Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires 03/20/2025
Buenos Aires moves to a rhythm that is unmistakably unique to the Argentinian capital. Just ask a local and they’ll tell you straight away: It’s the diverse melting pot of people who inject vibrancy into the city. These porteños (port people) have roots from all across the globe, bringing their diverse cultures with them. The result is an intoxicating blend of romantic music, tango dancing around every corner, Maradona soccer fans, Old World Colonial architecture, and flavorful food.You’ll spend one night at a hotel in the city before catching an early flight the next morning. Depending on when you arrive, you may have some time to explore a slice of this bustling capital. Visit Teatro Colón, a beautiful opera house dating back to 1908. Then pop into the historic Café Tortoni for Parisian-inspired coffees and chocolate-dipped churros. Caminito is a multi-colored ‘street museum’ in the La Boca neighborhood, filled with lively markets and restaurants hosting live folk dancing and tango shows. The party doesn’t stop there, though. Late into the night, the upscale Palermo district is filled with bars and boliche clubs (night clubs).We recommend coming to Buenos Aires a few days early to fully explore the city or join our Pre-Program to wild Patagonia.
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Buenos Aires - Full Day Sightseeing Tour - 7 hours
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore some of the most recognizable landmarks in Buenos Aires. Find out about the history and culture of this city, as you take in some of the most significant spots. Start at the most important square in the country: Plaza de Mayo. The country was founded here in 1580, and today the most important governmental buildings are located here including Casa Rosada (Government House), Cabildo (City Hall) and Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral). Continue through the cobblestoned streets of San Telmo neighbourhood, where the original porteños (Buenos Aires residents) settled in the early days. The next stop is picturesque La Boca, home to Caminito, perhaps the city's most photographed street thanks to its corrugated iron and brightly coloured houses. This block houses one of the few outdoor museums in the world, where artists exhibit work, related to the influence of mainly Italian immigrants who arrived at this port at the end of the 19th century. La Boca is home to the legendary football (soccer giants) Boca Juniors, whose colours of blue and yellow adorn most of the houses and stores in this neighbourhood. Drive towards Palermo, passing through Puerto Madero, a regenerated area where redbrick warehouses have been transformed into trendy restaurants and bars.
Once in the northern area of the city, drive past Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, combines the flavour of an old, working-class neighbourhood with some contemporary details, including ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. The bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors, and restaurants cater to all palates. Continue to Recoleta, one of the most elegant and sophisticated districts, visit Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church and Recoleta Cemetery, known for its rich architecture and famous personalities whose mortal remains it treasures.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires sightseeing tour with shared visit to Colon Theatre - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks, as well as history and culture in the Paris of the South, on this half-day private guided city tour. Kick off at Plaza de Mayo square, the heart of the city both from a historical and political point of view, and site of its foundation in 1580 by Don Juan de Garay. The next stop is San Telmo with its cobbled stone streets and colonial buildings. Also visit La Boca neighbourhood, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area. Before returning to the hotel, visit Colon Theatre, one of the world's greatest opera houses, with its sublime interior, every piece of marble, furniture and crystal, imported from Europe. The theatre took 80 years to be completed and finally opened in 1908. It combines many European architectural styles and influences, including Greek columns, French stained glass and Italian marble. The house seats up to 2,500 people and the Colón has hosted opera celebrities such as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas and Placido Domingo. Shared guided tour to Colon Theatre.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Colon Theatre (shared visit)
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour North - half day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks in the northern area of Buenos Aires. Drive through Palermo, a district with several different areas such as classic Palermo Chico and contemporary Palermo Hollywood. Start in Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks, then continue to Bosques de Palermo parks; past the Japanese and Rose Gardens with their lakes and sculptures, which can be visited independently. From here continue past the Palermo racetrack and polo grounds where the famous Argentine Polo Open is played every December. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, fuses the flavour of a working-class neighbourhood with contemporary twists such as ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. Its bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors. Gastronomy options appeal to all palates. Finally, visit Recoleta neighbourhood, home to many a mansion, which takes one back to Argentina's glorious days. The tour ends at the Recoleta Cemetery, renowned for its rich architecture and sculptures that makes it more of an open-air museum than a final resting place.
