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  • Santiago, Chile Santiago, Chile
    Santiago, Chile
  • National Park, Patagonia, Chile National Park, Patagonia, Chile
    National Park, Patagonia, Chile
  • Miscanti lagoon, Atacama desert, Chile Miscanti lagoon, Atacama desert, Chile
    Miscanti lagoon, Atacama desert, Chile

Fjords and Glaciers of Chile

22-day stay & expedition voyage

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Summary

In Brief

  • 4 Nights Santiago
  • 1 Night Valparaíso
  • 1 Night At Sea
  • 1 Night Niebla
  • 1 Night Puerto Montt
  • 1 Night Castro
  • 1 Night At Sea
  • 1 Night Pio Xi Glacier
  • 3 Nights Puerto Natales
  • 1 Night Chilean Fjords
  • 1 Night Ainsworth Bay
  • 1 Night Punta Arenas
  • 1 Night Garibaldi Fjord
  • 2 Nights Buenos Aires

About

Recommended for:
Expedition cruise

This all–encompassing journey is an explorer’s dream. Discover the wild tranquillity of snow-capped mountains and peaceful waters on this journey to the gateway to Patagonia.Spend three magical daysin the icy beauty of Puerto Natales and marvel at the astonishing landscape of the emblematic Pio XI glacier. Bookended by stays in Santiago and Buenos Aires.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
UK to Santiago

After making full use of your VIP airport lounge, fly overnight to Santiago, Chile

Day 2
Santiago, Chile

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred by private car to the Hotel Le Reve for 3 nights stay on a bed and breakfast basis in a room with balcony

Day 3
Santiago, Chile

Private Santiago City Tour San Cristobal excursion + Cable Car.

Pick up from your hotel to explore the historical and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. You will start your trip at the main avenue Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins by visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace, where your guide will explain to you the historical and current importance of this place. Following this, you will enjoy a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. Afterwards, you will visit the famous main square of the city Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings. You will continue by visiting the Santa Lucia hill, the mount upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, with many plants and an antique building rising steeply from the city below. Then, cross the river to visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighbourhood of Santiago.Bellavista lies at the foot of the Metropolitan Park and San Cristóbal, the highest hill in town, to which you will go up and explore. Finally visit Providencia with its top- restaurants, elegant shops and modern high-rise buildings. In the afternoon return to your hotel.

Day 4
Santiagio, Chile

Private half-day Perez Cruz winery excursion.

South of Santiago and in the heart of an area called “Maipo Alto” is a vineyard that although small, its history is full of rewarding moments. Specially designed to merge with the surrounding nature, the cellars stand out not only for the quality of the wines but also for their architecture. The Liguaiestate has 550 hectares of magnificent grapevines, among them; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Carmenere, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. All of them, coming from a small yet prodigious production, which in 1993 evolved into a wine making project that has earned a lot of prestige. The estate is owned by the Pérez Cruz family, who show great dedication for the elaboration process; participating actively in the production to assure that the tradition and quality as well as the care for the environment is set under the highest standards. Enjoy a private guide and wine tasting experience as part of the tour.


Day 5
Santiago to Valparaiso

This full-day private excursion will take you to the Casablanca Valley and onwards to Valparaiso to embark the ship

After exiting Santiago through Route 68, you will go through another important agricultural valley, Curacaví, which is known for its fruits and for its broad variety of restaurants offering typical Chilean food. Located approximately 80 kilometers away from Santiago, during the past decade the Casablanca Valley rapidly became Chile’s most important grape-growing valley for the production of premium white wine. As part of this excursion, you will enjoy a tour and tasting at one of the many boutique wineries that are part of this flourishing wine route. The journey will then continue towards Viña del Mar, a resort city founded in 1874, famous for its beautiful gardens and flower clock.

