Antarctica21 Wilderness Cruise to the Patagonia & Chilean Fjords

Patagonia & Chilean Fjords

A 9-day wilderness experience in Southern Chile and the Patagonia Ice Field. Visit the San Rafael Glacier, Puerto Eden, Madre de Dios Island, the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego, and the Beagle Channel.

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Patagonia & Chilean Fjords

Duration

9 Days / 8 Nights

Departure city

Puerto Montt, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina

Itinerary Type: Sea Voyage

Sailing
Return Sailing

Optional extras

Kayaking Program
Sightseeing
Photography

Ship options

For complete Sea Voyage pricing details review our brochure.

Itinerary at a Glance

In the 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.

Day 1: Puerto Montt, Embarkation Your journey begins in Puerto Montt, Chile, with boarding between 3 and 4 PM (15:00 – 16:00 hr.)
Day 2: Puerto Cisnes We head south to the village of Puerto Cisnes, in the remote region of Aysén, for an afternoon visit. We visit the seaport and explore the area, with its many fjords, islands, and channels. We hope to visit Magdalena Island, where we have a good chance of seeing penguins, cormorants, sea lions, and river otters.
Days 3: San Rafael The expedition continues with a full day of activities planned at San Rafael Bay. Declared a Biosphere Reserve, the park is the main entry point to Chile’s Northern Icefields. San Rafael Glacier is the main attraction, but we will also enjoy exploring the surrounding fjords, channels, islands, and coves.
Day 4: Gulf of Penas We cross the Gulf of Penas, enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges. As we continue to sail southward, the expedition team tells you about the indigenous inhabitants of these southern lands, the early Spanish colonizers, and famous explorers such as Charles Darwin, Fitz Roy, and Alberto de Agostini. You also learn about the region’s biodiversity with presentations on the local marine life and flora.
Day 5: Puerto Eden We sail the dramatic, 18 mt-wide English Narrows on our way to the famous fishing village of Puerto Eden, one of Chile’s most isolated settlements. The village sits on the eastern side of Wellington Island and is only accessible by sea. Puerto Eden has no roads. Instead, a network of wooden boardwalks connects the houses and establishments. Rich evergreens cover the landscape steeped in indigenous traditions and culture, being home to the Kawéskar people.
Day 6: Madre de Dios Island We continue sailing south towards Madre de Dios Island, several natural caves that create a unique landscape evocatively named Marble Glaciers. In one of those caves, skeletons of whales 2600 to 3500 years old have been discovered. Many caves near the coast were used in the past as burial sites by the Kawéskar people. The whole region is an ideal place for exploration.part of an uninhabited archipelago west of the Trinidad Channel and Concepción Channel. The island is composed partly of limestone, with
Day 7: Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego While cruising along the Strait of Magellan, we explore the waters of the fiords that branch out from Tierra del Fuego, a region named after the fires that burned in local native settlements when the first European explorers arrived. We 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.
Day 8: Beagle Channel We continue along the Beagle Channel, a striking narrow passage, partly belonging to Chile and partly to Argentina. We sail along Glacier Alley, a 240 km (150 mi) stretch within the Channel in Southern Chile, home to a family of five glaciers: the Holanda, Italia, Francia, Alemania, and Romanche glaciers. We hope to explore the Garibaldi Fjord where we will be surrounded by hanging and tidewater glaciers; nearby waterfalls are so close they can almost be touched. Spectacular ice formations are sprawled along the sea, forming part of the Southern Patagonian Ice field and the snow-dusted Darwin Range. It is a perfect time to enjoy the graceful view and, if possible, get a glimpse of sea lions and steamer ducks. The Beagle Channel, with the Strait of Magellan to the north and the Drake Passage to the south, is one of the three navigable passages in South America connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. On our way to Ushuaia, Argentina, the largest settlement on the channel, we will make a brief nighttime technical stop in Port Williams to comply with Chilean customs and immigration requirements.
Day 9: Ushuaia, Disembarkation Morning arrival in Ushuaia and disembarkation.
*** This itinerary is also available in reverse beginning in Ushuaia and ending in Puerto Montt.
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.

Patagonia & Chilean Fjords Sea Voyage Itinerary

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Sea Voyage Inclusions

Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.

Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.

Ship cruise as indicated in the itinerary corresponding to each expedition.

Daily buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship.

Loan of waterproof boots for landings, landing fees, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.

All guided shore excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.

Photo Album: Patagonia & Chilean Fjords

Glaciers along the Southern Patagonia Ice Field — Sail along the glaciers of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field with our expert guides.

Willife on the shores of the Chilean Fjords — Enjoy views of the wildlife like these baby seals along the the shores of the Chilean Fjords

Library on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban. — Enjoy the beautiful living spaces like Magellan Explorer’s library while at sea.

Magellan Explorer sailing in the Southern Ocean.

Spot plenty of birds in their natural habitat.

On a trip through Patagonia & Chilean Fjords, you may spot humpback whales along the Strait of Magellan.

Magellan Explorer

The Patagonia & Chilean Fjords expedition is only available on Magellan Explorer.

Magellan Explorer

Featuring a modern design and innovative technologies, this expedition vessel was custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises.

For complete Sea Voyage pricing details review our brochure.

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Penthouse Suite Cabin on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban. — Receive a free cabin upgrade on our March 1, 2024 Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise departure on board Magellan Explorer.

Magellan Explorer in Antarctica. Photography by Sandra Walser for Antarctica21. — Magellan Explorer was custom-built for Antarctic air-cruises.

Bridge on board Magellan Explorer, photography by Tom Arban. — Our new collection of boutique expeditions to Antarctica, Sub-Antarctica, and Patagonia & Chilean Fjords.

Magellan Explorer polar vessel — For the 2024-25 season, we’re offering 36 new air-cruises on our small boutique ships!

Veranda Cabin on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban. — Enjoy views of the unforgettable landscapes from your bed.

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Find out what it’s like to sail on the modern and sleek Magellan Explorer, custom-built for Antarctic adventure and wilderness expeditions.

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Testimonial

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Dave & Ann S.

Falklands (Malvinas) & South Georgia Sea Voyage, October 2022

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Falklands (Malvinas) & South Georgia Sea Voyage, October 2022

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