After tour you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Palermo trendy area
- Japanese and Rose garden in Palermo
- Recoleta cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour & Evita Museum - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore the highlights of the 'Paris of South America' in a four-hour tour accompanied by one of our experienced representatives who will introduce you to the history and culture of this magnificent city. Beginning with the historical areas of Buenos Aires: Plaza de Mayo, the historical and political heart of the city, laid out by Don Juan de Garay in 1580 during the second founding of Buenos Aires. Continue to La Boca, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area of Buenos Aires, Palermo with its gardens and mansions; and finally, Recoleta, where you will visit its world famous cemetery and see the tombs and mausoleums of the most important personalities of Argentine history. Finally, visit the Evita Museum, a living museum where people can learn, understand and appreciate the life of one of the most important women in Argentine history.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
- Evita´s museum
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Entrancee fee for Cemetery and Evitas museum
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Tigre Getaway - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Escape the hustle and bustle of central Buenos Aires on this relaxing half-day getaway, featuring fashionable riverside suburbs and a cruise along sheltered waterways. Drive to Tigre passing through neighbourhoods such as Vicente López, Olivos, and San Isidro, and past elegant homes of these residential suburbs, including the Presidential Residence in Olivos, official home to Argentina's president. On arrival at the Paraná River, board a private river boat and head out along the Delta's waterways. An array of colourful sights awaits as the boat cruises past islands, turn-of-the-century homes, yacht clubs and a fleet of watercrafts, including canoes and sailboats. A soft drink and snack are served while you enjoy the scenery. Re-join your vehicle when the river cruise ends and transfers you back to the hotel.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Parana river
- Sail in the Delta
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Private river boat
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Tango Show & Dinner at Rojo Tango
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
At Rojo Tango, a unique venue designed by Philippe Starck located within the Faena Hotel, enjoy an evening of “Porteño” (residents of Buenos Aires) music and dance. After a three-course dinner with wine and without moving from your seat, the band will strike up and the dancers will appear on scene, to recreate nostalgic times when Tango was danced in the streets of Buenos Aires. A majestic performance full of fantasy and sensuality and incredible skill.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Tango show at Rojo tango
- First class venue
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- Private vehicle
- Dinner
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- English speaking guide
-
Buenos Aires: Gaucho celebration - Full Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Join a Gaucho celebration at Estancia Santa Susana, a typical ranch only 80 km from Buenos Aires. The estancia has 1,200 hectares (2965 acres) dedicated to agricultural activities and has been a popular tourist destination near Buenos Aires for the last 30 years. Experience the genuine Gaucho lifestyle with various activities, such as a delicious typical Argentine barbecue with drinks, horsemanship show, a visit to the main house, the colonial museum, and the chapel. A short horse-back or carriage ride is also available before lunch. This tour provides an insight to the most fascinating traditions of Argentina.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Horseback activity
- Agricultural activities
- Gaucho lifestyle
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Lunch at the estancia
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
|
03/20/2025 |
03/20/2025 |
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires 03/21/2025
Today, you’ll have an early start. We’ll meet in the hotel lobby in the morning to head to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province sits on a bay backed by the snow-capped mountains of Martial Glacier, to the north. Although Ushuaia claims to be the world’s southernmost city, two other Chilean cities also lay claim to this dubious title. Your base camp at sea, MS Roald Amundsen, will be waiting here at the port for you. On board, pick up your complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket before attending our mandatory safety drill before departure. Afterward, you will have time to tour the ship and settle into your cabin before we enjoy a welcome dinner together. Our expedition is officially underway!
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Buenos Aires - Full Day Sightseeing Tour - 7 hours
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore some of the most recognizable landmarks in Buenos Aires. Find out about the history and culture of this city, as you take in some of the most significant spots. Start at the most important square in the country: Plaza de Mayo. The country was founded here in 1580, and today the most important governmental buildings are located here including Casa Rosada (Government House), Cabildo (City Hall) and Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral). Continue through the cobblestoned streets of San Telmo neighbourhood, where the original porteños (Buenos Aires residents) settled in the early days. The next stop is picturesque La Boca, home to Caminito, perhaps the city's most photographed street thanks to its corrugated iron and brightly coloured houses. This block houses one of the few outdoor museums in the world, where artists exhibit work, related to the influence of mainly Italian immigrants who arrived at this port at the end of the 19th century. La Boca is home to the legendary football (soccer giants) Boca Juniors, whose colours of blue and yellow adorn most of the houses and stores in this neighbourhood. Drive towards Palermo, passing through Puerto Madero, a regenerated area where redbrick warehouses have been transformed into trendy restaurants and bars.
