South America

Patagonia & Chilean Fjords: From Ushuaia to Puerto Montt

9 Days aboard Magellan Explorer. From NZD $11,102$9,250pp.
Details

Overview

Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords on this unforgettable journey from Ushuaia to Puerto Montt. Sail through icy fjords, witness towering glaciers, and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of this remote region.

Save up to NZ$1852 pp

Book by 31st March 2025

Itinerary Highlights

  •  A wilderness experience in Southern Chile
  • San Rafael Glacier
  • Visit Puerto Eden
  • Tierra del Fuego
  • Glacier Alley along the Beagle Channel

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Ushuaia, Embarkation
  • Day 2: Beagle Channel
  • Days 3: Strait of Magellan
  • Day 4: Amalia Glacier
  • Day 5: Puerto Eden
  • Day 6: Gulf of Penas
  • Day 7: San Rafael
  • Day 8: Puerto Cisnes
  • Day 9: Puerto Montt, Disembarkation

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Ushuaia, Embarkation

Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, with boarding between 3 and 4 PM (15:00 – 16:00 hr.) We will make a brief technical stop in Port Williams to comply with Chilean customs and immigration requirements before proceeding along the Beagle Channel.

Day 2: Beagle Channel

Today we sail along the Beagle Channel, a striking narrow passage in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, partly belonging to Chile and partly to Argentina. We will sail along Glacier Alley, a 240 km (150 mi) stretch within the Channel in Southern Chile, home to a family of five glaciers, the Holanda, Italia, Francia, Alemania, and Romanche glaciers. Here you will sail and be surrounded by both hanging and tidewater glaciers and waterfalls you can view from the ship. These spectacular ice formations are sprawled along the sea, forming part of the Southern Patagonian Ice field and the snow-dusted Darwin Range. It is a perfect time to enjoy the graceful view and, if possible, get a glimpse of sea lions and steamer ducks.

The Beagle Channel, with the Strait of Magellan to the north and the Drake Passage to the south, is one of the three navigable passages in South America connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Days 3: Strait of Magellan

This afternoon, our ship will cruise along the Strait of Magellan to explore the remote and protected coastal area of the Carlos III Island. This region is part of the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, the first marine park and the only place in the southern hemisphere where Humpback whales feed outside of Antarctica. We aim to deploy our Zodiac fleet in the mythical waters of the strait sailed by the Portuguese explorer in 1520. If you are lucky, you may be able to bear witness to Humpback or Sei whales breaching at a distance in the sea. You may also have sightings of dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, albatrosses, and petrels.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 4: Amalia Glacier

Today we take an exploratory Zodiac cruise to the Amalia Glacier area, a 3 km (2 mi) wide glacier along the Peel Fjord in the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. It is part of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field surrounding the Reclus Volcano. We will bask in the glacier’s icy-blue beauty and cruise along its ice floes across the sea to uncover part of Chile's natural mystique. As you cruise between snow-capped peaks to get a closer look at the glacier and its brilliant yet rugged textures, you may be able to spot dolphins swimming at a distance, cormorants or condors flying above, and otters.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 5: Puerto Eden

We sail the dramatic, 18 mt-wide English Narrows on our way to the famous fishing village of Puerto Eden, one of Chile's most isolated settlements. The village sits on the eastern side of Wellington Island and is only accessible by sea. Puerto Eden has no roads. Instead, a network of wooden boardwalks connects the houses and establishments. Rich evergreens cover the landscape steeped in indigenous traditions and culture, being home to the Kawéskar people.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 6: Gulf of Penas

We cross the Gulf of Penas, enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges. As we continue to sail northward, the expedition team tells you about the indigenous inhabitants of these southern lands, the early Spanish colonizers, and famous explorers such as Charles Darwin, Fitz Roy, and Alberto de Agostini. You also learn about the region's biodiversity with presentations on the local marine life and flora.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 7: San Rafael

The expedition continues with a full day of activities planned at San Rafael Bay. Declared a Biosphere Reserve, the park is the main entry point to Chile's Northern Icefields. San Rafael Glacier is the main attraction, but we will also enjoy exploring the surrounding fjords, channels, islands, and coves.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 8: Puerto Cisnes

We continue to head north to the village of Puerto Cisnes, in the remote region of Aysén, for an afternoon visit. We visit the seaport and explore the area, with its many fjords, islands, and channels. We hope to visit Magdalena Island, where we have a good chance of seeing penguins, cormorants, sea lions, and river otters.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 9: Puerto Montt, Disembarkation

Morning arrival in Puerto Montt and disembarkation.

