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Peregrine Travel Centre

Patagonia & the Chilean Fjords

Patagonia & the Chilean Fjords

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Description

Those who have a passion for the wilder places on our planet usually have Patagonia on their must do list. Shaped by fire and ice, this rugged, yet hauntingly beautiful land of windswept pampas, hanging glaciers and cloud piercing peaks, remains today as enticing and fascinating as it did to Magellan, Drake and more latterly Darwin.

Chile is made for cruising. Its shape and geographic location is just perfect; thousands of miles of coastline that you can of course explore aboard one of the many huge cruise vessels calling at the major cities of South America, or alternatively join us aboard the MS Hebridean Sky and enjoy the wonders of this magical country, some of which only small ships have access to.

Wildlife abounds here and the skies are filled with the cries of seabirds. Albatross’ and petrels wheel overhead and sea lions bark from their rocky outcrops. Helping us understand all the wonders we shall encounter will be our experts and expedition staff who will accompany us ashore and our highly adaptable Zodiac craft will allow us to enter tiny inlets and explore fjords and stretches of magnificent coastline.

Trip Name
Patagonia & the Chilean Fjords
Days
19
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 110 Built: 1992 - newly re-launched 2016 The Hebridean Sky (formerly the Sea Explorer) underwent a 6.5 million dollar refurbishment. Always  known for its effortless elegance, impeccable service and atmosphere of charm and camaraderie, the Hebridean Sky continues that tradition adding a host of new amenities as well as state of the art stabilization, fuel efficiency, and upgraded communications systems. Its all-suite accommodations and increased adventure options make the Hebridean Sky the perfect blend of luxury and adventurous exploration. SPACIOUS SUITES Hebridean Sky is an all-suite yacht accommodating up to 110 guests. Built in 1992, refurbished 2014 and again in 2016, each suite features: • Exterior views • Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds • Sitting area with sofa and side chair • Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player • Telephone • Independent temperature controls • Mini-Bar • Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries • Hair dryer • 220 square feet or more • Sofa can be converted to bed for third person In adition Promenade, Deluxe, Veranda & Penthouse Suites include: • En suite Champagne & Chocolates on Arrival • Complimentary mini-bar (beer, wine & soft drinks) • $100 per person Gift Shop credit • En suite Nespresso machine Penthouse Suites (325 sq.ft.) and Veranda Suites (260 sq.ft.) feature private balconies. ONBOARD DINING Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. SERVICES • World-Class Cuisine • Complimentary Wine with Dinner • Live Entertainment • Complimentary Coffee/Tea station • Voyage Photographer • On-board MD and Facilities • Dedicated Passenger Service Manager • Pre-voyage hotel night • Complimentary Expedition Jacket FACILITIES • Elevator serving all passenger decks • Upgraded WIFI Internet • Library with computers • Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform • Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment • Boot Room • Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities • DVD Movie Library Deck plans may very depending on the ship operator.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to the Sheraton Hotel (or similar) for a two night stay. Rooms will be available on arrival and the remainder of the day and evening are free to relax and explore independently.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Buenos Aires.
During our guided morning tour we will visit the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall) before we continue towards the most traditional neighborhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. We will continue to the neighbourhood of La Boca to look around the colorful zinc houses that make up this area of Buenos Aires which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. We will see the woods of Palermo with 741 acres of gardens and artificial ponds surrounded by elegant buildings. This afternoon is free to relax before we meet this evening for a tango show and dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival, transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky and sail this evening. Enjoy the scenery as we enter the Beagle Channel, named after the HMS Beagle which Robert Fitzroy piloted through this extraordinarily beautiful channel with naturalist Charles Darwin in the 1830s.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Cape Horn, Chile.
We will make our way around Cape Horn, one of the best known maritime landmarks in the world. Magellan was the first European visitor here in 1530 and prior to the opening of the Panama Canal it was an important staging post. Weather permitting we hope to use our Zodiacs to land and enjoy a walk to the monument. This afternoon we return to the Beagle Channel. Here the mountains, still partly unmapped, drop as sheer, densely wooded cliffs into the channel and six glaciers flow from the 8000 foot Mount Darwin into the sea. Penguins, dolphins and South American sea lions abound in the channel.
Day 6 - Days 6 to 12 - Chilean Fjords, Punta Arenas & Torres del Paine National Park.
