Chilean Cruise: The Fjords of Patagonia

Explore Santiago’s vibrant mix of history, art and wine, from colonial plazas to Casablanca vineyards.
Discover Punta Arenas’ maritime past and sweeping views over the legendary Strait of Magellan.
Embark on the Stella Australis to navigate Patagonia’s remote fjords and ice-carved landscapes.
Witness glaciers tumble into the sea at Ainsworth Bay, Glacier Alley and Pia Glacier.
Step ashore at Cape Horn, the fabled “End of the Earth”, before arriving in Ushuaia.

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,306 Reviews

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,306 Reviews

Trip Features

Active Elements

Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.

Epic Scenery

Showcases landscapes that elevate parts of the journey.

Off the Beaten Path

Includes lesser-known stops revealing authentic local life and surprises.

Boutique & River Cruises

Curated experiences by water on small vessels.

Active Elements

Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.

Epic Scenery

Showcases landscapes that elevate parts of the journey.

Off the Beaten Path

Includes lesser-known stops revealing authentic local life and surprises.

Boutique & River Cruises

Curated experiences by water on small vessels.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

Arrive in Santiago de Chile

DAY

Private Full Day Santiago City Tour with Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

DAY

Private Full Day Casablanca Vineyards Tour with Tastings & Lunch

DAY

Santiago de Chile to Punta Arenas

DAY

Private Half Day Tour of Punta Arenas

DAY

Sail from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia

DAY

Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets

DAY

Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley

DAY

Wulaia Bay & Cape Horn

DAY

Arrive in Ushuaia

DAY

Depart from Ushuaia

Travel Itinerary

Trip Starts

Trip Stop

Trip Ends

Detailed Itinerary

DAY

Arrive in Santiago de Chile

Transfer

Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Santiago de Chile - City Centre

Your Accommodation

Hotel Pullman Santiago El Bosque

Whether the traveler is in Santiago for business or pleasure Pullman El Bosque is the ideal hotel. Nestled in the outskirts of the exclusive residential neighborhood of Las Condes this wonderful hotel boasts 240 cozy and spacious rooms, all of them equipped with minibar, safe deposit box and cable TV. Other facilities within the hotel are a bar, cafeteria, laundry service, a gym and a great restaurant with a wide range of international cuisine available. Guests can also find an incredible swimming pool located in the 18th floor providing a breathtaking view of Santiago. Comfort, high quality and premium service come together at Pullman Santiago El Bosque Hotel.

Duration

3 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Buffet Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Private Full Day Santiago City Tour with Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

Day Tour

Santiago City Tour with Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

One of the best ways to experience Santiago is through its historical development. Today's excursion begins with your private guide escorting you to Santa Lucia Hill, where the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia founded the city. From here you will continue to Plaza de Armas, the main square, which is surrounded by the Cathedral, the main post office, the National Historic Museum and the municipality of the city. You will also visit Constitución Square and see the government palace, La Moneda. Your next stop of the day will be the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Created to guard, study and spread the artistic legacy of all pre-Columbian people of America, it is an excellent addition to any tour of Santiago. Later, continue onward to the Central Market, where you will visit a typical seafood restaurant to enjoy a tasty lunch (not included, to be paid for on-site). Afterwards, you will drive through Barrio Bellavista with its many cultural activities, art galleries, theaters and restaurants, and finally, you will make a last stop at the San Cristóbal Hill, a very well-known recreational area with a fantastic view of the city. After visiting San Cristóbal Hill you will be returned to your hotel in Santiago.

Day Tour

Dinner Reservations and Round Trip Transfers in Santiago

Tonight, set out to discover some of the best gastronomy that Santiago has on offer. Arranged to coincide with your preferred dining time, reservations will be made with the restaurant of your choice (subject to availability). To take you to and from the restaurant, private transfers will be arranged. Top dining choices in Santiago include La Mar which specializes in Peruvian fusion and seafood dishes (ceviche in particular), Bocanariz, an innovative restaurant and wine bar where each dish is intended to pair with one of many the venues exceptional wines, and Osaka, an impressive and unique sushi restaurant. If you have another dining option in mind, please speak with your Destination Specialist. Please note, your food and drinks are not included and are to be paid for on-site.

DAY

Private Full Day Casablanca Vineyards Tour with Tastings & Lunch

Day Tour

Casablanca Vineyards Tour with Tastings & Lunch

In the early 1980’s, and thanks to the climatic features of the area, the Casablanca Valley became the most suitable place for the Chilean winemaking industry. After meeting your private guide, your first stop will be the William Cole Vineyard; here you will participate on shared walk through the facilities to learn about the history of William Cole and about the winemaking process. Before you leave, you will be invited to taste some of the vineyards best wines. You will continue our tour through the valley towards another nearby vineyard, Viñamar. This place is located in the high part of Casablanca and it was founded with the purpose of producing the most exceptional red, white and sparkling wines in the country. Here you will have the opportunity to visit every corner of the vineyard on another shared experience to learn the secrets of their products and taste their specialties: sparkling wine (Brut), Chardonnay, special reserve Merlot and a glass of Cabernet and Carmenere blend. Afterwards, visit the vineyards restaurant to enjoy a lunch accompanied by, of course, a glass of wine. After this amazing day full of delicious wine and food, you will be returned to your accommodation in Santiago.

