Day 1 - Tuesday - Mar 19, 2024
Fire and flavor in Argentina's capital. With its fusion of faded European splendor and Latin American panache, an overnight stay in Buenos Aires is the ideal way to start your adventure. Why not arrive here early to fully explore, or join an optional Pre-Program to wild Patagonia. Take in the beautiful architecture. Visit the beautiful opera house of Teatro Colon, the pretty-in-pink Casa Rosada, and the National Museum of Fine Arts, displaying works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso. Explore the colorful street museum in La Boca with its buzzy markets and restaurants. Or take in a tango show before savoring delicious Argentinian beef in one of the city's steakhouses.
Day 2 - Wednesday - Mar 20, 2024
Flying south to Ushuaia where you'll board your ship. You'll have an early start today as we head to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia. With its backdrop of snow-covered mountains, Ushuaia holds the proud, if often-disputed, title of southernmost city in the world. MS Roald Amundsen is waiting in port for you. Hurtigruten's first hybrid-powered ship is designed to make travel more sustainable, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. After picking up your expedition jacket and meeting your Expedition Team, settle in and explore the ship before enjoying the first of many delicious meals onboard. Your adventure is officially underway.
Day 3 - Thursday - Mar 21, 2024
| Cruising Cape Horn, Chile |
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The Beagle Channel's deep blue waters are flanked by sheer-sided mountains. Your adventure starts in earnest as we cruise through the Beagle Channel and sail down to the southernmost tip of South America - Cape Hope. The rocky walls of the Beagle Channel plunge straight into the deep blue icy waters of this wild and remote seascape. Watch out for rare, endemic Peale's dolphin and other wildlife. Cape Horn is where the open waters of the Atlantic and Pacific collide, creating powerful, swirling waves. Rounding the cape would once strike fear into the heart of hardened sailors, but on your expedition, we'll attempt to land-a seafaring milestone-and explore the cape if conditions allow.
Day 4 - Friday - Mar 22, 2024
Visit a remote and natural paradise. Soak in the quiet atmosphere of Puerto Williams, another contender for the world's southernmost city. Drop into the Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum. Here, you'll find indigenous Yahgan artifacts, maps, photographs, and a traditional canoe. You can also see a replica of the bow of the Yelcho-the ship that rescued Shackleton's men in 1916. Hike through the gorgeous scenery, on your own or as part of a guided optional excursion. You may be able to kayak if the weather is nice. Keen birdwatchers should have their binoculars handy to spot seabirds, including the mighty albatross.
Day 5 - Saturday - Mar 23, 2024
| Cruising Garabaldi Glacier, Chile |
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See one of Chile's most impressive glaciers. The goal for the day is a scenic cruise in Garibaldi Fjord in Alberto de Agostini National Park, all the way up to Garibaldi Glacier. Here, the Andes tumble into the Pacific and great glaciers calve ice into the beautiful Chilean fjords. If conditions allow, we'll reach the Garibaldi Glacier at the head of the fjord, one of the most impressive glaciers in all of Chile. The fjord is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and its rich waters are home to seals, sea lions, and sea birds, including the impressive Andean condor.
Day 6 - Sunday - Mar 24, 2024
| Cruising the Chilean Fjords, Chile |
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Through the Strait of Magellan. As we sail north along the Chilean coast, join your Expedition Team for fascinating lectures on topics like pre-Columbian history, the geology of our surroundings, and the folklore of local communities. Enjoy the serenity and beauty of the maze of fjords we pass, surrounded by islands, glaciers, and steep mountains. And keep an eye out for elephant seals, dolphins, and whales, who often sail alongside the ship. The resident photographer will be on hand to help you get the most from your wildlife and landscape photography.
Day 7 - Monday - Mar 25, 2024
Gateway to Torres del Paine. Our expedition cruise continues to Puerto Natales, where we'll spend the night. You can opt to go hiking in Torres del Paine National Park-an incredible experience well worth doing. The rugged landscape has steppe, forest, and desert, punctuated by glaciers and lakes. Guanacos, rheas, and pumas roam freely. Look out for Chilean flamingos and you may even spot the mighty Andean condor. Puerto Natales is a popular hub for hikers and adventurers, with many eateries, bars, and outdoor shops. Visit the artisan village at Etherh Aike; enjoy a gin tour at the Last Hope Distillery; or stroll the photogenic waterfront.