Once in the northern area of the city, drive past Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, combines the flavour of an old, working-class neighbourhood with some contemporary details, including ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. The bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors, and restaurants cater to all palates. Continue to Recoleta, one of the most elegant and sophisticated districts, visit Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church and Recoleta Cemetery, known for its rich architecture and famous personalities whose mortal remains it treasures.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires sightseeing tour with shared visit to Colon Theatre - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks, as well as history and culture in the Paris of the South, on this half-day private guided city tour. Kick off at Plaza de Mayo square, the heart of the city both from a historical and political point of view, and site of its foundation in 1580 by Don Juan de Garay. The next stop is San Telmo with its cobbled stone streets and colonial buildings. Also visit La Boca neighbourhood, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area. Before returning to the hotel, visit Colon Theatre, one of the world's greatest opera houses, with its sublime interior, every piece of marble, furniture and crystal, imported from Europe. The theatre took 80 years to be completed and finally opened in 1908. It combines many European architectural styles and influences, including Greek columns, French stained glass and Italian marble. The house seats up to 2,500 people and the Colón has hosted opera celebrities such as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas and Placido Domingo. Shared guided tour to Colon Theatre.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Colon Theatre (shared visit)
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour North - half day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks in the northern area of Buenos Aires. Drive through Palermo, a district with several different areas such as classic Palermo Chico and contemporary Palermo Hollywood. Start in Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks, then continue to Bosques de Palermo parks; past the Japanese and Rose Gardens with their lakes and sculptures, which can be visited independently. From here continue past the Palermo racetrack and polo grounds where the famous Argentine Polo Open is played every December. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, fuses the flavour of a working-class neighbourhood with contemporary twists such as ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. Its bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors. Gastronomy options appeal to all palates. Finally, visit Recoleta neighbourhood, home to many a mansion, which takes one back to Argentina's glorious days. The tour ends at the Recoleta Cemetery, renowned for its rich architecture and sculptures that makes it more of an open-air museum than a final resting place.
After tour you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Palermo trendy area
- Japanese and Rose garden in Palermo
- Recoleta cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour & Evita Museum - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore the highlights of the 'Paris of South America' in a four-hour tour accompanied by one of our experienced representatives who will introduce you to the history and culture of this magnificent city. Beginning with the historical areas of Buenos Aires: Plaza de Mayo, the historical and political heart of the city, laid out by Don Juan de Garay in 1580 during the second founding of Buenos Aires. Continue to La Boca, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area of Buenos Aires, Palermo with its gardens and mansions; and finally, Recoleta, where you will visit its world famous cemetery and see the tombs and mausoleums of the most important personalities of Argentine history. Finally, visit the Evita Museum, a living museum where people can learn, understand and appreciate the life of one of the most important women in Argentine history.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
- Evita´s museum
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Entrancee fee for Cemetery and Evitas museum
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Tigre Getaway - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Escape the hustle and bustle of central Buenos Aires on this relaxing half-day getaway, featuring fashionable riverside suburbs and a cruise along sheltered waterways. Drive to Tigre passing through neighbourhoods such as Vicente López, Olivos, and San Isidro, and past elegant homes of these residential suburbs, including the Presidential Residence in Olivos, official home to Argentina's president. On arrival at the Paraná River, board a private river boat and head out along the Delta's waterways. An array of colourful sights awaits as the boat cruises past islands, turn-of-the-century homes, yacht clubs and a fleet of watercrafts, including canoes and sailboats. A soft drink and snack are served while you enjoy the scenery. Re-join your vehicle when the river cruise ends and transfers you back to the hotel.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Parana river
- Sail in the Delta
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Private river boat
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
-
Buenos Aires Tango Show & Dinner at Rojo Tango
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
At Rojo Tango, a unique venue designed by Philippe Starck located within the Faena Hotel, enjoy an evening of “Porteño” (residents of Buenos Aires) music and dance. After a three-course dinner with wine and without moving from your seat, the band will strike up and the dancers will appear on scene, to recreate nostalgic times when Tango was danced in the streets of Buenos Aires. A majestic performance full of fantasy and sensuality and incredible skill.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Tango show at Rojo tango