Then go on to Valparaíso, the oldest and most important port of Chile. Valparaíso's picturesque layout is enhanced by the surrounding hills that seem to dive into the ocean, reminding us that this was once the most important maritime destination of the Pacific coast before the Strait of Panama was opened to navigation in 1914. Walk down the city’s winding streets and enjoy the beautiful scenery before you transfer to the port.

Embark Silver Explorer and depart on your exciting Silversea Expedition.

During a special sail away party take in the sights of “The Pearl of the Pacific” –as the city is known in Chile’s literature and music. Valparaiso’s historic hillside settlements (including the still used funiculars) have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and this evening you can enjoy the delights of a specially prepared menu in The Restaurant.

Day 6
At Sea/The Humboldt Current

Take the first morning to unwind after your travels to join Silver Explorer in Valparaiso. Our experts will present talks in The Theatre to give you an introduction to Chile and the region’s wildlife and nature. Today our lecturers will introduce you to the natural and historical highlights of Valdivia and Chile’s Lake District.

Due to the presence of the very nutrient-rich Humboldt Current, the waters along the Chilean coast are rich in fish life. Today our chefs might introduce you to the world of “ceviche” in its many forms.

Day 7
Niebla, Chile

During the early morning Silver Explorer will anchor in the Corral Bay halfway between Corral and Niebla. Niebla is a small village on the banks of the Rio Valdivia where Chile’s Corral Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. Today Niebla is a beach resort, but in 1671 it was a defensive fortress built by Spanish conquerors to prevent attacks from pirates and corsairs.

This morning you can either drive to the charming river port city of Valdivia, where we will find an interesting blend of influences from the native Mapuche, Spanish settlers, and German immigrants, or take a catamaran on the river. In both cases you will have time to see the town of Valdivia. The first German colonists arrived here in 1849 and worked hard to develop Valdivia into one of southern Chile’s most productive areas and their influence can be felt in every corner of this city. The town was affected by the 1960 earthquake –the worst ever recorded- but rebuilt with a strong German imprint. On our way to Valdivia we can see tracts of land that are still under water as a result of the quake. We will visit the river market and have a look at downtown Valdivia with its mix of old and modern buildings. You will have to choose whether you would like to visit the Fort at Niebla or enjoy fresh fish and crabs in Valdivia.

In the afternoon Silver Explorer will head south, giving our lecturers time to expand on the natural history of Chile’s Lake Region.

Day 8
Puerto Montt, Chile

Puerto Montt is the starting point for our excursions to the Lake District and specifically Lago Llanquihue.

We will drive along the southern shore of Chile’s second-largest lake and head for the Petrohué waterfalls. These falls ‘connect’ Lago Esmeralda with Lago Llanquihue and we will walk over to the viewing platforms of Chile’s best-known falls. Here we will have an opportunity to see some of the local plants and endemic trees. Later you will have the choice to either visit a typical Chilean farm to learn about the traditions of southern Chile’s food, music, tools and the national sport of rodeo –which is quite different from the North American version- or to have lunch at a local restaurant and to explore the town of Puerto Varas.

If you choose the Fundo Olguita, you will have lunch including empanadas, a tasty barbeque und traditional German desserts –this area was first colonized by Germans in the mid-19th century. You will also have the chance to learn the Chilean national dance, the Cueca.

If you choose Puerto Varas, you will have time to explore the “City of Roses” –as Puerto Varas is known- and to browse the small handicraft village and see some of the wooden buildings for which the town was declared a “Heritage Zone”.

After these excursions take your time to join the bar team for a Pisco Sour evening. Learn more about this iconic drink and why this is both Peru’s and Chile’s national drink.

Day 9
Castro, Chile

Chiloé Island is home to an amazing collection of 150 Jesuit-built wooden churches, houses raised up on poles out of the water, and more than 400 native plant varieties.

From Castro, we head north to the picturesque village of Dalcahue and a brief ferry ride to the island of Quinchao, passing through Curaco de Velez. This tiny village of approximately 500 inhabitants had its best times around 1850. Today, beautiful houses remain as a testament to those earlier days. Black-necked Swans can sometimes be seen near the here. We then head for Achao, which was founded by the Jesuits in 1743. Achao is a lively town with boats arriving every day from all the surrounding islands.