DAY

Santiago de Chile to Punta Arenas

Transfer

Santiago de Chile - City Centre to Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport

Transfer

Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas

Your Accommodation

Cabo De Hornos

Cabo de Hornos is located in the center of Punta Arenas, next to the Plaza Munoz Gamero. The accommodation features 110 modern rooms including free Wi-Fi, TV, a private bathroom and laundry service. From each room, passengers have an amazing view of the Strait of Magellan or the historical town of Punta Arenas. In addition, guests can enjoy exquisite cuisine at the gourmet restaurant and end the day with a premium Chilean wine in front of the fireplace. The combination of the hotel's central location in town and the closeness to nature will make the traveler's stay unforgettable.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Buffet Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Private Half Day Tour of Punta Arenas

Day Tour

Private Tour of Punta Arenas

This scenic city tour of Punta Arenas will begin with a stop at the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum, home to ethnic aboriginal artifacts, examples of regional flora and fauna and a range of historical information. Soon after you will visit the spectacular Nao Victoria Museum. At Nao Victoria, you will be able to interact with replicas of the ships that contributed to the discovery of the area and the colonization of the land. Afterwards you will continue your journey by exploring a variety of landmarks and highlights such as the Main Square and the statue of Fernando de Magallanes. Last but not least, you will make your way to the lookout point known as Cerro de la Cruz to enjoy panoramic views of the city, the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego Island. After a lovely half-day getting acquainted with this remote corner of the world, you will be returned to your hotel.

DAY

Sail from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia

Transfer

Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Pier

Multi Day Tour

Punta Arenas

Check in at 1398 Costanera del Estrecho Avenue (Arturo Prat Port) in Punta Arenas between 13:00 and 17:00 (1-5 PM); Embarkation will commence at 18:00 (6 PM). After a welcoming toast and an introduction of the captain and crew, the ship will depart for one of the most remote corners of the planet. During the night, cross the Strait of Magellan and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonia. The twinkling lights of Punta Arenas gradually fade into the distance as the vessel enters the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.

Meal

Dinner

Your Accommodation

Stella Australis

The purpose-built Stella Australis exploration vessel is ideal for discovering the fjords of Patagonia. Onboard, the décor in each of the 100 cabins is low- key though comfortable, while spacious lounge areas and observation decks let the stunning landscape and views do the talking.

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DAY

Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets

Multi Day Tour

Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets

By dawn the ship is sailing up Admiralty Sound (Seno Almirantazgo), a spectacular offshoot of the Strait of Magellan that stretches nearly halfway across Tierra del Fuego. The snow capped peaks of Karukinka Natural Park stretch along the north side of the sound, while the south shore is defined by the deep fjords and broad bays of Alberto de Agostini National Park. Go ashore at Ainsworth Bay, which harbors an incredible array of bird life and a colony of southern elephant seals which can sometimes be spotted from the Zodiacs. Two guided excursions are available: one is along the edge of a stream, peat bog and beaver habitat to a waterfall-and-moss-covered rock face tucked deep inside a pristine sub-polar forest; the other is a more strenuous hike along the crest of a glacial moraine. Both afford views of Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin Mountains. Leaving Ainsworth Bay behind, sail west along the sound to the Tucker Islets. After lunch, board the Zodiacs again for a close-up view of the Magellan penguins that inhabit the tiny islands. More than 4,000 penguins use Tucker as a place to nest, give birth and nurture their chicks. Many other bird species also frequent the area including king cormorants, oystercatchers, Chilean skuas, kelp geese, dolphin gulls, eagles and even the occasional Andean condor. In September and April - when the penguins live elsewhere - this excursion is replaced by a short walk to a glacier at nearby stunning Brookes Bay.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

Stella Australis

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DAY

Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley

Multi Day Tour

Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley

Overnight the ship will sail around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via the very narrow Gabrial Channel, Magdalena Channel and Cockburn Channel. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the vessel tacks eastward and enters the Beagle Channel again. By morning you will be entering Pia Fjord and boarding the Zodiacs for a shore excursion to Pia Glacier. After disembarking, take a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea or a longer, much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier. No one knows for certain how the hulking mass of snow and ice got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king. Back onboard the ship, continue east along the Beagle Channel through an area called Glacier Alley. Living up to its name, the passage features a number of impressive tidewater glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore. Most of them are named after European countries: Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain and France.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

