PATAGONIA: A PARADISE OF GLACIERS AND CHANNELS

YOUR EXPEDITION

Patagonia: A Paradise of Glaciers and Channels

Chile spans more than twenty degrees of latitude, between the “Valley of Paradise”, Valparaíso, and the Tierra del Fuego. Over 3000 kilometres of channels and pristine nature that we will admire during this cruise, from the sandy beaches of Isla Mocha to the entrenched fjords of Patagonia. The south of Chile is home to some of the largest glaciers on the planet. Join us on this exploration of nature’s giants.

A trip deep into the heart of nature’s wonders and her excesses, between tropical forests and subpolar fauna. Hop on board for a unique exploration of nature’s contrasts.

Itinerary

Day 1 Monday 16 March 2026

Valparaíso, Chile

Boarding from 4 pm.

Valparaíso is Chile’s historical port town, an oceanic alter-ego of the country’s capital Santiago in the heart of the Andes. A buzzing city, it stretches from the sea to the hills. Exploris One welcomes you at the heart of a huge, protected cove that the indigenous population call quintil, “the deep bay”.

Like the Cape Horners, who knew that they would find no other port until they reached the Atlantic, we leave this fascinating city tonight and head south – though not towards Cape Horn.

Day 2 Tuesday 17 March 2026

At sea, Pacific Ocean

Sailing on the Pacific Ocean: another dream come true. If the waters are serene enough today, we might just understand why Magellan decided to name these waters “pacific”.

The calm waters and serenity of our voyage allow us to enjoy the ship and the amenities it has to offer: a sun-soaked deck, various activities and entertainment, and a relaxing atmosphere in the cabins. The expedition crew will put on the first conferences of your trip so that you can make the most of our stopovers.

Day 3 Wednesday 18 March 2026

Mocha Island, Chile

A truly unique place to celebrate an unforgettable Christmas Day, Mocha Island is the second paradise on our itinerary. The Mapuche people, indigenous inhabitants of the region, believed that the souls of the departed could be resuscitated on this island. It’s easy to understand why: the national park of the island is truly a peaceful haven. The island is accessible only by boat or small plane, which means that only the most passionate of explorers reach it.

White sandy beaches lead to a tropical forest which surrounds an ancestral volcano. There, we find a rich fauna of migrating birds (turtle doves, thrushes, goldfinches) and endemic birds (such as the chuaco tuapaculo and the ravadito de la Mocha). Our naturalists will point them out as we walk along hiking trails. The summit of the island is only 390 metres high, a reasonable elevation to climb to admire this fabulous landscape.

Day 4 Thursday 19 March 2026

Castro, Chile

Chiloé Island is at the heart of the famous naturalist Charles Darwin’s discoveries. As he sailed here and in the Chonos Archipelago further south in 1835, he witnessed the eruption of the Osorno Volcano, as well as an earthquake. From these events, he deduced the process of the Andes’ geological formation. Our onboard history specialists will regale us with the tale of his journey, as we follow in his footsteps and observe a mammal endemic to the island: Darwin’s fox! We will also see the largest reserves of sphagnum moss on earth. This moss, with its high water retention capacity, is an important asset to be preserved, especially in light of the current climate crisis.

In the island’s capital Castro, build on stilts, water and vegetation are in symbiosis. Many of its wooden churches are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here, culture and nature are completely intertwined.

Chiloé Island is famous for its collection of churches, which have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vilipulli Church, a national monument built in the 18th century, was visited by Charles Darwin in 1853.

Castro is one of the most fascinating towns on the island of Chiloé. From Gamboa Bridge, you can admire the palafitos, the town’s typical wooden houses built on stilts over the water. The majority of these are fishermen's houses. We will visit an artisanal market, as well as the Castro de San Francisco Church, the town’s main Catholic church.

The village of Chonchi was founded in 1754 by Jesuits who also built its church. It is nicknamed the “Town of three floors” by its inhabitants since it is built over three levels of terrain. In the Museum of Traditions, you’ll get to visit a traditional house, full of local artefacts and objects.

Dalcahue is a picturesque village north of Castro, with colourful houses and a wooden church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A ferry will take you to the peaceful island of Quinchao. You will pass through the small village of Curaco de Velez and see its church before reaching Achao, the main town of the island, originally founded as a Jesuit settlement in 1743. It has a delightful artisanal market and a wooden church built around 1730.