- First class venue
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- Private vehicle
- Dinner
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- English speaking guide
-
Buenos Aires: Gaucho celebration - Full Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Join a Gaucho celebration at Estancia Santa Susana, a typical ranch only 80 km from Buenos Aires. The estancia has 1,200 hectares (2965 acres) dedicated to agricultural activities and has been a popular tourist destination near Buenos Aires for the last 30 years. Experience the genuine Gaucho lifestyle with various activities, such as a delicious typical Argentine barbecue with drinks, horsemanship show, a visit to the main house, the colonial museum, and the chapel. A short horse-back or carriage ride is also available before lunch. This tour provides an insight to the most fascinating traditions of Argentina.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Horseback activity
- Agricultural activities
- Gaucho lifestyle
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Lunch at the estancia
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
|
03/21/2025 |
03/21/2025 |
Ushuaia
Ushuaia 03/21/2025
Today, you’ll have an early start. We’ll meet in the hotel lobby in the morning to head to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province sits on a bay backed by the snow-capped mountains of Martial Glacier, to the north. Although Ushuaia claims to be the world’s southernmost city, two other Chilean cities also lay claim to this dubious title. Your base camp at sea, MS Roald Amundsen, will be waiting here at the port for you. On board, pick up your complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket before attending our mandatory safety drill before departure. Afterward, you will have time to tour the ship and settle into your cabin before we enjoy a welcome dinner together. Our expedition is officially underway!
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Begin the tour by driving along National Route N3, crossing the valley of the Pipo River and the foothills of Mount Susana, to the train station located in the area where the inmates of the old prison collected firewood.
The little steam train will wind along the trail that the prison train used to follow over bridges, swampy areas, and green valleys, making a short stop at La Macarena waterfall. On completion of the train ride and already in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, drive through the most attractive landscapes of the park, such as Lake Roca and Bahía Lapataia (where the National Route N3, part of the Pan-American Highway ends).
In different locations take short walks to appreciate the different species of the native forest and the protected fauna in the southernmost National Park of Argentina.
After the tour you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Beagle Channel
- Lapataia Bay
- End of the World train
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Box-Lunch
- Entrance fee
|
03/21/2025 |
03/21/2025 |
Ushuaia
Ushuaia 03/21/2025
Today, you’ll have an early start. We’ll meet in the hotel lobby in the morning to head to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province sits on a bay backed by the snow-capped mountains of Martial Glacier, to the north. Although Ushuaia claims to be the world’s southernmost city, two other Chilean cities also lay claim to this dubious title. Your base camp at sea, MS Roald Amundsen, will be waiting here at the port for you. On board, pick up your complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket before attending our mandatory safety drill before departure. Afterward, you will have time to tour the ship and settle into your cabin before we enjoy a welcome dinner together. Our expedition is officially underway!
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Begin the tour by driving along National Route N3, crossing the valley of the Pipo River and the foothills of Mount Susana, to the train station located in the area where the inmates of the old prison collected firewood.
The little steam train will wind along the trail that the prison train used to follow over bridges, swampy areas, and green valleys, making a short stop at La Macarena waterfall. On completion of the train ride and already in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, drive through the most attractive landscapes of the park, such as Lake Roca and Bahía Lapataia (where the National Route N3, part of the Pan-American Highway ends).
In different locations take short walks to appreciate the different species of the native forest and the protected fauna in the southernmost National Park of Argentina.
After the tour you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Beagle Channel
- Lapataia Bay
- End of the World train
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Box-Lunch
- Entrance fee
|
03/21/2025 |
03/21/2025 |
Cape Horn
Cape Horn 03/22/2025
As we sail through the scenic Beagle Channel in the morning, watch for the rare, endemic Peale’s dolphins and other wildlife. Once we leave the channel, our journey down to the legendary Cape Horn begins. Dutchman Willem Schouten discovered this headland on Hornos Island in 1616. He named it ‘Kaap Hoorn’ after the city of Hoorn, in the Netherlands. For centuries, it was a major landmark in the old clipper routes that connected Europe with the Far East and Oceania. It is still a monumental point for those sailing around the world.The area around the island is where the open waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans collide, creating powerful waves that are made even stronger by swirling westerly winds. For yachters, rounding Cape Horn is a maritime feat, comparable, for them, to summiting Mount Everest. The notoriously turbulent waters make it impossible to guarantee a landing here. But if fortune plays in our favor that day and the weather is stable enough to dock on the island and go up to the cape, you may be among a select few in the world to set foot on glorious Cape Horn.
