Cruise from Argentina to Chile

Arrive in Buenos Aires, relax, and spend the overnight preparing for your adventure.

Specific hotel and location to be announced.

In the morning, transfer to the airport and fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, then continue by group transfer to the port. Embark on SH Vega to start your Polar expedition.

Set at the base of the snow-covered Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colorful streets and varied buildings descend sharply to the Beagle Channel. Known as one of the southernmost cities on Earth, it lives up to its “end of the world” reputation. Board the boutique ship and begin navigating one of the planet’s most remote wilderness regions.

Puerto Williams, the southernmost settlement on Chile’s Beagle Channel, offers access to Cape Horn’s natural and cultural highlights. Explore Cape Horn National Park’s lighthouse, glaciers, and peaks in Yendegaia National Park, and learn about the Yaghan people’s heritage at the Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum.

Considered one of Chile’s most beautiful glaciers, the towering teal walls of Garibaldi Glacier are pretty spectacular. Surrounded by pristine sub-Antarctic forests, the vegetation is just as impressive as the ice. The glacier and surrounding Garibaldi Fjord are part of Alberto de Agostini National Park. The park is also a recognized UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its unique terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems and is considered one of the 24 most pristine ecoregions on the planet.

Included Excursion:
Zodiac Cruising with the Expedition Team
01 h 30 m
Soak up the unique atmosphere of this special region where the Andes meets the ocean
Listen out for the crash of ice as it falls from the glacier face and splashes into the water
Watch out for sea lions basking on rocks, and condors soaring high in the sky above you

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

Angostura Kirke, a narrow waterway that connects the Gulf of Penas with the Gulf of Corcovado in Chile, demands precise timing and skillful navigation. Strong currents and winds heighten the challenge, yet the passage rewards with breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife. Playful dolphins, sleek seals and soaring seabirds enhance the experience amid mist-shrouded mountains and cascading waterfalls.

Puerto Natales is a charming port town along Last Hope Sound and an ideal gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. The park's highlight is an imposing trio of granite pillars that dominate the landscape. This vast area includes glaciers, vibrant teal lakes, lush forests and thundering rivers, and is home to diverse wildlife including guanaco, Darwin’s rhea, armadillo and the Patagonian fox, and is one of the world's top places to see puma.

One of few glaciers in the world that is not retreating, Pio XI glacier is an incredible sight to behold. Almost 66 km in length, Pio XI, also known as Brüggen Glacier, is the longest glacier in the southern hemisphere, outside of Antarctica. With towering ice cliffs, deep blue crevasses and seracs, it advances by 50 meters per day.

Angostura Inglesa (or the English Narrows), a narrow passage in the Messier Channel on the southwestern coast of Chile, provides a picturesque route through the fjords and glaciers of Patagonia. Navigating this challenging passage demands precise timing and skill due to strong currents and winds. Yet, the journey compensates with stunning views of mountains, islands, and the chance to encounter dolphins, seals, and various bird species.

After traversing the English Passage's green hills and snowy peaks, the ship arrives at remote Caleta Tortel village at the Rio Baker's mouth. Long isolated with only river and sea access, Tortel's first road was built in 2003. The timber industry led to the construction of wooden houses and streets - or boardwalks - made of wood. Hummingbirds flit amongst the flora of this scenic frontier outpost.

Included Excursion:
Walking Tour With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
04 h 30 m
Visit this remote corner of the world, nestled in the Aysén region of Chilean Patagonia
Discover breathtaking natural scenery, unique architecture, and fascinating local traditions
Connect with nature in this beautiful coastal town, which is surrounded by protected wildlife habitats

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from onboard professional photographers.

Castro, Chiloé Island's picturesque capital, is known for its palafitos, brightly painted wooden houses on stilts. Beyond the UNESCO-listed palafitos, Iglesia San Francisco, an old wooden neo-Gothic church dating back to 1567, stands tall in yellow. Nearby Chiloé National Park protects native alerce conifers, the largest tree species in South America. The park offers fantastic hiking trails and breathtaking views of the lush, pristine landscapes.

Included Excursion:
Chiloe and  Achao Islands
05 h 00 m
Discover a variety of exquisite churches recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2000
Enjoy a ferry ride to Quinchao island and pass through the village of Curaco de Vélez, keeping an eye out for black-necked swans
Experience local life in Achao, home to the oldest and perhaps most beautiful of the Chilotic churches

Puerto Montt, marking Chile's Lake District's southern end, is known for its bustling port and salmon fishing. The compact city's Histórico Museum displays indigenous artefacts and fossils. Nearby attractions include Chile’s oldest national park, Vicente Perez Rosales National Park with the vibrant Petrohué Rapids by the Osorno Volcano. Beyond the city on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, the town of Puerto Varas is known for its German heritage.

Included Excursions:
Puerto Montt, Frutillar and Puerto Varas
04 h 35 m
Admire the breathtaking snow-capped Volcán Osorno and the sparkling waters of Lago Llanquihue
Learn about the 19th-century German families who shaped the region's culture and architecture
Stroll through charming towns to discover distinctive Alpine and wooden architectural gems.

Petrohué rapids and the Chilian Lake District
07 h 00 m
Walk along ancient forest paths, camera in hand, ready to capture breathtaking vistas
Learn how the Saltos de Petrohué rapids surging through channels of lava, a dramatic legacy of Volcano Osorno’s eruption in 1850.
Immerse yourself in nature while spotting local wildlife, including majestic condors circling above

Niebla, a small coastal town at the mouth of the Valdivia River, is renowned for its folk market and beach. Opposite lie the ruins of the Spanish colonial Fort System of Valdivia, along with its museum at Corral. Nearby, Valdivia, one of Chile's most picturesque cities, is divided by narrow rivers including the Valdivia and Calle Calle, which wind through its downtown area. The city features stately German historic homes dating from 1840 to 1930.

Included Excursions:
Highlights of Valdivia
03 h 45 m
Uncover Valdivia’s tenacious spirit as you explore a city that has withstood attacks, floods, and a historic earthquake
Drive along the scenic Río Valdivia and Río Calle Calle, where serene waters host worldclass rowing athletes
Admire Valdivia’s elegant German-inspired homes, a testament to the cultural blend of Chilean and immigrant histories

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea allows you to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

One of Chile’s oldest cities, Valparaíso is known for its steep hillsides overlooking the ocean as well as its historical funicular. UNESCO-listed, it's a maze of monuments, wonderful architecture, churches, cobblestone alleys, colourful houses and bustling plazas. The former home of Chile's most famous poet, Pablo Neruda, is open to the public in Isla Negra. Leaving Valparaiso, the fertile Casablanca Valley is known for Chilean white wines.

On this day, say goodbye to your fellow travelers and crew, and depart for your flight back home.