Ultimate Patagonia Cruise

Embark your vessel in Valparaiso on your cruise the length of Patagonia. During a special sailaway party take in the sights of "The Pearl of the Pacific" -as the city is known in Chile's literature and music. Valparaiso's historic hillside settlements (including the still-used funiculars) have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

PLease enquire about adding sometime exploring Valparaiso or taking in some of the local vineyards before you embark.

Take the first morning to unwind. Experts will present talks in The Theatre to give you an introduction to Chile and the region's wildlife and nature. Today our lecturers will introduce you to the natural and historical highlights of Valdivia and Chile's Lake District. Due to the presence of the very nutrient-rich Humboldt Current, the waters along the Chilean coast are rich in fish life. Today our chefs might introduce you to the world of "ceviche" in its many forms.

During the early morning, you will anchor in the Corral Bay halfway between Corral and Niebla. Niebla is a small village on the banks of Rio Valdivia where Chile's Corral Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. Today Niebla is a beach resort, but in 1671 it was a defensive fortress built by Spanish conquerors to prevent attacks from pirates and corsairs.

This morning you can either drive to the charming river port city of Valdivia, where you will find an interesting blend of influences from the native Mapuche, Spanish settlers, and German immigrants, or take a catamaran on the river. In both cases, you will have time to see the town of Valdivia. The first German colonists arrived here in 1849 and worked hard to develop Valdivia into one of southern Chile's most productive areas and their influence can be felt in every corner of this city. The town was affected by the 1960 earthquake -the worst ever recorded- but rebuilt with a strong German imprint. On our way to Valdivia, we can see tracts of land that are still underwater as a result of the quake. We will visit the river market and have a look at downtown Valdivia with its mix of old and modern buildings. You will have to choose whether you would like to visit the Fort at Niebla or enjoy fresh fish and crabs in Valdivia.

In the afternoon you sail south, giving our lecturers time to expand on the natural history of Chile's Lake Region.

Chiloe Island is home to an amazing collection of 150 Jesuit-built wooden churches, houses raised up on poles out of the water, and more than 400 native plant varieties.

From Castro, we head north to the picturesque village of Dalcahue and a brief ferry ride to the island of Quinchao, passing through Curaco de Velez. This tiny village of approximately 500 inhabitants had its best times around 1850. Today, beautiful houses remain as a testament to those earlier days. Black-necked Swans can sometimes be seen near here. We then head for Achao, which was founded by the Jesuits in 1743. Achao is a lively town with boats arriving every day from all the surrounding islands.

We will visit the Jesuit's Achao Church, the oldest wooden structure in Chiloe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed in 1730, it contains beautiful baroque imagery. Afterwards, we cross Achao's main square to enjoy a snack and typical local music before returning to Dalcahue. Here we will visit the well-preserved Dalcahue Church with its galvanised iron roof. The details and precision of the imagery carved by Jesuits from locally grown Patagonian cypress, larch and luma trees are amazing. It was declared a World Heritage site in 2000.

Alternatively, visit three of the 16 UNESCO World Heritage Site churches on the island of Chiloe in Vilupulli, Chonchi and Castro. Apart from the churches, the Museum of Traditions will be visited in Chonchi. This small museum houses artefacts and photos relating to Chiloe and Chonchi and recreates the feeling of Chonchi in the early 20th century. The excursion ends with a visit to Castro's handicraft market.

In the afternoon you will sail along the eastern shore of Chiloe towards the Guaitecas Archipelago. Spend time on deck looking for Chilean dolphins and Peale's dolphins -the Guaitecas are considered a hot spot for them.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days.

Today Silver Endeavour will venture again into the Pacific and will round the Taitao and Tres Montes Peninsulas before entering the Golfo de Penas -where the sea tends to be rough, but the area is known for its whales and dolphin sightings.

Watch for cetaceans or relax in one of the lounges with that book you've been meaning to read and meet up with new friends for cocktails. In the evening, the ship will enter the Messier Channel and will from then on continue Chile's Inside Passage -and calm waters.

Tortel is a commune located in Southern Patagonia, a spectacular wilderness region of rugged mountains, glaciers, rivers and forests of infinite beauty. The uneven geography of Tortel shapes a unique landscape, characterized by an archipelagic area with numerous islands and channels. Tortel is known as the “footbridge city” for the unique beauty of its wooden walkways that connect the piers and houses of this quaint place through bridges and stairs, built from cypress wood, that run for four and a half miles around the cove and that respect the rich vegetation that grows under them.

Even though it is the sixth largest commune in Chile, it has the lowest population of all with roughly 531 people. The history of the town dates back to 1520 when it was inhabited by nomadic Kawesqar, now extinct. Its definitive foundation was in 1955, after numerous attempts to populate the area. In 2001, it was declared by the Chilean government as a Picturesque Zone of National Heritage.

