Patagonia & Chilean Fjords

The journey begins in Ushuaia, with embarkation at the port scheduled between 3:00 and 4:00 PM (15:00–16:00 hrs). Following departure, the vessel makes a brief technical call in Port Williams to complete Chilean customs and immigration formalities before continuing through the Beagle Channel.

The Beagle Channel, a narrow passage shared by Chile and Argentina within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, takes its name from the fires observed in Indigenous settlements by early European explorers. While navigating this remote corridor, striking ледscapes spill from the snow-covered peaks of the Darwin Range into the sea.

Along Glacier Alley and through Yendegaia National Park, five impressive glaciers come into view: Holanda, Italia, Francia, Alemania, and Romanche. Weather and conditions permitting, the route may include entry into the Garibaldi Fjord, where hanging glaciers and cascading waterfalls descend dramatically to the shoreline.

Together with the Strait of Magellan and the Drake Passage, the Beagle Channel forms one of only three navigable sea connections between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in South America.

While heading north along the Magellan Strait, you enter the secluded fjords of Tierra del Fuego and explore Seno de Agostini, a spectacular fjord framed by steep mountains and hanging glaciers cascading from the Darwin Range. If conditions allow, you disembark at the Aguila Glacier. Later in the day, you sail along the coastline of Francisco Coloane Marine Park, a vital feeding ground for whales in the southern hemisphere.
 

Sail through a breathtaking fjord in Chile’s Aysén Region, a 60-kilometer stretch framed by steep, snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Along the way, waterfalls cascade through lush temperate rainforests, and glaciers spill directly into the sea. If conditions permit, prepare to disembark for an up-close encounter with the majestic Bernal Glacier.

Step ashore and board a private bus that takes you into the heart of Patagonia’s most iconic landscapes, where granite towers pierce the sky, turquoise lakes shimmer, and a diverse array of wildlife roam freely amid the untamed wilderness.

Today, you venture to Madre de Dios Island, a remote and rarely visited land in the Chilean fjords. Known for its spectacular limestone cliffs, caves, and glaciers, Madre de Dios Island reveals a striking landscape shaped by strong winds and the sea. Experience its rugged beauty and remoteness, where untouched nature and striking geology converge at the edge of Patagonia.

The expedition continues north toward the Messier Channel on the route to Pío XI Glacier, allowing a closer look at the Southern Icefield. Pío XI is the largest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere beyond Antarctica. Unlike most glaciers and despite global warming, Pío XI has experienced significant growth in recent decades, being the only one to expand steadily every year. In the afternoon, the ship sails through the dramatic 18-meter-wide (59-foot-wide) English Narrows.

After crossing the storied Golfo de Penas, discover Caleta Tortel, a coastal village nestled between the mouth of the Baker River and a quiet cove along the Baker Channel. Stretching for kilometers, the small town is made up of stilt houses in the traditional Chilotan style, perched above the shoreline. There are no conventional streets here. Instead, wooden walkways, built with Guaitecas cypress, wind through the village, giving it a remarkable look and a unique culture.

At the far east of the Chonos Archipelago, weather-dependent, explore a temperate rainforest and subantarctic coastal ecosystems on Kent Island. Often linked to the mysterious Isla Friendship, the island combines natural beauty with local lore, including UFO sightings, miraculous healings, and stories that blur the line between myth and reality.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark today. Then, head to the airport for your flight home.