Chilean Fjords and Cape Horn

This colourful city is the Chilean capital’s bohemian cousin, a place that draws artists, poets, painters, and nature lovers in equal measure. A maze of staircases and alleys, eclectic restaurants and elegant Victorian architecture have earnt it a UNESCO World Heritage listing. And then there’s the eye-popping street art – at every turn of a corner, a new, larger-than-life painting awaits. Begin this voyage the way you intend to continue it – on a high. Toast the start of your journey with a glass of champagne as you board Scenic Eclipse, before meeting the world-class crew and expert Discovery Team who will guide you through some of the world’s most remote regions. It’s their encyclopaedic knowledge and passion for this region that brings the destinations you’re visiting to life. The Discovery Team are experts in navigation, geology, glaciology, photography, marine biology, history, ecology and more… Plus they all come with fascinating back stories. Each day you can talk to them one-on-one or hear from them in fascinating group lectures and discussions in the Discovery Yacht’s state-of-the-art theatre. That might be an Enrichment Lecture on the seabirds you’ll soon witness, or a hands-on tutorial about how to use your smartphone to capture the perfect photo. Please book your flight to arrive into Santiago prior to 12:00 PM.

Feel the excitement building as your Discovery Team explains how your Zodiac and optional helicopter^, submarine^, Scenic Freechoice and other Discovery Excursions will work in the coming days. Get familiar with the provided clothing you will need for kayak excursions. Between landings, your polar boots will be stored in a personal locker in the yacht’s convenient Discovery Centre. Explore your yacht’s culinary offerings, with up to 10 extraordinary all-inclusive dining experiences, and nine bars and lounges. You may decide to venture to the Yacht Club for lunch, or opt for Azure Bar & Café, where you can graze throughout the day. If you’re feeling inspired, you may have the opportunity to join a wine tasting in Epicure with your Discovery Yacht’s Head Sommelier. You may also wish to become acquainted with the extensive wellness offerings at the expansive Senses Spa – the trainers and therapists here will become your best friends over the course of your Discovery Voyage.

A busy town in the Chilean Lake District, Puerto Montt sits near the end of the Pan-American Highway – this epic stretch of road begins in Alaska and continues to Ushuaia in Argentina. Puerto Montt is the gateway to the Andean Alps and Patagonian fjords, so your stop here will be full of anticipation; around the corner lie gorges, far-flung islands, snow-capped volcanoes, and windswept shores. Volcano Osorno and Petrohué: The Petrohué Waterfalls are a series of turquoise cascades that tip over basalt rocks with drama. The setting is made even more magical by the backdrop: often tipped with snow, conical Osorno Volcano was made for postcards. You will reach the halfway mark at 1,200 metres, to take a walk and enjoy impressive vistas over the Petrohué Valley. Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar : Take a deep dive into the allures of Puerto Montt, founded by German settlers in 1853. Tour the town before venturing to Lake Llanquihue, the largest in Chile, also backdropped by Osorno Volcano. A parade of highlights follows, including a tour of Puerto Varas, for views over mirror-like Lake Llanquihue; and a stop at Frutillar, an atmospheric German-style village. River Rafting Petrohué Adventure: Set off on a Class III-IV rafting trip down the clear, azure waters of the mighty Petrohué River, one of Chile’s most beautiful and thrilling glacial rivers. Glide through old-growth forests and past waterfalls, enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. Your river guide will expertly manoeuvre you through thunderous rapids, so hold on and enjoy this adrenaline-pumping white-water experience. Back on board Scenic Eclipse, settle into your luxurious accommodation. Your suite cocoons you with comforts, the design throughout is elegant and spacious. Take a steam shower using your suite’s ultra-luxury amenities, curl up with a birding book in your reading alcove, getting acquainted with the creatures you’ll soon spot. Or simply open your suite doors to relax on your verandah while taking in the dramatic landscapes as you make your way toward some of the world’s southernmost reaches.

You may wish to begin your day with positive vibes, joining a Yin Yoga class with the Discovery Yacht’s Wellness Coach. Feeling Zen, it’s time to step ashore. The island of Chiloé is a special part of the world, home to UNESCO World Heritage-listed wooden churches, vast woodlands and small farming communities where weekly markets show off local wares. The main town of Castro is a blend of architecture, particularly along the waterfront where wooden houses sit on stilts. But it might just be your setting that steals the scene, with a fjord on the east and a national park on the west. Churches of Chiloé and city of Castro: If you’re an architecture enthusiast, you’ll enjoy spending time inspecting two of Castro’s 16 World Heritage-listed chapels. Jesuit missionaries arrived here in 1608, and over 160 years set about building a staggering 150 churches and chapels, among them today’s highlights: the Church of Chonchi and the Cathedral of Castro. Horseback Riding at Chiloé National Park: If you prefer the wind in your hair, the countryside that surrounds Castro is best explored on horseback. This is the ultimate way to become one with your surrounds – in a fashion that is custom to the locals. Cucao Chilo é National Park: A wild and wonderful place dominated by Valdivian rainforest, Chiloé National Park is like nature writ large. Lace up your walking shoes to meander through this lush expanse, taking in waterfalls, coastal dunes and all manner of wildlife that call the tepu forest home. After a day of exploration wave goodbye to Castro with a cocktail at the Panorama Bar, then recap the wildlife you’ve seen at the daily Critter Club. When it’s time to ease into the evening with your new friends and share today’s adventures, make your way to dinner in one of the all-inclusive restaurants. Perhaps a fine-dining degustation at Lumiere – begin with champagne and oysters at the bar before proceeding to your table, where the menu and wine will transport you straight to France.

