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Chile & Antarctica

Towering Antarctica Glaciers, Icebergs, Andean Mountain Peaks & wildlife encounters at the end of the world

Orca Tour - 17 Night Itinerary

Explore Chilean Patagonia, Santiago and Valparaiso and cruise aboard the luxury Silver Cloud on a 10-night expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula.

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Tour Route

Travel Highlights

  • Regular departures from the UK from November 2024 to February 2025
  • An epic adventure combining Antarctica and Chilean Patagonia
  • Start in elegant Santiago for an in-depth view of Chile's past and present
  • Choose from a range of activities in Cajon del Maipo's mountain scenery
  • Explore the glaciers, plains, lakes and the chiseled peaks of Torres del Paine
  • Enjoy a 10-night Antarctica Expedition Cruise aboard Silversea's Silver Cloud
  • Take up to 3 guided excursions ashore in the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Visit the extraordinary South Shetland Islands
  • Finish with the bohemian port city of Valparaiso and Chile's Pacific coast

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.

Tour Itinerary

Pixabay (3)

Santiago de Chile - 2 Nights

Day 1 - Fly to Santiago

Day 2 - Santiago in-depth tour

Day 3 - Cajon del Maipo

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Fly to Santiago 

Depart on a direct overnight flight from London Heathrow to Santiago de Chile, arriving the next morning.

 


Thursday, 23 January 2025

Santiago in-depth tour

On arrival you will be welcomed to Chile by our friendly guide, your host for the next couple of days. Transfer to your central hotel for a 2 night stay. After you have settled in, your guide will introduce you to the surrounding area. In the afternoon we will explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile, visiting the main streets and squares of the capital. The tour will include the Government Palace, La Moneda, Plaza de Armas and Santa Lucia hill, the hill on which the Spanish founded Santiago. Crossing the Mapocho River we explore Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighbourhood of Santiago, at the foot of the Metropolitan Park's San Cristobal, the highest hill in town. Finally we will visit Providencia, one of the noble parts of Santiago, with top restaurants, elegant shops and modern high-rise buildings. 


Friday, 24 January 2025

Cajon del Maipo

Today we head out towards the Andes and the Maipo River Valley, where we explore a park of rugged mountains and valleys, rivers, springs and waterfalls. Designed to help guests relax from the frantic pace of the modern world, this park is filled with flower gardens, and quiet forest trails for exploring. More adventurous activities include horse riding, trekking and hiking, white water rafting and zip line/canopy tour. 

Hotel Boutique Su Merced

Santiago de Chile - Tourist Boutique

Su Merced is renovated townhouse, small boutique hotel with only 9 rooms. Its location in the Lastarria area opposite the park in the heart of Santiago making it ideal for visiting the artistic, bohemian area of Bellavista, the main square Plaza de Armas, Presidential Palace and downtown. The rooms are comfortable and modern though rather small, and and the hotel has a restaurant and bar on which doubles as the reception.

2016 Su Merced

Altiplanico Santiago Bellas Artes

Santiago de Chile - First Hotel

Located in the cultural and artistic centre of Santiago opposite the Museo Nacional Bellas Artes and the magnificent Parque Forestal, this charming 24 room hotel is the perfect base to explore the city. Nearby is the bohemian style of the Lastarria neighbourhood with museums, theatres, restaurants, bars and cafes, designer shops, bookstores, art galleries, craft and antique fairs, a cultural centre and much more.

The Altiplanico Santiago is a renovated Heritage House from 1918. It now offers a modern environment in a minimalist style, with pure lines, bright spaces, play of light and transparency, modern furniture and interior gardens.

There are 24 rooms including 6 Suites. All are air-conditioned with private bathroom, TV, hair dryer, telephone, mini bar, free Wi-Fi, safe and Nespresso machine, and a breakfast room.

The rates include breakfast.

Img 3900 Edit Edit

Casa Bueras Boutique Hotel

Santiago de Chile - Deluxe Boutique

This handsome townhouse, built in 1927, has been renovated and converted into a luxury boutique hotel, with all its original architectural splendour. Filled with European style and sophistication, the 14 rooms were designed to make guests feel at home.

The hotel retains the back garden of the original house, complete with a small pool. The hotel also has a simple snack bar, but there are many bars and restaurants nearby.