|
03/22/2025 |
03/22/2025 |
Port Williams
Port Williams 03/23/2025
There are few places that feel as ‘end of the road’ as Puerto Williams, which is located on Isla Navarino, between Dientes de Navarino mountain range and the southern bank of the Beagle Channel. Even though it is one of three contenders for the title of ‘World’s Southernmost City’, Puerto Williams has a quiet atmosphere more akin to a small town. Why not go to the post office and send a postcard to friends and family back home? They will be thrilled to receive a message all the way from the ‘end of the world’.The city began as a military outpost in 1953 and most of its 3,000 residents are affiliated with the local naval base. Puerto Williams is also home to around 70 indigenous Yahgan people, who have lived in the Tierra del Fuego region for 10,000 years. To learn more about the history of the Yahgan people and the city, it is well worth dropping into the Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum. Examine Yahgan artifactsand a traditional canoe, as well as maps and photographs or the region.Check out a replica of the bow of the Yelcho—the ship that rescued Shackleton’s men, who were stranded on Elephant Island in 1916. Or go for a walk in the town and immerse yourself in the gorgeous scenery, either on your own or through a guided optional excursion. If the weather is nice, you may also have the opportunity to participate in an optional kayaking activity, too. Birdwatchers, on alert! Have your binoculars at the ready to spot a range of seabirds, including the mighty albatross.
|
03/23/2025 |
03/23/2025 |
At Sea
At Sea 03/24/2025
The day’s activity is a scenic cruise in Garibaldi Fjord, in Alberto de Agostini National Park, all the way up to Garibaldi Glacier. In this stunning region, the Andes tumble into the Pacific Ocean and great glaciers feed ice (and sometimes icebergs) into the beautiful Chilean fjords. The waters are filled with glacial sediment, giving them a creamy blue appearance. Meanwhile, the sheer cliffs glisten with ribbons of waterfalls, perhaps in full flow from recent rainfall.From our past sailings here, we know that strong winds and thick sea ice may block our route. If weather and waters are kind, however, we may be able to reach the head of the fjord at Garibaldi Glacier, one of the most impressive glaciers in all of Chile. This wall of crumbling sapphire and teal–colored ice looms taller than some buildings. Here you’ll find ice of all shapes, shades, and sizes, towering over the waters beneath it. There is an amazing experience we can hope for but not guarantee: If we’re lucky, we might witness chunks of the glacier calve off the wall, plunging and crashing below in an explosion of ice and water. More than just the sight of this spectacle, it is the dramatic noise, which reverberates throughout the fjord, that is likely to leave the deepest impression.Thanks to the oxygen-rich, plankton-packed cold waters sourced from the glacier, the fjord is also recognized as part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is not uncommon to see seals and sea lions poking their heads out of the water or roaming on the shores. Keep an eye out for a range of seabirds soaring above or perched on miniature islands of floating ice. The impressive silhouette of the Andean condor might even pass over us. This a member of the vulture family with a wingspan as wide as 10 feet.
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03/24/2025 |
03/24/2025 |
At Sea
At Sea 03/25/2025
This wild and remote wonderland was once the domain of the canoe-faring indigenous people who lived, sailed, and hunted in these very fjords for centuries. Admire this serene maze of waterways surrounded by islands, glaciers, and steep mountains. Head to the deck and bask in the view of the mighty mountains plunging into the icy water, while keeping an eye out for wildlife such as elephant seals, dolphins, and whales.Throughout your journey, the Expedition Team will give lectures in the Science Center and share their extensive knowledge of the region. Topics may include periods of pre-Columbian history, the geology of the surrounding mountains and islands, the folklore of the local communities, and much more. Not all of our lectures are indoors, though! If curious seabirds come fly alongside the ship, the Expedition Team might also help you spot and identify them from the deck. Our designated expedition photographer will also be on board. In addition to taking pictures from our journey, he or she will be available to help you learn the basics of expedition photography.