During the next seven days we will enjoy some of the most stunning scenery imaginable. This vast area of mountains, glaciers, islands, lakes and waterfalls is untouched by man except for a few fishing villages which perch at ‘the end of the world’. We will make good use of our time exploring the beautiful protected waters, enjoying the renowned fjords of southern Chile which rival those of southeast Alaska in their raw beauty and prolific wildlife. Crystal clear reflections of vertical walls and hanging glaciers are broken only by the ripples of dolphins and whales, whilst overhead, the sky is alive with seabirds. See how quickly you run out of suitable adjectives to describe all you are witnessing. Our route will be managed by our experienced Captain and Expedition Leader alongside the local pilots. As well as stunning scenic cruising, the area is ideal for Zodiac forays. From Punta Arenas we will travel to Otway Bay to see the large groups of Magellan penguins that return each year to mate and live in large groups on the beach. This is now a protected area and the colony numbers up to 10,000. As we continue our journey we hope to navigate the Kirke Narrows, a remarkable channel leading between lush, forested shores, so narrow it can only be sailed at low tide. Dropping anchor at Puerto Natales, we enjoy a full day in South America’s largest national park, the Torres del Paine. This is one of the most spectacular places on earth, a vast uninhabited wilderness of glacier-draped mountains, windswept pampas, turquoise glacial lakes and verdant valleys. Look out for herds of guanacos (a smaller version of the llama), rheas, Patagonian hares, foxes and rich birdlife and see the stunning rock formations of the Horns of Paine. We also hope to operate Zodiac excursions ashore in some of the remote fjords we pass on our journey.
Day 7 - Day 13 - Chiloe Island.
Chile’s second largest island, Chiloe Island was one of the first Spanish strongholds in the Pacific Southern South America. Once the island had been conquered, it was hard for indigenous uprisings to reconquer and as a result it became a major link in the Spanish trade route around Cape Horn. The island was also visited by Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle in 1831. Our visit ashore on this mainly forested island will include Castro, one of the oldest towns in the Americas, known for its unique wooden architecture and stilted houses. Either join a nature walk with our onboard naturalists to explore the flora and fauna of the island or join an island drive including the wooden cathedral of St Francis and the historic old quarter.
Day 8 - Day 14 - Puerto Montt.
Just when you thought you had seen the best Chile has to offer, we land at picturesque Puerto Montt, a resort town in the Lake District. Settled by German colonists in the mid-19th century, much of its early Middle- European styled architecture remains, rendering a slightly bizarre feel in such an obviously un- European setting. Leaving the ship we will head to the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park which is the oldest in Chile and contains three commanding volcanoes in Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo. We will see the mighty Petrohue River and the rapids that crash through lava channels creating a series of magnificent waterfalls. We will return to the ship via Puerto Varas situated in a stunning location on Lago Llanquihue with a backdrop of the Osorno volcano.
Day 9 - Day 15 - Valdivia.
After a morning at sea we arrive in Niebla, the sheltered bay that serves the nearby colonial city of Valdivia, one of the oldest European settlements in Chile. An afternoon excursion will include time at the Canelos Tower, built in 1774 and at the time of its construction it was one of only two land entrances to the city, equipped with a wide portcullis and drawbridge. We will see the San Francisco Church before spending some time exploring the historical and anthropological museum and the bustling Mercado Fluvial. Our tour will finish with a short visit to one of the traditional breweries.
Day 10 - Day 16 - At sea.
Enjoy a relaxing final day onboard as we continue our journey north along the Chilean coast.
Day 11 - Day 17 - Valparaiso to Santiago.
After breakfast we will enjoy a brief tour of Valparaiso before continuing our journey to Santiago. We will enjoy a scenic drive to Alegre Hill where we observe the colourful houses before enjoying the views from the Yugoslavian Terrace over the bay. We will then take the funicular to Plaza Sotomayor where we re-join our coach and make our way to the Casablanca Valley which is now one of the country’s premier wine areas. Here we will enjoy a tasting and lunch at one of the vineyards. We continue to Santiago and on arrival transfer to the Intercontinental Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay and the rest of the day is free for independent exploration.
Day 12 - Day 18 - Santiago to London.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Day 13 - Day 19 - London.
Arrive this morning.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Amundsen Standard Suite
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Byrd Superior Suite
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Amundsen Standard Sole
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Byrd Superior Sole
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Shackleton Hebridean Suite
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Mawson Premuim Suite
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Mawson Corner Suite
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Scott Deluxe Balcony Suite
09-03-201927-03-2019GBP £0Shackleton Owner's Balcony Suite

Inclusions

    • Enjoy the scenery as we enter the Beagle Channel, named after the HMS Beagle which Robert Fitzroy piloted through this extraordinarily beautiful channel with naturalist Charles Darwin in the 1830s.
    • Explore the beautiful protected waters and enjoy the renowned fjords of southern Chile which rival those of southeast Alaska in their raw beauty and prolific wildlife. Crystal clear reflections of vertical walls and hanging glaciers are broken only by the ripples of dolphins and whales, whilst overhead, the sky is alive with seabirds.
    • See the large groups of Magellan penguins, herds of guanacos (a smaller version of the llama), rheas, Patagonian hares, foxes and rich birdlife.
    • Enjoy a full day in South America’s largest national park, the Torres del Paine
    • one of the most spectacular places on earth.

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