The rates include breakfast.

Captura
Pehoe lake

Torres del Paine - 3 Nights

Day 4 - Travel to Torres del Paine

Day 5 - Torres del Paine and Glacier Grey

Day 6 - Torres del Paine 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Saturday, 25 January 2025

Travel to Torres del Paine

This morning we fly to Puerto Natales, gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Transfer to you lodge for a 3 night stay. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty, deemed a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. Thick magellanic forests, barren pampa, turquoise lakes with huge glaciers and beautifully sculpted icebergs surround you; and soaring out of the earth stand the majestic, granite towers of Torres del Paine.


Sunday, 26 January 2025

Torres del Paine and Glaciar Grey

In the company of an expert park guide you will get to know the National Park, visiting its most famous attractions, enjoying beautiful walks and learning about the flora and fauna of the marvellous mountains that form part of the Paine Massif. After enjoying a lunch outdoors we will take you to Lago Grey where you will have the option to take a walk around the lake shore or take the navigation and get close up to the Grey Glaciar.


Monday, 27 January 2025

Exploring Torres del Paine 

In the company of an expert park guide you will get to know the National Park, visiting its most famous attractions, enjoying beautiful walks and learning about the flora and fauna of the marvellous mountains that form part of the Paine Massif. After enjoying a lunch outdoors we will take you to Lago Grey where you will have the option to take a walk around the lake shore or take the navigation and get close up to the Grey Glaciar.

Lago Grey Hotel

Patagonia and Torres del Paine - Tourist Hotel

Looking out across the lake, the hotel has been designed to blend in with the surrounding forest of lengua trees.

Its restaurant and bar overlook Glacier Grey and all the rooms are centrally heated. From here you can walk to Peninsula Grey, a craggy outcrop surrounded by icebergs, directly opposite the glacier face or get even closer by taking a boat trip from the lodge to the glacier.

The rates are on an all-inclusive basis, with transfers from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, boat trip to Grey Glacier, all meals and drinks from an open bar included.

2021 Lago Grey

Hotel Las Torres

Patagonia and Torres del Paine - First Lodge

The Hotel las Torres was once an Estancia that has now been developed for tourism with comfortable, purpose built accommodation with private facilities and heating; restaurant, bar and social area. The Hostel is ideally located for those wishing to trek along the Ascension River and up to the 'Towers', the rocky peaks with towering above a lake. Visits to Lago Grey on the other side of the park are possible with private transport and excursions arranged at the hotel.

The rooms of the hotel provide a cozy atmosphere, being the perfect setting to relax and enjoy after a long days excursion. Central heating, box spring beds, telephones and private bathrooms in a rustic yet elegant decoration provide the ideal ambience in our superior rooms for resting and preparing the next days activities.

Several services are available in the relaxing environment of your room, with a simple call you have the possibility of enjoying massages, food, wine and drinks.

Hostería Las Torres offers single, double twin, matrimonial and triple rooms in categories standard and superior.

Large variety of excursions

With over 25 excursions to choose from every day, passengers will have the opportunity to decide the next day's trip with the assessment of their guide. Many of the outings are very different to what is ordinarily offered in the park. Interesting Archeological areas visited on 4x4, private paths that climb to the base of mountain glaciers and the more subtle yet profound walk in the Lenga forests provide an in-depth view of the powerful nature in Patagonia.

2019 Hosteria Las Torres

Explora Torres del Paine

Patagonia and Torres del Paine - Deluxe Lodge

Explora Lodges and explorations offer an award-wining all inclusive luxury experience. The lodge is located in the centre of Torres del Paine National Park, and designed so it interferes the least possible with its natural surroundings. It is an extension of the park with views of Macizo del Paine.

All rooms are heated and designed to take full advantage of the beauty of the surrounding landscape, ensuring deep rest after a long day of exploration and include private bathroom, hair dryer and large bath.

Public facilities include the restaurant, lounge, bar, spa, heated swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi’s with stunning views.

Every evening of your stay, assisted by a trusted Explora guide, you will choose from a variety of exploration options your next day's experience. This could be a guided hiking, exploring by 4 x 4 vehicle, horse riding, the 4 day W circuit trek or self-guided treks.

The rates are on an all-inclusive basis with transfers, accommodation, all meals, all drinks and a choice of up to 40 guided activities to enjoy depending on the length of your stay.