The island of Chiloé has been recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System thanks to its unique wooden houses and sprawling green valleys. Its rich biodiversity and ancestral agricultural techniques have been preserved by the local population for hundreds of years.

The bird lovers among you will appreciate the black-necked swans, cormorants, and migratory birds such as curlews that you’ll be able to spot along the bay.

Day 5 Friday 20 March 2026

At sea, Pacific Ocean

After a few days on the open sea, Exploris One enters the infinite maze of the Chilean fjords, created by the glaciers that we see in the distance, just off the coast of the islands. During different glaciation periods, as glaciers advanced or retreated, they carved out the land and created this complex arrangement of jagged shores. It’s easy to understand why past explorers got lost here. Exploris One delicately but surely makes its way through this labyrinth.

Day 6 Saturday 21 March 2026

Tortel, Chile

Civilisation – when we come across it during our cruise – might seem modest compared to the grandiose landscape we are not getting used to seeing. But smaller does not mean less spectacular…! Take Tortel, for example, a town hidden deep in the heart of Chile’s canals. It has neither streets nor roads, and its citizens get around via wooden footbridges. It is reminiscent of the era of the first pioneers and is an authentic taste of life in this faraway land.

Further south, the Messier Canal flows into the English Passage. Our captain and his officers masterfully navigate this passage, 180 metres in width. Our journey is enhanced by our expedition team’s explanations. Among this wild landscape, the tops of Puerto Eden’s houses are visible. Exploris One takes us from paradise to paradise.

Day 7 Sunday 22 March 2026

Sailing through the Fjords – Pío XI Glacier (Brüggen Glacier), Chile

Once we pass the Eyre Fjord, the Pío XI Glacier – the largest in all of Patagonia – seems to take up the whole horizon. Its front surface is exceptionally wide: 64 kilometres long. On sailing maps – which our officers will be delighted to share with you – the glacier is referred to as the “Brüggen Glacier”, after a well-known German geologist. Whether named after a geologist or a pope, this glacier will make for a fascinating visit on board our Zodiacs.

At a safe distance, we’ll have front-row seats to the calving (the breaking away of a mass of ice from a larger block) of the glacier. We’ll have heard this technical term beforehand during one of our expert glaciologists’ conferences, but we will only fully grasp its meaning as we see the process for ourselves. This sensational “ice birth” explains why the region’s first explorers believed that these lands were infested with noisy giants called… the Patagonians.

Day 8 Monday 23 March 2026

Sailing through the Fjords – Amalia Glacier, Chile

No two glaciers are identical in the Chilean fjords: each one has evolved in a particular way. Though the Amalia Glacier is positioned further south than the Pío XI Glacier, it is receding. These mastodonts are fragile elements, at climate change’s mercy.

The view here is sublime. Aboard our Zodiacs, we’ll admire a narrow glacier (21 kilometres in width), whose front is made up of icy cliffs, like a glacial cathedral. The heart of the glacier – endangered by deep cracks – glistens with a rich blue light, an ethereal sight.

Our onboard experts have taught us this saying: “the bluer the ice, the older it is”. Indeed, Amalia’s ice is extremely vulnerable. It is both heart-wrenching and unforgettable to see such a natural wonder crumble in front of our eyes.

Day 9 Tuesday 24 March 2026

Sailing through the Fjords – Isla Carlos III, Chile

As we head towards a different Chilean region, we sail through the mythical Strait of Magellan.

On our route is Carlos III Island. Though it is now named after a Spanish king, it used to bear the name of a French one, Louis XIV. The majestic sights we will see today, however, are those of the fauna and the flora, and the only kingdom we will encounter is that of the humpback whale. We will marvel at these animals from a respectful distance as we watch them dive into the water, waving their tail each time.

Each whale has a distinct pattern on its tail: our binoculars will come in handy as we observe them. Nearby, another impressive glacier. This one is anonymous, however. Perhaps no kings were available when it was discovered…

Day 10 Wednesday 25 March 2026

Sailing through the Fjords – Agostini Fjord, Condor Glacier, Chile

Our first day in the Tierra del Fuego will be spent sailing up a labyrinth of canals, a route so complex it’s easy to understand how the region’s first travellers might have gotten lost. Luckily for us, Exploris One’s officers have excellent – and much more reliable – navigation systems, thanks to which they accurately plan our journey. The Southern flank of the Agostini Fjord is made up of a series of glaciers, neatly lined up side by side. We approach the Condor Glacier on Zodiacs. Its foremost flank is a glorious blue colour and is topped with seracs, those towers of ice formed of intersecting crevasses, culminating in jagged turrets.

