Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine

A 15-day expedition aboard Ultramarine through Chilean Patagonia, combining remote fjords, glacier systems, Torres del Paine, Cape Horn, Zodiac exploration and helicopter flightseeing across one of the world’s great wilderness frontiers.

Patagonia is not a destination that reveals itself easily.

Its scale is immense, its weather is volatile, and its most powerful landscapes are often hidden behind fjords, channels, glaciers, forests and mountain systems that require specialist access. Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine is designed for travellers who want to move beyond the familiar postcard image of Patagonia and enter its more remote maritime geography.

Travelling aboard Ultramarine, the expedition begins in Buenos Aires, flies south to Ushuaia, sails through the Beagle Channel, explores Cape Horn, the Chilean fjords, glacier systems and Torres del Paine National Park, then concludes in Punta Arenas with a charter flight to Santiago.

This is not a conventional cruise. It is a ship-based expedition supported by two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs, polar-trained expedition leaders, field specialists and a vessel built for remote exploration. The journey brings together sea, air and land: Zodiac cruising along glacial coastlines, flightseeing above fjords and peaks, guided hikes, cultural encounters, wildlife observation and expert interpretation throughout.

Journey at a Glance

Expedition Name: Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine

Region: Chilean Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn, Beagle Channel, Chilean fjords, Torres del Paine National Park, Strait of Magellan

Duration: 15 days

Operational Start

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ship Embarkation

Ushuaia, Argentina

Ship Disembarkation

Punta Arenas, Chile

Operational End

Santiago, Chile

Ship: Ultramarine

Ship Capacity: Up to 199 guests

Staff and Crew: 140 staff and crew

Ice Class: PC6

Core Experience: Chilean fjords, Cape Horn, Beagle Channel, Pia Glacier, Glacier Alley, Alberto de Agostini National Park, Torres del Paine, Patagonian estancia visit, Magellanic penguins, guanacos, sea lions, seabirds, Zodiac cruising, guided hiking, helicopter flightseeing and expert-led discovery.

Pricing

Available on request, according to departure date, suite category, availability and any special offers valid at the time of proposal or reservation.

Departure Dates

20 March to 3 April 2027

15 days, Buenos Aires to Santiago

20 March to 3 April 2028

15 days, Buenos Aires to Santiago

Availability, suite categories, final routing, helicopter operations and applicable offers should be confirmed privately before proposal.

Why This Expedition

This itinerary is for travellers who want Patagonia in its most elemental form: fjords, glaciers, sub-Antarctic forests, mountain corridors, remote channels, cultural history and wildlife.

The journey retraces part of Charles Darwin’s route through the Beagle Channel, reaches the symbolic edge of South America at Cape Horn, and explores a landscape where glaciers descend from the Cordillera Darwin toward the sea.

Its distinction lies in access. Ultramarine allows Patagonia to be experienced from several perspectives: the ship for scale, Zodiacs for close exploration, landings for physical immersion, and helicopter flightseeing for an aerial view of mountains, fjords and tidewater glaciers.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The expedition begins in Buenos Aires, a city known for its architecture, European heritage and Argentine cultural confidence.

Guests arrive independently and make their way to the designated group hotel. The pre-expedition hotel night is included as part of the Charter Flight and Hotel Package.

Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia and Embark Ultramarine

After breakfast, the group transfers to the airport for the charter flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

Upon arrival, there is time to explore the port town before embarkation. In the late afternoon, Ultramarine sails into the historic Beagle Channel, the waterway that cuts through the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at the southern edge of South America.

Day 3: Cape Horn

The first major objective is Cape Horn, or Cabo de Hornos, the steep rocky headland on Hornos Island that marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet.

For centuries, Cape Horn was one of the great maritime thresholds of the world, part of the global trade route before the Panama Canal. If sea and weather conditions allow, guests may go ashore for a hike to the lighthouse, the small Stella Maris Chapel and the albatross-shaped monument dedicated to mariners lost while attempting to round the Horn.

Days 4 and 5: Pia Glacier and Glacier Alley

The expedition continues through one of Tierra del Fuego’s most dramatic waterways: the Beagle Channel, historically associated with Darwin and Captain Robert FitzRoy’s vessel, HMS Beagle.

This section includes Glacier Alley, where glacier names recall the European nations that first explored the region: España, Romanche, Alemania, Francia, Italia and Holland.

The journey also focuses on Pia Glacier, situated within the protected boundary of Alberto de Agostini National Park and the Cordillera Darwin. Here, the glacier descends from high mountain terrain into a fjord, creating one of the most powerful visual moments of the voyage.

Guests may explore by Zodiac and, conditions permitting, hike to a lookout for views over glacier, fjord and mountains. Nearby glacial waterfalls and pristine sub-Antarctic forests add texture to the experience.

