Chile is simply stunning. It has so much natural untouched awe-inspiring beauty – the itinerary options are endless. Whether you are visiting the picture perfect Lake District with its 100’s of lakes and lagoons or embark on an adventure through the most famous region of Chile, Patagonia – you’ll be inspired by this unworldly destination filled with peace and beauty.
In Patagonia the South American continent falls away in a dazzling explosion of islands, glaciers, icebergs and mountains. What better way to discover it all than with one of the 2 small expedition cruise ships: Via Australis which only holds 136 passengers, and the new Stella Australis which holds 210 passengers. By sailing on these ships you’ll be able to access regions that humans rarely witness.
You’ll sail the passage between Punta Arenas and Ushaia which includes Cape Horn during their 3 or 4 day cruise. (I would highly recommend the 4 day itinerary) Imagine that for a brief moment while in Cape Horn, you’ll be the only and southernmost human in the Americas! But more than that, you’ll be surrounded by pristine nature that may not last much longer on this earth.
As you cruise along glaciers, fjords and through icy passages you’ll experience the purity of nature, and as you make landfall you won’t exit via a gangway but instead go ashore on a zodiac boat (small inflatable boats). No matter what age you are – this is a rare experience.
Here’s an example of what one of your days might look like:
“You’ll sail through the Beagle and Murray channels to reach Cape Horn National Park, where you will disembark. Cape Horn, is a sheer, 425-meter (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’s the last territory before Antarctica. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005.
In the afternoon, you’ll 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. You’ll walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coihues, Canelos, ferns, and other native vegetation to reach a look-out point.”
There are endless options to combine this cruise with a tour of Patagonia, or by spending a few days fly-fishing in the lake district. My personal favorite is a tour that begins in Santiago, Chile and takes you South to Ushaia from where you have the options to visit some breathtaking glaciers in the Torres del Paine National Forest or continue directly to your final destination, Buenos Aires, Argentina which includes a visit to the beautiful Iguazu Falls.
If all this sounds fascinating, don’t hesitate to contact me today. – we have some great ideas just for you and I’d be more than happy to discuss the different options for an unforgettable journey to this amazing destination.
May all your travels stir your soul and change your life forever – Ales.
A special ‘Thank you’ to Cruzeros Australis for the beautiful pictures.
