Chile & Argentina with Australis Cruise

  • Duration10 Nights
  • StylePrivate Tour with Small Ship Cruise
  • When to GoYear round
  • Price GuideFrom $5,525 Per Person
Discover wild Patagonia, shared by Chile and Argentina, spread over South America. Sometimes referred to as a place at “the end of the world,” it’s a remote and spectacular region, comprised of everything from desert to the soaring Andes Mountains with surreal emerald lakes, blue-tinged glaciers, ice-carved fjords, rushing rivers, and subpolar forests. It has two coasts, one edging the Pacific to the west and the other framed by the Atlantic to the east. This vast, untamed land is ripe for adventure, a hiker’s paradise, and a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. Our 11-day journey begins in Santiago, with time to explore Chile’s capital before jetting off to Punta Arenas in the far south. You’ll have three full days to explore the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park before embarking on a 4-night cruise that uncovers the Argentinian side of Patagonia too, concluding in Buenos Aires, the “Paris of the south.”

At a Glance

  • Day 1
    • Santiago

      • Private transfer to your hotel in Santiago with free time to explore
  • Days 2 - 5
    • Torres del Paine

      • Fly to Punta Arenas & transfer to your hotel in Torres del Paine
      • 3 full days to explore Torres del Paine and enjoy the activities offered by your hotel
  • Days 6 - 9
    • Punta Arenas & Australis Cruise

      • Transfer to Punta Arenas and board your ship
      • Group tour to see the Magellanic penguins or a hike near a glacier in Brookes Bay
      • Group tour in the Pia Fjord with a short hike providing panoramic views of Pia Glacier
      • Group tours of Cape Horn National Park & Wulaia Bay
  • Days 10 - 11
    • Ushuaia & Buenos Aires

      • Disembark in Ushuaia & fly to Buenos Aires. Private transfer to your hotel with free time to explore
      • Private departure transfer to Buenos Aires Airport
  • Meet Our Expert

    Sarah 257 246

    Sarah Deutsch

    Latin America Specialist

    My love for South America started when I was living in Lima, Peru, and family and friends came to visit. That year I went to Machu Picchu 5 times! I do not have one drop of Latin blood in me, which is painfully obvious if you see me dance, and yet without realizing it for the past 15 years South America has been my home.

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    Our Cruise Ship

    Ventus Australis

    Ventus Australis is a 210-passenger expedition ship offering itineraries in the Southern Hemisphere from September through April, traveling between Ushuaia in Argentina, and Punta Arenas in Chile. This isn’t a fancy cruise ship with live shows, it’s all about the extraordinary scenery and wildlife. There is no Wi-Fi or cell service, so you can be immersed in the experience without interference from electronics. Big picture windows are a standout feature in every lounge, so you won’t miss the passing scenery. There are six cabin types spread over three decks. All have nautical décor, storage space, bathrooms with showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows with varying bed options.

    Departure Dates: Please note that cruises run weekly. Speak to our team to find out more.

    What's Included

    • 6 nights in 4 or 5 star accommodation in Santiago, Torres del Paine and Buenos Aires
    • 4 nights on-board the Australis Cruise
    • Private land transfers mentioned in the itinerary
    • Shared zodiacs while on the cruise
    • Breakfast included in Santiago and Buenos Aires and full-board in Torres del Paine
    • Full-board meals while on the cruise
    • 3 full days in Torres del Paine National Park enjoying a range of activities provided by your property including hiking and horseback riding
    • Group excursions on the cruise by Zodiac including the Magellanic penguins or Brookes Bay hike (depending on the season) Pia Fjord, Cape Horn National Park and Wulaia Bay
    • All mentioned regional flights in economy class, inclusive minimum 20kg per person checked baggage
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated staff
    • Flexible, personalized land itinerary based on your interests

    What's not Included

    • International flights from your country of origin
    • Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, hotel staff
    • Any meals, tours, or activities other than those specifically mentioned in itinerary
    • Incidental local expenses - souvenirs, laundry, taxis, etc
    • Visas for Chile and Argentina. Your consultant will advise of any required visas and how to obtain them
    • Travel insurance - we strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip
    • Price based on double occupancy in a double or twin room

    Day by Day Itinerary

    • Day 1

      Santiago: Arrival

      Santiago Chile500 x 333 Santiago Chile

      Kicking off your adventure in cosmopolitan Santiago, ringed by the snow-capped Andes and Chilean coastal range, upon your arrival at the airport, you’ll take a private transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps taking in what’s often referred to as one of the best views in Latin America from the viewpoint at Sky Costanera, nearly 1,000 feet above the ground. Wandering the cobbled streets of older barrios is a must for the art enthusiast. You’ll also find plenty of parks to stroll through, casual and fine dining restaurants for sampling the local cuisine, and lively nightlife spots.

