Patagonia & Chilean Fjords | Magellan Explorer | IExpedition

Patagonia & Chilean Fjords

  • Overview

    In the Chilean Patagonia, one of the southernmost regions of the world, sail between massive blue-hued glaciers and the sharp peaks of the Andes mountains. This untamed terrain is home to fjords, channels, and islets with beaches teeming with marine wildlife, birds, and stunning natural landscapes best accessed by ship or Zodiac.

    On this wilderness expedition, visit Puerto Cisnes, the San Rafael Bay and Glacier, the Gulf of Penas, the isolated village of Puerto Eden, the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego, and the Beagle Channel.

    Duration: 11 days
    Passengers: 76 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Ushuaia, Argentina
    Disembarkation Point: Puerto Montt
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina, Embarkation

      Your journey begins in Ushuaia with boarding at the port between 3 and 4 PM (15:00 and 16:00 hrs). 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 & Garibaldi Fjord

      The Beagle Channel is a striking narrow passage in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, a region originally named after the fires that burned in local native settlements when the first European explorers arrived. Dividing Chile and Argentina, the passage showcases ice formations along the snow-dusted Darwin Range. We will sail along Glacier Alley, home to the Holanda, Italia, Francia, Alemania, and Romanche glaciers, aiming to explore the Garibaldi Fjord.

    • Day 3 - Day at Sea, Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego

      While heading south along the Strait of Magellan, we explore the waters of the fjords that branch out from Tierra del Fuego. We follow the remote coast around the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, a protected area in the southern hemisphere where whales feed. If we are lucky, we may be able to spot humpback or sei whales breaching in the distance. We may also see dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, albatrosses, and petrels.

    • Day 4 - Bernardo O’Higgins National Park

      We embark on a Zodiac excursion to the Amalia Glacier area or the surrounding glaciers along the Peel Fjord in the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. We bask in the glacier’s icy-blue beauty and cruise across the sea and among its ice floes to uncover part of Chile's natural mystique. As we sail between snow-capped peaks to get a closer look at the glacier and its brilliant and rugged textures, we may spot dolphins swimming at a distance, cormorants or condors flying above, and otters.

    • Day 5 - Las Montañas Channel

      Sail through a breathtaking fjord in Chile’s Aysén Region, a 60-kilometer stretch framed by steep, snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Along the way, waterfalls cascade through lush temperate rainforests, and glaciers spill directly into the sea. If conditions permit, prepare to disembark for an up-close encounter with the majestic Bernal Glacier.

    • Day 6 - Torres del Paine National Park

      Step ashore and board a private bus that will take you into the heart of Patagonia’s most iconic landscapes, where granite towers pierce the sky, turquoise lakes shimmer, and a diverse array of wildlife roam freely amid the untamed wilderness.

    • Day 7 - Madre de Dios Island

      Today, we venture to Madre de Dios Island, a remote and rarely visited land in the Chilean fjords. Known for its spectacular limestone cliffs, caves, and glaciers, Madre de Dios Island reveals a striking landscape shaped by strong winds and the sea. Experience its rugged beauty and remoteness, where untouched nature and striking geology converge at the edge of Patagonia.

    • Day 8 - Pío XI Glacier

      The expedition continues to navigate north towards the Messier Channel on our route to Pío XI Glacier, to take a closer look at the Southern Icefield. Pío XI is the largest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere beyond Antarctica. Unlike most glaciers and despite global warming, Pío XI has experienced significant growth in recent decades, being the only one to expand steadily every year. In the afternoon, we sail through the dramatic 18-meter-wide (59-foot-wide) English Narrows.

    • Day 9 - Puerto Montt, Embarkation

      Your journey begins in Puerto Montt, Chile, with boarding between 15:00 and 16:00 hrs. After all mandatory briefings, the ship sets sail towards the Gulf of Corcovado.

    • Day 9 - Caleta Tortel

      After crossing the storied Golfo de Penas, discover Caleta Tortel, a coastal village nestled between the mouth of the Baker River and a quiet cove along the Baker Channel. Stretching for kilometers, the small town is made up of stilt houses in the traditional Chilotan style, perched above the shoreline. There are no conventional streets here. Instead, wooden walkways, built with Guaitecas cypress, wind through the village, giving it a remarkable look and a unique culture.

    • Day 10 - Chonos Archipelago

      At the far east of the Chonos Archipelago, weather-dependent, explore a temperate rainforest and subantarctic coastal ecosystems on Kent Island. Often linked to the mysterious Isla Friendship, the island combines natural beauty with local lore, including UFO sightings, miraculous healings, and stories that blur the line between myth and reality.