Today is the perfect day to make the most of your Discovery Yacht’s expansive facilities and immersive experiences. Stretch your limbs in a Pilates class with the yacht’s Wellness Coach, who will also host a Spa lecture on pain management and mobility. Reward your healthy start to the day with a cooking demonstration at Chef's Table @ Epicure, perhaps, hosted by the Executive Chef. In between, be sure to make the most of lively trivia sessions in the Lounge and Enrichment Lectures the Theatre, the latter of which delve deep into topics ranging from wildlife and upcoming ports to glaciology, reveal fascinating insights like the fact that the Patagonian ice fields have the third-largest freshwater reserves in the world, behind Antarctica and Greenland. You may also hear stories of how the islands you are cruising past were given names by English explorers: Sidney, London, O’Brien. Your eagle-eyed crew may call you to the Observation Deck at any time to spot dolphins and sea lions following in your wake – be sure to keep your ears open. End your evening with a nightcap in the Theatre, where your Discovery Yacht’s Cruise Directors host live vocals ranging from pop and opera to musical theatre.

Wake up reinvigorated after a good night’s sleep on your signature Scenic Slumber Bed, having made the most of the pillow menu at your disposal the previous night. Then, begin your day with a workout , a barista coffee brought by your butler, and breakfast in the Yacht Club. You will need your energy, as you’re about to enter one of the most spectacular pockets of southern Chile and won’t want to miss a minute, whether glimpsed from your private veranda, the Observation Deck or Sun Lounge. If the conditions allow, today you’ll explore the fascinating car-free town of Tortel, built almost entirely of wood. Explore the labyrinthine maze of boardwalks that ring the bay and snake down the mountainside, your setting made even more special by the backdrop of ferns lichen and wild mosses. Throughout your voyage you will have the opportunity to experience your Discovery Yacht’s two helicopters^, offering an unrivalled bird’s-eye view over the glaciers and gorges of Patagonia. There’s also the option to dive below the surface the custom-built submersible, Scenic Neptune II. As fascinating as the landscape is above ground, below the surface, another world awaits. Talk to the pilots to find out what your underwater encounter might entail.

Navigating southern Chile’s fjords is a complex task – the surrounding geography is rugged, dotted with islands, and carved by channels and estuaries. Join your Discovery Team on the Observation Deck at sunrise to fully appreciate the immensity of the task and the beauty of the landscape as your skilled Captain guides Scenic Eclipse through the English Narrows. Be sure to keep watch for diving petrels, steamer ducks and dolphins while you sip steaming mugs of coffee paired with breakfast treats. Or see how it’s done first-hand by visiting your Captain and crew at the Open Bridge, where they will also share details on how they navigate Scenic Eclipse through this complex and narrow channel. Celebrate the day in one of your yacht’s all-inclusive nine bars and lounges. Make tonight the night you visit the Scenic Bar & Lounge, where more than 100 whiskeys from around the world are available. If the weather permits, you’ll have the chance to board a local catamaran or your Discovery Yacht’s zodiacs and cruise into the Laguna San Rafael National Park via a narrow opening, revealing jaw-dropping views of ice through a 16-kilometre fjord, not to mention the San Valentin Glacier and the Pio XI glaciers, both jagged crowns of compressed snow the colour of an Ice Mint. Your Discovery Team is on call to lead more active excursions this afternoon including kayaking and zodiac excursions through the fjords.

Today, you’re cruising the Strait of Magellan, a navigable sea route separating mainland South America to the north and Tierra del Fuego to the south. It’s considered the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, discovered, and first traversed by the Spanish expedition of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, after whom it is named. The Strait notoriously difficult to navigate, but it’s shorter and smoother than using the Drake Passage, the alternative in these southern reaches. Magellan’s fleet took 38 days to cross the Strait. You have a day here to cast your imagination back to the golden days of exploration. Today’s Enrichment Lectures in the Theatre reveal the importance, and yet fragility, of the landscapes you’re cruising past. Listen to your Discovery Team’s Marine Biologist discuss where marine pollution comes from, and what we can all do about it, then spread your wings for an insightful lecture on the birds of southern Chile. With an unrivalled choice of dining experience, Elements is the main restaurant, where the menu ranges from Italian to steak and seafood. Channel the spirit of Asia at Koko’s Asian Fusion, which also features a sushi bar and private Night Market experience (by reservation on board). Or journey to France at Lumiere, replete with a champagne bar. With a guest-to-crew ratio of close to one-to-one, you will enjoy the most attentive service at sea.