Day 8 - Tuesday - Mar 26, 2024
Day 9 - Wednesday - Mar 27, 2024
| Cruising Pio Xi Glacier, Chile |
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Marvel at the astonishing size of this glacier. Our expedition cruise continues through the scenic Eyre Fjord towards Pio Xi Glacier, where you'll have a great chance or spotting wildlife in the forests and waters. Look out for sea lions, dolphins, and terns. The Pio XI Glacier in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park is a truly extraordinary sight. Growing by as much as 50 meters a day-as other glaciers recede-it's the longest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere outside of Antarctica. If conditions are right, we'll launch our small expedition boats to take a closer look at this remarkable glacier, where ice occasionally calves off into the waters below.
Day 10 - Thursday - Mar 28, 2024
| Puerto Eden, Chile, Chile |
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Discover Kaweskar culture in a Patagonian village. Our next stop is the enchanting village of Puerto Eden in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, set at the end of a deep fjord. The tiny village is only accessible by sea, and the ferry that connects it to the mainland only visits once a month. There are no roads here-just wooden boardwalks connecting houses and shops. Among its 250-strong population, you'll meet some of the last remaining members of the indigenous Kaweskar, giving you a fascinating insight into Patagonian culture. The unique community is designated a Living Human Treasure by UNESCO.
Day 11 - Friday - Mar 29, 2024
Receive a warm welcome in Caleta Tortel. We leave the well-trodden path once again today to visit remote Caleta Tortel. Lying at the mouth of Rio Baker, Chile's largest river, this charming village is home to just 500 inhabitants. Instead of streets, a maze of boardwalks connects the close-knit community, weaving over water and around the mountain base. If conditions permit, you'll be able to explore more of the milky blue waters by kayak. You can choose to tour the village with a local guide. You may be treated to a performance by folk dancers and locals selling handicrafts, while learning more about the area's fascinating history.
Day 12 - Saturday - Mar 30, 2024
Unforgettable Andean seascapes. We cruise south towards Puerto Natales, the capital of Ultima Esperanza. The iceberg-studded waters of Patagonia are captivating, with stunning shades of blue, from the brightest aquamarine to the deepest midnight hues. As we sail, there's a good chance you'll see whales, seabirds, penguins, and more. Take in the scenery from the panoramic sauna or on-deck hot tubs and pool, enjoy locally sourced cuisine, or relax in the Explorer Lounge. The Expedition Team will be on hand with fascinating lectures on local history and wildlife, and the onboard photographer can help with tips on landscape photography.
Day 13 - Sunday - Mar 31, 2024
Stilt houses and historic churches. Set among the lush vegetation of Chiloe Island, Castro is Chile's third-oldest city and home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites-Iglesia San Francisco and Iglesia de Senora de Gracia de Nercon. Keep your camera ready for terrific views of the city's colorful palafitos-stilt houses along the waterfront-from nearby hills. For local culture, head to the Regional Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. Enjoy an optional walk into nearby Chiloe National Park, a stunning Valdivian rainforest of southern beech and alerce conifers. Look out for sea lions, sea birds, and whales along the shore.
Day 14 - Monday - Apr 1, 2024
Explore Spanish fortresses and lively folk markets. We come ashore at the pretty seaside town of Niebla, set on a picturesque peninsula with views of Corral Bay on one side and the Valdivia River on the other. Take a stroll on the wide sandy beach and, if the market Feria Costumbrista is open, sample traditional empanadas, anticuchos, and churros. Aside from the town itself, the ruins of the old Spanish fort and its associated museum are well worth a visit. Learn more about the region's history at the museum, then wander around the lighthouse and rusted cannons. You'll enjoy beautiful views across the river and bay.
Day 15 - Tuesday - Apr 2, 2024
Wildlife spotting at sea. Your expedition cruise makes its way along the Pacific coast to Valparaiso, your final stop. Keep scanning for the wildlife that populates these waters, including terns and whales. Enjoy your final day at sea relaxing in the pool, sauna, or spa. Enjoy a recap of your expedition experiences in Patagonia and the fjords from the Expedition Team. Visit the Science Center if you have unanswered questions about the things you've seen, or to complete any observations for the Citizen Science projects.
Day 16 - Wednesday - Apr 3, 2024
| Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile |
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Valparaiso is the glorious finale to your expedition. Your South American Pacific Coast expedition cruise ends in Valparaiso, known as the 'Jewel of the Pacific'. Built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean, it's well worth spending time in this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city before you fly home. Filled with exciting smells, sounds, and people, it's an exhilarating maze of winding alleyways and barrios, colorful houses, and mercados packed with local produce. Take it all in on a funicular ride up to Cerro Alegre and Concepcion. And if you're up for more adventures, you can join one of the optional Post-Programs, including a tour to Easter Island, famous for its mysterious statues of giant heads in Rapa Nui National Park.
