In The Wake Of HMS Beagle Through The Chilean Fjords

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the natural serenity of Isla Mocha, a nature protected island with the world’s smallest deer
• Spend time in Chile’s oldest national park, Vicente Pérez Rosales, visiting the vibrant and thundering Petrohué rapids
• Come face to face with the imposing and famed trio of granite pillars in Torres del Paine National Park
• Experience the thundering sound of calving ice as you approach the immense PIO XI glacier
• Get up close to Garibaldi Glacier, considered one of Chile’s most beautiful

ITINERARY

VALPARAISO
DAY 1
One of Chile’s oldest cities, Valparaíso is known for its steep hillsides overlooking the ocean as well as its historical but perfectly functional funicular. The UNESCO-listed city is a maze of monuments, wonderful architecture, churches, cobblestone alleys, colourful houses and bustling plazas. Spend some time following in the footsteps of Chile’s most famous poet, Pablo Neruda, by visiting his former home. Or perhaps enjoy a wine tasting on a trip to the Casablanca Wine Valley. There are also plenty of wonderful cafes, restaurants, art galleries, museums and shopping opportunities. This city is truly unique and fascinating in equal measure, and definitely worth taking some time getting to know a little better.


ISLA MOCHA
DAY 2
The small, nature-protected island of Mocha has a fascinating natural and human history. Inhabited by one of the world’s smallest deer species, the pudú, 45% of the surface area of the island is a nature reserve. In the 16th century, the island was regularly visited by English and Dutch pirates including Francis Drake and Oliver van Hoort. It is also said that the waters around the island were once home to a famous 19th-century sperm whale, Mocha Dick, the whale thought to be the inspiration for Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.


AT SEA
DAY 3
Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.


PUERTO MONTT
DAY 4
Puerto Montt marks the southern end of Chile’s Lake District and is well known for its busy port and salmon fishing industry. From here we will visit the vibrant and thundering Petrohué Rapids, located at the foot of the iconic Osorno Volcano. The falls and the volcano are to be found in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile’s oldest national park. The city itself is relatively small and easy to explore on foot. The Museo Histórico displays fossils and items relating to the areas indigenous history and is worth a visit. Travel beyond the city limits to nearby Puerto Varas, a small and quaint city known for its German heritage and its location on the shores of the vast Lake Llanquihue.


CASTRO
DAY 5
Disembark today in the small, picturesque city of Castro, the capital of Chiloé Island. The city is known for its brightly painted wooden houses built on stilts (palafitos). Beyond the palafitos you may want to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Iglesia San Francisco, an old wooden Neo-Gothic church dating back to the founding of the city in 1567. Venture further afield into nearby Chiloé National Park for the chance to see native alerce conifers, the largest tree species in South America.


AT SEA
DAY 6
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.


TORTEL & ANGOSTURA INGLESA
DAY 7
Travel through the green hills and snow-capped peaks of the English Passage before arriving in the remote village of Caleta Tortel. Tortel is located at the mouth of the Rio Baker river and only had its first inland road built in 2003. Before the road’s construction, the village was very isolated, with the river and sea its main transport routes. The streets here consist mainly of boardwalks, and the houses are mostly built on stilts. The village evolved as a result of the local timber industry and is a wonderful place to observe traditional wooden architecture. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the boardwalks, keeping an eye out for hummingbirds which are commonly seen enjoying the local flora.


PIO XI GLACIER
DAY 8
At almost 66 kilometres in length, Pio XI Glacier, also known as Brüggen Glacier, is the longest glacier in the southern hemisphere outside of Antarctica. With a surface area exceeding 1265km2, it is one of few glaciers in the world that is not retreating. It is in fact advancing year after year, with an average advance in length, height and density of up to 50 metres per day. Pio XI is an incredible sight to behold. With giant ice cliffs that rise to a height of 75 meters intersected by deep blue crevasses and free-standing ice pillars known as seracs. Exploring the glacier further, you might just witness the startling but thrilling sights and sounds of ice calving into the water from the glacier wall.


WHITE NARROWS
DAY 9
Our journey today takes us through a treacherously tight rock passage, the 6-mile long White Narrows or Canal White, only 80 m wide at its narrowest point. Stand up on deck as our experienced crew navigate their way between the cliffs and past tiny islands through this curving channel inside the Kawésqar National Park in southern Patagonia.


PUERTO NATALES
DAY 10-11
Situated on Last Hope Sound, the pretty port town of Puerto Natales is an ideal base for visiting the famed and feral Torres del Paine National Park. The park’s crown jewel, the imposing trio of granite pillars, dominate the landscape in a manner reminiscent of Tolkien’s Mordor. Explore beyond the star attraction and discover glaciers, vibrant teal lakes, lush forests and thundering rivers. The region is also home to fascinating wildlife including guanaco, Darwin’s rhea, armadillo and the Patagonian fox, and is also one of the top places in the world to see puma. The town itself is very walkable and is home to a number of trendy cafés, restaurants and shops. Take a tour of the Last Hope Distillery for a spot of gin tasting or enjoy a stroll along the waterfront for some photo opportunities. If you’re feeling a little more energetic, hike up the nearby Dorotea Hill for a bird’s eye view of Puerto Natales. If luck is on your side, you may even spot a condor.


WHITE NARROWS
DAY 12
Our journey today takes us through a treacherously tight rock passage, the 6-mile long White Narrows or Canal White, only 80 m wide at its narrowest point. Stand up on deck as our experienced crew navigate their way between the cliffs and past tiny islands through this curving channel inside the Kawésqar National Park in southern Patagonia.


GARIBALDI GLACIER
DAY 13-14
Considered one of Chile’s most beautiful glaciers, the towering teal walls of Garibaldi Glacier are quite spectacular. Surrounded by pristine sub-Antarctic forests, the vegetation is just as impressive as the ice. The glacier and surrounding Garibaldi Fjord are part of Alberto de Agostini National Park. The park is also a recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its unique terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystem, and is considered one of the 24 most pristine ecoregions on the planet. Conditions permitting, we’ll be able to lower our zodiac boats into the water for further exploration of the fjord and its wildlife. Keep an eye out for the mighty Andean condor, which can often be spotted in the region.


USHUAIA
DAY 14
Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbour and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes - a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes