Ushuaia - Callao Expedition Chilean fjords: natural spectacles at the far end of the earth

Very few continents have such spectacular nature, such fascinating flora and fauna: your small, manoeuvrable expedition ship can demonstrate its advantages in the narrow waterways of the southern Chilean fjords.

During the passage through the Beagle Channel, Chile’s nature offers several spectacular highlights – and the famous “Glacier Allee” truly lives up to its name. The ship’s deck is your front-row seat for the gripping natural spectacles of the mighty calving ridges: five tidewater glaciers line the waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A fascinating habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. If nature allows, you will discover a colony of sea lions at one of the glaciers, which will initially lie quietly there and then greet you with great noise. The mysticism and deceleration that emanate from this region are intensified even further when a humpback whale comes close to the ship.

Cruising off the Garibaldi Glacier reveals the beauty of nature in all its glory. Even from a distance, you can see the ice masses that extend to the water. In bright, shimmering shades of blue and with a play of light that changes the mood by the second. Ice floes drift in the fjord and the silence of nature is broken only by the sounds of the sea lions. Look forward to thrilling experiences with the Zodiacs, depending on the local authorisations. As the expedition rubber boats approach the glacier, you will see the diverse mountain vegetation that frames the fjord and, with a bit of luck, you will be able to observe cormorants balancing on the rocks. Because ice can break off at any time and slide towards the water like an avalanche, you should keep a safe distance from the mighty ridge – but don’t let that dampen your sense of discovery.

In the wake of the world-famous explorer, you will experience the passage through the Strait of Magellan: Ferdinand Magellan found the passage on his search for the Moluccas, the “spice islands”. His ship was small and manoeuvrable and could also navigate narrow bays – just like the expedition fleet of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises today.

Follow the route taken by the first person to sail around the world and be welcomed by Punta Arenas in the middle of the famous Strait of Magellan. In Chile’s southernmost city, you will be surrounded by colonial flair and the pioneering spirit of the golden age of seafaring. Whether you visit the 19th-century palace, the rebuilt fort or the open-air museum with its replica of an old sailing ship: follow up the lectures your experts give on board about the settlement of South America with real-life locations ashore. The “city at the end of the world” is also the starting point for exciting nature activities*.

On the way to the port city of Puerto Natales, which can often only be reached by plane, you may spot dolphins, whales and seals. It is the starting point for exploring the Torres del Paine National Park* with mountains that are almost 3,000 m (9,843 ft) high. Over 100 different animal species, including rheas, flamingos and Andean condors, live between rushing waterfalls, extensive forests and shimmering aquamarine mountain lakes.

The captain and crew once again prove their great expedition experience during the passage through the Kirke Narrows. On the approximately 100 m (328 ft) long passage, you will pass 1,300 m (4,265 ft) peaks on both sides, glaciers and a unique landscape – until all the narrows and currents have been mastered with flying colours.

As you cruise through the southern fjords, the captain and crew will select the most fascinating routes to stunning experiences. Over thousands of years, the mountains have formed a gigantic picture book of the earth’s history – which your ship will take plenty of time to study in detail.

The excitement mounts on board as the nautically demanding manoeuvres lead to spectacular scenes as you enjoy the far-reaching views from the extensive outside decks. The Pio XI Glacier is immense, with a height of up to 75 m (246 ft) and a kilometre-long ridge. With its bizarre craggy surface, it sparkles blue and white. You will glide between icebergs great and small as you take in the impressive views from your Zodiac.

Great adventures of discovery lie ahead of you as your small expedition ship explores Chile’s northern fjords. New facets surprise at every turn: towering mountain landscapes, unique glaciers and diverse cultural encounters.

Your expedition ship is perfect for cruising through the northern fjords. In the labyrinth of canals and islands, you will experience the beauty of Chile up close. The inspiration Walk offers you the ideal place for this with the best views.

Chaiten is also testament to the power of nature. The small town at the foot of the volcano of the same name was buried under silt and ash when the volcano erupted in 2008. Life has returned to the former ghost town, but some half-buried houses still bear witness to the drama. On a walk through the town and on hikes in nature with your experts, you will learn interesting facts about the geological and tectonic events in Chile.

The stunning natural phenomena surrounding the city of Puerto Montt include snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, fjords and countless lakes. Thanks to its picturesque location on the Pacific Ocean, the town is also known as the gateway to Patagonia. The region is home to false elms and kingfishers – and it contains evidence of German immigrants, such as Black Forest gateau.

Equally stunning: the Isla de Chiloe, where the 43,000 ha (106,255 ac.) national park invites you to go on excursions* to explore the nature. You will land in Ancud, a truly unspoilt little place with a regional museum that is worth a visit and an old Spanish fort. The charming coastal town is known for its historical significance, scenic location and proximity to unique natural attractions. In addition to the excursions*, it is also worth taking an independent walk here.

Huddled together, the colourful houses appear to cling to the hillsides of Chile’s cultural capital city, Valparaiso. Parts of this multifaceted ensemble have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. “Mini San Francisco” invites you to immerse yourself in the life of the Chileans. On your walk, you will notice the street art with large-scale murals and graffiti that adorn almost every corner in the historic district. The former house of the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda is now a museum and offers insights into his life. The many hills of the city can be accessed by old cable cars, the “ascensores”: from the viewpoints, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the picturesque city.

Isla Chanaral is rocky, with sparse vegetation – and yet full of life. It is a protected area for Humboldt penguins, which share their habitat with sea lions, fur seals and a wide variety of seabirds. The surrounding waters are very rich in nutrients thanks to the cold Humboldt Current and are home to a diverse marine ecosystem that also attracts dolphins and whales. Cruising off the island in local boats provides many opportunities for wildlife watching: keep an eye out for the penguins, which can dive for up to eight minutes and around 30 m (98 ft) deep. You might also spot Peruvian boobies on the cliffs and in the sky. They show off swooping dives to catch prey from the sea.

Iquique is a lively port city in northern Chile, nestled between the Atacama Desert and the Pacific Ocean. Its impressive beaches attract water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers alike. Historically shaped by the saltpetre boom of the 19th century, well-preserved buildings in the belle-epoque style in the Baquedano district still bear witness to this era – let these times pass you by on your city walk. With a mix of history and beaches, Iquique has developed into a diverse destination that combines culture and nature uniquely.

The Paracas Peninsula shows the best sides of Peru: a dream coast surrounded by the sea, a diverse animal world and historical sites. The nature reserve created here in 1975 includes the peninsula, the bay and the small archipelago of Islas Ballestas. The largest marine nature reserve in South America is home to blue-footed boobies, pelicans and Humboldt penguins as well as seals and dolphins. Many birds from colder regions also migrate here in winter. The area around the city is famous for its historical treasures, including pre-Columbian geoglyphs on the mountain slopes. Join your experts on board for a journey through time and find out how the images, such as the geometric figures and monumental animal pictures of Nazca, were created. According to legend, the region is where the first white-and-red flag of Peru originated when, in 1820, national hero Jose de San Martin was inspired by a flock of flamingos here. What will your encounter with the diverse fauna do to you?