Exploring The Chilean Fjords

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the magic of the Chilean fjords with a sea kayak adventure. Led by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will skim the water’s surface amid the ice. Full professional equipment is provided, including tamdem kayak, carbon paddle, full-body drysuit, lifejacket, AIS beacon. For more information about your kayak tour, please go to the section "PONANT activities" and to book your kayak tour, contact your cruise advisor.
• Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
• Observing glaciers, channels and fjords, and navigating along narrow passages.
• If weather conditions allow it, disembarking at Cape Horn and discovering its albatross sculpture created by the Chilean artist José Balcells Eyquem.
• The stop in Tortel, a picturesque village with wooden pontoons and footbridges.
• Sailing along the Strait of Magellan.
• Depending on opportunities, observing Magellanic penguins, guanacos, caracaras, dolphins, humpback whales, fur seals, sea lions, alpacas, condors and cormorants.
• Landscapes: fjords dominated by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, iridescent glaciers, and mountain lakes with crystal-clear water.
• For your comfort, your cruise package includes an overnight in Buenos Aires the day before embarkation and the flights to/from Ushuaia (for details, see the “Included in your cruise” tab).

ITINERARY

3 MARCH 2023 - USHUAIA

Embarkation 03/03/2023 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 03/03/2023 at 18:00

Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…

4 MARCH 2023  5 MARCH 2023 - AT SEA

Arrival 04/03/2023
Departure 05/03/2023

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

6 MARCH 2023 - TORTEL

Arrival 06/03/2023
Departure 06/03/2023

A picturesque, colourful fishing village, Tortel boasts a splendid location in the heart of southern Patagonia, halfway between Puerto Montt and Cape Horn. From the little streets made up of small walkways, you’ll love the grand panorama of rounded mountains, dense forest, the clear waters of the Pacific. If you walk out onto one the many wooden pontoons, you can admire the views as you stand suspended a few metres above the water. The village is scattered with sculptures made by local artists, an excellent introduction to this friendly community

7 MARCH 2023 - ENGLISH PASSAGE

Arrival 07/03/2023
Departure 07/03/2023

Between green hills rising from the water and snow-capped peaks, the English Passage is one of the main Patagonian channels. Situated off the south-western coast of Chile, at the end of the Messier Channel, this narrow waterway with a width of just 180 metres offers a unique sailing experience due to its exceptional dimensions and its magnificent natural setting.

7 MARCH 2023 - PIE XI GLACIER

Arrival 07/03/2023
Departure 07/03/2023

The Brüggen Glacier, a coastal glacier in southern Chile also known as Pio XI, is astonishing for its almost surreal dimensions. With a surface area exceeding 1,200 km2, it is the largest of the glaciers making up the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This gigantic ice field is the third largest ice mass in the world. Straddling the southern Andes Mountains, its breathtaking natural setting inspires sheer wonder and awe.

8 MARCH 2023 - EL BRUJO GLACIER

Arrival 08/03/2023
Departure 08/03/2023

At the heart of Bernardo O’Higgings National Park, the largest protected area in Chile, discover El Brujo Glacier. Located at the end of the Asia Fjord, this huge wall of ice sculpted by the wind is fascinating and impressive. This magical, natural and grandiose décor that changes as the light plays upon it will be an unforgettable sight.

8 MARCH 2023 - SKUA GLACIER (SAILING)

Arrival 08/03/2023
Departure 08/03/2023

In the heart of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, where the National Parks of Bernardo O’Higgins, Torres del Paine and Las Glaciares meet, discover the Skua Glacier, also known as the Amalia Glacier. Nested on the Andes, this three-kilometre-wide tidewater glacier will offer you sumptuous landscapes in infinite shades of blue: a magical show during which the impressive cracking of the ice can be heard at times.

9 MARCH 2023 - ESTERO LAS MONTANAS

Arrival 09/03/2023
Departure 09/03/2023

Also called Fjord of the Mountains or Channel of the Mountains, the Estero Las Montañas fjord offers enchanting landscapes. Situated in large part in the Alacalufes National Reserve, this former glacial valley now flooded with water seems to stretch on for ever inland. Surrounded by tall mountains with lush slopes and edged with numerous glaciers tinged in various shades of blue, it will be a highlight of your cruise.

