Discovering Patagonia & the Chilean Fjords

On the shores of Golfo Nuevo in eastern Argentina is Puerto Madryn, a busy port city known for its wildlife watching opportunities and proximity to Península Valdés, a UNESCO-designated site recognised for marine mammal conservation. Puerto Madryn has everything you would expect from a city, with shops, good accommodation options and restaurants, in addition to a sprawling beachfront. However the star attraction in the area is the diverse wildlife and marine life found in the peninsula.

Between June and November, southern right whales come to the peninsula to breed, away from the harsh Atlantic Ocean. The area is the most important breeding ground for southern right whales in the world, with more than 1,500 whales visiting the peninsula each year, providing exceptional opportunities for whale watching during these times. In addition to whales, the waters around Puerto Madryn are home to orcas, dolphins, sea lions and southern elephant seals while large colonies of Magellanic penguins and southern sea lions can be found around the shores.

Famed for being the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia is located at the tip of Tierra del Fuego, between the snow-capped Andean mountains and the Beagle Channel. The city is a great base for exploring some of the region’s remarkable sites, and a starting point for heading south towards Antarctica.

Ushuaia’s ‘end of the world’ status is popular for adventure-seekers, particularly Tierra del Fuego National Park which lies 11km west of the city. This expansive park is incredibly diverse, with glaciers, forests, beaches and mountains, providing endless opportunities for exploration.

One of the park’s top attractions is its wide range of flora and fauna, thanks to the varied landscapes, including Fuegian foxes, southern river otters, guanacos (closely related to the llama), black-browed albatrosses, woodpeckers and oystercatchers. The park can be reached via car or the ‘End of the World’ Train, an old railway line originally built to transport materials to a nearby prison which reopened as a tourist attraction in 1994. The train passes by the Pico Valley and Macarena Waterfall en route to the park.

Infamous in maritime history, the navigation of Chile’s Cape Horn was once considered a perilous act of daring, a battle against the ocean and the elements that only the bravest sailors would attempt. Today Cape Horn is better known for its natural beauty than its ‘dangers’, and rounding the horn on one of Fred. Olsen’s smaller-sized ships makes a memorable – and perfectly safe! – scenic cruising experience.

You’ll get to marvel at the unspoilt landscapes of craggy islands, islets and spectacular coastlines, look-out for native marine and bird life in the skies above and the cold waters below, and think back to the times when sailors braved this legendary route many centuries ago.

Just below Punta Arenas is a small monument that marks the "end of the Americas" although Chile lays claim to a small part of Antarctica as well.

However, for all its claim to be a frontier outpost, the town is remarkably cosmopolitan. There are fishermen mixing with pilots from the Chilean air force base, sharp-suited businessmen sipping wine in hotels and travellers hitching a ride out to Tierra del Fuego. The nearby penguin colonies are fascinating, while in the town itself there are several interesting museums.

The Museo del Recuerdo has collections of antique agricultural and industrial machinery, including a reconstructed sheep-shearing hut. In the library is a display of historic maps. The Naval and Maritime Museum has exhibits on naval history, as well as a replica ship, complete with bridge, maps, charts and radio room.

Palacio Mauricio Braun is a fabulous mansion built by a wealthy pioneer sheep farmer at the end of the 19th century. It was given to the Chilean state by one of Mauricio Braun's sons. It displays Braun's original furnishings, including French chairs and tables, inlayed wooden floors and Chinese vases.

Made for cruising, these fjords are stunning and photogenic from the ship’s deck, but rugged with deep crevices and boulders hiding under the towering ice when in closer proximity.

Surrounded by majestic glaciers and snow-capped peaks, the fjords of the Chilean coast are full of hidden lakes and waterfalls, and are home to the Magellan penguins, dolphins, whales and stunning birdlife.

Surrounded by ice-clad mountains, Puerto Chacabuco is a busy port, but it was only built in the 1990s when the natural harbour at Puerto Aisen, further up the coast, became unusable. There are local tours available of lower Patagonia and the Andes Mountains, as well as through the Rio Simpson National Reserve. The Aikén del Sur Park is privately owned but can be visited: it is a haven for wildlife, especially of wetland birds.

