Chilean Fjords Discovery

In the Wake of Darwin's HMS Beagle: Chilean Fjords Discovery

Explore dramatic fjords, towering glaciers and fascinating history in comfort and style as you traverse the bottom of the world on a 14-day Chilean Fjords cruise with Swan Hellenic. Your journey starts in Ushuaia, said to be the world's most southerly city, before continuing on an intrepid exploration of some of the biggest, best-known and most interesting fjords and glaciers in the southern hemisphere. Your knowledgeable onboard experts will assist you on your search for local wildlife including the famed Andean condor, as well as answer any questions you may have about your out-of-this-world surroundings. From Puerto Natales you will visit the renowned granite pillars of Torres del Paine National Park before continuing north, stopping in at charming coastal settlements along the way. Conclude your Chilean fjord adventure in the vibrant historical city of Valparaíso, enjoying the lively culture and wonderful cuisine as you look back on this incredible experience.

Highlights

• Enjoy the natural serenity of Isla Mocha, a nature protected island with wildlife as fascinating as its colourful human history
• Spend time in Chile’s oldest national park, Vicente Pérez Rosales, on your trip to the vibrant and thundering Petrohué Rapids, located at the foot of the iconic Osorno Volcano.
• Experience the thundering sound of calving ice as you approach the immense PIO XI glacier, one of the world’s only advancing glaciers.
• Come face to face with the imposing and famed trio of granite pillars as you explore the renowned Torres del Paine National Park
• Visit Garibaldi Glacier, considered one of Chile’s most beautiful glaciers, as you cruise through the pristine Alberto de Agostini National Park

Quick Itinerary

Day 1 – Ushuaia
Day 2  – Garibaldi Glacier
Day 3 – Cruising the fjords
Days 4 & 5 - Puerto Natales
Day 6 - Cruising the fjords
Day 7 – Pio Xi Glacier
Day 8 – Tortel
Day 9 – At sea
Day 10 – Castro
Day 11 – Puerto Montt
Day 12 – At sea
Day 13 - Isla Mocha
Day 14 - Valparaiso

Itinerary may be in reverse

Truly Individual Holiday

Any element of this holiday can be tailormade to your requirements, including the places you want to see and the things that are important to you. Just contact one of our Travel Specialists today.

Day 1: Ushuaia

Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colourful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel. As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board your boutique ship, the SH Minerva, before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world.

Day 2: Garibaldi Glacier

Considered one of Chile’s most beautiful glaciers, the towering teal walls of Garibaldi Glacier are quite spectacular. Surrounded by pristine sub-Antarctic forests, the vegetation is just as impressive as the ice. The glacier and surrounding Garibaldi Fjord are part of Alberto de Agostini National Park. The park is also a recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its unique terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystem, and is considered one of the 24 most pristine ecoregions on the planet. Conditions permitting, you'll head out on zodiac boats into the water for further exploration of the fjord and its wildlife. Keep an eye out for the mighty Andean condor, which can often be spotted in the region.

Day 3: Cruising the fjords

Explore the windswept Tierra del Fuego archipelago as you continue your journey through the fjords. Here you’ll find a dramatic and diverse landscape, from scoured plains and ancient peat bogs to snowy mountain ranges. This desolate archipelago also has an interesting human history. The area was first settled by the Yaghan people in 8,000 BC before it was discovered by Europeans in 1520. Charles Darwin also visited whilst on his famous voyage aboard The Beagle. Continuing north, you’ll navigate through the vast fjords and channels. Take in the natural beauty, wildlife and stillness of the Strait of Magellan and enjoy the wonders of the Estero Las Montãnas fjord. This former glacier valley, now flooded with water, stretches on for as far as the eye can see.

Days 4 & 5: Puerto Natales

Situated on Last Hope Sound, the pretty port town of Puerto Natales is an ideal base for visiting the famed and feral Torres del Paine National Park. The park’s crown jewel, the imposing trio of granite pillars, dominate the landscape in a manner reminiscent of Tolkien’s Mordor. Explore beyond the star attraction and discover glaciers, vibrant teal lakes, lush forests and thundering rivers. The region is also home to fascinating wildlife including guanaco, Darwin’s rhea, armadillo and the Patagonian fox, and is also one of the top places in the world to see puma. The town itself is very walkable and is home to a number of trendy cafés, restaurants and shops. Take a tour of the Last Hope Distillery for a spot of gin tasting or enjoy a stroll along the waterfront for some photo opportunities. If you’re feeling a little more energetic, hike up the nearby Dorotea Hill for a bird’s eye view of Puerto Natales. If luck is on your side, you may even spot a condor.