      Accommodation Options:

      • Le Reve

        Le Reve

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      • The Singular

        The Singular

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    • Day 2

      Torres del Paine: Fly from Santiago to the National Park

      Torres del Paine Sized500 x 333 Torres del Paine

      A private transfer returns you to Santiago’s airport to catch your flight to Punta Arenas, followed by a transfer to Torres del Paine National Park with granite pillars towering over 6,500 feet above the Patagonian landscape. Scenic trails wind through dense forest, passing lakes in hues ranging from turquoise to deep emerald, raging rivers, and a glistening blue glacier. Wildlife is abundant, including guanacos, a relative of the camel, flamingo, the ostrich-like rhea, and the Andean condor.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast & Dinner

      Accommodation Options:

      • Explora Patagonia

        Explora Patagonia

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      • The Singular Patagonia

        The Singular Patagonia

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    • Days 3-5

      Torres del Paine: Your Choice of Exploration Options

      Horseriding Torres del Paine ChileGrey Glacier Lago Grey Torres del Paine Chile

      You’ll have three full days to explore Torres del Paine with a variety of activities on offer at your hotel. You can choose to discover it on horseback, two wheels, on foot, or by boat. Perhaps hike to the Grey Glacier or if you’re up to the task, embark on the more challenging, bucket-list Patagonia trek to the base of the three towers for which the park is named. A downhill bike ride at La Porfiada in the northeast and a ride on a Patagonian horse with panoramic views of the Paine Massif are just two of the many other options.

      Excursions Included:
      A variety of excursions on offer at the hotel

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    • Day 6

      Patagonia’s Southern Extreme: Cruise Embarkation

      Punta Arenas ChileVentus Australis

      Transfer back to Punta Arenas to embark on your enchanting 4-night cruise. Arriving in the afternoon, you’ll check in and then board the ship at 6 p.m., enjoying a welcome toast and introductions to the captain and crew. Your vessel departs afterward, sailing toward one of the world’s most remote corners. Overnight you’ll cross the Strait of Magellan before entering a maze of channels. Watch the lights of the city fade as you travel into the wilds of the extreme southern portion of Patagonia, entering the Whiteside Canal with Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego to the east and Dawson Island to the west.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast & Dinner

    • Day 7

      Cruising: Ainsworth Bay to Tuckers Islets

      Galapagos PenguinsAlberto de Agostini National Park Chile

      As the sun comes up, you’ll be cruising Admiralty Sound, home to leopard and elephant seals and other animals, with the snow-dusted mountains of Karukinka Natural Park stretching along the north side. The wide bays and deep fjords in Alberto de Agostini National Park lie along the south shore. You may be able to witness the wildlife, including many birds and a colony of southern elephant seals when traveling by Zodiac, going ashore at Ainsworth Bay. You’ll have the option to take one of two hikes before sailing on to the Tucker Islets, boarding a Zodiac again to see Magellan penguins close up.

      Excursions Included:
      Group tour to see the Magellanic penguins or a hike near a glacier in Brookes Bay

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    • Day 8

      Cruising: Pia Glacier to Glacier Alley

      Ventus Australis ZodiacPia Glacier Patagonia

      By morning, having rounded the remote Brecknock Peninsula and entered Beagle Channel once again, the ship will travel through Pia Fjord. You’ll hop on a Zodiac and then take a short hike that provides a panoramic view of Pia Glacier that descends from the mountain peaks to the sea. It’s believed to be named after Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, though no one is certain. After returning to your vessel, you’ll cruise east through an area known as Glacier Alley. Get your camera ready to capture the many tidewater glaciers that flow from the Darwin Ice Sheet and the mountains along the north shore.

      Excursions Included:
      Group tour in the Pia Fjord with a short hike providing panoramic views of Pia Glacier

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    • Day 9

      Cruising: Cape Horn to Wulaia Bay

      Cape Horn National Park ChileWulaia Bay Chile

      Cross into a remote archipelago where Cape Horn National Park is located this morning. If sea conditions and weather permit, you’ll step onto the island that’s home to the nearly 1,400-foot-high rocky promontory known as Cape Horn. It famously overlooks the rough waters of the Drake Passage, once serving as the only navigation route between the Atlantic and Pacific. Navigating the narrow Murray Channel next, anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, sketched by Captain FitzRoy and described by Charles Darwin in the 1830s during their adventurous voyages. Visit a museum housed in the old radio station and then choose from one of three hikes.

      Excursions Included:
      Group tour of Cape Horn National Park
      Group tour of Wulaia Bay

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    • Day 10

      Ushuaia: Entering Argentine Waters. Fly to Buenos Aires

      Ushuaias Colourful Houses ArgentinaBuenos Aires Argentina 4

      Sailing into Argentine waters, the ship will dock at the world’s southernmost city: Ushuaia. This is where the cruise portion of your trip ends. You’ll have time to say farewell to the captain, crew, and new friends made before transferring to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival to the so-called “Paris of the south,” a private transfer brings you to your hotel with the rest of the day enjoyed on your own. You might take an atmospheric stroll through neighborhoods like Belgrano and Recoleta with their Old World charm before finding an enticing café terrace to enjoy some people-watching.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

      Accommodation Options:

      • Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt

        Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt

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    • Day 11

      Buenos Aires: Departure

      Buenos Aires Argentina 3500 x 333 Buenos Aires Skyline

      After 10 nights exploring Patagonia and beyond, it’s time to take a transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires to catch your flight back home or head out on further travels. If you’d like to spend more time in Argentina’s capital or discover other destinations, reach out to our travel experts who will be happy to help. Otherwise, we wish you a safe journey and hope to see you on another Unforgettable trip again soon.

      Meals Included:
      Breakfast

    Let’s make this itinerary yours.

    Speak to our experienced Destinations Experts about designing this itinerary around your budget and needs

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