View across water to Darwin Range of mountains, Australis Cruise, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia

Chile & Argentina – Cruise the Patagonian Fjords

  • TAILOR-MADE

Duration

10 Days

Prices Start from

£5,350(ex. flights)

Journey through the fjords and channels of southern Patagonia, via Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, to the tip of South America, before exploring the glaciers and soaring peaks of Argentina.

Combining Chile with Argentina this holiday starts among Chilean vineyards at the foot of the Andes and ends amidst the imposing peaks and glaciers of Argentinian Patagonia. The two countries are linked by navigating waters, only accessible by boat, sailing in the shadow of lofty mountains and creaking glaciers, exploring native sub-polar forests on foot and searching for signs of resident wildlife along the periphery of Patagonia.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Fields, Colchagua valley, Chile 1

Vineyards of Chile

Take a stroll or horseride through vineyards, stopping for a gourmet picnic and bottle of wine.

Via Australis, Patagonia 2

Sail the Fjords

Sail through the remote fjords and isolated glaciers of southern Patagonia, only accessible by boat.

Group of Magellan penguins, Australis Cruise, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia 3

Penguins of Patagonia

Observe nesting Magellanic penguin and southern elephant seal colonies.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina 4

Perito Moreno Glacier

Kayak beneath this 70 metre wall of ice in Argentinian Pategonia before donning crampons to walk atop it.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Santiago - Maipo Valley (Casa Real)

  • Day 2

    Maipo Valley (Casa Real)

  • Day 3

    Maipo Valley - Santiago - Punta Arenas (Stella Australis)

  • Day 4

    Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Ainsworth Bay - Tuckers Islets (Stella Australis)

  • Day 5

    Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Pia Glacier - Glacier Alley (Stella Australis)

  • Day 6

    Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay (Stella Australis)

  • Day 7

    Ushuaia - El Calafate (Hotel Los Ponchos)

  • Day 8

    El Calafate (Hotel Los Ponchos)

  • Day 9

    El Calafate (Hotel Los Ponchos)

  • Day 10

    El Calafate - Buenos Aires

Day 1

Santiago - Maipo Valley (Casa Real)

Arrive in Santiago and transfer south around 45 minutes to the Maipo Valley at the foot of the Andes, and your accommodation there.

Day 2

Maipo Valley (Casa Real)

Take a wine tasting tour or explore the vineyards on foot, bike or horseback.

Day 3

Maipo Valley - Santiago - Punta Arenas (Stella Australis)

Transfer back to Santiago for your flight to Punta Arenas. On arrival transfer to the harbour to board your cruise and depart for one of the remotest corners of the planet. Cross the Strait of Magellan overnight and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonian.

Day 4

Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Ainsworth Bay - Tuckers Islets (Stella Australis)

Dawn arrival into Admiralty Sound, a spectacular offshoot of the Strait of Magellan. Shore landing at Ainsworth Bay, home to rich bird life and a colony of southern elephant seals – a stream side walk towards beaver habitat and sub-polar forest or a more strenuous hike along the crest of a glacial moraine. Onto the tiny Tucker Islets for zodiac excursions to see a resident colony of Magellan penguins.

Day 5

Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Pia Glacier - Glacier Alley (Stella Australis)

Enter Pia Fjord and board the Zodiacs for a tour and walk on the glacier. Back onboard continue east along the Beagle Channel through Glacier Alley, home to a number of impressive tidewater glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore.

Day 6

Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay (Stella Australis)

Cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, go ashore on the windswept island that harbours legendary Cape Horn. Later, navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay.

Day 7

Ushuaia - El Calafate (Hotel Los Ponchos)

Morning arrival into Argentine waters and Ushuaia harbour. Transfer to the airport and fly to El Calafate, gateway to Argentinian Patagonia. On arrival transfer the short distance to your accommodation.

Day 8

El Calafate (Hotel Los Ponchos)

Visit Perito Moreno glacier in the UNESCO World Heritage Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.

Day 9

El Calafate (Hotel Los Ponchos)

Cruise Lake Argentino by catamaran, passing icebergs and the Upsala Glacier, arriving at Estancia Cristina. Founded by Joseph Percival Masters in 1914, this isolated estate above the shores of the Lake is historic and spectacular. Spend time exploring on foot and by 4×4.

Day 10

El Calafate - Buenos Aires

Transfer to the airport for flights to Buenos Aires and onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

Magellan penguins on shore with Australis boat in distance, Australis Cruise, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia
Magellan penguins with Stella Australis in distance, Patagonia

Wildlife in the Patagonian Fjords

Little critters and great creatures alike gravitate to the secluded coastline and fjords of this vast region – colonies of native Magellanic penguins toddle on the shore while elephant seals, dolphins and multiple species of whales frequent the waters. Many other bird can also be spotted including king cormorants, oyster catchers, Chilean skuas, kelp geese, dolphin gulls, eagles and even the occasional Andean condor.

View from bow sailing into Pia fjord, Australis Cruise, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia
Entering Pia Fjord on Stella Australis, Patagonia

Onboard Guides

The guides onboard Stella Australis can range from marine scientists to anthropologists, mountaineers to photographers and engineers to sailors. A diverse group of experts, many native to Chilean Patagonia who are experts on the region and passionate about its preservation. Those interested in learning about the human history of the indigenous Yámana aboriginal settlements will appreciate the small Stella Australis-sponsored museum, located in in the old radio station at historic Wulaia Bay.

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Through an agreement with CEQUA, the Australis Expedition Team have been trained to photograph glaciers, marine and land mammals, and take measurements of water temperature to provide invaluable data to the scientific community. Guests onboard can get involved in these activities – an enriching experience offering a new perspective to your travels.

Our partners on the ground in Argentina share their knowledge and experience of 18 years, providing training and integration to aid the development and growth of rural and community adventure tourism and ensuring local guides receive the highest training and opportunities.

Chile: Torres del Paine

Journey into Torres del Paine National Park, home to iconic and imposing landscapes, dominated by three granite towers. Spend days hiking, horse-riding and mountain biking across the steppe or searching for wildlife from soaring condors to the secretive puma.

3 days - Price on request

Guanacos, Torres del Paine, Chile
Guanacos, in Torres del Paine

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)
Hidden

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Casa Real £££££

  • Chile
  • Vineyard

Situated on the estate of the Vina Santa Rita vineyard, Casa Real is a former summerhouse turned boutique property set within 100 acres of a park designed by French landscape gardener Guillaume Renner. Its 16 charming rooms surround a peaceful courtyard and are elegantly furnished in a traditional style with local fabrics and large windows, while the communal salons and dining rooms are spectacular spaces that have retained their grand features and dramatic chandeliers. The restaurant serves gourmet cuisine, a viewing terrace offers views of the swan lake, and two outdoor swimming pools lie in wait in the tranquil gardens.

View Property

Stella Australis £££££

  • Chile

Launched in 2010 having been specifically designed to cruise the waters of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Stella Australis is a fully stabilised 292-foot-long vessel that accommodates 210 passengers. With spectacular views through huge picture windows, Stella Australis has three lounges equipped with modern audiovisual equipment, a dining room, an exercise room and a spacious open deck area to watch the dramatic Patagonian landscape glide past. The cruise travels through the very remote fjords of southern Patagonia, along the Magellan Straits, Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. Daily excursions will allow walks on secluded beaches, hikes through the sub-polar forest, zodiac trips through ice-choked waters and close up experiences with glaciers.

View Boat

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

F L E X I B I L I T Y P R O M I S E B O O K W I T H C O N F I D E N C E

Get in touch

  • By sending your enquiry you are stating that you agree to our T&C

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.