From the Arctic to Antarctica

Discover the charm of Chile’s most southerly city, situated by the Strait of Magellan on the Brunswick Peninsula. Punta Arenas was established by the Chilean government in 1848 as a tiny penal colony to assert sovereignty over the strait, but it soon became a haven for Europeans drawn to the gold rush and sheep farming boom. Today, Punta Arenas welcomes a diverse flow of visitors—from day-trippers to expedition groups—as its port is an access route to the Antarctic Peninsula. Starting at Cerro de la Cruz, you will marvel at views of the city, the Strait of Magellan, the port and the legendary Tierra del Fuego Island. You will also take a scenic drive past the Monumento al Ovejero (Shepherd Monument), a life-size monument dedicated to local shepherds. In Plaza de Armas, the main square, you will have time to browse the local handicraft market before returning to your ship.

Discover the frontier spirit of Punta Arenas, the largest city in southern Patagonia. Meet your guide and walk to the Ancud monument, dedicated to the schooner that carried the first settlers here in 1843. Stop at the historic pier to see a large colony of cormorants and observe their interesting behavior. Head toward the city center along the pleasant Colón Avenue, where you will find several neoclassical mansions, including the Municipal Theater, the Braun Menéndez Museum and the Sara Braun Palace—each a reminder of the wool boom that brought business and immigrants here at the turn of the 20th century. Arrive at Plaza de Armas to see the monument to Ferdinand Magellan, the explorer who first sailed these waters, and explore the handicraft market. Climb to the Cerro de la Cruz observation deck for panoramic views of the city before returning to your ship.

Explore the majestic scenery of the Strait of Magellan and learn about the history of its early settlements. Take a scenic drive along the Strait of Magellan, taking in the spectacular scenery before arriving at Magellan Strait Park and Fort Bulnes, the first Chilean settlement in the area. Visit the fort and learn about the lives of these early adventurers during a guided tour to see the reconstructed wood palisades, the church and the chaplain’s quarters, along with the jail, powder magazine, post office and stables. Enjoy the striking views from Punta Santa Ana, and imagine how explorers from yesteryear felt when they arrived here. At the park’s visitors center, you will have free time and refreshments before heading to the Plaza de Armas to view the monument to Magellan and browse the local handicraft market. Later, return to your ship with your guide or on your own.

Learn about the lives and work of the Chilean sheep farmers that settled the distant lands of southern Patagonia. Embark your coach for a panoramic ride across this windswept region, and arrive at Riesco Island after a short ferry crossing. Visit Estancia Fitz Roy, a 100-year-old farm that has been converted into a living museum and agro-tourism business. The baqueanos, or local sheep farmers, will welcome you and guide you through the different farm activities. Marvel at the machinery brought here by the early settlers of this area—some of which is still in use today—and see a sheep-shearing demonstration in the barn. After a display of the shepherd dogs’ skills, walk to the covered quincho, which is warmed by a giant boiler, and enjoy a traditional slow-grilled Chilean barbecue of Patagonian lamb. Spend time at your leisure before heading back to your ship.

Explore the world’s most southerly city and discover the history of the globe’s first oceanic circumnavigation. Stopping off in Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the world, enjoy a guided tour of the Nao Victoria Museum, which contains a life-size replica of Ferdinand Magellan’s ship. Only 18 members survived the Portuguese sailor’s 1519 Spanish expedition, a journey to be the first to circumnavigate the globe and one that put Tierra del Fuego on the map. Next, you will visit the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum, founded by Salesian missionaries. The museum provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s flora and fauna and the history of the local indigenous people. Before heading back to Punta Arenas, you will drive to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint and stand in the footsteps of Magellan himself. Capture the same panoramic view of the Strait of Magellan that the intrepid explorer experienced on his landing in this new world.

Paddle a kayak on one of the most famous waterways in the world: the Strait of Magellan. In 1520, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan discovered a narrow sea passage at the southern tip of the Americas on his way to circumnavigating the Earth. Follow Magellan’s path and explore the strait that bears his name. Take a short drive to Agua Fresca Bay and meet your guide. You will receive a briefing on kayaking techniques and safety. Then, start paddling into the strait, where you will be surrounded by a majestic landscape of water, mountains, green pastures and forests. Immerse yourself in nature and observe the abundant birdlife, including species of local seagulls, ducks, caiquene geese, Magellanic cormorants and quetros. If you are lucky, groups of endemic Chilean dolphins may swim alongside you as you head back to shore and return to your ship.

Cruise to Magdalena Island to observe one of the world’s largest colonies of Magellanic penguins. Board your privately chartered catamaran for a trip across the Strait of Magellan, a southern strait named after Portuguese explorer and navigator Ferdinand Magellan. Your destination will be the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument; situated in the middle of the strait, the ecosystems on these tiny islands protect thousands of nesting penguins. Depending on the weather conditions, you may travel to the rocky shores of Magdalena Island by inflatable boat. Once on shore, enjoy an opportunity to observe one of the world’s major colonies of Magellanic penguins. Stroll along a small path that winds between the penguins’ burrows for an up-close view of these magnificent birds. After an hour spent admiring them, you will return to your catamaran. Enjoy a snack en route to your ship.

Experience the iconic sights of Punta Arenas and savor the taste of a delicious lamb asado, or barbecue. Punta Arenas is the most iconic city in Chilean Patagonia due to its location on the Magellan Strait and importance to regional history. Embark on a panoramic drive through the city, stopping for photos at the Monumento al Ovejero, a large sculpture memorializing the region’s ranching and rural traditions, and the Magellan statue in Plaza de Armas. After a stop at the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint, where you can admire sweeping views of the city, the strait and Tierra del Fuego, continue to a rural home. Upon arrival, you will be warmly greeted by your host and ushered around an outdoor fire. Enjoy a Calafate sour, a typical Patagonian drink, accompanied by appetizers. Then, sit for a mouthwatering meal of lamb, cooked for hours on the fire, paired with a glass of Chilean wine.

Gain insight into Punta Arenas during visits to a museum, a historic mansion and a panoramic viewpoint. You will visit the Museo del Recuerdo (Museum of Memories), an open air museum displaying antique machinery and relics of the European settlers in this remote part of the world. As you travel back to the city, you will pass the pioneer cemetery with its avenues lined by tall cypress and splendid mausoleums. At Plaza de Armas, see the monument to explorer Ferdinand Magellan and visit the Sara Braun Palace, with its well-preserved original furniture, decor and memorabilia showcasing how affluent families lived at the turn of the 20th century. After free time in Plaza de Armas, continue to the Cerro de la Cruz observation deck for panoramic views of Punta Arenas and the nearby island of Tierra del Fuego. Then enjoy a delicious lunch on the terrace of a nearby boutique hotel.