Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords on this unforgettable journey from Ushuaia to Puerto Montt. Sail through icy fjords, witness towering glaciers, and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of this remote region.
South America
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords: From Ushuaia to Puerto Montt
9 Days aboard Magellan Explorer. From USD $5,995pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- A wilderness experience in Southern Chile
- San Rafael Glacier
- Visit Puerto Eden
- Tierra del Fuego
- Glacier Alley along the Beagle Channel
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Ushuaia, Embarkation
- Day 2: Beagle Channel
- Days 3: Strait of Magellan
- Day 4: Amalia Glacier
- Day 5: Puerto Eden
- Day 6: Gulf of Penas
- Day 7: San Rafael
- Day 8: Puerto Cisnes
- Day 9: Puerto Montt, Disembarkation
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
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- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Ushuaia, Embarkation
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, with boarding between 3 and 4 PM (15:00 – 16:00 hr.) We will make a brief technical stop in Port Williams to comply with Chilean customs and immigration requirements before proceeding along the Beagle Channel.
Day 2: Beagle Channel
Today we sail along the Beagle Channel, a striking narrow passage in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, partly belonging to Chile and partly to Argentina. We will sail along Glacier Alley, a 240 km (150 mi) stretch within the Channel in Southern Chile, home to a family of five glaciers, the Holanda, Italia, Francia, Alemania, and Romanche glaciers. Here you will sail and be surrounded by both hanging and tidewater glaciers and waterfalls you can view from the ship. These spectacular ice formations are sprawled along the sea, forming part of the Southern Patagonian Ice field and the snow-dusted Darwin Range. It is a perfect time to enjoy the graceful view and, if possible, get a glimpse of sea lions and steamer ducks.
The Beagle Channel, with the Strait of Magellan to the north and the Drake Passage to the south, is one of the three navigable passages in South America connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Days 3: Strait of Magellan
This afternoon, our ship will cruise along the Strait of Magellan to explore the remote and protected coastal area of the Carlos III Island. This region is part of the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, the first marine park and the only place in the southern hemisphere where Humpback whales feed outside of Antarctica. We aim to deploy our Zodiac fleet in the mythical waters of the strait sailed by the Portuguese explorer in 1520. If you are lucky, you may be able to bear witness to Humpback or Sei whales breaching at a distance in the sea. You may also have sightings of dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, albatrosses, and petrels.
Day 4: Amalia Glacier
Today we take an exploratory Zodiac cruise to the Amalia Glacier area, a 3 km (2 mi) wide glacier along the Peel Fjord in the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. It is part of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field surrounding the Reclus Volcano. We will bask in the glacier’s icy-blue beauty and cruise along its ice floes across the sea to uncover part of Chile's natural mystique. As you cruise between snow-capped peaks to get a closer look at the glacier and its brilliant yet rugged textures, you may be able to spot dolphins swimming at a distance, cormorants or condors flying above, and otters.
Day 5: Puerto Eden
We sail the dramatic, 18 mt-wide English Narrows on our way to the famous fishing village of Puerto Eden, one of Chile's most isolated settlements. The village sits on the eastern side of Wellington Island and is only accessible by sea. Puerto Eden has no roads. Instead, a network of wooden boardwalks connects the houses and establishments. Rich evergreens cover the landscape steeped in indigenous traditions and culture, being home to the Kawéskar people.
Day 6: Gulf of Penas
We cross the Gulf of Penas, enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges. As we continue to sail northward, the expedition team tells you about the indigenous inhabitants of these southern lands, the early Spanish colonizers, and famous explorers such as Charles Darwin, Fitz Roy, and Alberto de Agostini. You also learn about the region's biodiversity with presentations on the local marine life and flora.
Day 7: San Rafael
The expedition continues with a full day of activities planned at San Rafael Bay. Declared a Biosphere Reserve, the park is the main entry point to Chile's Northern Icefields. San Rafael Glacier is the main attraction, but we will also enjoy exploring the surrounding fjords, channels, islands, and coves.
Day 8: Puerto Cisnes
We continue to head north to the village of Puerto Cisnes, in the remote region of Aysén, for an afternoon visit. We visit the seaport and explore the area, with its many fjords, islands, and channels. We hope to visit Magdalena Island, where we have a good chance of seeing penguins, cormorants, sea lions, and river otters.
Day 9: Puerto Montt, Disembarkation
Morning arrival in Puerto Montt and disembarkation.
