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.
Chile is made for cruising. Its shape and geographic location is just perfect; thousands of miles of coastline that you can of course explore aboard one of the many huge cruise vessels calling at the major cities of South America, or alternatively join us aboard the 118-passenger MS Island Sky and enjoy the wonders of this magical country, some of which only small ships have access to.
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. Helping us understand all the wonders we will encounter will be our experts and expedition staff who will accompany us ashore and our small ship will allow us to enter small inlets and explore fjords and stretches of magnificent coastline.
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What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule may be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and the below extracts from past expedition logs will provide you with an idea of what to expect during your voyage.
Saturday, 14th January – Beagle Channel: Our ship pulled away from the pier at Puerto Williams and navigated westwards along the Beagle Channel. At around 1000 hours we arrived at a section of the channel where glaciers coming down from the Cordillera Darwin are clearly visible. John gave a commentary from the Bridge as we passed each one. The glaciers were spectacular. The ship continued cruising until we reached a position near the Garibaldi Glacier, where we anchored. After lunch, we went out exploring by Zodiac. Of course the main attraction was the glacial front, which from time to time calved spectacularly. However, the fauna put on a good show too. We got good views of a large colony of sea lions, who were accompanied by adult and juvenile condors and by white-throated caracaras and turkey vultures. In a different spot, where there were overhanging cliffs, we got good views of king cormorants with fledglings. The most attractive flowers were prickly heath and the bush-like daisy called fashine, whilst the most common tree was lenga (Nothofagus pumilio).
Monday 16th January – Kirke Narrows, Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park: The first spectacle of the day was when MS Island Sky passed through the Kirke Narrows. Later we arrived in front of Puerto Natales with a cloudless blue sedimentary layer. Bright lenticular clouds hovering high above the summits added to the spectacle. On our return journey to the ship we saw plenty of wildlife. Guanacos were the most numerous mammals observed. We also saw foxes and a hare. Large ostrich-like birds (Darwin’s Rhea) attracted our attention, as did the black-chested buzzard-eagle and others.
Thursday, 19th January – Cruising the Chilean Fjords: At 1030 hours the sun was shining brightly, the water was crystal clear and we spent about an hour and a half exploring the islands and rocks and their varied flora and fauna by Zodiac. The nearest island was called Isla Lilian and the nearest rock, which had cormorants and dolphin gulls on it, was called Roca Gloria. It was interesting to see that the floral composition of the forests on the banks had changed. A ringed kingfisher remained perched on a branch long enough for most Zodiacs in the area to get good views and photos. We boarded coaches and headed north through precordillera prairies and shrub land to visit the Torres del Paine National Park. We entered the park to visit the lake formed by Grey Glacier. The beautiful lake was full of spectacular icebergs and surrounded by mature Lenga forest. Everywhere we went in the park, the view was dominated by the impressive jagged skyline of the peaks of the “Torres del Paine”. Surprisingly, most of the peaks are less than 3000 metres high, but they appear huge since they are awesomely steep and rise from near sea level.
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Day 1 London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free to relax in the hotel or maybe join an orientation tour of the city including the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall) before we continue towards the most traditional neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. End the tour in La Boca to look around the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. The evening is free for independent exploration.
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky and start our adventure this evening as we cruise down the Beagle Channel. Here the mountains, still partly unmapped, drop as sheer, densely wooded cliffs into the channel and penguins, dolphins and sea lions abound in the channel.
Day 4 Cape Horn.
At dawn we arrive at Cape Horn, one of the best known maritime landmarks in the world. Magellan was the first European visitor here in 1530 and prior to the opening of the Panama Canal it was an important staging post. Weather permitting we hope to use our Zodiacs to land and enjoy a walk to the monument. After lunch we continue our journey along the Chilean coast and into the fjords.
Days 5 to 11 Chilean Fjords, Punta Arenas & Torres del Paine National Park.