    • Day 11 - Puerto Montt, Disembarkation

      Morning arrival in Puerto Montt and disembarkation.

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Kayaking

    Our Sea Kayaking program is an exclusive experience under the guidance and leadership of an experienced Kayak Master, who takes our guests on a sea journey through icy waters while observing massive glaciers and aquatic wildlife.

    USD$ 995 per person
  • Inclusions
    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
    - Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.
    - 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 in Antarctica, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.
    - All guided shore excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.
    - Ship cruise as indicated in the itinerary corresponding to each expedition.

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.
    - Gratuities.
    - Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
    - Personal travel insurance.
    - Internet connection on board the ship.
    - Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
    - Accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary and the Contingency Plan corresponding to each voyage. Specifically, dinner in Punta Arenas upon return from Antarctica is not included.
  • Map
    Patagonia   chilean fjords sea voyage %28reverse%29
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    M/V Magellan Explorer, a brand new expedition vessel, will join the Antarctica fleet for the 2019-20 season.

    MV Magellan Explorer features 50 passenger suites and cabins in five categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. The cabins are very spacious, ranging in size from 40 m2 (440 sq. ft.) to 20 m2 (220 sq. ft.). All double cabins have two twin beds that can be configured as one queen-size bed, offering great flexibility to our guests. 42 cabins feature a large window and a private balcony, while 8 cabins feature a porthole. All cabins feature a private bathroom and a sitting area.

    Public areas include a large, forward-facing observation lounge, an observation deck, a dining room that accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting, two meeting rooms, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests to offer expansive views during exploration. Optional adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available.

    Specific measures have been taken to minimize MV Magellan Explorer’s carbon footprint, including state-of-the-art engines that meet MARPOL’s stringent Tier III emission standards. To minimize fuel consumption, a waste heat recovery system recycles the heat produced by the ship’s engines and repurposes it to power the ship’s heating system and to warm the water used on board.

     

    Amenities & Services

    Public areas include a spacious forward-facing observation lounge and bar that is also used to deliver briefings and educational presentations. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests; together with the outdoor observation deck it offers expansive views and close contact with the natural environment during exploration. The dining room accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting. There is also a meeting room, a library, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. Adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available.

    The Vessel's Features

    The ship is being built to the latest Polar Code specifications and carries a Polar Class 6 ice-class (Lloyd’s Register PC6). For comfortable navigation, the ship features stabilizers; for maneuverability, she features bow and stern thrusters. For safety in navigation, there is an ice-detecting radar. And to reduce the environmental footprint, the vessel is equipped with an energy-recovery system that recycles the heat produced by the engines to warm up the ship and its water supply.

    Features & Facilities
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 5
    Guests #: 69
    Crew #: 60
    Ice Class: PC 6
    Speed: 14
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built: 2019
    Length: 90m
    Width: 16
    Draft: 4
    Tonnage: 4900
    Registry: Bahamas
    Elec Outlets:
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
All available dates
Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.
magellan explorer triple suite antarctica cruise

Triple Suite

13 Sep 2027 - 23 Sep 2027
Suite with two bedrooms, balcony, and sitting area
USD$ 5,995pp
USD$ 5,995pp
magellan explorer porthole cabin antarctica cruise

Porthole Cabin

13 Sep 2027 - 23 Sep 2027
Cabin with sitting area and porthole
USD$ 6,495pp
USD$ 6,495pp
magellan explorer veranda suite antarctica cruise

Veranda Cabin

13 Sep 2027 - 23 Sep 2027
Cabin with sitting area and balcony
USD$ 6,995pp
USD$ 6,995pp
magellan explorer deluxe veranda suite antarctica cruise

Deluxe Veranda Cabin

13 Sep 2027 - 23 Sep 2027
Cabin with sitting area and balcony
USD$ 7,495pp
USD$ 7,495pp
magellan explorer penthouse suite antarctica cruise

Penthouse Suite

13 Sep 2027 - 23 Sep 2027
Suite with sitting room, balcony and bedroom area
USD$ 8,995pp
USD$ 8,995pp
magellan explorer single veranda suite antarctica cruise

Single Cabin

13 Sep 2027 - 23 Sep 2027
Cabin with sitting area and balcony
USD$ 11,795pp
USD$ 11,795pp
magellan explorer grand suite antarctica cruise

Suite

13 Sep 2027 - 23 Sep 2027
Two-room suite with sitting room, balcony and bedroom
USD$ 13,995pp
USD$ 13,995pp