Next Departure Date: 31 Mar 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2025 - 08 Apr 2025 | USD$5995pp | ||
| Triple Suite | USD$5995pp | Contact us | |
| Porthole Cabin | USD$6495pp | Contact us | |
| Veranda Cabin | USD$6995pp | Contact us | |
| Deluxe Veranda Cabin | USD$7495pp | Contact us | |
| Grand Suite | USD$8595pp | Contact us | |
| Single Cabin | USD$8995pp | Contact us | |
| Penthouse Suite | USD$8995pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Suite
40m², located on deck 4, 2 single beds and 1 queen-size sofa bed, 2 private bathrooms, separate living area with sofa and coffee table, desk and chair sets, 2 armchairs with side tables, balcony with sitting area, telephone, hairdryer, minibar and snack station & coffee maker.
Porthole Cabin
20m², located on deck 3, 2 single beds or 1 king bed, desk and chair, 2 armchairs with side table, combo Euro-American electrical outlets with USB, safe, telephone, hairdryer, private bathroom with separate shower, bathrobes and slippers.
Veranda Cabin
20m², located on deck 3, 2 single beds or 1 king bed, desk and chair, 1 armchair with side table, private balcony with sitting area, combo Euro-American electrical outlets with USB port, safe, telephone, hairdryer, private bathroom with separate shower, bathrobes and slippers.
Deluxe Veranda Cabin
20m², located on deck 4, 2 single beds or 1 king bed, desk and chair, 1 armchair with side table, private balcony with sitting area, combo Euro-American electrical outlets with USB port, safe, telephone, hairdryer, larger private bathroom with separate shower, bathrobes and slippers.
Penthouse Suite
30m², located on deck 5, 2 single beds or 1 king bed, separate sitting area with sofa and coffee table, desk and chair, 2 armchairs, private balcony with sitting area, combo Euro-American electrical outlets with USB port, safe, closed-circuit TV screen, telephone, hairdryer, larger private bathroom with separate shower, bathrobes and slippers.
Grand Suite
40m², located on deck 4, 2 single beds or 1 king- bed, separate living area with queen-size sofa bed and coffee table, desk and chair sets in both living and bedroom areas, 2 armchairs with side tables, 2 private balconies with sitting areas, combo Euro-American electrical outlets with USB port, safe, telephone, hairdryer, 2 large private bathrooms with separate shower, bathrobes and slippers.
Single Cabin
20m², located on deck 3, one king-size bed, private balcony with sitting area, desk and chair, 1 armchair with side table, combo Euro-American electrical outlets with USB port, safe, telephone, hairdryer, private bathroom with separate shower, bathrobes and slippers.
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Magellan Explorer Deckplan
Specifications
Plane Specifications (not valid on cruise only departures)
- Model: BAE 146-200
- Engines: 4 turbofans Honeywell ALF 502R-5
- Length: 28,55 m
- Wingspan: 26,34 m
- Cruise Speed: 465 mph (750 km/h)
- Service Ceiling: 31,200 ft (9.500 m)
- Capacity: 73 passengers
Ship Specifications
- Expedition Staff & crew: 60
- Passengers: 100 maximum (maximum of 73 for air-cruise operations)
- Gross tonnage: 4,900
- Ice-class: LR PC6
- Length: 90.7m
- Breadth: 16.2m
- Draft: 4.3 m
- Propulsion: 2 main engines, total 3440 kW
- Cruising speed: 14 knots
- Flag: Bahamas
Whats included?
- Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
- Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.
- Ship cruise as indicated in the itinerary corresponding to each expedition.
- Daily buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship.
- Loan of waterproof boots for landings, landing fees, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.
- All guided shore excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.
Notes
*Itinerary operated in reverse, starting in Ushuaia and ending in Puerto Montt
Note: the itinerary presented above is for reference. As for any expedition cruise, our route will be subject to weather conditions and the requirements of the Chilean authorities.
Optional Activities:
- Kayaking - US$495
- Hiking and Snowshoeing in Antarctica, available for booking on board the ship at USD $85 per person, per excursion.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: South America
The vivid sights and sounds of South America offer something for everyone. Stretching from the Caribbean to Patagonia, the variety of cultures, climates and landscapes has to be experienced firsthand to be believed. The memories you take home will leave you wanting more – we’re sure you’ll want to return again and again, just like us!
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