During the next seven days we will enjoy some of the most stunning scenery imaginable and the MS Island Sky is the perfect vessel for the exploratory and scenic cruising that we will be undertaking. This vast area of mountains, glaciers, islands, lakes and waterfalls is untouched by man except for a few fishing villages which perch at ‘the end of the world’. We will make good use of our time exploring the beautiful, protected waters, enjoying the renowned fjords of southern Chile which rival those of southeast Alaska in their raw beauty and prolific wildlife. We hope for calm weather when crystal clear reflections of vertical walls and hanging glaciers are broken only by the ripples of seabirds or maybe a passing dolphin. See how quickly you run out of suitable adjectives to describe all you are witnessing. Our route will be managed by our experienced Captain and Expedition Leader alongside the local pilots. As well as stunning scenic cruising, the area is ideal for Zodiac forays. As we continue our journey we hope to navigate the Kirke Narrows, a remarkable channel leading between lush, forested shores, so narrow it can only be sailed at low tide. Dropping anchor at Puerto Natales, we enjoy a full day in South America’s largest national park, the Torres del Paine. This is one of the most spectacular places on earth, a vast uninhabited wilderness of glacier-draped mountains, windswept pampas, turquoise glacial lakes and verdant valleys. Look out for herds of guanacos (a smaller version of the llama), rheas, Patagonian hares, foxes and rich birdlife and see the stunning rock formations of the Horns of Paine. We also hope to operate Zodiac excursions ashore in some of the remote fjords we pass on our journey. At the southern town of Punta Arenas visit one of the penguin colonies to see the large groups of Magellan penguins that return each year to mate on this coast.
Day 12 Chiloe Island.
Chile’s second largest island, Chiloe Island was one of the first Spanish strongholds in the Pacific Southern South America. Once the island had been conquered, it was hard for indigenous uprisings to reconquer and as a result it became a major link in the Spanish trade route around Cape Horn. The island was also visited by Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle in 1831. Our visit ashore on this mainly forested island will include Castro, one of the oldest towns in the Americas, known for its unique wooden architecture, churches and stilted houses. Discover the wooden cathedral of St Francis and the historic old quarter.
Day 13 Puerto Montt.
Over breakfast we land at picturesque Puerto Montt, a resort town in the Lake District. Settled by German colonists in the mid-19th century, much of its early Middle-European styled architecture remains, rendering a slightly bizarre feel in such an obviously un-European setting. Leaving the ship we will head to the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park which is the oldest in Chile and contains three commanding volcanoes in Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo. We will see the emerald Todos los Santos Lake at the foot of Mount Osorno as well as the mighty Petrohue River and the rapids that crash through lava channels creating a series of magnificent waterfalls. We return to the ship via Puerto Varas, situated in a stunning location on Lago Llanquihue with a backdrop of the iconic Osorno volcano.
Day 14 Valdivia.
From the port of Niebla, this morning’s tour takes us to the colonial city of Valdivia, one of the oldest European settlements in Chile. An excursion will include time at the Canelos Tower, built in 1774 and which at the time of its construction to the city, equipped with a wide portcullis and drawbridge. We will see the San Francisco Church before spending some time exploring the historical and anthropological museum and the bustling Mercado Fluvial. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at sea.
Day 15 At Sea.
Enjoy a day at sea as we continue our journey north.
Day 16 Valparaiso to Santiago.
Disembark after breakfast and take an orientation tour of Valparaiso including Fisherman’s Wharf, the Plaza Soto Mayor and the Naval Academy. Afterwards we drive out to the Casablanca Valley which is now one of the country’s premier wine areas and learn about the cultivation of grapes and visit one of the vineyards for a tasting and lunch. In the late afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Santiago for an overnight stay where the rest of the day and evening are at leisure for independent exploration.