Strengthened hull. Forward bow thrusters. An electronic Azipod propulsion system and oversized zero stabilisers – these are just a few of the state-of-the-art features and technology that make your journey into Punta Arenas smooth and safe. Right on the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is a magnet for wildlife lovers and history buffs. You only need to tour the city to get a feel for how significant it is in history, with its grand European architecture nodding to its role during the California Gold Rush. Punta Arenas on Foot: Today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions are all exciting, and include a walking tour of Punta Arenas that highlights the city’s history – including a lookout with views over the Magellan Strait that shaped the future of this part of Chile. Magellans Discovery and Nao Victoria: The Salesian Museum is home to a full-size re-imagining of Ferdinand Magellan’s ship, the Nao Victoria, right down to replica usable navigation instruments. Fittingly, you’ll later have the chance to stand atop Cerro la Cruz lookout for views over the very same Strait that Magellan crossed all those centuries ago. Patagonian Estancia Experience: Exploring this working estancia on the slopes of Palomares mountain, established by French Irish immigrants in the early 20th century, is an exclusive experience. Learn about life on the land before sitting down to a traditional barbecue, with plenty of Chilean wines and pisco sours to refuel on.

Today Scenic Eclipse will navigate the fjord-threaded Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Hanging off the bottom of Patagonia, the region represents nature at its most raw and isolation at its most extreme. This is one of the most extensive fjord systems in the world, with kelp forests, channels and estuaries providing shelter for dolphins, sea lions and Magellanic penguins. When not covered in ice, the shore is a unique mix of temperate and Sub-Antarctic flora, from deciduous beech trees to edible calafate berries. Your Discovery Team knows how to best manage the environment during your visit and will explain the intricacies of the fragile ecosystem. Back on the yacht you can decode the day at the Critter Club – the ideal place to remind you just how special this part of the world is. Join your Discovery Team to get close to southern Chile’s coastline in a zodiac. This is the ultimate way to spot wildlife – on land and in the water – while gaining in-depth knowledge of the landscape thanks to your talented, eagle-eyed guide.

Begin the day with a yoga class, followed by a soak in the heated vitality pool, with the endless horizon your backdrop. Your active start to the day means you can reward yourself by calling on your butler to bring breakfast to your room as you venture toward yet more fjords: Seno Garibaldi and Pia. If there was ever a part of the world to make you feel humbled by nature, this is it. Returning to the ship, the only thing you need to decide is which bar or lounge to move to, making the most of the truly all-inclusive beverage menu, including premium wines and spirits. For a dose of sunshine, retire to the Scenic Bar & Lounge, order a cocktail, glass of wine or a whiskey, and let your cares drift away. Get ready in your discovery attire and join your Discovery Team for Zodiac cruising near the Seno Garibaldi and Seno Pia glaciers. Sit in silence and listen for the crack or thunder of a calving. If you're wanting a more active adventure, enjoy kayaking around the bergy bits.

There will be a buzz of excitement on deck today thanks to the chance to land on Cape Horn. A sheer rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent Drake Passage, raged by winds, docking here is often impossible. But you’re in good hands with your expert Captain and crew – and state-of-the-art technology of Scenic Eclipse. As you approach, you’ll notice the lonesome lighthouse-keeper’s dwelling – home to a single family of five – and a memorial by Chilean sculptor José Balcells, featuring the silhouette of an albatross. Make sure you head to the Observation Deck for an ideal vantage point or enjoy the comforts of your private balcony to take in every moment navigating this incredible region. Today could also be the day for some downtime in the expansive Senses Spa. Choose to indulge in a range of treatments and wellness experiences , including massages and facials, body wraps and scrubs, manicures, and pedicures. Alternatively, take time out on one of the thermal lounges; your limbs will thank you later. This is a part of the ship you could easily lose track of time in. In addition to the gym, treatment rooms and thermal lounges, you can make the most of temperature-controlled pools; women’s and men’s saunas, steam rooms and relaxation lounges; and specialist experience showers that do wonders for your mood.

Ushuaia is almost the end of the Earth, and today it’s the end of your Scenic Eclipse voyage. You’ll leave with not only a camera full of photos, but endless memories of life-changing exploration, not to mention countless new friends. You’ll be with them for a little while longer on your included flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. Please book your flight to depart out of Buenos Aires after 08:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.