Patagonia: Edge Of The World

Snowcapped mountains towering in the distance. Vibrant teal waters lapping against the shore. Glaciers carving their way through the valleys. This is Patagonia – a rugged wonderland of nature nestled along Argentina and Chile.

Your journey starts in Buenos Aires. The city radiates a Latin-infused rhythm interwoven with its European heritage. Meet your fellow travelers for a cocktail reception at your hotel, located in the heart of the chic and stylish Recoleta neighborhood. Head to a local restaurant with your new friends and indulge in savory Argentine flavors. Today dinner will be included.

Embark on a panoramic city tour and coast down the famous Avenida 9 de Julio, where Parisian architecture and verdant trees line the world's widest avenue. Discover the city's most well-known sites and stop at the famous Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of Eva Peron. Enjoy free time to explore San Telmo, where street performers tango on the sidewalks and vibrant street murals dance along the walls. Return to Recoleta for an evening at leisure. Today breakfast will be included.

Fly to El Calafate, gateway to Patagonia's natural splendor and known as the "National Capital of the Glaciers." Get acquainted with the city on a brief walking tour before enjoying free time to explore on your own. Gather in the evening for dinner with your fellow travelers. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

In Los Glaciares National Park, allow the wonder of Perito Moreno Glacier to take hold of your senses. This gigantic tower of vibrant ice rests against blue-green waters – an awe-inspiring blanket to the natural world. Gaze off the shoreline in search of floating icebergs, listening to the resounding crack of ice sheets breaking free. Today breakfast will be included.

Make your way into Chile at Puerto Natales. En route, stop to spend time with some local gauchos at a typical Patagonian estancia. Enjoy a traditional lamb roast lunch as you chat and learn about the culture. Venture through the edge of the Patagonian countryside before settling into your hotel, featuring unparalleled views of lakes and mountains. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.

Venture into Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Among the jagged mountains, ethereal teal waters, and expansive grasslands, you may spot soaring condors, inquisitive guanacos (llamas), and independent felines. Marvel at the cascading waterfalls as you make your way through what is considered to be one of South America's most incredible national parks. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Discover this coastal metropolis city of Punta Arenas with an expert guide, where brightly colored houses meet modern skyscrapers. As the day draws to a close, leave the mainland on the Ventus Australis, your home for the next four nights. Head for one of the most remote corners of the world as you sail through Chilean waters. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Dock in Ainsworth Bay. As you take your Zodiac to shore, keep an eye out for the area's extensive birdlife or perhaps a colony of elephant seals. Spend your day with a choice of two guided excursions: you may explore a peat bog and beaver habitat or embark on an active hike along a glacial moraine. Back on the ship, sail to the Tucker Islets where you'll head to shore for a close-up view of the Magellan penguins.* Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

*In September and April when the penguins dwell elsewhere this excursion is replaced by a short walk to a glacier at nearby stunning Brookes Bay.

Take a Zodiac to shore and stand in awe before the Pia Glacier, a colossal mass of ice slowly crawling down the mountains, followed by a choice between two hikes.** Back onboard the ship, continue through the Beagle Channel and into Glacier Alley. These impressive masses of ice are so large that most of them are named after countries – including Holland, Italy, Germany, and France. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

**Hikes of varying difficulty will be offered during each of the landings. Details of the length, terrain and difficulty will be provided by the ship's crew.

Disembark*** at Cape Horn National Park, home to an archipelago of islands considered to be the "End of the Earth." This afternoon, anchor at fabled Wulaia Bay and visit the historic radio station, formerly used by the Chilean Navy. Choose how you explore the area with an expert guide, selecting between three different hikes of varying difficulty.** Each choice will offer sprawling vistas of the gentle bay. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

**Hikes of varying difficulty will be offered during each of the landings. Details of the length, terrain and difficulty will be provided by the ship's crew.

Embark on your final sail through Patagonia as you enter Argentine waters, docking at Ushuaia. End your Patagonian adventure at Tierra del Fuego National Park. With the wind in your hair and fresh air in your lungs, breathe in the peace and serenity around you, intensified by the dramatic landscape of waterfalls, glaciers, and forests. Today breakfast will be included.

Fly to Buenos Aires and make the most of some time at leisure. Gather for a farewell dinner at La Ventana Tango House, where you'll savor Argentine cuisine before viewing an authentic tango performance. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Say adios to Argentina as your tour draws to a close this morning. Today breakfast will be included.