10 MARCH 2023 - SAILING IN THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN

Arrival 10/03/2023
Departure 10/03/2023

This mythical strait situated in the south of Chile and separating South America from Tierra del Fuego, awakens our imagination, stirring up a longing for adventure. For the first time, follow in the footsteps of the famous Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, known for having organised the first circumnavigation of the globe in the 16th century. Aboard your ship, cruise along the 600 km separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Pacific and, before arriving in Ushuaia, discover the sea route which was long nicknamed “Strait of All Saints” because Magellan’s ships first entered it on All Saints’ Day. A fascinating adventure.

11 MARCH 2023 - AINSWORTH BAY

Arrival 11/03/2023
Departure 11/03/2023

In Ainsworth Bay, in Alberto de Agostini National Park, you will be able to admire one of the most impressive panoramas in Patagonia. Dominated by the Cordillera Darwin Icefield, and notably the Marinelli Glacier, whose walls of ice reach 40 metres in height, this particularly wild and remote place is one of the longest fjords in the region. The subpolar old-growth forests that run along the water are home to numerous natural wonders such as magnificent peat bogs, vertiginous waterfalls and small brooks. This place is also home to exceptional wildlife including elephant seals, Magellanic penguins and numerous bird species.

12 MARCH 2023 - AGUILA GLACIER

Arrival 12/03/2023
Departure 12/03/2023

Deep inside the Agostini fjord looms the Aguila glacier. This immense expanse of ice is to be found in the heart of the Cordillera Darwin, a Chilean mountain range, within the Tierra del Fuego region. To reach it, admire the dazzling setting of the snow-capped mountains, separated by the canals of the Patagonia rainforest.

12 MARCH 2023 - AGOSTINI GLACIER

Arrival 12/03/2023
Departure 12/03/2023

In the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the Agostini Glacier sits at the back of the eponymous fjord, framed by the Cordillera Darwin. Named after the Italian missionary and explorer Alberto Maria De Agostini, this imposing blue-tinged glacier offers a stunning view over the fjord.

13 MARCH 2023 - GARIBALDI GLACIER

Arrival 13/03/2023
Departure 13/03/2023

Cruise along the narrow arm of Garibaldi Fjord and marvel at its stunning landscapes: thick green vegetation adorns steep mountains, rivalling the beauty of surrounding ice and snow. Further on, Garibaldi Glacier unveils itself: a towering ice titan looming at the end of the fjord that shares its name. Don't be surprised if sea lions and numerous birds accompany you on your enchanting journey into the heart of one of Chile's most beautiful glaciers.  

14 MARCH 2023 - SAILING AROUND CAPE HORN

Arrival 14/03/2023
Departure 14/03/2023

It’s at the meeting point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that you enter Chilean Patagonia where you head for the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and its famous Cape Horn. From the top of its impressive 425-metre high cliff, South America’s southernmost tip has, for many centuries, seen merchant ships from the world over passing by. Because of its legendary storms and rough seas, getting round this cape has gone down in history as a challenge for all seafarers.

15 MARCH 2023 - PUERTO WILLIAMS

Arrival 15/03/2023
Departure 15/03/2023

Located on Navarino Island a few kilometres from the Argentinian border, the city of Puerto Williams is, according to Chileans, the southernmost city in the world. It is first and foremost, a charming fishing port whose calm and isolation will delight you. You can stroll around a few little streets and admire the dark silhouette of the Patagonian Andes, surmounted by eternally white peaks. The Martin Gusinde museum of anthropology gives an aperçu of the living conditions of the ancient indigenous people, the Yámanas, while the surrounding areas propose hiking paths across wild, unspoiled nature.

16 MARCH 2023 - USHUAIA

Arrival 16/03/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 16/03/2023 at 07:00

Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…

WHAT'S INCLUDED

For your serenity, PONANT has organized the following included programme for you, which starts the day prior to embarkation

The day before embarkation – Buenos Aires

• Meet and greet at the hotel by our local representative. Check-in from late morning.
• Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon.  
• Dinner.
• Overnight at the hotel.

Embarkation Day – Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

• An early morning breakfast will be served before leaving to the airport for you flight Buenos Aires – Ushuaia.
• Transfer to the airport.
• Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia selected by PONANT in economy class. Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.
• Meet and greet at the airport (English-speaking assistance).

Depending on your choice made when booking your cruise (options not combinable):

You will be transferred to a restaurant for lunch.

OR

When booking the cruise, guests willing to visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park will be able to sign up for an optional group excursion, with extra cost. If you decide to do so, please note that immediately upon arrival at Ushuaia airport, you will leave towards the Park where you will have lunch before starting the tour.