Day 6: Dainelli, Aguila Glacier

Located in Agostini Sound, Dainelli Glacier, also known as Aguila Glacier, sits at the end of a tranquil lagoon surrounded by sub-Antarctic forest.

The glacier appears to flow over rolling hills rather than directly from high peaks, giving it a distinctive profile. A gentle landing may allow guests to walk along the shore for a closer perspective on the glacier and surrounding landscape.

Day 7: Cruising the Chilean Fjords

The ship continues north through a remote network of Chilean fjords and channels.

This is a day for scale and silence: snow-capped peaks, sheltered waterways, indigenous and maritime history, early European exploration routes and the vast geography of southern Chile. The Expedition Team offers context on glaciology, ecology, flora, fauna and the human histories of the region.

Days 8 and 9: Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park

The expedition reaches Puerto Natales, gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, one of South America’s most celebrated wilderness landscapes.

Torres del Paine is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for its granite towers, glacier-fed lakes, open steppe, mountain views and deep natural history. Guests explore by chartered buses adapted to preferred activity levels, with lookouts inside the park and time for hiking or scenic interpretation.

The programme also includes a visit to a working Patagonian estancia, founded in 1891 by Scottish immigrants. This cultural experience introduces the pastoral traditions of Patagonia, sheep farming and the history of settlement in the region. Wildlife sightings may include rhea and guanacos, followed by a traditional lunch of barbecued lamb al palo.

Day 10: Canal de las Montañas

The Canal de las Montañas, or “Channel of the Mountains,” is one of the most dramatic fjord corridors in Patagonia.

Stretching approximately 41 miles, the channel is flanked by jagged peaks, waterfalls and glaciers, five of which spill directly into the water. The area offers strong possibilities for Zodiac exploration and, conditions permitting, shore hikes to scenic viewpoints.

Optional kayaking may also be available at additional cost, allowing guests to experience the channel from a quieter, water-level perspective.

Day 11: Tucker Islets

The Tucker Islets, located in Almirantazgo Sound off the Strait of Magellan, are an important location for viewing Magellanic penguins.

Landings are prohibited in order to protect fragile nesting habitat, but Zodiac cruising may allow close observation of penguins along the pebble beach. Other possible sightings include Chilean skuas, Magellanic cormorants, imperial cormorants, oystercatchers, kelp geese and dolphins.

Day 12: Ainsworth Bay

The expedition continues within Almirantazgo Sound to Ainsworth Bay, a remote and pristine area inside Alberto de Agostini National Park.

Surrounded by untouched sub-Antarctic forest, the bay offers Zodiac cruising, birdlife and hiking routes adapted to different fitness levels. Views may include Marinelli Glacier, Marinelli Fjord and the surrounding Cordillera Darwin.

Day 13: Bahia Brookes

Bahia Brookes, or Brookes Bay, is another important glacier location in Almirantazgo Sound.

Conditions permitting, guests go ashore by Zodiac for views of waterfalls, glaciers and the calving North Brookes Glacier, set against the Darwin mountain range. The bay is also valuable for understanding ice fall deposits, reconstituted glaciers and glacial sediment formations.

Day 14: Strait of Magellan and San Isidro Lighthouse

The final full expedition day brings the ship into the Strait of Magellan region.

The San Isidro Lighthouse is a historic site connected to whaling history, sailors, fishermen and the maritime culture of southern Chile. Although the lighthouse itself is not open to the public, the museum offers insight into local heritage, artifacts, archaeology and the importance of the strait as an historic passage.

The site also carries significance as an area where Ferdinand Magellan and his crew sought refuge while exploring the strait.

Day 15: Disembark in Punta Arenas and Fly to Santiago

After two weeks of exploration, guests disembark in Punta Arenas and transfer to the airport for the included charter flight to Santiago.

Upon arrival, guests may continue independently with onward travel or add a private extension in Chile.

Ultramarine: Built for Remote Patagonia

Ultramarine is a technologically advanced expedition vessel designed to go beyond familiar routes and support deep field exploration.

Its relevance to Patagonia lies in the combination of ship, Zodiac and helicopter capability. Remote fjords and mountain systems are difficult to access from land alone; Ultramarine allows the journey to move through this geography with flexibility and operational strength.

Key features include:

Two twin-engine helicopters

20 quick-deploy Zodiacs

PC6 ice classification

Spacious suites

Exceptional wildlife-viewing areas

Onboard Science Hub

Tundra Spa with VOYA treatments

Morning stretch classes

Sauna

Fully equipped fitness centre

Health-conscious dining

Spacious public areas designed for expedition life

The vessel’s helicopters and Zodiacs give the itinerary its multidimensional quality: aerial perspective, water-level exploration and shore-based discovery.

