Cape Horn and Patagonia cruise adventure

Today you'll return to the airport in Santiago for a flight to Calama, the entryway to the Atacama Desert. A private driver will take you 90 minutes east to San Pedro de Atacama, where you'll spend three nights at Nayara Alto Atacama.

Enjoy daily excursions from Nayara Alto Atacama. These can include hiking through the lunar desert landscape, cycling past geysers or visiting some of the most photographic scenery in the Americas.

Continue exploring the area with a guide from the hotel. You might choose to visit the Valley of the Moon, the village of San Pedro or find flamingos at one of the nearby lagoons.

A driver will collect you from the hotel and take you back to Calama Airport, where you'll fly back to Santiago. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred two and a half hours south, into the Colchagua Valley for a two-night stay at Clos Apalta, one of the area's top winery experiences.

Spend the day relaxing poolside and taking in the fresh air and mountain views, explore the vineyard and taste a selection of the property's wines, or you might choose to hike, horse ride or bike through the countryside with a guide from the hotel. There are plenty of options to choose from during your stay.

Bohemian architecture and quirky street art welcome you to Chile’s vibrant and creative hub of Valparaiso. Once a leading commercial port for South American sea routes, Valparaiso’s wealthy past is best displayed in Villa Victoria, a restored 1904 mansion now serving as a heritage interpretation home. Poetry lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike may wish to visit the ship-shaped house of Chilean poet laureate Pablo Neruda. You might also want to order a pisco, a grape brandy that dates back to the city’s founding in 1536.

Continue exploring Valparaiso this morning before boarding your ship in the early afternoon. At the Fonck Museum, which provides a deeper dive into the city’s history and archaeology, you’ll find an original moai statue from Easter Island. Venturing outside the city, you can visit the nearby vineyards of Casablanca Valley for a winery tour and tasting while learning how award-winning wines are created. Alternatively, take a trip to the Puro Caballo ranch for an introduction to purebred Chilean horses and witness their special connections to their handlers through a skill demonstration.

Days at sea provide the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy onboard amenities. After stretching your legs with a walk around the pool deck, take a seat and unwind amid full ocean views in the Panorama Lounge. You’ll continue cruising southward along the long coastline of Chile before arriving at your next port.

Welcome to the fastest-growing city in Chile. Capital of the Lake District, Puerto Montt is a hub of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast as well as a relaxing getaway. The scenic city is dotted with brightly shingled houses reminiscent of European architecture, a carryover from 19th-century German immigrants. Thrill seekers can paddle down the white-water rapids of the Petrohue River while those looking for a calmer escape can explore charming lakeside villages in the shadow of Osorno Volcano.

Continue to cruise south toward the craggy coasts of the Chilean fjords. On the way, hit the onboard gym to get in steps on the treadmill or make use of the weight machines. Observation windows ensure your workout has a view. If you’re seeking out evening entertainment, see what’s on at The Show Lounge, where you might catch a feature film or full-scale live show.

Tree-lined glacial cliffs with scattered waterfalls flank your ship as you wind through the vast, uninhabited Chilean fjords. Seals and dolphins can be spotted navigating the oceanic corridors alongside you. Fishermen from nearby ports sail in on small boats and trap king crabs. Perhaps you’ll try some of their fresh catch at a local restaurant in Punta Arenas after cruising through the maze of icy islands and inlets.

This “City at the End of the World” is the capital of the Magallanes and Antarctic region and a gateway to Antarctica. Cosmopolitan despite being remote, Punta Arenas has no shortage of natural wonders alongside its bustling seaport. Stop by Cerro de la Cruz observation point for panoramic views of the Strait of Magellan and watch ships come and go over the horizon. Next, visit the Patagonia Institute open-air museum for a look into the rich history of the region. With reconstructed buildings full of relics and antiques, as well as outdoor displays ranging from a shepherd’s caravan to steam shovels and farming equipment, journey through a century of commerce and development. You may choose to take an optional trip to Magdalena Island to experience a nature reserve where cormorants caw and penguins play.

This afternoon, you’ll set eyes on the Garibaldi Glacier. This blue-white colossus is the highlight of the winding journey through Garibaldi Fjord. Steep mountains and icy waterfalls make for dramatic scenery where the Andes meet the ocean. Despite the unforgiving environment, the fjord is teeming with diverse ecosystems and is acknowledged by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. As you sail amid the scattered sea ice, you may spot penguins, sea lions, and Peruvian condors.