English Narrows refers to a narrow passage at the southern end of the Messier Channel in Chile’s Region XI, Aysen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campos. The region is Chile’s least populated and a few kilometres south of English Narrows is Puerto Eden, the only settlement along the entire Chilean Inside Passage. With Wellington Island to the west and surrounded by Chile’s largest national park, Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, the narrow passage is at times 180 meters wide, while the entire length is given as 18 kilometres.

Low-lying islands and steep mountains are seen on both sides and the Magellanic subpolar forest with its evergreen trees of the genus Nothofagus has taken hold where possible. The strong currents required to pass English Narrows are at slack tide and although most of the Messier Channel leading to English Narrows is quite deep, a shipwreck sitting on a bank some 20 kilometres north of the entrance to English Narrows shows why pilots are required by law in Chile.

Most people know of the fjords of cold northern hemisphere waters. But the fjords of the far south of Chile are some of the most spectacular in the world. In the past, huge glaciers slowly ground down from the mountains to form steep-sided valleys. Sea water has flooded the valleys creating the fjords we can sail along and explore. Smaller glaciers of ice are still here, oozing slowly down from the peaks towards the sea, and carving off ice at their ends. Geology is in your face here, in all its dramatic glory.

The cold seas are rich in oxygen and nutrients and there is always a chance of spotting wildlife. South American Fur Seals and South American Sea Lions can be spied in the water or on land. Several dolphin species frequent these waters with Peales Dolphin the most likely to be seen. Humpback Whales are often observed near the fjords. Seabirds are readily visible, especially Brown Hooded and Kelp Gulls, and Chilean Skuas. Imperial and Magellanic Cormorants and Magellanic Penguins have heavy bodies to assist underwater swimming, and usually, at first, only their heads and necks are seen at the sea surface.

The extreme climate, ice and bare rock mean wildlife on land must be tough and resourceful. The most magnificent animals are Andean Condors, which soar on wings and have the largest surface area of any bird. Winds and up-drafts push upwards on the wings, giving the birds an uplifting experience. We get our own up-lifting experience if we see them soaring amongst the mountain peaks.

The Silver Endeavour will again sail out into the Pacific Ocean to reach the Beagle Channel, heading for Garibaldi Fjord. This beautiful corner of the Chilean fjords still lies within the Alberto de Agostini National Park, Chile's third-largest national park. This park - with its 14.600 km2 - includes all Chilean islands south of the Magellan Strait, including a portion of Tierra del Fuego.

The Garibaldi is an impressive glacier on the south face of the Cordillera Darwin. During a Zodiac cruise, we will see the different shades of blue of the ice -and calving events can make for a very impressive sight. Dozens of waterfalls dot the cliffs and in some cases, the wind gusts can be so strong that the water gets blown upwards! In terms of wildlife, we can expect the majestic Andean Condor, a South American sea lion colony, skuas, kingfishers, Flightless Steamer Ducks, Crested Ducks, Kelp Geese, Ashy-headed Geese, caracaras, vultures, and nesting Imperial Shags among others.

A southerly frontier - on the cusp of wild nature and extraordinary adventures - the excitement in Ushuaia is palpable. Prepare for memorable exploits amid the extremes of this southerly location - as you adventure into the colossal scenery of the fractured Tierra del Fuego and beyond. Known as the 'End of the World' Ushuaia looks out across the Beagle Channel, and is surrounded by the Martial Mountains to the north.

Despite its remote location, Ushuaia is a surprisingly busy and lively resort, with lots to keep its visitors entertained. For many people, Ushuaia is their last glimpse of anything resembling a city, before they jump off the map into the wilderness, to answer the call of immense national parks or Antarctic expeditions. One of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet - Argentina's land of fire, National Park Tierra del Fuego, is a place of titanic natural forces and limitless beauty. Snow-covered mountains poke the sky, while glaciers spill down between peaks, and gaping fjords open up. With incredible wildlife - from penguins to whales - the park offers some of South America's most amazing hiking opportunities and panoramas.

When it comes to food in Ushuaia, locals cook up fierce flavours using the freshest ingredients. King crab is one of the most popular dishes, while sea bass - hauled freshly from the waters - and mounds of meaty mussels - known as cholgas - are also on the menu here.

Puerto Williams is a Chilean city located on Navarino Island on the southern shores of the Beagle Channel. It claims to be the “southernmost city in the world”, however owing to its small size – 2500 residents approximately – the much larger Argentinean city of Ushuaia, which sits on the northern side of the same channel, also claims that title. The surrounding scenery is magnificent. The wild windswept mountains rise above the tree line and are regularly dusted with snow. The city itself has a dramatic backdrop called “Dientes de Navarino” (literally “teeth of Navarino”), which rivals the famous Torres del Paine further to the north.

More recently it has become a departure point for scientific and tourism trips to the Antarctic region. In contrast to the bustle and traffic of a very commercial Ushuaia, Puerto Williams offers a quieter, more relaxed experience. It charms the visitor with a small village feel, complete with rustic buildings and the homely smell of drifting wood smoke. A haven of peace at the end of the world.