Day 17 Santiago to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we will check out and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Day 18 London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
25 February to 14 March 2025 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Magellan Deck Standard Suites | £10495 | £9995 |
Columbus Deck Superior Suites | £10695 | £10195 |
Marco Polo Deck Premium Suites | £10995 | £10495 |
Marco Polo Deck Corner Suites | £11495 | £10995 |
Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suites | £12995 | £12495 |
Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £13495 | £12995 |
Explorer Deck Island Suite | £13495 | £12995 |
Magellan Deck Standard for sole occupancy | £13495 | £12995 |
Columbus Deck Superior for sole occupancy | £13695 | £13195 |
Tour Reference Code: SCISK040324
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 13 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Overnight hotel accommodation in Santiago and Buenos Aires with breakfast • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
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Deckplan
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Video Library
What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule may be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and the below extracts from past expedition logs will provide you with an idea of what to expect during your voyage.
Saturday, 14th January – Beagle Channel: Our ship pulled away from the pier at Puerto Williams and navigated westwards along the Beagle Channel. At around 1000 hours we arrived at a section of the channel where glaciers coming down from the Cordillera Darwin are clearly visible. John gave a commentary from the Bridge as we passed each one. The glaciers were spectacular. The ship continued cruising until we reached a position near the Garibaldi Glacier, where we anchored. After lunch, we went out exploring by Zodiac. Of course the main attraction was the glacial front, which from time to time calved spectacularly. However, the fauna put on a good show too. We got good views of a large colony of sea lions, who were accompanied by adult and juvenile condors and by white-throated caracaras and turkey vultures. In a different spot, where there were overhanging cliffs, we got good views of king cormorants with fledglings. The most attractive flowers were prickly heath and the bush-like daisy called fashine, whilst the most common tree was lenga (Nothofagus pumilio).
Monday 16th January – Kirke Narrows, Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park: The first spectacle of the day was when MS Island Sky passed through the Kirke Narrows. Later we arrived in front of Puerto Natales with a cloudless blue sedimentary layer. Bright lenticular clouds hovering high above the summits added to the spectacle. On our return journey to the ship we saw plenty of wildlife. Guanacos were the most numerous mammals observed. We also saw foxes and a hare. Large ostrich-like birds (Darwin’s Rhea) attracted our attention, as did the black-chested buzzard-eagle and others.
Thursday, 19th January – Cruising the Chilean Fjords: At 1030 hours the sun was shining brightly, the water was crystal clear and we spent about an hour and a half exploring the islands and rocks and their varied flora and fauna by Zodiac. The nearest island was called Isla Lilian and the nearest rock, which had cormorants and dolphin gulls on it, was called Roca Gloria. It was interesting to see that the floral composition of the forests on the banks had changed. A ringed kingfisher remained perched on a branch long enough for most Zodiacs in the area to get good views and photos. We boarded coaches and headed north through precordillera prairies and shrub land to visit the Torres del Paine National Park. We entered the park to visit the lake formed by Grey Glacier. The beautiful lake was full of spectacular icebergs and surrounded by mature Lenga forest. Everywhere we went in the park, the view was dominated by the impressive jagged skyline of the peaks of the “Torres del Paine”. Surprisingly, most of the peaks are less than 3000 metres high, but they appear huge since they are awesomely steep and rise from near sea level.
Tour Extensions
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Before joining our group in Buenos Aires, we are offering the opportunity to visit the Iguazu Falls, often considered the most dramatic waterfalls in the world.
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure.
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Iguazu Falls. On arrival check in to the hotel and this afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the falls. Today we will explore the Brazilian side of the falls walking through the tropical rainforest. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Iguazu Falls.
Enjoy a full day at the Iguazu Falls on a series of guided walks seeing the upper and lower circuits and also the triple frontier the meeting point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Highlights today include the 80 metre fall “Garganta del Diablo” (Devil’s Throat). (B, L, D)
Day 5 Iguazu Falls to Buenos Aires.
Return to the airport this morning and join our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to the hotel and join our fellow travellers (follow main itinerary from day 2). (B)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
22 to 26 February 2025 Category Price Twin £2595 Single £2995 Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, overnight hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires and two nights hotel accommodation in Iguazu Falls, meals as per itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner), guided tours at the Iguazu Falls, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000