Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords

Travel with alumni and friends from October 25 to November 5, 2024 on a  voyage to Patagonia and the Chilean fjords. Begin in Santiago on a land and sea itinerary that crosses the paths of legendary explorers Captain Robert FitzRoy and Charles Darwin — through the awe-inspiring Strait of Magellan, the historically significant Beagle Channel, the crystalline Glacier Alley and Wulaia Bay. Along the way, uncover the wonders of Santiago, the extraordinary diversity of Patagonia and Cape Horn, the “edge of the world.”

Launch your adventure in Santiago with a visit to an award-winning winery in the Maipo Valley. Venture into the vast expanse of Patagonia to see sparkling glaciers, unique wildlife and the iconic peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. Cruise aboard the expedition ship Ventus Australis, designed specifically for navigating the rich waterways of southern Patagonia, where mountains meet the seemingly endless ocean. The Chilean fjords offer, among their hidden islands and narrow channels, some of the world’s best viewing of tidewater glaciers, subantarctic woodlands and marine wildlife — Andean condors, humpback whales, Peale’s dolphins and rare Chilean dolphins.

Along your journey, an onboard team of multilingual expert naturalists will enrich your expedition with their in‑depth knowledge of the region’s history, natural wonders and wildlife. The ship is equipped with Zodiac landing craft for excursions to observe glaciers up close as they crack and calve; distinctive species, including elephant seals, cormorants and endemic Magellanic penguins; and traces of the Yámanas, the original settlers of Wulaia Bay.

 

Dates and Rates:

Trip Dates: October 25 – November 5, 2024

Request your reservation online today while space and early booking savings are available. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu or 866-525-8664 for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1, Friday, October 25 | Depart Home City
Depart for Santiago, Chile on independently arranged flights.

Day 2, Saturday, October 26 | Santiago, Chile | R
Arrive at Santiago International Airport. Proceed through the immigration checkpoint to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing a customs screening, meet a Gohagan & Co. representative. Transfer to the HYATT CENTRIC LAS CONDES, an upscale hotel with easy access to Santiago’s landmarks and attractions. Spend your afternoon exploring the city on your own. For recommended excursions and restaurants, please visit our hospitality desk in the hotel from 1-5 p.m. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a Welcome Reception, followed by dinner on your own.

Day 3, Sunday, October 27 | Santiago | B, L

Enjoy a full breakfast in the hotel.

Santiago City Tour. Venture out to explore vibrant Santiago, nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Andes. Begin in what is arguably the most colorful part of the city — the Bellavista neighborhood. Known for its bohemian, artistic spirit, this barrio is the perfect place to be immersed in Santiago’s amazing street art. Take in the vivid palettes of the houses, murals and graffiti while strolling the neighborhood that was home to Chilean poet and Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda. La Moneda Cultural Center beckons, home to art exhibitions, cinema and craft vendors. Next, step into what’s widely regarded as one of the best museums in Latin America, the Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art. This magnificent collection, which covers over 10,000 years of art and history, is unique in focusing on an Americanist, rather than nationalist, vision. The “Chile Before Chile” exhibit alone contains more than 400 artifacts and explores the rich cultural and artistic diversity of the indigenous people before the Europeans arrived. You may be surprised at the appeal of this fascinating exhibit.
Next, traverse the Plaza de Armas, a surprisingly lush green oasis at the center of the city. Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdiva established this square in 1541. Today’s plaza — shaded by more than a hundred palm trees, dotted with monuments and sculptures, and filled with the burble of the central fountain and the cries of street vendors and performers — is the perfect place to soak up the city’s culture.

Dine together at a local restaurant.

Santa Rita Winery. Due to Chile’s unique weather patterns, topography and location — the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atacama Desert to the north and the Andes Mountains to the east — the country boasts ideal conditions for wine growing. Located just south of Santiago, the Maipo Valley is home to Chile’s largest commercial wine-growing region and oldest, most established wineries. Full-bodied, elegant reds flourish here, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère, Chile’s national wine. En route to the 140-year-old Santa Rita vineyard, marvel at the views of the scenic Maipo Valley. A local expert will guide your vineyard tour and wine tasting.

