The Patagonian fjords are among the most beautiful and pristine regions on our planet. To the west, the Pacific Ocean. To the east, the Andes mountain range rises as a continuous wall, battered almost year-round by the most relentless drizzle on the globe. This region is a maze of islets and dead ends, navigated by boat to witness nature's most majestic display.
Embark on this five-day, four-night adventure expedition, travelling from Ushuaia (Argentina) to Punta Arenas (Chile), passing through some of the most remote and remarkable places on the planet. Discover the wild beauty of Patagonia on a journey that reveals the region's untouched landscapes, diverse wildlife and fascinating human history, aboard an expedition ship offering exceptional service quality and extraordinary comfort at the end of the world. You'll leave behind the twinkling lights of Ushuaia as the ship carries you to legendary sites such as Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay, before sailing on through the Beagle Channel. You'll continue through a labyrinth of islands, visiting various glaciers — those giants of ice that guard the far south of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago — before entering the legendary Strait of Magellan. Our final stop is Magdalena Island, known for its noisy penguin colonies, before disembarking at Punta Arenas.
DAY 1 - Ushuaia
Boarding in the late afternoon. Welcome cocktail and introduction of the Captain and crew. The ship then weighs anchor, bound for the far south. Passing through the legendary Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan, you'll cross Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
DAY 2 - Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay
We sail through the Murray Channel and Nassau Bay to reach Cape Horn National Park, where we'll land if weather conditions allow. The legendary Cape Horn, discovered in 1616, is an almost vertical rocky promontory 425 metres high. For years it was a major shipping route for sailing vessels between the Pacific and the Atlantic. Known as the end of the world, it was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 2005.
In the afternoon, we land at Wulaia Bay, a historic site that was once one of the largest indigenous settlements of the Yámana canoe people. Charles Darwin landed here in 1833 during his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. The site offers a visually striking landscape, shaped by its vegetation and geography. We'll reach a viewpoint by walking through the Magellanic forest, where lenga trees (Tierra del Fuego beech), coihues, winter's bark and ferns grow, among other species.
Day 3: Pia Glacier, Porter Glacier
In the morning, we sail along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and land in Pía Fjord. We'll take an excursion to the viewpoint, from where you can observe the glacier of the same name and its main tongue, stretching from the high mountain ridge down to the ocean. In the afternoon, aboard Zodiac boats, we'll navigate between tall rocky walls to reach Porter Glacier. We'll hold position in front of the ice wall to observe its colours, listen to its sounds and, with luck, perhaps witness a calving event. We'll spend some time discussing this extraordinary mass of ice, take the obligatory photographs, then return to the ship.
Day 4: Agostini Sound – Aguila Glacier – Condor Glacier
In the morning, we sail through the Cockburn Channel to reach Agostini Sound, where it's possible to observe glaciers descending from the heart of the Darwin mountain range, some of which flow directly into the sea. During the morning, we'll land by Zodiac for an easy walk around a lagoon formed by the melting of Aguila Glacier, arriving right in front of it.
In the afternoon, we'll take a Zodiac excursion to approach Condor Glacier. We'll learn about glacier formation and its influence on the rugged geography of the Fuegian channels.
Day 5: Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas
Early in the morning, weather permitting, we land on Magdalena Island, a mandatory supply stop for early navigators and explorers. During our walk to the lighthouse, we can observe a huge colony of Magellanic penguins. In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a landing on Marta Island, where you can observe a colony of South American sea lions from the Zodiac boats.
In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a landing on Marta Island, where you can observe a colony of South American sea lions from the Zodiac boats.
*Camera tripods are not permitted on Magdalena Island
Disembarkation at Punta Arenas.