|
03/25/2025 |
03/25/2025 |
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales 03/26/2025
While entering and leaving Puerto Natales, we will sail through the White Narrows—a passage only 87 yards wide. These narrows require careful navigation, and we can only pass through them in daylight and at slack tide.Scottish and German immigrants founded Puerto Natales in 1911. They came to export lamb and wool back to Europe. Today, the city has around 20,000 residents and plays host to constant flow of adventure travelers from around the world—a stop on their way to the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Join an optional excursion to the park and discover a stunning range of landscapes, from vast open steppes to rugged mountain terrain topped by looming peaks, all teeming with wildlife. Watch for llamas, pumas, and foxes, in addition to more than 100 bird species, including the Andean condor.You can also choose to spend time in Puerto Natales itself. There are a number of trendy eateries here, along with Bohemian-style bars and outdoor gear suppliers. Gin lover? Take a tour of the Last Hope Distillery, which could just be the southernmost distillery in the world. Or, head to Etherh Aike, a small artisan village selling various handicrafts and gifts. The waterfront is particularly photogenic, such as the wooden posts of the old pier stretching into the fjord, with snow-capped mountains in the background. You can also admire the fingers of the hand monument and the dancing figures of the wind monument.We set sail very early the second day, but the ship will spend the night alongside port.
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03/26/2025 |
03/26/2025 |
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At Sea
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03/27/2025 |
03/27/2025 |
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales 03/28/2025
Emerging from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and almost 41 miles in length, Pio XI Glacier is the longest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere (outside of Antarctica, of course). Also known as Brüggen Glacier, after German geologist Johannes Brüggen Messtorff, its wall is almost 3 miles wide and 262 feet high, marked by intricate cracks and deep crevasses. Remarkably, Pio XI is the only glacier in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park to be advancing every year. It appears to buck the trend of most glaciers worldwide, which are generally in retreat. Pio XI, on the other hand, grows as much as 164 feet a day in length, height, and density.To reach the glacier, we’ll sail east through Eyre Fjord, where you can admire the scenery all around you. Temperate forest lines the shores, with sea lions making the occasional appearance in the foreground. Dolphins are also known to swim the waters, accompanied by seabirds such as gulls and terns. Weather and waves permitting, we’ll launch our small boats (RIBs) to explore the fjord and get closer to the glacier, while always taking care to not get too close. Ice occasionally calves off the Pio XI’s wall into the waters below, creating a thrilling sight (and sound) to behold—from a safe distance!
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03/28/2025 |
03/28/2025 |
Puerto Eden
Puerto Eden 03/29/2025
The settlement of Puerto Edén sits at the edge of a peninsula in a fjord located in Bernardo O´Higgins National Park. You can certainly qualify the park as being off the beaten path, as Puerto Edén is only accessible by sea, with this paradise being one of Chile’s most hard-to-reach inhabited places. To get here, we sail through the English Narrows. This passage, at the south end of the Messier Channel, can only be navigated at slack tide and in daylight. The narrows are only 197 yards wide at certain points, with low-lying islands and steep mountains on both sides, flanked by evergreen trees from the Magellanic subpolar forests.Puerto Edén’s isolation is also due to the region’s climate, which includes frequent rainfall, high humidity, and heavy storms. There are no roads to, from, or even within the village, just boardwalks and footpaths that connect the homes of its fewer-than 200 inhabitants. The village is also home to the last-known community of the indigenous Kawéskar people, with only dozen living here. This unique community is designated a Living Human Treasure by UNESCO, which recognizes the Kaw[3]skar people’s cultural significance and the need to protect their heritage. You can walk freely through the village and interact with locals. You’ll admire their synergy with local plants and marine animals, and no doubt respect their desire to preserve their precious history and customs.
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03/29/2025 |
03/29/2025 |
Tortel
Tortel 03/30/2025
South of the San Rafael Laguna National Park, you’ll find Caleta Tortel, in between the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields. This remote village is located at the mouth of Rio Baker, the largest river in Chile. A single road to Caleta Tortel opened in 2003, freeing the village from its almost complete isolation. The melting ice of the surrounding glaciers makes the waters here an eye-catching mixture of turquoise and milky blue. If the weather cooperates, run your hands through water yourself on an optional kayaking excursion.The village sprang up as part of the timber industry, explaining the village’s rustic look—it’s made entirely from wood sourced from Guaitecas cypress trees in the surrounding forest. Common throughout the Aysén region, migrant workers from Chiloé in the north came here to work, and typical of Chilotan style, many of the houses are constructed on stilts. The 500 residents here form a close-knit community that is still closely connected to the logging trade. The town includes a school, library, medical center, police station, and some restaurants. There are no streets within the village per se, rather a maze of boardwalks that weave over the water and around the mountain base. It’s a perfect place to explore. A tour of the village with a local guide is also available as an optional excursion. The locals are known to give guests a warm welcome, and you might be greeted by locals selling handicrafts or to a performance by folk dancers. You can also learn about the area’s fascinating history, including 8,000-year-old cave paintings and evidence that the unique Chilesaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur, roamed the region 145 million years ago.