This morning you’ll arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina’s southern frontier and so-called end of the world, which is flanked by the snow-covered Martial Mountains and the fjords of Tierra del Fuego National Park. Explore it in style with a ride along the world’s southernmost railway in a vintage railcar, or head into the wild on a hiking trail. Alternatively, learn about the region’s history with a visit to the Maritime Museum. Once a prison, the building now houses several exhibits delving into maritime history and local explorers who shaped the area.

One of the best producers of beer and gin in Argentina, Ushuaia also boasts an impressive food scene. You might sample popular dishes like king crab, tender Patagonian lamb and cholgas — meaty mussels that are a staple of the region. Once you’ve had your fill of local tastes, perhaps round out your stay aboard a catamaran for a scenic ride alongside nearby islands, where you can observe sea lions and penguins among many other species.

Following in the footsteps of explorers Darwin, Drake, and Magellan, today you’ll sail around Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America where the Pacific Ocean meets the Atlantic. Prior to the creation of the Panama Canal, Cape Horn was the key route for ships sailing from Europe to East Asia. Rounding Cape Horn is a personal achievement for sailors, akin to summiting Mount Everest, and one you can accomplish from the comfort of an onboard observation lounge before cruising northward toward the Falkland Islands.

Patagonian scenery meets Union Jacks and British pubs in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, where you can spot penguins on a beach while eating authentic fish 'n' chips. Control of the islands has been contested for two centuries, and following a ten-week war in 1982, they remain under British rule today. While taking in sights on a city tour, you’ll visit the landmark whalebone arch at Christ Church Cathedral and see a graveyard of sunken ships at rest in the marina. To learn more about the islands’ storied past and marine heritage, stop at the Historic Dockyard Museum.

Leave the Falkland Islands behind for two days of cruising. Take advantage of convenient shopping onboard while browsing the boutique or curl up with a book and gaze across undulating waves from a snug lounge. As a treat, book a body wrap or facial at Zagara Beauty Spa and indulge yourself while the endless rolling sea shimmers outside your window.

Continue cruising the open ocean and making the most of your free time. Enjoy the delectable cuisines of the four onboard restaurants and soak up the sun in bubbling whirlpools on deck.

Founded by Welsh explorers in the mid-19th century and renowned for its whale-watching, the town of Puerto Madryn offers plenty for you to experience. Enthusiastic naturalists can take the opportunity to kayak with curious sea lions. Embrace the city’s Welsh heritage with a traditional afternoon tea and explore an artisan market filled with handmade regional crafts. After your day of adventures, refuel with juicy Argentinian steak or piles of fresh seafood for dinner.

Depart Puerto Madryn and begin the northward journey alongside the Argentinian coast to your final ports of call. With plenty of time ahead to relax at sea, make the most of onboard offerings by booking a massage in the spa, or breathe in the salty ocean air with a cocktail in hand while live music plays at the bar.

Continue cruising northward on your final day at sea. Toast your travels with your choice of fine cognac in the Connoisseur’s Corner, or head to The Atrium for all-day drinks and snacks with plenty of natural light to appreciate the seascape and reflect on your South American adventure.

The seaside city of Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, mixes historic architecture with modern skyscrapers, tree-lined streets and refreshing beaches. Nearby wineries provide tasty pairings to traditionally grilled meats. Two hours outside of the city, you can walk through the cobblestone streets of UNESCO World Heritage Site Colonia del Sacramento. This evening, you’ll cross the Río de la Plata and dock in your final port of Buenos Aires, the lively Argentine capital. The city remains lively after dark as milongas — dance halls — welcome dancers to tango throughout the night.

Today, enjoy your final full day of ship amenities and explore the highlights of the capital. You can view Latin America’s largest public collection of art in the Museum Nacional de Bellas Artes. For an opulent experience, head to Teatro Colón opera house, where the sweeping marble staircase and vivid stained-glass ceiling welcome you into the grand foyer. The city offers numerous districts worth exploring, each with its own personality. Take an afternoon stroll around Palermo’s shops and cafes for a relaxing way to wind down your time in Argentina and cap off your South American cruising adventure.

Spend the day exploring the city's numerous unique districts: from the impressive architecture of embassies and consulates in Recoleta, the shops and cafés of Palermo or the gardens between them. In the evening take in a tango performance and dinner at a local theater.

You'll be transferred to the airport in downtown Buenos Aires for a flight to the northern town of Iguazú. Here you'll take a private car across the border to Brazil and a two-night stay inside the Iguaçu National Park at Belmond das Cataratas.

You'll have a private tour of the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls, taking in the various walkways and viewpoints with an option to cruise into the mist on an inflatable speedboat. At sunset, enjoy a cocktail with exclusive falls views from your hotel.

Today the trip comes to an end as you check out of your hotel and begin the journey home. A driver will take you to the airport for a domestic flight connecting with your international return flight.