Experience South America's last great frontier, from Patagonia's majestic fjords to dramatic Torres del Paine—renowned for its mountain peaks, glaciers, and thunderous waterfalls—during this journey of Argentina and Chile by land and sea.
Patagonian Explorer
Argentina and Chile by Land and Sea Featuring a four-night cruise aboard Stella Australis
16 days from $9,882 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Experience South America's last great frontier, from Patagonia's majestic fjords to dramatic Torres del Paine—renowned for its mountain peaks, glaciers, and thunderous waterfalls—during this journey of Argentina and Chile by land and sea.
Tour Details
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Jane V.Patagonia was life-changing; unlike any other place on earth.
- Lynn and Tim P.The Patagonian Explorer was all that we had envisioned and more! Amazing natural beauty, extremely well educated, enlightening lectures. We will travel with Smithsonian Journeys again.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
SPECIAL OFFER
This tour is specially designed for a small group of 16 to 24 Smithsonian travelers and offers outstanding travel value. Prices include airfare, airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees.
Overview

Follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorers as you travel throughout the southernmost tip of South America by land and sea. From the bustling cities of Buenos Aires and Santiago to the dramatic vistas of Torres del Paine and the Patagonian Channels, you’ll gain insight into the nature and culture of this breathtaking region.
Highlights Include
- Santiago: In this sophisticated Chilean capital, visit the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, discover the old port city of Valparaiso, and attend a private winery tour and tasting. Plus, enjoy meeting gracious Santiago families when you are dinner guests in their homes.
- Torres del Paine National Park: Enjoy two days exploring this World Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its mountain peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing rivers, and thunderous waterfalls.
- Cruise of the Patagonian Channels: From Ushuaia, sail for four nights aboard the expedition ship Ventus or Stella Australis. Cruise the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle and Murray Channels. Watch for sea lions and Antarctic fur seals as you cruise to Cape Horn National Park and take a guided walk at the sheltered Wulaia Bay. You’ll also observe an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins at Magdalena Island.
- Buenos Aires: Capture the essence of Argentina’s cultural capital during visits to well-known neighborhoods, including La Boca, San Telmo, and Palermo, plus the Colón Opera House and a premier tango house.
- Jane V.Patagonia was life-changing; unlike any other place on earth.
- Lynn and Tim P.The Patagonian Explorer was all that we had envisioned and more! Amazing natural beauty, extremely well educated, enlightening lectures. We will travel with Smithsonian Journeys again.
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 — Depart the U.S., Arrive Buenos Aires
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to rest (rooms are ready for your early arrival) before this afternoon's welcome briefing. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner. (1B,1D)
Days 3-4 — Buenos Aires
This morning’s city tour features lovely Palermo; the colorful bohemian district of La Boca; picturesque San Telmo; elegant Recoleta Cemetery; and historic Government House. Tonight visit the legendary Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the city’s premier tango houses, for dinner and a performance. The next day enjoy a guided tour of Teatro Colón, the famed opera house. (2B,1D)
Day 5 — Buenos Aires / Ushuaia
Fly today to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost urban center. After lunch on your own in this windswept city, embark on your ship in the late afternoon, then set sail through the Beagle Channel. (B,D)
Day 6 — Cruising: Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay
See one of the world’s last unspoiled frontiers up close as you sail through Murray Channel and Nassau Bay. Watch for sea lions and Antarctic fur seals as you cruise to Cape Horn National Park. Later encounter sheltered Wulaia Bay on a guided walk. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Cruising: Pia Glacier / Garibaldi Glacier
Awaken this morning in Pia Fjord, home of the stunning Pia Glacier. Later board inflatable Zodiacs and go ashore for an up-close look at the glacier, a tumbling wall of ice that extends from the mountaintops down to sea level.
After lunch on board, drop anchor in a nearby fjord for a shore excursion to Garibaldi Glacier, one of only three glaciers in Patagonia gaining mass. Here enjoy the opportunity to hike through the Magellanic forest, passing glacial waterfalls and viewpoints that overlook the glacier and fjord. (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Cruising: Agostini Sound / Aguila Glacier
This morning cruise through several channels to enter the spectacular Agostini Sound, where you see massive glaciers flowing down the mountainside. Later take inflatable Zodiacs to Aguila Glacier, which you approach via an easy walk on the shore of a lagoon. (B,L,D)
Days 9 — Cruising : Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas / Torres del Paine
Early this morning, visit Magdalena Island to observe an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins. End your cruise at Punta Arenas, and board your motorcoach for the journey to Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)
Day 10 & 11 — Torres del Paine National Park
Today you encounter breathtaking Torres del Paine, a 700-square-mile World Biosphere Reserve and one of the most unspoiled and beautiful nature preserves on Earth. Spend the day exploring this unparalleled landscape of jagged peaks, ice-blue glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing rivers, and thundering waterfalls, and enjoy lunch at magnificent Lago Grey.
The next day take an excursion that features Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul, and Cascade Rio Paine. You’re sure to see some of the park’s only permanent residents: 106 species of birds and 26 species of mammals, including the beloved guanaco. (2B,2L,2D)
Day 12 — Puerto Arenas
Travel by coach today to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in the city center. (B,L,D)
Day 13 — Punta Arenas and Santiago
Fly today to the sophisticated Chilean capital. This afternoon take a city tour featuring the Plaza de Armas and the traditional city center. Tonight you are dinner guests in the homes of gracious Santiago families. (B,D)
Day 14 — Valparaiso
Today encounter the old port of Valparaiso, a one-time fishing village marked by colorful wooden houses and narrow streets; now Chile’s third largest city and cultural heart. En route visit a local winery for a private tour and tasting. Tonight celebrate your adventure at a farewell dinner at a local Santiago restaurant. (B,D)
Day 15-16— Santiago and return to the U.S.
After a morning at leisure, enjoy an afternoon visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, known for its art and artifacts from Chile and across the Americas. Then have time to explore on your own.
From here transfer to the airport for your overnight flights to the U.S. Arrive the next morning and connect with your return flights home. (1B)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)