Patagonia's Majestic Fjords & Scenic Shores
Discover Untouched Wilds and Breathtaking Landscapes
13 Days | 2 Countries | Companion Flies Free up to AUD$2,300 per booking. Sales until 15 Nov 2024.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Patagonia and the Chilean fjords with a Viking Expedition cruise.
Over 13 days, witness the untouched beauty of blue-tinged glaciers, rugged mountains, and pristine waters. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of charming ports like Puerto Chacabuco and Punta Arenas. Sail past towering ice fields, explore secluded fjords by Zodiac or kayak, and enjoy expert-led excursions that bring this wild, majestic region to life. This is more than a cruise—it's an adventure into the heart of nature's grandeur.
Itinerary
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Begin your adventure by embarking your ship and settling into your stateroom. Santiago, Chile’s modern capital, is one of the largest cities in the Americas, boasting impressive neoclassical, neo-Gothic, and art deco architecture that spans several centuries. Alternatively, explore Valparaíso, often likened to San Francisco for its many cerros, or hills. This once-prosperous port city is now known for its quaint Victorian-era architecture, steeply sloped barrios, and iconic ascensores, or funiculars. From Los Cerros, the views are simply spectacular.
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Set sail on the serene waters of the Pacific Ocean, christened Mar Pacífico by Ferdinand Magellan nearly 500 years ago. As you glide through these historic waters, enrich your journey with an informative lecture or an inspiring film on our 8K laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula. This state-of-the-art venue, with its retractable floor-to-ceiling windows, offers an immersive indoor-outdoor experience, showcasing breathtaking 270° views that allow nature to take centre stage. Let the peaceful sea inspire and captivate you as you embark on this remarkable voyage.
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Sail through the pristine paradise of the Chilean fjords, a landscape of soaring peaks, lush islands teeming with wildlife, and a tapestry of glaciers and rivers spilling into shimmering waters. This rugged, untamed region is one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Marvel at the crystal-clear waters as they journey past vast ice fields, towering mountainsides, and serene fishing villages nestled against dramatic forested hills. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty and tranquillity of this remote, unspoiled wilderness.
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Explore Puerto Chacabuco, a tiny Patagonian enclave that serves as a gateway to the rugged, spellbinding beauty of the wilderness. Named after the pivotal 1817 Battle of Chacabuco, where national hero José de San Martín achieved a decisive victory, this port offers breathtaking scenery. Marvel at jagged rocky peaks, deep-cut gorges, icy-blue glaciers cascading into the sea, and pine-green forests clinging to steep slopes. This untouched region is one of the most inspiring and awe-inspiring corners of the globe, promising a truly unforgettable experience.
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Sail through the breathtaking Chilean fjords, tracing the routes of the indigenous people who first inhabited this region. Using the wood of the native Pilgerodendron uviferum trees, they crafted canoes and homes, navigating these waters long before Spanish conquistadors arrived in the mid-16th century. The Spanish explorers sought shelter in the fjords' internal passageways to escape the harsh Pacific Ocean conditions. Despite their efforts, the challenging climate and sparse population hindered extensive colonization, leaving the fjords largely untouched—a serene and timeless landscape that awaits your exploration today.
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Embark on an exhilarating journey to explore the majestic blue-tinged glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field by Zodiac. This vast ice sheet once blanketed southern Chile during the last Ice Age, carving out the dramatic Patagonian landscape as it receded around 12,000 years ago. Today, two enormous sections of this ancient ice sheet remain, spanning over 5,400 square miles and forming the third largest frozen landmass on Earth. Marvel at the towering glaciers, their ever-changing faces creating magnificent icebergs that drift through the fjords and channels, offering a breathtaking spectacle of nature's power and beauty.
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Sail through the picturesque Chilean Fjords, stretching nearly 1,000 miles from Cape Horn to the Reloncaví Estuary. Carved by receding glaciers over millions of years, these fjords consist of hundreds of channels and passages, winding past blue ice walls, dense forests, and steep mountain ranges. Keep an eye out for colonies of Magellanic penguins, lazing elephant seals, playful dolphins, migrating humpback whales, and hunting orcas along the rugged coastline and serene waters.
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Founded as a penal colony in 1848, Punta Arenas sits on the eastern shores of the Brunswick Peninsula, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. This city has a rich history as a vital port for mariners and gold-seeking Europeans who established sheep farms in the region. Before the Panama Canal, Punta Arenas was a crucial transcontinental shipping route. Discover its historical landmarks, including the Ancud monument, Plaza de Armas, and elegant neoclassical mansions.
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The Southern Patagonian Ice Field, spanning the Chilean-Argentine border, stretches over 200 miles along the Andes Mountains. Home to nearly 80% of South America's glaciers, Chile boasts an estimated 7,700 square miles of glacial ice. These glaciers serve as essential freshwater reserves, sustaining Patagonia's diverse ecosystems. Experience the awe-inspiring sight of these towering glaciers on a guided kayak tour.
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Sail through the pristine waters of Garibaldi Fjord within Alberto de Agostini National Park, where the Andes meet the ocean. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is rich in wildlife, with ice-covered valley walls and floating icebergs drifting among seals and sea lions. The retreating Garibaldi Glacier, spanning 12 square miles, towers over the fjord, offering a majestic and humbling spectacle of nature's power.
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Cape Horn, named after the Dutch city of Hoorn, marks the southernmost point of the Hermite Islands archipelago. This remote, stark, and treeless location is often considered the tip of South America. Sail past Hornos Island's enormous prehistoric volcanic rock massif, topped by a historic lighthouse that has guided countless sailors since 1991. Experience the awe of this iconic maritime landmark.
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Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, is nestled between the Beagle Channel and the Andes' southern slopes, creating an outpost atmosphere. It serves as a gateway to Tierra del Fuego, the "Land of Fire," named by Spaniards who saw the constant flames of the indigenous Yámana. This unspoiled region encompasses the large island of Tierra del Fuego and numerous Chilean and Argentine islands. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your charter flight, bidding farewell to fellow travellers as you journey home.
Itinerary Inclusions
One complimentary landing or shore excursion in every port of call.
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner. 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water.
Port taxes & fees. Onboard gratuities.
Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase.
Visits to UNESCO Sites. Enrichment lectures & destination performances.
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary). Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Centre. Self-service launderettes.
Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge. 24-hour room service.
Kayaks, Zodiacs & Special Operations Boats — A Viking Expedition Kit with a variety of equipment to explore at no extra charge
Keepsake Viking expedition jacket (on polar itineraries). All Viking excursion gear needed for any relevant excursions
Pricing Per Person Double (Australian Dollars)
Departures 23 Oct & 30 Oct 25
Nordic Balcony from AU$12,495 per person
Deluxe Nordic Balcony from AU$13,095 per person
Single - On Application
Important Notes
A refundable deposit (in the form of a future cruise voucher less a $100 cancellation fee) is specified at the time of booking.
All offers are valid on new bookings only until staterooms on selected 2024, 2025 & 2026 sailings are sold out.
Please enquire about pricing for singles and children.
Interested in this experience? Mention this Deal Code: 1038 when speaking with your travel agent. Don't have an agent? Click here to connect with one of our experts.