Originally named Juan Fernandez Island after the Portuguese sailor who discovered it in 1575, the island remained largely unknown until 1708 when Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk was rescued after being marooned for over four years. This experience then became the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Due to the literary association the Chilean Government decided to rename the Island in 1966 to Robinson Crusoe Island.

Today this volcanic island of mountainous landscape is a fascinating place of wild and unspoilt beauty. Declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977, the island is home to some unique species including the Juan Fernandez Firecrown Hummingbird, the Fur Seal and the Magellanic Penguin.

Valparaiso boasts many staircases and lifts which are now considered historic features of this wonderful port. The funicular railways carry visitors high up into the hills to enjoy the astonishing views over the historic streets and narrow winding lanes below. This fantastic experience has been considered a historic feature of the city and is a real 'must-do' on a visit to the city.

Alongside historic buildings and charming alleyway-shops, It’s not unusual to stumble across splashes of artwork when exploring the centre of Valparaiso, making this port a very colourful and visually stunning place to be. You will also notice the style of architecture isn’t always consistent; there are many varied styles, modern and traditional Chilean.

Arica serves as a vital trade link between Chile, Peru and neighbouring Bolivia. However, this pretty city is much more than just a commercial centre. Away from the busy docks you’ll discover mile-upon-mile of dark-brown beaches ideal for making the most of the year-round warmth. Looking out across the Pacific Ocean, you’re sure to see thrill-seeking surfers challenging themselves against the tide, even as the sun begins to set.  

Venturing even further from the coast and into the city itself is just as rewarding, with an abundance of highlights and attractions to discover. The Museo de Sitio Colón 10 is a must-visit to see 32 incredibly well-preserved Chinchorro mummies in situ; while the Gothic-style Catedral de San Marcos is one of Arica’s most iconic structures. Designed by Parisian engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel – before he designed the world-famous Eiffel Tower – and built in his Paris shop in the 1870’s, the cathedral was shipped around the world and assembled where it stands today. [ReadMoreDesk]

Don’t miss the spectacular views on offer from El Morro, an imposing 110-metre-high rock which overlooks the city and the busy port, too. Here you’ll also find the fascinating Museo Histórico y de Armas, which tells the story of a battle between the Chilean and Peruvian armies that took place atop El Morro in 1880.

The small port town of Paracas on Peru's west coast, has a reputation for wonderful beaches, and is a destination point for the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, pelicans and Humboldt penguins.

Much more than a thriving deep water port, Paracas is perfectly placed for tours to many of Peru's most spectacular natural wonders. Close by is the rugged, wildlife-rich Paracas National Reserve that spans desert, ocean, islands and the Paracas Peninsula. This designated UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sanctuary for seals, penguins, flamingos and dozens of seabird species – and home to the glorious Athens Beach.

The Islas Ballestas – affectionately known as the Peruvian Galapagos, are volcanic islands that boast spectacular scenery and are home to countless cormorants and Inca terns, as well as breeding sea lions. The Paracas Candelabra, also called the Candelabra of the Andes, is a well-known prehistoric geoglyph found on the northern face of the peninsula, and is a must to witness and capture on camera.

Callao is the Peruvian capital's once-grand port area, which has been brought back to life with culture, cuisine and rich history. An important commercial centre since the colonial era, the city retains many fine colonial mansions and elaborate examples of architecture. The Real Felipe fortress is an impressive building built to defend the city from pirates and was central to Peru’s war of independence. 

La Punta, the area around the port, was once home to Lima’s aristocracy. It has many stately houses and a wonderful seafront promenade lined with delightful cafés. The Military Museum has many fascinating artefacts, including old weaponry, while the Navy Museum is devoted to the country’s naval heritage.

Visitors can take easy transport links from Callao to explore the Peruvian capital, Lima, and learn about the country's dramatic history, from the Inca Empire to the Spanish conquistadors.