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03/30/2025 |
03/30/2025 |
At Sea
At Sea 03/31/2025
Your expedition cruise will continue north through the fabled waters of Patagonia. When Magellan sailed here in 1520 on his circumnavigation of the Earth, he and his crew somehow imagined the indigenous people here to be giants that were over 16 feet tall! He therefore named them ‘Patagons’ after a literary character in a Spanish novel that was popular at the time. While the indigenous people here were slightly taller than most Europeans at the time, they were far from giants. However, the name stuck. Thus, we have the region the world now knows as ‘Patagonia.’ Of course, now is known more for the beautiful Andean seascapes, rather than its giants! Attend one of the many interesting lectures hosted by the Expedition Team, perhaps about the seabirds, geography, or indigenous culture of the region. Join an art workshop, where you can paint something inspired by your experiences from the expedition, or participate in one of the proposed Citizen Science projects in the Science Center.
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03/31/2025 |
03/31/2025 |
Castro
Castro 04/01/2025
Castro is the capital of Chiloé Island, set among windswept hills and green vegetation. Most visitors make a beeline to the Gamboa wharf district to see the brightly painted wooden houses, called palafitos, raised on stilts along the Fiordo de Castro. This small city has many things to offer. Antiquities buff? Head to the town square to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Iglesia San Francisco, a Neo-Gothic church build from wood that dates back to the city’s founding in 1567. If you have more contemporary taste, the Museum of Modern Art of Chiloé is worth a visit. If you get hungry, stop into one of the city’s many great restaurants.You may also have an opportunity to book an optional excursion into nearby Chiloé National Park. This walk will take you through the park’s Valdivian rainforest, made up of evergreen southern beech and native alerce conifers, the largest tree species in South America. You might even catch sight of sea lions, seabirds, and whales along the shore.
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04/01/2025 |
04/01/2025 |
Valdivia
Valdivia 04/02/2025
The small seaside town of Niebla is perched on a picturesque peninsula with views of Corral Bay on one side and the mouth of the Valdivia River on the other. Its name is Spanish for ‘fog’, which Pacific winds often push into the area. Locals from the nearby city of Valdivia visit Niebla for its lively folk market and dark-sand beach. Stroll along the wide beach, and if the Feria Costumbrista market is open, sample your choice of traditional empanadas, anticuchos, churros, and more.Aside from visiting the town itself, you’ll likely want to spend your time here exploring the ruins of the old Spanish fort and its associated museum. Castillo de la Pura y Limpia Concepción de Monfort de Lemus (or just Niebla fort, for short), was built by the Spanish between 1671 and 1679. It is one of four main fortresses, and together with a network of other small battlements, once protected ships and towns from pirates who roamed the waters and raided communities. Learn more about the region’s strategic history in the museum, walk around the lighthouse, pose next to the row of rusted canons, and take in beautiful views across the river and bay.
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04/02/2025 |
04/02/2025 |
At Sea
At Sea 04/03/2025
Your expedition cruise is nearing its end, but it is not over just yet. Make the most of your remaining time on MS Roald Amundsen watching for birds and wildlife out on deck, chat with your new friends, or enjoy your favorite drink in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. The Expedition Team will recap the highlights of your cruise and keep you engaged. Our onboard photographer might even present a slideshow of photos taken on your adventurous expedition cruise.
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04/03/2025 |
04/03/2025 |
Santiago (Valparaiso)
Santiago (Valparaiso) 04/04/2025
Your voyage ends at Valparaíso. Built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean, this UNESCO-listed city is a maze of monuments, churches, historical funiculars (cable cars), trendy neighborhoods, cobblestone alleys, colorful houses, and charming plazas. Cerro Alegre and Concepción have arguably the best views, while the historic port district has Colonial architecture, bustling mercados, and the maritime and modern art museums. This colorful and unusual city is fascinating, so why not stick around for an extra day or two? You can also join a Post-Program to Easter Island, famous for its mysterious statues of giant heads.