We will visit the Jesuit’s Achao Church, the oldest wooden structure in Chiloé and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed in 1730, it contains beautiful baroque imagery. Afterwards, we cross Achao’s main square to enjoy a snack and typical local music before returning to Dalcahue. Here we will visit the well-preserved Dalcahue Church with its galvanized iron roof. The details and precision of the imagery carved by Jesuits from locally grown Patagonian cypress, larch and luma trees, are amazing. It was declared a World Heritage site in 2000.

Alternatively, visit three of the 16 UNESCO World Heritage Site churches on the island of Chiloé in Vilupulli, Chonchi and Castro. Apart from the churches, the Museum of Traditions will be visited in Chonchi. This small museum houses artefacts and photos relating to Chiloe and Chonchi and recreates the feeling of Chonchi in the early 20th century. The excursion ends with a visit to Castro’s handicraft market.

In the afternoon Silver Explorer will sail along the eastern shore of Chiloe towards the Guaitecas Archipelago. Spend time on deck looking for Chilean dolphins and Peale’s dolphins –the Guaitecas are considered a hot spot for them.

Day 10
At Sea

Today Silver Explorer will venture again into the Pacific and will round the Taitao and Tres Montes Peninsulas before entering the Golfo de Penas –where the sea tends to be rough, but the area is known for its whales and dolphins sightings.

Watch for cetaceans or relax in one of the lounges with that book you’ve been meaning to read and meet up with new friends for cocktails. In the evening, Silver Explorer will enter the Messier Channel and will from then on continue Chile’s Inside Passage –and calm waters.

Day 11
Cruise English Narrows, Cruising Pio Xi Glacier

Very early his morning this morning –actually before sunrise- we head towards the English Narrows. Our Captain and the local Chilean Pilots expertly manoeuvre Silver Explorer through the slalom course of islands and channel markers. At the narrowest part it has a width of 80 metres, permitting the passage of only one vessel at a time.

Once we have passed the English Narrows you will have time for a leisurely breakfast and to attend lectures about the Fjords’ natural history or perhaps a seminar. The whole region of the fjords is so inhospitable that only one single settlement exists south of the English Narrows –Puerto Eden.

Birders will want to see what species want to live in this area. The further south we head the better the chance to see Andean Condors majestically soaring above the hills and mountains.

In the afternoon we will visit the Pio XI Glacier. This tidewater glacier sprawled out in front of us is 4.5 km wide and a remarkable shade of brilliant blue. An outlet glacier of the South Patagonian Ice Field, the Pio XI had once extended out into the fjords whose waters we ply today. Conditions permitting, we will board our Zodiacs and dodge brash ice and bergy bits as we approach the glacier at a safe distance. Alert for signs of calving, we may see chunks of ice falling from the glacier front.

Day 12
Cruise White Narrows and Puerto Natales, Chile

Today Silver Explorer will reach the White Narrows and another spectacular facet of the vast expenses of the Chilean Fjords. On approach through Chile’s largest national park, Bernardo O’Higgins, the famous White Narrows become evident as mountains loom in on both sides of the fjord with hardy native plants clinging to barren rock. With only approximately 80 meters (260 feet) of clearance from either side of the passage, the sharp turns of the ship, skillfully executed between rocky outcrops, are fascinating to watch from the outer decks. On the transit through the breathtaking White Narrows, it is also possible to see seals and dolphins plying the waters alongside the ship.

Silver Explorer will be in front of Puerto Natales at about dinner time.