Breakfast included.

Next Departure Date: 31 Mar 2025
DatesCabinFromSpecial Offer
31 Mar 2025 - 08 Apr 2025 NZD$11102ppExpand to view prices
Triple SuiteNZD$11102ppContact us
Porthole CabinNZD$12028ppContact us
Veranda CabinNZD$12954ppContact us
Deluxe Veranda CabinNZD$13880ppContact us
Deluxe SuiteNZD$15917ppContact us
Single Veranda CabinNZD$16657ppContact us
Penthouse SuiteNZD$16657ppContact us
04 Apr 2026 - 12 Apr 2026 NZD$9250ppExpand to view offers

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

Triple Suite

Approx. Size: 480 ft2 – 44 m2
Details: Suite with two bedrooms, balcony, and sitting area

Triple Suite
Triple Suite
Porthole Cabin

Approx. Size: 200 ft2 – 18 m²
Details: Cabin with sitting area and porthole

Porthole Cabin
Porthole Cabin
Veranda Cabin

Approx. Size: 210 ft2 – 19 m2
Details: Cabin with sitting area and balcony

Veranda Cabin
Veranda Cabin
Deluxe Veranda Cabin

Approx. Size: 240 ft2 – 22 m2
Details: Cabin with sitting area and balcony

Deluxe Veranda Cabin
Deluxe Veranda Cabin
Penthouse Suite

Approx. Size: 360 ft2 – 33 m2
Details: Suite with sitting room, balcony, and bedroom area

Penthouse Suite
Penthouse Suite
Deluxe Suite

Approx. Size: 480 ft2 – 44 m2
Details: Two-room suite with sitting room, balcony, and bedroom

Deluxe Suite
Deluxe Suite
Single Veranda Cabin

Approx. Size: 210 ft2 – 19 m2
Details: Cabin with sitting area and balcony

Single Veranda Cabin
Single Veranda Cabin

Magellan Explorer Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • Passengers: 100 max
  • Lifeboats: 2, fully enclosed, capacity of 160 (in addition to 8 life rafts, capacity of 160)
  • Breadth: 16.2 m
  • Propulsion: Diesel engines, 3,440 kW
  • Cruising speed: 14 knots in open water
  • Staff & crew: 60
  • Length: 90.7 m
  • Draft: 4.3
  • Ice class: LR PC6

What’s included?

  • Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
  • Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.
  • Ship cruise as indicated in the itinerary corresponding to each expedition.
  • Daily buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship.
  • Loan of waterproof boots for landings, landing fees, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.
  • All guided shore excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.

Notes

*Itinerary operated in reverse, starting in Ushuaia and ending in Puerto Montt
Note: the itinerary presented above is for reference. As for any expedition cruise, our route will be subject to weather conditions and the requirements of the Chilean authorities.

Optional Activities:

  • Kayaking - US$495
  • Hiking and Snowshoeing in Antarctica, available for booking on board the ship at USD $85 per person, per excursion.

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: South America

The vivid sights and sounds of South America offer something for everyone. Stretching from the Caribbean to Patagonia, the variety of cultures, climates and landscapes has to be experienced firsthand to be believed. The memories you take home will leave you wanting more – we’re sure you’ll want to return again and again, just like us!

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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Patagonia & Chilean Fjords: From Ushuaia to Puerto Montt

9 Days aboard Magellan Explorer. From NZD $11,102$9,250pp.