Those who have a passion for the wilder places on our planet usually have Patagonia on their must do list. Shaped by fire and ice, this rugged, yet hauntingly beautiful land of windswept pampas, hanging glaciers and cloud piercing peaks, remains today as enticing and fascinating as it did to Magellan, Drake and more latterly Darwin.

Prior to exploring the great wilderness areas of Patagonia we head for the Falkland Islands for three days of island hopping. Time to observe the prolific wildlife, meet the islanders and learn more about life in this far flung outpost.

Helping us understand all the wonders we shall encounter will be our experts and expedition staff who will accompany us ashore. Our highly adaptable Zodiac craft will allow us to enter tiny inlets and explore rarely visited stretches of magnificent coastline. Wildlife abounds here and the skies are filled with the cries of seabirds. Albatross and petrels wheel overhead and sea lions bark from their rocky outcrops. You may also spot black-necked swans, graceful flamingos, or a soaring Andean condor.

Disembarking in Puerto Montt in Chile’s lake district, we have four days of exploration in Argentina including a stay in the alpine resort of San Carlos de Bariloche. The journey ends with a visit to Buenos Aires, an endlessly fascinating city and a marvellous place to end our South American Odyssey.