Created in 1960, the park which covers 63 000 hectares (155 670 acres) is located in the south west of the Tierra del Fuego Province on the Beagle Canal. One of his entries stands slightly over 6 miles from Ushuaia.

Mountainous landscapes, lagoons, bogs, and rivers draw a picturesque scenery reinforced by the southern position of the park itself. The Darwin Mountains, which represent the southern part of the Andes Mountains are mainly responsible for such landscape. The Park is only partly accessible to the public and this tour will provide you with the opportunity to discover the local flora and sub-Antarctic landscapes. If you get lucky, you may encounter beavers, dams, birds, wild orchids, etc… This is a true paradise for Nature Lovers!

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant within the Park.

(Please note that the Tierra del Fuego excursion is subject to a minimum of participants: if this number is not reached, our operator will not be able to guarantee the departure – In this case, you will be given the option to join the “Lunch in Ushuaia” programme.)

At the end of your visit, you will return to Ushuaia and the port, for embarkation on your vessel.

– Cruise on board your ship –

Disembarkation Day – Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

• Disembarkation.
• Meet and greet at the port (English-speaking assistance).
• Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of the flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT in economy class.
• Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.

Your programme includes :

• 1-night accommodation in a 4* hotel the night before embarkation.
• Early check-in available from late morning.
• Hospitality desk at the hotel in Buenos Aires.
• Return flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT, in economy class.
• Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
• Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
• Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

For your optional Tierra del Fuego National Park excursion, your programme includes:

Please note if you choose this excursion, it is not combinable with “Lunch in Ushuaia” programme and therefore replaces it.

• The excursion by local bus and the entrance fees to the National Park
• The lunch including beverage package.
• Transfers and visit as mentioned in the programme
• The services of a local English speaking guide

 Your programme does not include:

• Transfer between airport and hotel in Buenos Aires, the day before embarkation.
• Tips for the local guide.
• Personal expenses.
• Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.

 Please note:

• The local currency is the Argentinian Peso. You will be able to make most of your purchases in USD (in small denominations) or by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from the ATM’s.
• Summer season in Buenos Aires: temperatures may be very hot, but often between 68 °F (20 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C).
• Summer season in Ushuaia: temperatures vary between 41 °F (5 °C) and 65 °F (15 °C)
• We recommend you wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.

Duration and order may vary.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Contacts of your hotel:
Madero 4*/Buenos Aires
Dique 2
Rosario Vera Peñaloza 360
C1107CLA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel : (+54) 11 5776 7777

KAYAK DISCOVERY

Get as up close to the natural environment as possible with an excursion aboard a two-person sea kayak, during one 2-hour session.
Guided by a state-registered polar navigation specialist, you'll discover and explore breathtakingly scenic polar landscapes and scenery.
All the necessary equipment will be provided for you on board.

What requirements do you need to meet in order to go sea kayaking?

Though it’s always useful to have at least one experience of sea kayaking under your belt, due to the high quality of the equipment we provide and the experience of the guides who’ll be supervising you, we are able to take complete beginners to places normally only accessible to professional kayakers and seasoned outdoor adventurers.

Participants will be formed into groups based on ability level onboard the ship to ensure everyone is able to make smooth progress on the trip.

Sea kayaking is a physically demanding activity, for both the heart and the muscles. We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.

This activity is available to adults (aged 18 or over) and to children of 16 and over when accompanied by a parent.

 Please note:

• One 2-hour session. Price per participant: 350 €
• Number of participants restricted to 20 per trip.
• This activity must be pre-booked in advance at least 7 days before the start of your cruise. Bookings made after this deadline will only be confirmed once onboard and are dependent on availability.
• Your vouchers will be dropped off directly in your room, during your cruise.
• Due to restrictions on the number of places available and a high level of interest from our passengers, there may be limited access to certain activities. The cost of any kayak trip cancelled by a passenger prior to departure will still remain payable in full.
• PONANT provides each participant with a sea kayak (Prijon Excursion EVO - two-person kayak for two participants), a dry suit (Sandyline - specially designed for PONANT), a life jacket, hand protection, kayak sea socks, spray skirt, carbon paddle (TNP Wolferine) and a waterproof bag.
• Depending on opportunities/availabilities during your cruise, additional Kayak tours can be booked only onboard.
• Kayak excursions are subject to weather and ice conditions on the day.
• You will be accompanied by state-certified kayakers each time you go out in a kayak.
• We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.