Explora Patagonia
Antarctica Cruise Experience

Antarctica Air-Cruise - 10 Nights

Day 7 - Fly to Puerto Williams and set sail

Day 8 - Drake Passage 

Day 9 - Drake Passage

Day 10 - Antarctic Sound

Day 11 - Antarctic Peninsula

Day 12 - Antarctic Peninsula

Day 13 - Antarctic Peninsula

Day 14 - South Shetland Islands

Day 15 - Drake Passage

Day 16 - Puerto Williams

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Tuesday, 28 January 2025

Fly to Puerto Williams

Transfer to Punta Arenas airport and fly to Puerto Williams, a Chilean city located on Navarino Island on the southern shores of the Beagle Channel. It claims to be the “southernmost city in the world”, however owing to its small size – 2500 residents approximately – the much larger Argentinean city of Ushuaia, which sits on the northern side of the same channel, also claims that title. The surrounding scenery is magnificent. The wild windswept mountains rise above the tree line and are regularly dusted with snow. The city itself has the dramatic backdrop called “Dientes de Navarino” (literally “teeth of Navarino”), which rival the famous Torres del Paine further to the north. Embark the Silver Cloud and set sail in the evening.


Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Drake Passage

Sailing the legendary Drake Passage is an experience that few are ever lucky enough to experience. The southern tip of the Americas already feels like a wild enough environment – but the sensation of watching the distant cliffs of the peninsular known as the ‘End of the World’ fade into the horizon, is one that’s equal parts epic, eerie and magical. Set sail, to slowly drop off the bottom of the map from Cape Horn, and voyage on an expedition down into the icy underworld of Antarctica. Drake Passage is an extraordinary voyage of romantic ocean faring legend, as you aim for Antarctica’s icy realm.


Thursday, 30 January 2025

Drake Passage

Continue through Drake Passage on your way to the Antarctic Peninsula.


Friday, 31 January 2025

Antarctic Sound

Few voyages ignite the imagination like a journey down to one of the planet’s most remote, extreme and enchanting wilderness, Antarctica. An adventure in its purest form, only a handful of people will ever be lucky enough to experience the majestic beauty of these monochrome landscapes first-hand. The Antarctic Sound will be one of your first encounters of this whitewash kingdom, located at the northerly tip of the Antarctic Peninsula - which sprawls up like a tentacle towards Tierra del Fuego, South America’s most southerly point, otherwise known as the ‘End of the World’. Taking its name from the first ship to brave the passageway between the peninsular and the Joinville Island groups back in 1902, the Sound is a raw, sensory assault of imposing iceberg slabs, broken away from the disintegrating Larsen Ice Shelf. 


Saturday, 01 February 2025

Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula unravels upwards towards South America, reaching out a beckoning finger to the adventurous, who dare to explore this untamed realm. Stretching up from the heart of the world’s southernmost continent, the Antarctic Peninsula lies a mere 620 mile from Tierra del Fuego and, for many, offers a spectacular first taste of the snow-blanketed landscapes and colossal ice sculptures, which make up Earth’s least-explored continent. Unseen by humans until 1820 - a blink of an eye ago in relative terms - this is an adventure sure to make your hairs stand on end, as you experience the thrill of the truly unknown and extraordinary. 


Sunday, 02 February 2025

Antarctic Peninsula

The vast peninsula is sprinkled with research bases, which are at the frontline of human scientific endeavour, pushing to study and understand this unique landscape, its exceptional wildlife, and the impact that humans are having on this pristine continent. Witness cathedral-sized icebergs up close, and blue-hued glaciers, slowly slipping from imposing locations like Hope Bay. Blanched mountain peaks cover the peninsula, and you’ll find thousands of adorable Adelie penguin pairs thriving undisturbed in this peninsula’s unique setting.


Monday, 03 February 2025

Antarctic Peninsula

A further exploring ashore with up to 3 excursions.


Tuesday, 04 February 2025

South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty, suspending claims on their sovereignty. Several countries maintain research bases here, and with plump elephant seals, and crowds of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie Penguins also calling the islands home, it can even feel a little crowded at times. King George Island is the largest and most hospitable island, hosting the majority of the research stations - some of which are populated all-year-round by tiny, hardy crews.


