A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
For the true explorer, expedition small-ship cruising is the best way to get off the beaten track.This experience is not just about the ship’s creature comforts but very much the destination, its nature and wildlife. Daily shore excursions by Zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step onshore and explore. A world-class, expert expedition team will help you discover each exciting destination. Onboard you’ll enjoy informative and educational lectures. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package. There’s a land touring component with shared sightseeing and transfers.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including 5 days onboard an Australis cruise, exploring the stunning landscapes of Patagonia and the Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, explore Santiago on a guided city tour
✓ Experience glaciers and wildlife up close on a zodiac, including Magellanic Penguins and Cormorants
✓ Independent exploration of Buenos Aires
✓ 3 nights in quality 4-star hotels
✓ 4 night Australis cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
✓ Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
✓ All inclusive drinks while onboard cruise
✓ Internal flights Santiago to Punta Arenas and Ushuaia to Buenos Aires
✓ Arrival airport transfer
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Chile! You will be met upon arrival at the airport and be transferred to your hotel.
Touching down in Santiago, the vibrant capital city, marks the beginning of your adventure.
Located in the breathtaking Maipo Valley, Santiago invites you to explore its captivating blend of colonial heritage and European allure.
Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Immerse yourself in the city's charm at your own pace: wander the streets adorned with museums and boutiques, or simply soak in the bustling atmosphere of one of Latin America's most dynamic metropolises.
Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
After breakfast, we’ll begin our morning with a half-day tour of Sanitago, delving into the city's rich history and vibrant culture.
Plaza de Armas, the main square, is surrounded by landmarks including the Metropolitan Cathedral showcasing Bavarian and neoclassical styles, and the Central Post Office building.
We’ll explore the civic district, home to the Palacio de la Moneda, a silent witness to Chile's republican history. We tour through old neighbourhoods once inhabited by the elite and adorned with diverse architectural styles brought by European immigrants.
We’ll then head back to the hotel where the rest of the day can be spent at leisure.
This morning after breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to Santiago airport for your flight to Punta Arenas, the gateway to Patagonia and the start of your cruise.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Australis check-in office. Once check-in is complete, you will have some free time to explore the town prior to boarding your Australis cruise ship.
After settling into your cabin, join your fellow travellers for a welcome toast as you set sail towards the southern reaches. Prepare to journey through the legendary Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, traversing the stunning landscapes of Patagonia and the fjords of Tierra del Fuego.
While on board the cruise, all meals and drinks are included. You are welcome to enjoy the unlimited wine, liquor and beverage menu during lunch and dinner, or at the bar, open to guests daily from 10am to midnight. Meal times are dependant on the day’s activities, and include buffet breakfast and lunch, plus a delicious a la carte dinner with a menu that changes nightly.
After a pleasurable evening, wake up to the breathtaking scenery of Ainsworth Bay, look out for Marinelli Glacier in the distance.
You’ll have the opportunity to hike through the captivating Magellanic Forest and travel on zodiacs to Tuckers Islets to encounter colonies of charming Magellanic penguins and graceful cormorants.
In September and April, enjoy a glacier hike in Brookes Bay.
Today we will embark on a scenic journey along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel, eventually entering the tranquil and picturesque Pia Fjord where we will disembark. Our route will take us to a stunning viewpoint, offering an unparalleled view of the Pia Glacier. This glacier is renowned for its spectacular main peak that majestically stretches from the summit of the mountain range all the way down to the sea. This awe-inspiring sight promises to be an unforgettable highlight of our voyage. Following this remarkable experience, we will continue our navigation through the "Glacier Alley," where we will be surrounded by the grandeur of towering ice formations and pristine natural beauty.
Today, we’ll reach the iconic Cape Horn National Park (Parque Nacional Cabo de Hornos).*
The only place in the world where the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet, the park is home to diverse marine birds, and was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2005.
We’ll step ashore to walk in the footsteps of explorers at one of the world's southernmost points and later, experience the cultural richness of Wulaia Bay, once home to indigenous canoeists known as the Yaghan.
Trek through the enchanting Magellanic Forest, adorned with lengas, coigües, canelos, and ferns, and learn about the region's ecological diversity and cultural heritage.
* weather permitting
Today we disembark the cruise, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Ushuaia.
You will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. On arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be met and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at leisure.
As one of the largest cities in Latin America, Buenos Aires boasts a myriad of cultural offerings and stunning sights, serving as the perfect gateway to Argentine adventures.
Please note that your internal flight within Argentina has a luggage limit of 15kg per person (33lbs). Unfortunately, Inspiring Vacations cannot increase this limit and is limited by the airline's baggage policy. Any fees for excess baggage incurred at the airport will be the responsibility of the traveller and payable directly to the airline during check-in.
Your tour concludes at the hotel after breakfast.
A private departure transfer to the airport can be booked at an additional charge.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Note: Standard check out is 11am. If you have booked a late departure flight, you are welcome to leave your bags at the hotel until your transfer is ready.
Australis ships have 100 cabins for a maximum of 200 passengers. This allows navigation through unique landscapes in an intimate and exclusive way. All lounges and cabins have exterior windows and ample space.
Your package includes an AA category cabin (departure on 30 March includes a AAA cabin). All comfortable cabins are approx. 16,5 m2 / 177 sq. ft, have large panoramic windows and private bathrooms.
Australis have two ships in operation on this route with similar facilities and deck plans. Please click the ship name below to be taken to further information including the deck plans
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, CLICK HERE.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a ”3”
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $3,560.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Group Size
Maximum: Cruise Capacity 200 Passengers
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
✓ International airfares
✓ Departure airport transfer
✓ Visas
✓ Travel insurance (compulsory)
✓ Tipping
✓ Optional activities
✓ Personal expenses
✓ Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
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