Patagonian Explorer

Departures on Tuesdays and Saturdays

11 Days

Far to the south of Santiago and Buenos Aires lies Patagonia, one of the most remote and beautiful areas in the world, a land of lush forests, deep fjords, rarely-visited islands, spectacular mountains and stunning glaciers. The rich wildlife heritage here includes the Patagonian guanaco, the lesser rhea (a type of ostrich) and the huemul (a type of deer). You will also find pumas, condors, red and grey foxes and an abundance of marine life - whales, several species of dolphin, otters and Magellanic penguins.
The highlights of our tour: Perito Moreno Glacier, Australis Cruise, Torres del Paine National Park.
Note: The Australis Cruise operates from September to April.
Hotels quoted are tourist, superior and first class categories (similar to 3*, 4* and 5* categories).  The hotels we use are clean, safe, with private facilities and are centrally located.

Day 1

El Calafate

EL CALAFATE, gateway to ‘Los Glaciares’ National Park’ declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its 365 glaciers.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2

El Calafate

Today, you will join a tour to World Heritage listed Perito Moreno Glacier, truly one of the worlds’ most spectacular and world renowned for the continuous spectacle that it gives when huge ice pieces break off from its western wall falling noisily onto the lake surface View the glacier from a cliff top dramatically close to the face.

Day 3

El Calafate/Ushuaia

Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Ushuaia is Argentina’s most important city on Tierra de Fuego, and the southernmost city in the world. 

Day 4

Ushuaia

Today, join a half day tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park, located 12 km (7 miles) from the city. It preserves typical species of the Andean-Patagonian forest such as fire-bushes, beech trees, ñires, box leafed barberries and flowers, spread over 63,000 hectares.

Day 5

Ushuaia/Australis Cruise (SEP to APR)

Transfer to the pier, where you check in, for cruise onboard of Mare Australis, at San Martín 245, Ushuaia, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cruise ship boarding from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterward, the ship departs for “the uttermost part of the earth.” Our excursion will take us through Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan to explore one of the most captivating wilderness regions in the world:  Southern Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego.

Day 6

Australis Cruise

We sail through Beagle and Murray channels to reach and disembark in Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). Cape Horn, on Hornos Island, is a sheer, 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory. This mythical place is known as the “End of the Earth”; a visit is a singular privilege. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. In the afternoon, we go ashore in historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region’s largest aboriginal settlements. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other native vegetation to reach a lookout point.

Day 7

Australis Cruise

In the afternoon, we view awe-inspiring Gunther Plüschow Glacier, named after the region’s pioneering German aviator. Then we sail to Chico Sound, where we disembark in Zodiacs to observe majestic Piloto and Nena glaciers.

Day 8

Australis Cruise/Torres del Paine

Early in the morning, we go ashore on Magdalena Island, the home of an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic Penguins that we can watch during our walk to a lighthouse, which guides ships on their way through the Strait of Magellan. The island’s penguins migrate in April; as a replacement we visit Marta Island, to observe a sea lion colony. After our visit, we sail to Punta Arenas, disembarking approx. 11:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel located close to Torres Del Paine National Park and around 4hs drive far from Punta Arenas.

Day 9 - 10

Torres Del Paine Lodge

Lodge activities.

Day 11

Torres Del Paine

Early morning transfer to the airport.