Line of guests on lakeside, arms above head, large mountain vista behind them.

Three guests walking along lake, mountains, clouds in distance.

Three guests on hillside trail, one pointing towards something off-frame.

Two guests sitting on hilltop, overlooking huge lake, ring of mountains, clouds, etc.

Four guests on raft in life-vests, all smiling.

Shot of beach, single penguin, large cruise ship in distance.

Shot of Fin Del Mundo wine bottles, glasses.

Shot of the distant night sky, line of stars.

Guest on cruise ship in room, looking out towards mountains.

Shot of river, lake, mountains, clouds, ranbow.

Guest looking out towards lake, mountains, clouds.

Point of view shot of guests on horseback, heading towards ring of mountains.

Wide shot of cruise ship, craggy mountains, clouds.

Guests on raft, floating towards blue glacier.

Wide shot of grassy meadow, llamas, river, clouds, mountains.

Chile Patagonia & Fjords Cruise Walking & Hiking Tour

From $11,999 - $12,999 /person

View dates for specific pricing

Casual Plus Hotels & Casual Ship

Chile Patagonia & Fjords Cruise Walking & Hiking Tour

Casual Plus Hotels & Casual Ship

Itinerary Accommodations Gallery Reviews

From $11,999 - $12,999 /person

View dates for specific pricing

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Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn

Journey by ship and over land in spellbinding Chilean Patagonia—a land of extremes between mountains and sea. Set sail on electric-blue waters among towering glaciers and colonies of penguins. Then climb to the heights of the Andes, where jagged peaks pierce the southern sky. At days' end, gourmet delights like empanadas, asado and pisco sours make the edge of the world feel like home.

Highlights

Behold vistas of immense glaciers and mountains in Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn National Parks, a pair of bucket-list titans
Follow in Darwin's footsteps through the Beagle Channel, Wulaia Bay and the wonders of Tierra del Fuego
Access remote sites via Zodiacs and trek windswept islands
Taste traditional food and wine and learn indigenous Tehuelche folklore and history
Horseback ride at the wilderness outpost of an estancia (South American ranch)

See our Active Cruise Terms & Conditions.

Chile Patagonia & Fjords Cruise Walking & Hiking Tour map

Argentina & Chile

Start Ushuaia or Punta Arenas

End Punta Arenas

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Itinerary

Days 1-4

From Ushuaia, Argentina, hike in Tierra del Fuego and get a look at the Beagle Channel • Board our home for four nights, the Ventus Australis expedition ship, built to navigate South America's narrow channels • Sail into Cape Horn National Park and if the weather and sea cooperate, Zodiacs transport us to Horn Island with panoramic views • Anchor at Wulaia Bay, visited by Darwin, and hike through forests to fjord and mountain views • Our Zodiacs crunch through icy waters toward breathtaking Pía Glacier—look for calving ice chunks • Enjoy maté and wine tastings • Cruise between mountains streaked with waterfalls in spectacular Alberto de Agostini National Park—keep an eye out for blue glaciers hugging the mountainsides and Andean condors above.

Ventus Australis

(4 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 1-4

Ventus Australis

Patagonia

| Casual Ship

Specifically designed to navigate the narrow channels and remote bays of Patagonia, these state-of-the-art expedition ships get you up close to the area's dramatic geographic formations. Travel + Leisure World's Best.

View sample deck plans

Days 5-6

Stroll on Magdalena Island, home to hundreds of thousands of Magellanic penguins • Say goodbye to our ship before we head to a historical working ranch for a tasty Chilean asado • Hike and horseback ride in unforgettable Torres del Paine National Park • Follow a trail to meet herds of guanaco and see spectacular views of the Paine massif • Discover 6,000-year-old Aónikenk cave paintings and learn about the native inhabitants • Learn to mix classic pisco sours.

