanacos and rheas (South American ostrich). Arriving at Otway Sound, hike for about one mile across grassland interspersed with sandy areas to a substantial Magellanic penguin colony. Expert onboard naturalists will explain how these penguins share chores with their lifelong mates and return to this spot every year to lay eggs and raise their young. They bury their eggs in the sandy burrows and under shrubs. The animals are naturally curious and untamed; if approached too quickly they will scamper into their burrows or try to reach the water. Following ample time to observe the penguins, it is time for your invigorating hike back to the parking area and your return journey to Punta Arenas.

Alternatively, and for guests preferring a less-active outing, join a tour that begins with a visit to Club Andino (Andean Club). This unique ski centre is one of the very few in the world with a view to the ocean, where summertime brings great opportunities for trekking on the slopes. Upon your arrival at the club, ride a lift that allows you to have a panoramic view over the entire area. From the top of the hill, see the legendary Strait of Magellan and the city of Punta Arenas in the distance. Take the easy trek – downhill – along a shaded woodland path through the Patagonian trees, your naturalist guide pointing out the interesting flora along the route. At the end of your walk, relax and enjoy some light refreshments before returning to the pier.

Day 11 Garibaldi Fjord and Glacier

Today, the Prince Albert II will enter the Garibaldi Fjord, a narrow passage strewn with floating ice in shades of blue and green. Ribbons of waterfalls snake down the steep mountainsides. At the head of this picturesque fjord, take in the quiet splendour of the retreating Garibaldi Glacier. The Captain and Expedition Leader will make the most of local conditions and available time to allow you to explore the area.

In the evening, continue through the 150-mile-long (241-km-long) Beagle Channel named after the HMS Beagle, a ship renowned for conducting its second coastal survey of southern South America in the early 19th century with a young Charles Darwin aboard, and for his famed publication The Voyage of the Beagle.

Day 12 Ushuaia, Argentina

The Prince Albert II will arrive at Ushuaia in the early morning hours. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Buenos Aires.