Day 4, Monday, October 28 | Santiago/Puerto Natales | B, L, D
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the airport. Fly from Santiago to Puerto Natales, which once served as a major transit point for the sheep and coal industries of 20th-century Patagonia. Following lunch, check in to HOTEL COSTAUSTRALIS PUERTO NATALES with gorgeous views of the sea and mountains. Explore the area on your own this afternoon. Gather at the hotel for dinner this evening.

Day 5, Tuesday, October 29 | Puerto Natales | B, L, D
Dig into a satisfying breakfast in the hotel.

In 1557, Captain Juan de Ladrillero went searching for the western entrance to the Strait of Magellan. Several weeks later, despondent and desperate for food and water, he found this fjord and was able to sail in and stock up on provisions in what is now Puerto Natales. After surviving his ordeal, he named the fjord the Seno Última Esperanza — Sound of Last Hope. Today we will sail this waterway in ease and comfort, taking in sparkling vistas of mountains and waterfalls on our way to our destination: the hanging glacier Balmaceda. From here a guided walk takes us Patagonia & the Chilean Fjords— Preliminary Itinerary 3 deep into the unspoiled beauty of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park — the largest national park in Chile and one of the largest in the world! Ramble through a lush forest of Magellan’s beech and Antarctic beech, looking out for cormorants, condors and eagles. At the foot of Serrano Glacier, the calm waters and floating icebergs can be mesmerizing. It is a spectacle not to be missed! Savor a delicious lunch at a Patagonian ranch before cruising back to Puerto Natales. Dine together for dinner at the hotel tonight.

Day 6, Wednesday, October 30 | Puerto Natales | B, L
Torres del Paine. Torres del Paine is South America’s most-celebrated national park, declared the Eighth Wonder of theWorld in 2013. This park epitomizes the wild character of Patagonia — with its jagged rock formations, raging waterfalls, stunning blue waters and glaciers spawning icebergs. Torres del Paine translates to “Blue Towers,” named for its iconic rocky monoliths scoured by the wind. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including guanacos (relative of the llama and alpaca, but with hair instead of fur), huemuls (South Andean deer), foxes and even pumas. All kinds of birds make this majestic landscape their home, including rheas (a ratite related to the ostrich and emu) and Andean condors, which are the largest flying birds on earth. Marvel at the incredible vistas unfolding before you during our excursion. Milodón Cave. In 1896 German explorer Hermann Eberhard was investigating a cave system and found the remains of a giant prehistoric sloth at least 10,000 years old. Subsequent examinations of the caves found evidence of other early inhabitants, including a saber-toothed cat, dwarf horse, prehistoric llama and humans from 6,000 B.C. The surrounding stark landscape boasts a rock outcropping called Devil’s Chair and a condor lookout. Grey Lake and Glacier. Enjoy a hike along the gentle shores of Grey Lake, with vistas of Torres Del Paine Massif and Grey Glacier. As we savor a delicious lunch at Hotel Lago Grey, survey spectacular mountaintop views of the three-peaked Cordillera Paine and Grey Lake. Discover dinner tonight on your own.

Day 7, Thursday, October 31 | Puerto Natales/Punta Arenas | B, L, R, D
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Punta Arenas, stopping on the way at a ranch. In this beautiful setting, enjoy a quintessential Patagonian lunch and sheep herding demonstration by gauchos with their sheepdogs. This afternoon, embark VENTUS AUSTRALIS. After settling in, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Reception, followed by dinner on the ship. Tonight, the ship sails for Ainsworth Bay, navigating through the Strait of Magellan and Whiteside Channel.

Day 8, Friday, November 1 | Ainsworth Bay/Tucker Islets | B, L, D
Enjoy an early riser coffee and tea, plus a full breakfast on board each morning. This morning, board a Zodiac for a shorelanding and choose between two excursions to explore the subantarctic Megallanic forest.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions.

• Ainsworth Bay: Moraine Excursion (Active)
• Ainsworth Bay: Forest Excursion (Moderately Active)

Warm up with decadent hot chocolate after your excursion. Savor a delicious lunch aboard ship as we cruise to the Tucker Islets.

Birdwatching at Tucker Islet. Take a Zodiac ride among these tiny islands for unforgettable up-close encounters with a wide variety of South American birds — most notably Magellanic penguins. Thousands of penguins use Tucker as a place to nest and raise their young. Many other bird species also frequent the area, including Chilean skuas, who aggressively try to abscond with the penguin eggs and chicks. Your experienced guide will point out other avian species, such as cormorants, oystercatchers, kelp geese, dolphin gulls, eagles and even the occasional Andean condor. Dolphins and seals may playfully swim alongside your boat. Indulge your inner nature nut during this fascinating excursion!