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Valparaiso: Encounter with the Art - 4 hours
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION
- La Sebastiana – Pablo Neruda Museum
- A local artist’s studio
DESCRIPTION
Picturesque Valparaiso was one of the first Chilean cities founded by the Spanish in 1536.
A thriving port for centuries, modern Valparaiso remains Chile’s primary outlet to the sea. In 1906, a vicious earthquake struck the city, toppling hundreds of the city's priceless monuments. This earthquake, however, would be a portent of things to come: The truly fatal blow to Valparaiso would come 8 years later. In 1914, the first international ship crossed the Panama Canal. The golden age of Valparaiso had come to an end. After years of gloom and decay, the historic port and university town is now living something of a revival. The Chilean government has pledged both economic and structural support to the city, and private entities are implementing projects that seek to trigger an urban renaissance in Valparaiso as a world heritage city and Chile's cultural capital. Among the priorities are culture, heritage preservation, and economic development via tourism. This effort culminated in UNESCO naming Valparaiso’s Historic Quarter a World Heritage Site in 2003.
Immigrants from all over the world have chosen to stay and leave their mark on this peculiar city.
Since over 450 years, this strategic port in the western coast of the South American continent has been the subject of interest for many renamed visitor. First visited by Drake and later on by Dutch pirates, left in ruins by Spanish cannons’ fire and reconstructed many times after numerous earthquakes, Valparaíso is a handmade city, a result of human intervention and an example of urban resilience.
During your 4-hour tour you will have the chance to see Valparaíso distinctively spontaneous hill neighbourhoods and their vernacular architecture, including more than a dozen ascensores (funicular cable cars) that connect the port with its surrounding heights. This is a great city to explore on foot so that you can grasp its beauty.
One of the highlights of the tour will surely be Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda’s Valparaiso residence, “La Sebastiana”. The house is full to the brim with the eccentric genius’ keepsakes from his many trips abroad, as well as an extensive library.
Also during your visit you will get the opportunity to visit the studio/gallery of a local artist who will be pleased to meet you and sharing with you his passion for art and his life experience in this bohemian city in front of the Pacific Ocean, a constant source of inspiration for many other artists
OBSERVATIONS
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide.
- Bottled mineral water included.
- Entrance fee to the museums are included.
- Museums are closed on Mondays.
*Travellers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
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Valparaiso - Wines of the Casablanca Valley
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION
- Tour and Tasting at two emblematic vineyards of the Casablanca valley
DESCRIPTION
This morning you will be welcomed at the Valparaíso pier by your guide who will escort you on your private tour to the Casablanca valley.
The Casablanca Valley is a sub-region of the Aconcagua Valley, but its vineyards – first planted in the early 1980s – have earned worldwide recognition in a relatively short space of time. The warm, temperate climate of the area is greatly influenced by the coastal sea breezes, which in combination with a perfect terroir in a valley situated on the coastal plane, with distant hills and slopes rising no more than 400 meters above sea level provide ideal conditions for certain varieties of grape. It is not unlike Santa Barbara and portions of Sonoma, and fittingly, the grapes that have done best over the past half-decade or so have been Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. While the area is best known for its crisp white wines, in particular Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, varieties such as Gewürtztraminer and certain lighter reds such as Pinot Noir are fast becoming the varieties du jour.
The first visit will be made at the Casas del Bosque vineyard where the visit will commence with a tour of the winery and cellars. Continue with a tasting focussing on their superb, award-winning red and white wines including their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2004. A selection of dried fruits and cheeses will be served to accompany the wines during the tastings.
Then continue to the Matetic winery.
The new Matetic vineyard, designed by the Viña Matetic team in cooperation with architect Lawrence Odfjell, is a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, constructed so as to complement its glorious setting. In other words, harmony has been reached between the winery´s organic agricultural practices and the natural landscape of the valley.
Upon arrival to the vineyard you will be greeted and invited to listen to a brief introductory speech about the vineyard history and the different phases of wine production while appreciating stunning views of the vineyards and the beautiful Rosario Valley. Then you will proceed to the tasting room where you will sample the high quality Matetic wines.
Lunch today will be served at excellent Matetic Winery’s restaurant.
Notes:
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide.
- Bottled mineral water available in the vehicle
*Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
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04/04/2025 |
04/04/2025 |
The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
