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South America and the Chilean Fjords
Day 1 - UK - Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Arrive in Buenos Aires today and take time to explore your ship. Buenos Aires is famous for its outstanding cultural life and its European-influenced architecture and is a dazzling feast for the senses.
Day 2 - Buenos Aires
Enjoy a guided tour of Buenos Aires exploring the diverse communities including La Boca - the capital's most colourful neighbourhood. During the panoramic tour, see Buenos Aires highlights including the Legislative Palace, a grand neoclassical building, the Ciudad Vieja, or Old Town, and the Batlle y Ordóñez Park with the iconic La Caretta Monument. Alternatively, join an optional all-day excursion to the majestic Iguazu Falls or sample fine Argentine vintage wines during an optional Argentine Wine Tasting & Lunch.
Day 3 - Montevideo (Uruguay)
Explore the rich culture of the nation’s capital through its art deco buildings, colonial homes and landmarks including the towering Palacio Salvo and the neoclassical Solís Theatre during a guided tour. Or perhaps, join an optional excursion to La Rabida Cattle Ranch and immerse yourself in this traditional Uruguayan, family-run working ranch. Alternatively, explore Uruguay's artistic heritage during an optional excursion to two National Art museums.
Day 4-5 - At Sea
Sit back and relax with a good book, enjoy a soothing massage at the spa or stay in shape on the Sports Deck as you cruise the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 6 - Puerto Madryn (Argentina)
Today you will head to the fascinating Valdéz Peninsula to explore its natural beauty and biodiversity before visiting Puerto Pirámides to observe a sea lion colony from the cliff tops. Alternatively, journey to Punta Tombo, the largest penguin nesting ground in South America to witness the spectacular Magellan penguins up close in their natural habitat. Or perhaps immerse yourself in the history of the area’s Welsh settlers with a trip to the town of Dolavon and the city of Gaiman during the optional Welsh Heritage tour.
Day 7 - At Sea
Spend the day cruising the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 8 - Falkland Islands (United Kingdom)
The rugged archipelago of the Falkland Islands sits 300 miles off the coast of South America and features many uninhabited islands with beautiful unspoiled nature as well as 60 distinct bird species and 5 species of penguin. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands which boasts the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Bertha's Beach where you can hop on a 4x4 and meet some of the islands protected wetland residents including Gentoo penguins and Coscoroba swans. Or, take the opportunity to learn about the dramatic events of the Falklands War, join an optional excursion excursion through the battlefields, the wreckage sites of Chinook and Puma helicopters and the Estancia Farm.
Day 9 - At Sea
Spend the day cruising the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 10 - Cape Horn
Spend the day cruising around Cape Horn which marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage and was once the pinnacle of a seafarer’s career before cruising. Retrace the epic voyage of Charles Darwin through the Beagle Channel, the narrow strait separating the main island of Tierra del Fuego from a string of smaller islands to the south.
Day 11 - Ushuaia (Argentina)
Ushuaia sits at the very tip of South America making it the southernmost city in the world. It boasts awe-inspiring natural scenery including sub-antarctic forests, lovely lakes, pristine glaciers. The rich peat bogs are a particular highlight but Ushuaia’s history as a penal colony of sorts at the “End of the World” makes the city itself an interesting place. During a guided tour of the city, visit iconic landmarks including the Government House and the End of the World Museum before heading to Old Prison of Ushuaia, which occupies remnants of the old presidio. Alternatively, enjoy an optional excursion of Tierra del Fuego Natioanal Park, Argentina's first shoreline National Park or go horseback riding along the Beagle Channel during an optional excursion which follows in the footsteps of the Yamana people.
Day 12 - Punta Arenas (Chile)
Located in the extreme south of Chile, Punta Arenas sits on the north shore of the Strait of Magellan which was named after the Portuguese explorer who pioneered the sea route around South America in 1520. Punta Arenas with its stunning yet rugged landscape is a paradise for explorers and was once thought to be inhabited by Patagonian giants. Join a guided walking tour of Punta Arenas to discover the frontier spirit of southern Patagonia's largest city. Visit the Ancud monument, dedicated to the schooner that carried the first settlers here in 1843 as well as the historic pier. In the city centre, stroll along Colón Avenue and see the many neoclassical mansions including the Municipal Theater, the Braun Menéndez Museum and the Sara Braun Palace. Arrive at Plaza de Armas to see the monument to Ferdinand Magellan, the explorer who first sailed these waters, and explore the handicraft market. Alternatively, choose one of the optional excursions. For example, hop on a speedboat and head to Magdalena Island and Penguin Reserve to witness a haven of penguins, sea lions and bird life or take the opportunity to paddle a kayak on one of the most famous waterways in the world: the Strait of Magellan.
Day 13 - At Sea
Sit back and relax as you cruise through the rugged mountains and magnificent glaciers of Chile's distinguished fjords. Watch out for sea lions and dolphins as you cruse to the Amalia Glacier which is located on the edge of the Sarmiento Channel in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.
Day 14 - At Sea
Enjoy a landscape of snowy peaks, massive blue glaciers from which waterfalls tumble into the sea and steep-sided fjords, a land of great pristine beauty accessible only by ship.
Day 15 - Puerto Montt (Chile)
Puerto Montt, a main city in Chile's lake regions sits less than 20 miles from the summit of the Osorno Volcano. The city boasts extraordinary scenery including snow capped volcanoes, lush green fields and forested national parks. Enjoy a panoramic drive through the scenic villages and towns, and visit the German Colonial Museum to explore the life and times of the early German settlers. Alternatively, choose from one of the optional shore excursions such as an exhilarating river-rafting expedition on the azure waters of the Petrohué River or a horseback tour through the Chilean Rainforest.
Day 16 - At Sea
Spend a relaxing day cruising the Pacific Ocean.
Day 17 - Valparaíso (Chile)
Known as the Jewel in the Pacific, Valparaiso has colourful buildings and narrow labyrinthine streets. It is also home to Chile's legislative Congress and the headquarters of the Chilean naval army. Discover Valparaíso, known as the city of two halves during a guided tour of iconic landmarks such as the Monument to the Heroes of Iquique and the famous floral clock in the fashionable resort of Viña del Mar. Alternatively, enjoy an optional tour of Santiago, Chile’s capital city which is brimming with museums, theatres, world-class eateries and numerous shopping centres. Or, there is the opportunity to visit the Art Studios of Valparaíso and meet some of the artists that maintain Valparaíso’s historic role as an artistic and cultural haven.
Day 18 - Valparaíso (Chile) - UK
Disembark your ship this morning and head back to the UK.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.