Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords

Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship’s Crew will warmly welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and drill, after which we set sail into the Beagle Channel. We’re on our way to explore Patagonia!

Land ho! Out of the screaming winds of the Drake Passage emerges a collection of rugged islands and skerries, spoken of in hushed voices by centuries of sailors – this is legendary Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of the Americas, and the symbolic end of human civilisation. Weather permitting, we will aim to explore this most remote of outposts, home to a small naval station, and a touching monument to the many sailors who failed to pass. During the afternoon and evening, we sail northwest towards the more sheltered waters of the fjords. 

The Beagle Channel is split between Chile and Argentina, with the western side leading into the straits of Magellan – the famous waterway coveted by explorers for centuries as a means of avoiding the violence of Cape Horn. Here we will take advantage of the conditions Mother Nature offers us, and aim to launch our Zodiacs to explore the flora, fauna and jawdropping scenery of the last gasp of the Andes. Crowded with rugged mountains clad with tortured trees, languid glaciers and icy fjords, these are easily some of the most beautiful waters on Earth! 

Sitting on the Straits of Magellan, Punta Arenas is Chile’s main gateway to Antarctica. Stroll the seafront to watch Magellanic penguins and cormorants frolic in the water while albatross wheel overhead, head into the surrounding countryside to discover Chilean ranching heritage, or visit the Mercado Municipal for fresh seafood, handmade souvenirs, and local delicacies in the upstairs eateries.

The waters around Patagonia are infamous for their violent storms, high winds and heavy seas – not so for us however, as we transit to the Pacific side of the Magellan Straits and into the sheltered waters of the Smyth Channel – one of the maze of waterways which comprise this vast watery region. Highlights during the day include the shipwreck of the Santa Leonor, the icecapped summit of Monte Burney, and the jawdropping glacier-lined peaks of Montañas Fjord. Be sure to venture outside during the evening as we pass through the Kirke Narrows, en route to Puerto Natales. 

Situated on the eastern side of the Andes, surrounded by vast plains, Puerto Natales has a rugged wild-west feel which belies its warm charm. The town is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most famous sites in South America, and it is easy to see why! ‘Paine’ means ‘Blue’ in the Aónikenk language, a reference to the sapphire glacial waters which typify the park, although the granite towers the glacier-clad Cuernos del Paine are synonymous with this vast wilderness, as iconic a symbol of Patagonia as the condors soaring above. Spend the day exploring the park, including a delicious traditional Chilean lunch, and remember to watch out for rheas, guanacos, armadillos and even pumas, all of which can be found in this magnificent protected area. 

Lined with wind-crippled trees and squabbling sealions beneath soaring albatross, the Chilean Fjords are a natural paradise, largely untouched by human activity, although generations of indigenous people have called this magnificent land home for millennia. Join your Expedition Team on deck to watch for wildlife, learn more about the region during expertly crafted lectures, or simply relax in our hot tubs and watch the breathtaking scenery of the region roll past as we navigate this magnificent wilderness. 

Puerto Edén is a small settlement on the shores of Wellington Island, accessible only by water, and which proudly claims to be the rainiest settlement on planet Earth. The village is one of the last strongholds of the Kawésqar people and language, who call the village Jetarktétqal. With no roads, the once–nomadic locals still largely live off the bounty of the sea, and the town’s infrastructure is limited to an incredible network of boardwalks and paths linking the buildings. Despite the wet weather, the town is a natural paradise, with verdant hills dripping with greenery, and tiny hummingbirds flitting between the fuchsias. Enjoy exploring the town with local guides, and remember to watch out for woven-grass baskets and sealskin boats for sale – traditional artworks of the Kawésqar. 

Nestled deep within the channels, the village of Caleta Tortel occupies a truly enviable position, surrounded by sapphire fjords, steep mountains and plummeting waterfalls at the mouth of the vast Baker River. Like Puerto Edén, Tortel is built on a network of stairways and boardwalks constructed from cypress wood – the export of which is the town’s major industry. Explore through this delightful town, full of quaint houses and wooden pavillions, or take a hike into the surrounding mountains with your Expedition Team to enjoy some of the best views in Chile, or if wildlife watching is more your scene, grab your binoculars and explore the shoreline and hunt for the many endemic bird species which can be found in this heavenly corner of Patagonia.

Days at sea are never dull – sailing up the Pacific Coast of Chile, we follow the chilly Humboldt Current which originates in Antarctica, and brings exceptional productivity to this section of coast. As such, albatross, whales and other marine life are common in the area – so while you relax and indulge during a relaxing day at sea, ensure you have your binoculars by your side! 

Chiloe Island is the third largest in South America, and has been relatively isolated from the mainland for much of its history. Characterised by green rolling meadows (more similar to Ireland or Wales than much of Patagonia), Chiloe is a unique island steeped in a mixture of Indigenous and European myths, legends and tradition. Simply strolling through a market in Castro (the Island’s capital), visitors will find bundles of seaweed, dried sea-squirts and enormous green-lipped mussels – delicacies unique to this region. Chiloe’s cultural heritage oozes from every corner, from the vibrant markets to the shingled houses and the islands’ vast collection of wooden churches, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

A world away from the wilderness of the fjords, Niebla is a picturesque former fortress at the mouth of the Valdivia River, and gateway to the city of the same name. Largely settled by German colonists, the city has a unique style, blending Spanish and German influences. Although decimated by the powerful earthquakes in recorded history in 1960, the city today is a vibrant hub, holding several respected universities, large markets, and tempting eateries. Take a stroll along the Feria Fluvial (River Market) and feast your senses on local produce (and the abundant wildlife which scavenges for scraps), enjoy a coffee and a slice of kuchen at a laid-back cafe, and soak up the atmosphere as you watch black-necked swans, sealions and muscular rowers compete for space along the river. 

Our final full day onboard is the ideal time to reconnect with your fellow explorers and reflect on your magnificent expedition. Now the cold of Patagonia is left behind, relax on the outer decks and watch as Antarctic terns give way to Inca terns, and other ships become more and more common. During the evening, toast the end of your voyage with an expertly crafted cocktail at the Captain’s Farewell Party and relive your adventure during the final Slideshow before a final celebratory dinner with your fellow explorers.

On the final morning of our expedition, the vast bustling city of Valparaíso comes into view. ‘Vibrant’ barely captures this incredible city, Chile’s main port, where thousands of colourful houses are draped across the rolling hills, linked by the city’s famous funicular elevators. After a fond farewell to Expedition Team and Crew of the Discoverer, alight in this dynamic city – ready to explore, or just a stone’s throw away from the Chilean capital of Santiago.