Hotel Las Torres

(2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 5-6

Hotel Las Torres

Torres del Paine National Park

Casual Plus Hotel

With a stunning location inside Torres del Paine National Park at the foot of Paine towers, this former estancia has incredible access to the area's best hiking and breathtaking landscapes. (spa)

Accommodations may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 7-9

Witness the powerful Salto Grande waterfall with thundering powder-blue waters spilling 50 feet down a narrow opening • Walk along a rugged path until the famous snowcapped peaks, cuernos (horns), make their appearance • Stay at majestic Singular Patagonia near Puerto Natales • Try your hand at making empanadas and relish a Chilean wine tasting • Hike to a condor's-eye view of Lago Sofía • Enjoy a traditional lunch at an estancia.

Singular Patagonia

(2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 7-8

Singular Patagonia

Puerto Natales

*Premiere Hotel

Situated at the end of Última Esperanza Sound, the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the water and the building's Industrial Age iron relics pay homage to its former life as a meatpacking plant. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (spa)

Accommodations may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Our trips range in activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between. Several routes are offered each day so you can choose your perfect amount of activity. Learn more

Route & Terrain Notes

Most walks and hikes on this trip involve a mild altitude gain, normally between 600 and 2,300 feet, starting from just above sea level. Trails are sometimes narrow and, depending on the weather, can be muddy and slippery. Also, note that the more technical route options require a degree of agility and balance over rocks and tree roots and uneven terrain.

Activity
Activity Level
Mileage
Elevation

Day 1

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

4 miles

200 ft. gain

Level 2

5 miles

600 ft. gain

Level 3

9 miles

900 ft. gain

Day 2

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

1 miles

300 ft. gain

Level 1

3 miles

900 ft. gain

Level 2

3 miles

1200 ft. gain

Day 3

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

1 miles

400 ft. gain

Day 4

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

2 miles

100 ft. gain

Other

Condor Glacier Zodiac Tour (45 minutes)

Day 5

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

1 miles

100 ft. gain

Day 6

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

4 miles

400 ft. gain

Level 2

5 miles

700 ft. gain

Horseback Riding

2–3 Hours

Day 7

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

4 miles

300 ft. gain

Day 8

Walking & Hiking

Level 1

3 miles

300 ft. gain

Level 2

6 miles

400 ft. gain

Level 3

9 miles

700 ft. gain

Day 9

Other

Museum Guided Tour (45 minutes)

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What's Included

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Ships

The ships we sail on during the ocean cruise portion of this trip are like floating luxury hotels, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. They're also vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to only 210 passengers.

Backroads Cruising Life

If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences, shaped by both our Backroads group and the larger ship community. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don't mind a set schedule of port departure times, you'll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.

Meals on Ship

All meals are served aboard. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.

Terrain & Trail Support

Our hikes through Patagonia's captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles or Zodiacs will get us to and from the trailheads, but due to the nature of these trails, we won't see vehicles along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.

Hiking in National Parks

Most hikes on this itinerary are inside national parks and unlike other Backroads walking and hiking trips, regulations require a certified local guide to accompany us. We offer flexibility by dividing into several groups of different paces, with each group hiking in the company of a local guide.

Shuttle Time

To access the most scenic routes and significant points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into several days. On a few days of the trip you can expect to spend 3 hours or more in the shuttle.

Leaders & Local Guides

Trips with a small number of guests may be supported by one Backroads Trip Leader and a team of knowledgeable local guides. There will always be at least two people hiking on the trail with you.

Itinerary Changes

Because of Patagonia's extreme weather conditions and strong winds, mid-trip itinerary changes are possible on this trip. If severe weather affects our planned activities, your Trip Leaders will find alternate activities that you're sure to enjoy. Expect the unexpected in this remote region, including slow or no internet and a scarcity of ATMs which often run out of cash. It's all part of the adventure!

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Accommodations

The Best of Both Worlds

Enjoy an exciting combination of stylish retreats nestled into stunning landscapes and scenic views from the comfort of a floating hotel.

Accommodations may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Nights 1-4

Ventus Australis

Patagonia

Casual Ship

View sample deck plans

Nights 5-6

Hotel Las Torres

Torres del Paine National Park

Casual Plus Hotel

With a stunning location inside Torres del Paine National Park at the foot of Paine towers, this former estancia has incredible access to the area's best hiking and breathtaking landscapes. (spa)