Stella Australis

Show on Map

DAY

Wulaia Bay & Cape Horn

Multi Day Tour

Wulaia Bay & Cape Horn

During the early morning, navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830’s during their voyages on the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station - which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area - you will have a choice between three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooded mountain behind the bay. On all of these you will be strolling through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. Before leaving Wulaia Bay, drop something into the wooden mail barrel inside the museum - letters or postcards meant to be hand delivered by future travelers - an ancient mariner tradition revived by Australis. In the afternoon you’ll 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 harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition - and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland - Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. The Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a light keeper and his family, as well as the tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

Stella Australis

Show on Map

DAY

Arrive in Ushuaia

Transfer

Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia

Your Accommodation

Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort

Las Hayas Resort Hotel is located in an area of 5 hectares surrounded by a natural forest, under the Martial Glacier, 2.5km from the city of Ushuaia, with a spectacular view of the Bay of the Beagle Channel.

Duration

1 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Multi Day Tour

Ushuaia

The following morning, sail into Argentine waters and dock in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. Australis is scheduled to arrive at 8:30 or 9:30 AM depending on the date of departure.

Meal

Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Depart from Ushuaia

Transfer

Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Santiago de Chile

Glacier Alley

Tierra del Fuego

Know when to go.

Place

Conditions

Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall

UshuaiaMostly Sunny

16°C / 60°F

15mm / 0.6"

Punta ArenasMostly Sunny

16°C / 60°F

15mm / 0.6"

SantiagoMostly Sunny

29°C / 84°F

7mm / 0.3"

Weather data is based on monthly averages.

Popularity rating

ExcellentBased on 5,306 Reviews

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We have used Goway several times to plan simple & more complicated trips. The last 2 trips we worked with Brooke Theron who is extremely customer focused. She listens well & is alway flexible to look at alternatives. We will continue using this representative & Goway. Our only criticism is that they do not break down the various costs of a trip which makes tipping very awkward. It can also create a sense of " mistrust" when all the costs are not transparent. Cheryl Hayes

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Our trip to Switzerland was an amazing experience. Our travel agent at GoWay, Bo was so helpful in helping my husband Louie plan just what we wanted to do on this trip. Taking the trains thru the county was easy by the many hours Louie and Bo worked on this. Also our helicopter ride in Zermatt on my birthday was just unbelievable. Flying around the Matterhorn and the Alps is one flight we will never forget. Thanks Bo for setting this up. The trip was one incredible adventure that we will never forget. Thanks again Bo, Lynn Gerber. Lynn Gerber

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We booked a Goway tour to Botswana and Zimbabwe and it was excellent. We worked with Brooke, the Goway represntative, to set up the tour and she was an outstanding agent who answered any questions we had very quickly and completely. Her hotel recommendation for the additional night we stayed was pefect. Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma Fa

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Our GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.Thomas

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Matthew handled my honeymoon couple's very specific African itinerary like a pro! My clients went to four different travel agents who only wanted to send them on safaris. My clients had already done safaris and were specific on what they wanted to do and see. Matthew hit the nail on the head! Highly recommend!Amanda Schott

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Seamless prompt excellent communication from our first query about a possible destination to follow-up after the trip ended. Shalini’s knowledge, advice and enthusiasm were invaluable. Jane

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Jacqueline Fagioli from Goaway Travel is excellent and very helpful and supportive. Venessa

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Our travel agent, Melissa Moses, created the perfect itinerary for our recent holiday to Portugal. Melissa had also planned our previous trip to England/Scotland. We have a great deal of confidence in her ability as she really listens to what we are looking for and she caters the plans according to our comfort levels and interests. customer

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Jacqueline F. made our trip exceptional. Everything she planned or reserved worked out as it was supposed to. Croatia was amazing and I feel we were able to explore a lot of it because of Jacqueline.Allen

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This was the first time we had utilized Goway. We wanted a custom itinerary for a 3 week Italy, Athens and Greek Island adventure. Edwina Brislane was receptive to our goals for the trip, had helpful suggestions and reacted well to our requested revisions. Lisa Dachuk helped "tie a ribbon" on the trip and ensured we had considered all aspects of the experience. Lisa dealt quickly with a couple of requests while on the trip and celebrated a successful trip with us. We enjoyed working with both Edwina and Lisa. Their knowledge and enthusiasm contributed to our very memorable trip.Dan & Gail

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What do the experts say?

Samy Koussa

Team Lead

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Pastel de choclo, sweet corn baked over savoury meat, olives, and eggs, is a must-try. Pair it with a pisco sour or a glass of Carménère or Sauvignon Blanc.

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Samy Koussa

Team Lead

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Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, offers a profound spiritual connection to nature and culture. The night skies, volcanic landscapes, and iconic Moai statues make it one of the most isolated and romantic places on earth.

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Samy Koussa

Team Lead

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Chile’s diversity is unmatched. You can enjoy wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, watch the sunset on the Pacific coast, stargaze in the Atacama Desert, trek the glaciers of Patagonia, and even escape to mystical Rapa Nui, all in one trip.

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