9 days - 8 nights
Day 1 - Embarkation in Puerto Montt
We begin our journey to the Chilean fjords from the city of Puerto Montt, located in the heart of the Los Lagos District, Chile. Embarkation takes place in the early afternoon, between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Before departure, mandatory informational meetings are held to prepare passengers and provide essential details about the upcoming voyage.
Day 2 - Puyuhuapi Channel
We continue our journey southward, venturing into one of the most remote and captivating corners of Chilean Patagonia: the Aysén region. At this stage, we explore the surroundings of Puerto Aysén and the charming village of Puyuhuapi, nestled in a wild natural environment where landscapes unfold like a symphony of fjords, islands, channels, and evergreen forests. As we navigate these pristine waters, the majesty of the surroundings envelops us: cliffs covered with vegetation, cloudy skies enhancing the dramatic scenery, and a deep silence interrupted only by marine wildlife. Our goal for the day is to reach one of the area's emblematic destinations: Puerto Cisnes, peaceful Puyuhuapi, or the enigmatic Magdalena Island, all rich in biodiversity and local culture. During the voyage, there is a high likelihood of spotting a fascinating variety of marine fauna: dolphins riding the waves alongside the ship, whales briefly surfacing in the distance, colonies of cormorants nesting on the rocks, sea lions resting on small islands, and, with some luck, elusive river otters.
The Puyuhuapi Channel, also known as Canal Cay, is an impressive arm of the sea located in the Aysén Region, southern Chile. It is part of the complex network of waterways in the South Pacific, in one of the most remote and scenic areas of Chilean Patagonia. This channel plays a key geographic role: it separates the imposing Magdalena Island from the South American continent, establishing a natural boundary between the mainland and the vast group of islands and fjords that characterize the region. Its calm and deep waters make it a strategic navigation route, especially for vessels traveling to or from the Moraleda Channel, with which it is directly connected. Surrounded by pristine landscapes with minimal human intervention, the Puyuhuapi Channel offers spectacular views of forested mountains, rugged coasts, and rich marine biodiversity, making this southern corner an ideal place for contemplation and adventure.
Puerto Cisnes is a picturesque town located on the northern coast of the Aysén Region, deep in southern Patagonia. With a population of about 6,600 inhabitants, it stretches along the bay of the Puyuhuapi Channel, right where the Cisnes River flows into it. Opposite the town lies the majestic Magdalena Island National Park, a protected natural area that further enhances the scenic and ecological value of the region.
Day 3 - San Rafael National Park
Today the ship arrives at the remote Chonos Archipelago, in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. We navigate towards the Moraleda Channel, crossing one of the most pristine areas in southern Chile. If the weather permits, we enter the area of the Laguna San Rafael National Park, a biosphere reserve recognized for its breathtaking beauty and ecological importance. This park is the main gateway to the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, a vast world of glaciers, mountains, and ancient ice. Throughout the day, we also explore hidden fjords, narrow channels, lonely islands, and small coves, in an environment where nature reigns supreme.
Day 4 - At sea - Gulf of Penas
As we continue our journey southward, we cross the impressive Gulf of Penas, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges stretching as far as the eye can see. During the navigation, the expedition team enriches the experience by sharing fascinating stories about the ancient indigenous inhabitants of these southern lands, the first European explorers, and historical figures such as Charles Darwin, Captain Fitz Roy, and missionary and photographer Alberto de Agostini, all captivated by the vastness and mystery of this region. We also participate in talks and presentations onboard dedicated to the extraordinary marine biodiversity, learning about the flora and fauna inhabiting these cold southern waters: from whales and dolphins to seabirds, underwater forests, and unique ecosystems of Chilean Patagonia.
Day 5 - Caleta Tortel & Messier Channel
If weather conditions permit, in the morning we will visit Caleta Tortel or its surroundings. This picturesque village lies between the mouth of the Baker River and a small cove in the channel of the same name. Caleta Tortel is notable for its unique stilt-house architecture, built along the coast for several kilometers. Its famous cypress walkways from the Guaitecas connect houses, viewpoints, and community spaces, giving it a unique identity that blends Chilote tradition with the isolation of deep Patagonia. After the visit, we continue sailing south through the Messier Channel, reaching the spectacular English Narrows, a narrow passage just 18 meters (59 feet) wide offering stunning views. From this privileged vantage point, it is possible to observe the imposing glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, one of the largest ice masses outside Antarctica and home to some of the southern hemisphere’s largest glaciers.
Day 6 - Bernardo O’Higgins National Park
We embark on a Zodiac excursion towards the imposing Amalia Glacier or one of the neighboring glaciers descending along Peel Fjord, deep within Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. During this navigation, we are surrounded by the hypnotic beauty of blue ice, with floating icebergs and glacier walls dropping from mountains into the sea in a breathtaking natural spectacle. We move among snow-capped peaks and cold waters, getting close enough to admire the glacier’s bright and rugged textures, feeling the silent power of this ancient landscape. Along the way, it is possible to spot dolphins sliding through the waves, cormorants perched on rocks, condors soaring above cliffs, and even otters playing near the shore. This intimate encounter with the Patagonian ice is a unique experience revealing the wild and pure essence of Chile’s far south.
Day 7 - Day at Sea: Strait of Magellan & Tierra del Fuego
As we proceed southward along the majestic Strait of Magellan, we explore the calm waters of the fjords unfolding from Tierra del Fuego. We follow the remote coastline surrounding the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, a protected reserve recognized as an important feeding site for various marine species in the southern hemisphere. With some luck, we may enjoy the natural spectacle of humpback whales, which often emerge and breach near the ship. Additionally, the area is home to a rich marine fauna where playful dolphins, sea lions resting on rocks, seals, penguin colonies, as well as majestic albatrosses and petrels soaring the skies, are commonly sighted. This leg of the journey connects us deeply with the region’s wildlife and the vast landscapes of Tierra del Fuego.
Day 8 - Beagle Channel & Garibaldi Fjord
The Beagle Channel is a narrow and fascinating passage located in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, a region named after the fires set in native settlements when the first European explorers arrived. This natural channel divides the borders of Chile and Argentina, offering stunning views of the Darwin Mountain Range, whose snow-capped peaks and glacial formations are reflected in its waters. During navigation, we will pass through the Glacier Alley, a natural corridor housing iconic glaciers such as Holland, Italy, France, Germany, and Romanche. Our destination will be Garibaldi Fjord, where the imposing beauty of ice and mountain combine to offer an unforgettable experience.
Day 9 - Ushuaia
We disembark in the morning at Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, known as “the end of the world.” This vibrant and picturesque destination welcomes us with its unique setting between mountains and the Beagle Channel, marking the beginning or end of an unforgettable adventure in Patagonia.