Wednesday, 05 February 2025

Drake Passage

We sail back towards Puerto Williams today, enjoying interesting talks on board and reflecting on our incredible experiences.


Thursday, 06 February 2025

Puerto Williams

We arrive back in Puerto Williams in the late evening, where we moor and spend our last night on board.

Silver Cloud Expedition

Antarctica Cruises - Deluxe Expedition Ship

The Silver Cloud cruise ship provides one of the most luxurious expedition experiences in the Antarctic Peninsula. Accommodating just 254 passengers, it has one of the smallest capacities of the luxury cruises to Antarctica, for a more intimate and personal experience. Following an extensive refurbishment for 2018, the Silver Cloud is replete with a choice of spacious and stylish suites, with a host of superior facilities, some with private verandas. A choice of dining includes a renowned Relais & Châteaux restaurant and there are also outstanding spa facilities and pool in which to relax and unwind.

A unique feature of the Silver Cloud is a photography space to print, retouch & display your images, taken on regular shore excursions and zodiac trips. See below for the complete choice of suites and the different itineraries available.

11436 Silver Cloud Expedition
Myriad of islands, glaciers and fjords

Valaparaiso, Vina del Mar and Santiago - 2 Nights

Day 17 - Fly to Santiago 

Day 18 - Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Pacific Coast

Day 19 - Overnight flight to UK

Day 20 - Arrive in the UK

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 07 February 2025

Fly to Santiago 

Transfer to the airport and fly to Santiago, arriving mid-afternoon. From here you will be met by your guide and taken back to your hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast, with the rest of the day free.


Saturday, 08 February 2025

Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Pacific Coast 

We end your unforgettable trip with a full day excursion to the coastal cities of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. En route we pass the agricultural valleys of Curacavo and Casablanca to reach Vina del Mar, famous for its shopping, parks of huge trees and palms that gave it the well-deserved name of 'Garden City'. We visit the beautiful park of Quinta Vergara with its amphitheatre, its arts museum and its public beaches.

We then travel down the coast to Valparaiso, whose picturesque bay is enhanced by surrounding hills covered in colourful houses. The city was once the most important maritime destination of the Pacific coast of South America and today offers a rich mix of arts and culture, as well as being the country's principal port and the home of the Chilean Navy. We will visit the downtown area, with its public buildings and monuments as well as its picturesque walkways and art galleries of the hill neighbourhoods. Return to Santiago for the evening.


Sunday, 09 February 2025

Overnight flight to UK

You will have the morning at leisure to do some last minute sightseeing or shopping and to say goodbye to Chile before being collected for your transfer to the airport. A mid-afternoon flight travels overnight and arrives in the UK the next morning.


Monday, 10 February 2025

Arrive in the UK

Arrive back in the UK in the morning.

Palacio Astoreca

Valparaiso - First Hotel

Located in the historic quarter of Valparaiso, Palacio Astoreca was built in 1923 as a Victorian palace and has been recently restored into a boutique hotel. Being a national heritage building its original façade and some of the interior architecture has been preserved, giving it a unique style that combines both old and new. 

The hotel has 23 rooms with views to the bay or hillside, a piano bar, lounge, library and a spa with heated swimming pool. There is also a wine cellar stocking some of Chile's finest wines.

The hotel restaurant 'Alegre' offers excellent fusion cuisine made with local produce, led by Spanish chef Sergio Barroso, who previously worked in award winning Spanish restaurant El Bulli.

Its proximity to the famous Yugoslavo pedestrian walk, the Fine Arts Museum at Barburizza Palace, and El Peral funicular - all in the heart of the popular Cerro Alegre hill - is the perfect setting to grasp the natural layout of the city. 

The rates include breakfast.

2025 Palacio Astoreca

Price Guidelines

Season
Travel Dates
Room Arrangement First
Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms £18,196

Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.


What's Included

  • 17 Days / 14 Nights
  • International flights (2 overnight)
  • Internal flights & flights to/from South Shetland Islands
  • Accommodation as shown in the itinerary
  • 5 night Ocean Nova Expedition Cruise, all meals & excursions
  • Price based on air-cruise departing 7th December 2019. Other dates may vary.
  • Breakfast every day
  • Transfers to and from airports
  • Transport throughout the itinerary
  • Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides

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