Included Activities

Activities are always subject to weather, sea, safety and operational conditions, but may include:

One 10- to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion, weather and logistics permitting

Zodiac cruising

Shore landings

Guided hiking

Photography guidance

Expert presentations on history, biology, ornithology, glaciology and geology

Science & Discovery programming

Wildlife observation from ship, shore, Zodiac and air

Torres del Paine National Park exploration

Patagonian estancia visit

Lunches ashore during the Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine excursion days

Optional Adventure Activities

Optional activities vary according to conditions and must be booked in advance.

Possible options include:

Sea kayaking

Paddling excursion

Stand-up paddleboarding

Exclusive heli-landing

Sea kayaking is suited to guests with prior kayaking experience and may operate multiple times during the voyage, weather permitting. Paddling excursions offer a gentler one-time experience on stable sit-on-top kayaks. Stand-up paddleboarding offers a more personal water-level view in calm bays and harbours. Exclusive heli-landing, where available, allows guests to step into remote terrain accessible only by helicopter.

Science & Discovery

The onboard Science Hub supports a deeper understanding of Patagonia’s landscapes and ecosystems.

Guests may engage with scientists, researchers and Expedition Guides, explore digital learning displays, review field observations and participate in citizen science. Activities may include seabird surveys, whale sightings and interactive water sampling to measure environmental conditions.

This scientific dimension is particularly relevant in Patagonia, where glaciers, fjords, sub-Antarctic forests, marine mammals and birdlife form a delicate and interconnected system.

Wildlife and Landscape

The expedition may offer sightings of:

Guanacos

Magellanic penguins

Sea lions

Elephant seals

South American terns

Black-necked swans

Southern wigeons

Imperial and king cormorants

Chilean skuas

Oystercatchers

Kelp geese

Dolphins

Andean condors

The landscapes are equally central: tidewater glaciers, fjords, waterfalls, sub-Antarctic forests, Cape Horn, Torres del Paine, Cordillera Darwin, the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan.

Inclusions

Rates generally include:

One 10- to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion, weather and logistics permitting

A 3-in-1 expedition parka to keep

Leadership throughout the voyage by an experienced Expedition Team

Zodiac transfers and cruising according to the daily programme

Shore landings according to the daily programme

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping

All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board

Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner

Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

Formal and informal presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers

Photographic journal documenting the expedition

Loan of waterproof expedition boots for landings and Zodiac cruising

Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin

Basic complimentary Wi-Fi on one device, where service permits

Service taxes and port charges throughout the programme

Luggage handling aboard the ship

Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee and ground transfers

Estancia visit and ground transfers

Lunches ashore during Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine excursion days

The Charter Flight and Hotel Package generally includes:

One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires with breakfast

Group transfer from hotel to airport in Buenos Aires

Group flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

Group flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago

Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship

Group transfer from ship to Punta Arenas airport

Exclusions

Rates generally do not include:

International airfare

Passport and visa expenses

Government arrival or departure taxes not specifically mentioned

Travel insurance, including baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical cover

Excess baggage fees on international and domestic flights

Mandatory waterproof pants or other personal gear not listed as included

Laundry, bar, spa and personal charges unless specified

Premium Wi-Fi packages

Voluntary gratuities for expedition staff and shipboard crew

Additional overnight accommodation

Arrival and departure transfers unless explicitly stated

Optional adventure activities not listed in included activities

Important Travel Note

This voyage starts in Argentina and enters Chile. Travellers should verify visa requirements for both countries according to nationality. Some nationalities may also be required to pay a reciprocity fee to enter Chile.

Possible Extensions

Because the journey begins in Buenos Aires and concludes in Santiago, private pre- or post-expedition extensions can be arranged in either country.

Options may include:

Buenos Aires cultural stay

Recoleta, Palermo and San Telmo

Tango evening

Argentine dining experiences

Santiago cultural stay

Chilean wine country

Valparaíso

Atacama Desert

Further Patagonia arrangements

Private aviation or tailored onward travel through South America

Exclusive Elite Travel Perspective

For Exclusive Elite Travel clients, Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine is best understood as a remote wilderness expedition rather than a classic cruise.

Its power lies in combining Patagonia’s iconic land landscapes with the less accessible maritime world of fjords, channels, glaciers and sub-Antarctic coastlines. Torres del Paine provides the celebrated visual language of Patagonia; the ship-based itinerary reveals what most travellers never reach.

The journey is suited to travellers who value remoteness, expert interpretation, active discovery and the ability to experience Patagonia from sea, air and land within a single, carefully managed expedition.

A request begins with preferred departure year, suite category, activity level, optional adventure interests and any desired pre- or post-expedition arrangements.

Available via Private Consultation