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.
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Patagonian Explorer
Argentina and Chile by Land and Sea Featuring a four-night cruise aboard Stella Australis
16 days from $9,282 | 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
TOUR BROCHURE
brochure
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Mary-Anne B.I had no idea what to expect from the Patagonian Explorer journey, and the tour was spectacular - the views of the glaciers on the Beagle Channel and the vistas at Torres del Paine were spectacular and breathtaking. Iguazu Falls and its scale defy description. Needs to be added to anyone's Bucket List!
- 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
Overview
Activity Level 3: Moderate / Active
Expectations: Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions, and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Some tours may have activities with higher intensity and more active choices/options. Excursions require standing and walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators, muddy/slippery walking/hiking trails), and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited. Specific itineraries may feature hiking, use of local transportation, extended overnight train travel, extensive use of Zodiac crafts or other smaller ship conveyances, or multiple internal plane rides. Some itineraries may require early morning departures and later evening returns. Travelers may be in remote and/or rugged regions, and may be touring at higher altitudes with steep ascents/descents. Leisure time may be limited (sometimes only in the later evenings). Certain tours feature more active excursions (such as moderate hiking, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, bicycling, rafting, or kayaking), though another choice may be offered for an alternate skill level. Walking/hiking tours may feature up to six-mile walks/hikes.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, lead active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities, and expect some physical exertion.
- Mary-Anne B.I had no idea what to expect from the Patagonian Explorer journey, and the tour was spectacular - the views of the glaciers on the Beagle Channel and the vistas at Torres del Paine were spectacular and breathtaking. Iguazu Falls and its scale defy description. Needs to be added to anyone's Bucket List!
- 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)