Day 6: Cruising the fjords

Depart Puerto Natales through the White Narrows, a notoriously difficult stretch of water. The narrows can only be passed in daylight and at slack tide. Stay on deck for the opportunity to spot rock wall dwelling wildlife at close range as your crew navigate the narrow, angular passage. Continue your journey northbound as you sail through Eyre Fjord. Here you’ll find an emerald temperate forest that lines the shores, and you may even spot a sea lion or two enjoying a rest on the banks. Dolphins can also be seen in the surrounding waters alongside terns and gulls above. Spend the day on deck with the knowledgeable expedition team for a deeper understanding of the surrounding fjords and their inhabitants. You will also have the opportunity to attend some fascinating talks offered by guest lecturers.

Day 7: Pio Xi Glacier

At almost 66 kilometres in length, Pio XI Glacier, also known as Brüggen Glacier, is the longest glacier in the southern hemisphere outside of Antarctica. With a surface area exceeding 1265km2, it is one of few glaciers in the world that is not retreating. It is in fact advancing year after year, with an average advance in length, height and density of up to 50 metres per day. Pio XI is an incredible sight to behold. With giant ice cliffs that rise to a height of 75 meters intersected by deep blue crevasses and free-standing ice pillars known as seracs. Exploring the glacier further, you might just witness the startling but thrilling sights and sounds of ice calving into the water from the glacier wall.

Day 8: Tortel

Travel through the green hills and snow-capped peaks of the English Passage before arriving in the remote village of Caleta Tortel. Tortel is located at the mouth of the Rio Baker river and only had its first inland road built in 2003. Before the road’s construction, the village was very isolated, with the river and sea its main transport routes. The streets here consist mainly of boardwalks, and the houses are mostly built on stilts. The village evolved as a result of the local timber industry and is a wonderful place to observe traditional wooden architecture. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the boardwalks, keeping an eye out for hummingbirds which are commonly seen enjoying the local flora.

Day 9: At sea

As you continue on your voyage, spend your day at sea exploring your boutique ship and enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable on-board experts.

Day 10: Castro

Disembark today in the small, picturesque city of Castro, the capital of Chiloé Island. The city is known for its brightly painted wooden houses built on stilts (palafitos). Beyond the palafitos you may want to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Iglesia San Francisco, an old wooden Neo-Gothic church dating back to the founding of the city in 1567. Venture further afield into nearby Chiloé National Park for the chance to see native alerce conifers, the largest tree species in South America.

Day 11: Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt marks the southern end of Chile’s Lake District and is well known for its busy port and salmon fishing industry. From here you will visit the vibrant and thundering Petrohué Rapids, located at the foot of the iconic Osorno Volcano. The falls and the volcano are to be found in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile’s oldest national park. The city itself is relatively small and easy to explore on foot. The Museo Histórico displays fossils and items relating to the areas indigenous history and is worth a visit. Travel beyond the city limits to nearby Puerto Varas, a small and quaint city known for its German heritage and its location on the shores of the vast Lake Llanquihue.

Day 12: At sea

Spend your second, and final full day at sea enjoying the ship’s facilities and learning about the human, natural and geological history of the Chilean Fjords from your knowledgeable onboard experts. Listen to a fascinating talk, indulge in a spa treatment or simply enjoy some relaxing time in your cabin.

Day 13: Isla Mocha

The small, nature-protected island of Mocha has a fascinating natural and human history. Inhabited by one of the world’s smallest deer species, the pudú, 45% of the surface area of the island is a nature reserve. In the 16th century, the island was regularly visited by English and Dutch pirates including Francis Drake and Oliver van Hoort. It is also said that the waters around the island were once home to a famous 19th-century sperm whale, Mocha Dick, the whale thought to be the inspiration for Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.

Day 14: Valparaiso

One of Chile’s oldest cities, Valparaíso is known for its steep hillsides overlooking the ocean as well as its historical but perfectly functional funicular. The UNESCO-listed city is a maze of monuments, wonderful architecture, churches, cobblestone alleys, colourful houses and bustling plazas. Spend some time following in the footsteps of Chile’s most famous poet, Pablo Neruda, by visiting his former home. Or perhaps enjoy a wine tasting on a trip to the Casablanca Wine Valley. There are also plenty of wonderful cafes, restaurants, art galleries, museums and shopping opportunities. This city is truly unique and fascinating in equal measure, and definitely worth taking some time getting to know a little better.

Dates:

14 March 2025 - 27 March 2025

SH Vega

Prices:

Please speak to one of our Travel Specialist to have your holiday priced with flights and any pre or post-cruise extensions.

Included In The Cruise Fare:

• One night pre-cruise hotel accommodation with breakfast
• Transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation
• Transfer from the hotel to the port for embarkation
• Transfer from the port to the airport on return
• Onboard accommodation
• All meals onboard including room service 24 hours a day
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks & select alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• Onshore transfer per port of call
• Basic WIFI inclusion (Premium WIFI available)
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes

Find your perfect South America cruise call our Travel Specialists on 020 546 6222, or simply complete the enquiry form to get in touch.