Taste of Chile & Argentina

Fly to Santiago, Chile

Late afternoon departure from London Heathrow to Madrid, continuing on an overnight flight to Santiago with LAN or Iberia.

Arrival and sightseeing in Santiago

Morning arrival in Santiago where you will be met and transferred to the Santiago Park Plaza for 1 night. Rest of day at leisure.

Fly to Calama

Transfer to the airport for the flight north to Calama. On arrival, transfer to the pretty village of San Pedro de Atacama (distance 100kms). Stay at the Casa Atacama (or similar), for 3 nights.

Day at leisure

Free day to explore the local area. Excursions are included with your stay at the Casa Atacama.

Day at leisure

Free day to explore the local area. Excursions are included with your stay at the Casa Atacama.

Arrival and sightseeing in Santiago

Transfer to Calama for your flight to Santiago and overnight at the Santiago Park Plaza. Afternoon tour to visit the highlights of the city.

Fly to Punta Arenas

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas and transfer to your comfortable lodge, Hosteria las Torres, in the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park.

Day at leisure

Free day to explore the local area. Excursions are included with your stay at Hosteria las Torres.

Day at leisure

Free day to explore the local area. Excursions are include with your stay at Hosteria las Torres.

Embark on your cruise

Return to Punta Arenas & embark on your Expedition Cruise ship. Arrive in Punta Arenas and check in for your expedition cruise aboard the Via Australis or Stella Australis. Check in from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cruise ship boarding at 6:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterwards, the ship departs for “the uttermost part of the earth”. Your excursion will take you through the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel to explore one of the most breathtaking wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego.

Ainsworth Bay and Tuckers Islet

At dawn, continue navigating through Almirantzgo Sound, arriving at Ainsworth Bay, inside the Alberto De Agostini National Park. From a distance you may see the Marinelli Glacier which descends from the Darwin Mountain Range, and learn how life begins after the retreat of the ice. Take a walk to discover a beaver dam in the marvellous subpolar Magellanic forest. On the beach, you may see elephant seals, but we cannot guarantee this as the precise location of the colony is unpredictable. Later, sail to Tuckers Islets, and after lunch board the Zodiac boats to view Magellanic Penguins (which only live in the Southern Hemisphere), and Cormorants.

Pia Glacier

Navigate along the main part of the Beagle Channel to reach Pia Fjord, where we disembark near Pia Glacier. Take a short hike to a look-out point with a spectacular view of the entire glacier tongue, stretching from high in the mountains all the way to the sea. After this unforgettable experience, continue sailing along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel through majestic “Glacier Alley”.

Cape Horn

Sail through the Beagle and Murray channels to reach Cape Horn National Park, to disembark (weather permitting). Cape Horn, is a sheer, 425-metre (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory, and in the past it was the only entrance to the Pacific Ocean. This place is known as the “End of the Earth”, and it is the last territory before Antarctica. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005.

In the afternoon, go ashore in historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region's largest Yamana aboriginal settlements. Charles Darwin landed here on January 23rd, 1833, during the voyage of the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. Walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coihues, Canelos, ferns, and other native vegetation to reach a look-out point.

Flight to Buenos Aires

Disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires where you will be met and taken to the Mine Hotel (or similar) for a 2 night stay.

City Tour of Buenos Aires

Take a morning tour of the city to orient yourself with some of its best known landmarks and districts such as La Boca and San Telmo as well as delving a little into the history of Tango and Evita. In the evening depart your hotel for the Esquina Carlos Gardel for dinner and a beautiful Tango Show in this very elegant venue.

Homeward journey

Depart Buenos Aires early evening for your return flights to the UK. Alternatively extend your trip with a few days at Iguazu falls. Other extensions before your tour in Chile or at the end of your tour in Argentina can be arranged - just ask us for a quote for your particular requirements.