Set sail on the Magellan Explorer for this 9-day Patagonia and Chilean Fjords cruise. In Chilean Patagonia, one of the southernmost regions of the world, sail between massive blue-hued glaciers and the sharp peaks of the Andes mountains. This untamed terrain is home to fjords, channels, and islets with beaches teeming with marine wildlife, birds, and stunning natural landscapes best accessed by ship or zodiac. On this wilderness expedition, visit Puerto Cisnes, the San Rafael Bay and Glacier, the Gulf of Penas, the isolated village of Puerto Eden, the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego, and the Beagle Channel.
Highlights
Explore the waters of the fiords that branch out from Tierra del Fuego
Visit the Garibaldi Fjord, surrounded by hanging and tidewater glaciers
See penguins, cormorants, sea lions, and river otters on Magdalena Island
Cross the Gulf of Penas and enjoy beautiful views of mountain ranges
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your adventure commences in Puerto Montt, Chile, with embarkation scheduled between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Following all essential orientations, the vessel departs for the Gulf of Corcovado.
You'll continue south to explore the area around Puerto Aysen and Puyuhuapi in the Aysén region. As you cruise and explore the region, you'll witness the landscape unfolding with its many fjords, islands, and channels. You'll have the opportunity to visit either Puerto Cisnes, Puyuhuapi, or Magdalena Island, with the possibility of spotting dolphins, whales, cormorants, sea lions, and river otters.
Today, the ship reaches the Chonos Archipelago. Heading towards the Moraleda Channel, the vessel cruises around the area of San Rafael National Park, a biosphere reserve, if weather permits. The park is the main entry point to Chile's Northern Patagonian Ice Field. We will also explore the surrounding fjords, channels, islands, and coves.
As you sail south, you'll cross the Gulf of Penas, soaking in the stunning vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges. The expedition team will inform you about the indigenous inhabitants of these southern lands, the early Spanish colonizers, and renowned explorers like Charles Darwin, Fitz Roy, and Alberto de Agostini. You'll also gain insight into the region's biodiversity through presentations on the local marine fauna and flora.
If weather permits, you have a morning visit planned to Caleta Tortel or the surrounding region. Situated between the mouth of the Baker River and a small cove within the Baker Channel, Caleta Tortel is a quaint village characterized by stilt houses, typical of Chilotan architecture, stretching along the coastline for several kilometers. Wooden walkways made of Guaitecas cypress connect the houses, contributing to the village's distinctive appearance and unique culture. Your journey continues southward towards Messier Channel, where you'll navigate through the dramatic 18-meter-wide (59 feet) English Narrows, offering a privileged view of the glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Some of the largest glaciers in the southern hemisphere outside of Antarctica can be found here.
You'll embark on a Zodiac excursion to the Amalia Glacier area or the surrounding glaciers along the Peel Fjord in the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. You'll immerse yourself in the icy-blue beauty of the glacier and navigate across the sea and among its ice floes, uncovering part of Chile's natural mystique. As you sail between snow-capped peaks to get a closer look at the glacier and its brilliant, rugged textures, you may spot dolphins swimming at a distance, cormorants or condors flying above, and otters.
While cruising along the Strait of Magellan, explore the waters of the fiords that branch out from Tierra del Fuego. Follow the remote coast around the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, a protected area in the southern hemisphere where whales feed. If you are lucky, you may be able to witness Humpback or Sei whales breaching in the distance. You may also see dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, albatrosses, and petrels.
The Beagle Channel offers you a striking narrow passage in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, a region originally named after the fires that burned in local native settlements when the first European explorers arrived. Dividing Chile and Argentina, this passage showcases ice formations along the snow-dusted Darwin Range. You'll sail along Glacier Alley, home to the Holanda, Italia, Francia, Alemania, and Romanche glaciers, to explore the Garibaldi Fjord.
Day 9: Ushuaia | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Morning arrival in Ushuaia and disembarkation.
Note: the itinerary presented above is for reference. As for any expedition cruise, our route will be subject to weather conditions and the requirements of the Chilean authorities.
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.
$5,995
Select a Date
Triple Suite
480 ft2 – 44 m2
-Suite with two bedrooms, balcony, and sitting area
Select a Date
Porthole Cabin
Porthole Cabins 200 ft2 – 18 m²
-Cabin with sitting area and porthole
Select a Date
Veranda Cabin
210 ft2 – 19 m2
-Cabin with sitting area and balcony
Select a Date
Deluxe Veranda Cabin
240 ft2 – 22 m2
-Cabin with sitting area and balcony
Select a Date
Grand Suite
480 ft2 – 44 m2
-Two-room suite with sitting room, balcony, and bedroom
Select a Date
Penthouse Suite
360 ft2 – 33 m2
-Suite with sitting room, balcony, and bedroom area
Select a Date
Single Veranda Cabin
210 ft2 – 19 m2
- Cabin with sitting area and balcony
Notes
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Cabin sharing, where solo travelers are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender is available in Porthole and Veranda Cabins.
-Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.85x the double occupancy rate for Porthole and Veranda Cabins types. Deluxe Veranda, Penthouse Suite, and Grand Suite cabins are 2x the double occupancy rate.
Fly cruises: Children admitted from 8 years old
Classic Antarctica Air Cruise
Polar Circle
Antarctica Express
Sea voyages: Children admitted from 12 years old
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords
Falklands (Malvinas) & SG
Falklands (Malvinas), SG and Antarctica
Antarctic Small Ship Expedition
Optionals
Kayaking: Children admitted from 16 years old.
Hiking & snowshoeing: Children admitted from 12 years old.
Initial deposit is $4000 plus the adventure activities must be paid in full at the time of booking., and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
8 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board ship
Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks on board ship throughout the expedition
IAATO passenger fee
Loan of Waterproof Boots for Landings
Comprehensive Pre- and Post-voyage Information Materials
Lectures and entertainment onboard.
Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board the ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
Dinner served daily on board the ship offering a choice between one of three main courses.
All guided shore excursions.
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Beverages purchased at the bar
Parkas are not provided on your cruise. Please bring your own windproof, waterproof, insulated parka with you. You will want to make sure it is roomy enough to fit warm layers underneath. Click here for information about parka rental.
All participants in an Antarctica 21 expedition are required to have a travel insurance policy. A comprehensive policy is recommended but, at a minimum, Medical Evacuation coverage up to $100,000 USD is required.
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
