Enjoy the five day Patagonia cruise on the Mare Australis, where daily zodiac trips ashore allow exploration of the remote landscape, its animals and flora. Onboard enjoy informative slide shows, a knowledgeable, attentive crew and delicious food. Upon arrival in Ushuaia, fly to El Calafate for two nights at a wonderful hacienda - part B&B, part working ranch. End your trip at the foot of Los Cuernos in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. A wonderfully varied and easy paced Patagonia travel option.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
This morning you fly south to the colorful port town of Punta Arenas at the end of the world to begin your Chile travel adventures. You'll transfer directly to the Mare Australis - a luxury passenger ship built specifically for cruising through the fjords of the Strait of Magellan. Make yourself at home on this spacious and comfortable ship. Late this afternoon you'll cast off to begin your exploration of the waterways of Patagonia.
Day 3-5: Mare Australis - Overnight Mare Australis
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Read Detailed Patagonia Cruise Itinerary »
You'll spend the next few days cruising the labyrinth of inlets, islands, fjords and channels of Patagonia. Twice-daily zodiac trips ashore allow you to experience the stunning beauty of this region and to learn about its flora and fauna. Onboard there are daily informative slide shows on the region, and the boat also has a well-stocked library with reference materials on the land, people, flora and fauna of Tierra del Fuego. Your crew will take excellent care of you with delicious meals and attend to all your creature comforts onboard. From the decks of your ship you will be able to see a wide variety of wildlife and, weather permitting, stunning views of glaciers and the Darwin Mountain range. Enjoy the roaring symphonies as huge chunks of ice break off into the water on this journey that traces the routes of some of the world's most famous explorers.
Day 6: Ushuaia/ El Calafate
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Early this morning you'll arrive in Ushuaia - a town with a dramatic setting, bordered on one side by the Beagle Channel and encompassed by glacial peaks that surround the town, rising sharply from sea level to nearly 5,000 feet. You'll say goodbye to your crew and ship to begin your Argentina travels with a visit to the Ushuaia Maritime Museum housed in the former national prison. Exhibits (including penal history, Antarctic exploration and scale models of famous sailing ships) span 500 years and give a unique glimpse into the area's history. From the museum you'll make your way to the airport and fly to El Calafate, the gateway to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and the famous Moreno Glacier.
You'll stay at the picturesque El Galpon del Glaciar (formerly known as the "Estancia Alice"). The lodge is warm and welcoming with delicious homemade food, located just 15 minutes from downtown El Calafate. The homestead covers an area of Patagonian Steppe - a unique ecosystem of rivers, lakes and lagoons. While at the homestead visit the nature reserve and enjoy its many trails - over 40 species of migrating birds pass through here so keep turning your eyes skyward! The homestead is also a working ranch and you'll have the opportunity to tour the shearing sheds and watch the working sheepdogs in action. For those who want to explore by horseback this is also an option.
Day 7: Perito Moreno Glacier Walk
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today you drive into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and go to the stunning lookout of Perito Moreno Glacier. This huge advancing glacier is more than 3 miles wide at its front and over 20 stories high. You'll take a boat across Lago Argentino, passing the massive front wall of blue ice all the while watching for icebergs. Landing at a small beach you'll start hiking through the beech forest to the ice pack of the glacier and have the opportunity to walk on the glacier. You'll eat lunch sitting on the lateral moraine of the glacier, giving you the opportunity to absorb the magnificence of the glacier's anatomy and the treat of listening to its thunderous concerto of groaning and cracking ice dropping into the lake below. As you hike out this afternoon there are numerous photographic opportunities. See if you can spot the Andean Condor or Buff-necked Ibis! This glacier walk has minimum age of 10 and a maximum age limit of 65 years of age (alternatives available; contact us for details).
Day 8: El Calafate/ Torres Del Paine
1 Breakfast
Today you transfer by comfortable bus to Torres del Paine. Enjoy the stunning scenery all the way into Torres del Paine National Park. Relax at your comfortable lodge, your home for the next three nights.
Day 9: Grey Glacier
1 Breakfast
This morning, you'll board the ferry and set off across the Lago Grey. Passing amongst icebergs of fantastic colors and shapes you approach the looming walls of Grey Glacier - this huge glacier represents the end of the Southern ice field. From the decks of the boat you can appreciate the vastness of the glacier. Occasionally there are times when such large chunks have fallen from the Glacier that it is impossible to navigate the ferry too close. In these instances you'll use a zodiac instead to approach the massive walls of the Glacier.
Day 10: Torres Del Paine Free Day
1 Breakfast
Today is free to choose what Chile travel adventures you do. Cross Lake Pehoe in the catamaran and walk part of the "W" walking circuit. Hike through dense forest to Mirador Grey, or hike a shorter trail near the Hosteria with one of the bi-lingual guides. Other options include floating the Grey River, kayaking a more challenging section, and exploring the Serrano River by zodiac. You might also just relax and enjoy the stunning views from the lodge.
Day 11: Santiago/ Return Home
1 Breakfast
Early this morning, you'll transfer to Punta Arenas for the afternoon flight to Santiago and connecting flights homeward. With a few more days, you can add extensions to the Atacama Desert, Isla Chiloe, or rafting in the Lakes District to continue your Chile travels.
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
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.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.