While sailing for Pia Glacier, our expedition guides will provide a briefing on the Pia Glacier excursion and other itinerary
highlights. Sit down with friends for dinner as the ship sails for Pia Glacier, navigating the narrow Gabriel Channel, Magellan
Channel, Cockburn Channel and Brecknock Pass.

Day 9, Saturday, November 2 | Beagle Channel/Pia Glacier/Glacier Alley | B, L, D
After breakfast, join the expedition guides for a briefing on the Pia Glacier excursion and other itinerary highlights. Settle in for a delicious lunch on board as we arrive at Pia Glacier.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions.
• Pia Glacier: Boulders (Moderately Active)
• Pia Glacier: Lookout (Moderate)
Commence a spectacular cruise along Glacier Alley of the Beagle Channel (named for Charles Darwin’s ship, the HMS Beagle — he and his crew passed through this channel in 1833). The passage features five massive blue tidewater glaciers cascading from the Darwin Mountains. Have your camera at the ready as you marvel at this once-in-a-lifetime scenic wonder.
Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner as the ship sails for Cape Horn.

Day 10, Sunday, November 3 | Cape Horn/Wulaia Bay | B, L, R, D
This morning, disembark at the “edge of the world” overlooking the legendary Drake Passage for an unforgettable experience (weather permitting). Brave the williwaws (blasts of intense wind that seemingly appear out of nowhere) as you climb to the Cape Horn monument in memory of those lost at sea at this desolate point. Here, at the southernmost tip of the Tiera del Fuego archipelago, three oceans converge…and the mainland of Antarctica is still some 400 miles south. With a grateful heart, head back to the safety of the ship and settle in for a warm breakfast. As we cruise to Wulaia Bay, our expedition guides will provide a briefing on our upcoming excursions, as well as a fascinating documentary film screening. After lunch, board a Zodiac for a shore landing and choose between three excursions to explore this beautiful bay.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions. • Wulaia Bay: Peak (Active)
• Wulaia Bay: Forest & Lookout (Moderately Active)
• Wulaia Bay: Beach (Moderate)
Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a Farewell Reception and dinner — raise a glass to your epic Patagonian adventure!

Day 11, Monday, November 4 | Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aires/Depart for Home City | B
After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia, Argentina, and transfer to the airport. Fly to Buenos Aires AEP Domestic Airport, and transfer to EZE International Airport for your flight home.

If you have reserved the Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls Post-Program tour, transfer to MELIA RECOLETA PLACA. Please refer to the separate preliminary itinerary for the post-program tour for more information.

Day 12, Tuesday, November 5 | Arrive in Home City
Welcome home!

 

Inclusions:

• Included Transfers and luggage handling if your arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s) and your air is booked by Gohagan
• Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
• Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Complimentary bottled water in your Suite or Stateroom and on excursions.
• Hospitality desk aboard ship.
• Experienced team of Professional Travel Directors at your service.
• Complimentary use of an audio headset during guided excursions.

Highlights:

• Majestic 12-day land and sea voyage to discover the breathtaking beauty of Patagonia and Chile.
• Enjoy a full-day Santiago city tour and Maipo Valley vineyard excursion, including a wine tasting.
• Embark on a panoramic tour of Punta Arenas, featuring the Plaza de Armas and the Punta Arenas Cemetery—a designated national monument of Chile.
• Visit Torres Del Paine National Park on a full-day excursion featuring the Paine Massif, the iconic Torres del Paine, and opportunities to observe Patagonian wildlife.
• Discover Milodón Cave, where the well-preserved remains of an extinct giant ground sloth were discovered in 1895.
• See breathtaking scenery on a nature walk to the Magellanic Forest at Ainsworth Bay.
• Witness Magellanic penguins and majestic rock cormorants on a visit to Tucker Islet.
• Take a Zodiac excursion in Pia Fjord for spectacular views of secluded, awe-inspiring Pia Glacier.
• Explore Cape Horn National Park, including a visit to the Cape Horn monument.

Not included:
 Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed int he “included features” section of the program brochure; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed as Included ; and all other services not specifically mentioned in the complete program terms and condition at https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms