Day 1 — Depart the U.S. for Buenos Aires, Argentina

Day 2 — 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. (B,D)

Days 3-4 — Buenos Aires

This morning's city tour features the lovely mansions and parks of the 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 city’s premier tango houses, for dinner and a performance. The next day enjoy a guided tour of the Latin American Art Museum. (2B,1D)

Day 5 — Ushuaia

Fly early today to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost urban center. Upon arrival visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, a 155,676-acre nature preserve with Andes peaks, rivers, glacial lakes, forest, and wildlife. After lunch on your own in this windswept city, embark on your ship in the late afternoon, then set sail through the Strait of Magellan. (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 the Beagle and Murray channels. Watch for sea lions and Antarctic fur seals as you cruise to Cape Horn National Park. The sheer promontory of Cape Horn rises some 1,400 feet from the roiling waters below at the spot where the Atlantic and Pacific merge. This afternoon encounter sheltered Wulaia Bay on a guided walk. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Cruising: Agostini Sound and 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)

Day 8 — Cruising: Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine

Early this morning, visit Magdalena Island to see an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins. You’ll also walk to the lighthouse that helps to guide ships through the narrow Strait of Magellan. Then cruise to Punta Arenas, where you disembark and board your motorcoach for the journey to Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)

Days 9-10 — Torres del Paine National Park

Today 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. Lunch today is at magnificent Lago Grey. During your second day in the park, 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 11 — Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt

Travel by coach today to Punta Arenas, where you board a flight to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival transfer to your lakefront hotel in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 12 — Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt

Today’s tour features lakeside Puerto Varas and its scenic environs; and the prosperous port city of Puerto Montt, “salmon capital” of Chile. Continue on to Anselmo’s handicraft and fish markets. (B,D)

Day 13 — Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

Glacier-topped volcanoes, dense green forests, and cobalt lagoons highlight our excursion to Chile’s oldest national park. Visit conical Osorno Volcano and sprawling Petrohue Waterfalls. (B,L)

Day 14 — Santiago

Fly today to the sophisticated Chilean capital. This afternoon take a city tour featuring the Plaza de Armas, the traditional city center. Tonight you are dinner guests in the homes of gracious Santiago families. (B,D)

Day 15 — 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)

Days 16-17 — Santiago and Return to the U.S.

After a morning at leisure, enjoy an afternoon visit to La Chascona in the Bella Vista district, the home and museum of Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda. Then have time to explore bohemian Bella Vista 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)