Day 13
Puerto Natales, Chile

From Puerto Natales we will head out to Torres del Paine National Park by bus. This is considered by many to be the most spectacular worldwide Reserve at the end of the world. Covering an area of 242,000 hectares, the park is a fertile combination of lakes, lagoons, waterfalls, glaciers, hills and spectacular peaks and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. On the way to Laguna Sarmiento, the entrance to the park, we will stop for photos of the free roaming guanacos, Andean Condors and other wildlife. There will be opportunities to see the Salto Grande waterfall, the famous Torres del Paine peaks (weather permitting) and Nordenskjold Lake. Lunch will be had at the Serrano River area. Within the park there will be three different options of walks and hikes –depending on your fitness or willingness to exercise.

Day 14
Puerto Natales, White Narrows and Montañas Fjord, Chile

Leaving Puerto Natales in the morning, Silver Explorer will once again have to pass White Narrows. This will give us another chance to spot wildlife and marvel at the amount of work and time that went into charting these waters.

In the afternoon, Silver Explorer will enter the narrow Canal de las Montañas and will sail parallel to the Cordillera de Sarmiento. Several cascades and seven glaciers come down the steep sides of the mountains and –conditions permitting- we might do a Zodiac cruise or even land for a short hike.

Day 15
Cruise the Chilean Fjords, Chile

Our course will take us through the vast expense of the Chilean Fjords. We will sail through Chile’s largest national park, Bernardo O’Higgins, before we head for another famous narrow channel, the western portion of the Strait of Magellan. Mountains loom on both sides of the ship and Silver Explorer will sail through the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, an area humpback whales are known to frequent.

Day 16
Alberto de Agostini National Park and Ainsworth Bay, Chile

Today Silver Explorer will navigate past Dawson Island –quite infamous in Chile’s modern-day history as a penal settlement for political prisoners- into Almirantazgo Sound, to arrive at Ainsworth Bay. The bay is within Alberto De Agostini National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Depending on conditions, we intend to offer a Zodiac cruise to see the Marinelli Glacier descending from Darwin Mountain Range. This area will give a good appreciation how the land returns to life after glacial retreat. We also intend to take a walk in the stunning sub-polar Magellanic forest teeming with evergreens and deciduous trees. The bay promises a good chance of sighting Southern elephant seals, while nearby Tucker Island is known to have Magellanic Penguins.

Day 17
Punta Arenas, Chile

From the capital of the region we will drive to an estancia that was founded by French-Irish immigrants in the early 20th century. Through presentations of sheep herding, sheep shearing and a special demonstration of rodeo techniques (Chilean-style –very much unlike North American rodeos) you will get a glimpse of what life on a Patagonian estancia is. A Pisco Sour, an empanada and a typical Patagonian BBQ lunch will emphasize and highlight this country life.

On the drive to and from the estancia, many photo opportunities will be had to see guanacos, Andean Condors and other wildlife.

Day 18
Cruise Garibaldi Fjord and Glacier, Chile

Silver Explorer will again sail out into the Pacific Ocean to reach the Beagle Channel, heading for Garibaldi Fjord. This beautiful corner of the Chilean fjords still lies within the Alberto de Agostini National Park, Chile’s third largest national park. This park - with its 14.600 km2 - includes all Chilean islands south of the Magellan Strait, including a portion of Tierra del Fuego.

The Garibaldi is an impressive glacier on the south face of the Cordillera Darwin. During a Zodiac cruise we will see the different shades of blue of the ice -and calving events can make for a very impressive sight. Dozens of waterfalls dot the cliffs and in some cases the wind gusts can be so strong that the water gets blown upwards!

In terms of wildlife we can expect the majestic Andean Condor, a South American sea lion colony, skuas, kingfishers, Flightless Steamer Ducks, Crested Ducks, Kelp Geese, Ashy-headed Geese, caracaras, vultures, and nesting Imperial Shags among others.

Day 19
Ushuaia to Buenos Aires

After breakfast disembark Silver Explorer and take your private vehicle with take you to the Park Hyatt hotel for a 2 night stay on a B&B basis

Day 20
Buenos Aires

Enjoy your time at leisure

Days 21-22
Buenos Aires/UK

Check out of your hotel and take your included private transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, arriving the following day.

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