We finally get to observe first-hand a phenomenon explained to us by our glaciologists: the friction between rock and ice transforms the ice into water, which then cascades into the fjords with a deafening sound.

Day 11 Thursday 26 March 2026

Sailing through the Fjords – Garibaldi and Pia Glaciers, Chile

Darwin’s presence is felt here, too: the mountain range that dominates the landscape is named after him; and to reach the Pia and Garibaldi glaciers, we sail through the Beagle Channel, named after the boat that he used to navigate these waters. The entrance to the Garibaldi Fjord is covered with dense vegetation.

As Exploris One makes its way towards the glacier, a symphony of greens, whites and blues melds together. From our Zodiacs, we’ll spot some sea lions lazing in the sun. The Pia Glacier is a fitting finale for our expedition: an icy river bristling with seracs, it is the crowning jewel of the aptly named Glaciers Avenue.

Activities on board

Zodiac© Cruises

Explore inaccessible zones, admire spectacular glaciers and icebergs. Our Zodiacs© allow you to get as close as possible to nature, in complete safety.

Sea Kayaking

Silent, discreet, and easy to handle, kayaks are perfect to explore less accessible areas and to get closer to places of incredible beauty.

Guided Hikes

Hikes for all levels will be offered during your expedition. Explore historic landmarks, walk on gorgeous sandy beaches or pack ice. Admire the fauna and flora and take in the spectacular sights.

Photography Workshop

Our photography experts will offer conferences and workshops on board the ship and on dry land so you can get the best out of your camera and capture the most incredible landscapes.

Birdwatching

Observe the most beautiful species of birds in their natural habitat, alongside renowned ornithologists and wildlife specialists.

Informative lectures

Our experts, scientists, naturalist guides, historians and special guests will offer unique lectures on the fauna, flora, history and biology of the regions we visit

Staterooms & Fares

Select your cabin on board Exploris One

-25%

Cabine PREMIUM

Au pont 3, à l'avant du navire

-25%

Superior Cabin

On deck 4, at the front of the ship

-25%

OCEAN Stateroom

Deck 3

-25%

DELUXE Stateroom

Deck 4

-25%

BALCONY Stateroom

Deck 5

-25%

NAVIGATOR Suite

Deck 7

-25%

DISCOVERY Suite

Deck 5

On deck 5

39 m² including two french balconies (1,5 m² each)
Two Sliding panoramic bay windows
Two separate beds or one queen size bed
Living room with sitting area equipped with a sofa bed
Dressing room with safe
Marble bathroom with bath and separate shower

Coffee machine
Mini bar
Bathrobes and slippers
Dressing table and hairdryer
Alarm clock with docking station
Selection of bath products
Desk and stationery
Direct satellite telephone line
110/220V outlets
Unlimited Premium WIFI internet access (satellite reception varies depending on navigation and latitude)
Flat screen TV, international channels (availability varies depending on navigation area) and on-demand videos with interactive content
24-hour room service
Private air conditioning

-25%

GRAND Suite

Deck 7

On deck 7

57 m² including a large 8m² private balcony
Sliding panoramic bay window
Two separate beds or one queen size bed
Living room with sitting area equipped with a sofa bed
Dressing room with safe
Marble bathroom with bath and separate shower

Nespresso coffee machine
Butler service
Mini bar
Bathrobes and slippers
Dressing table and hairdryer
Alarm clock with docking station
Selection of bath products
Desk and stationery
Direct satellite telephone line
110/220V outlets
Unlimited Premium WIFI internet access (satellite reception varies depending on navigation and latitude)
Flat screen TV, international channels (availability varies depending on navigation area) and on-demand videos with interactive content
24-hour room service
Private air conditioning

-25%

SHIPOWNER'S Suite

Deck 7

On deck 7

67 m² including a large 15m² private terrace
Two sliding panoramic bay windows
Two separate beds or one queen size bed
Living room with large lounge equipped with a sofa bed
Large dressing room with safe
Marble bathroom with bath and separate shower

Nespresso coffee machine
Butler service
Mini bar
Bathrobes and slippers
Dressing table and hairdryer
Alarm clock with docking station
Selection of bath products
Desk and stationery
Direct satellite telephone line
110/220V outlets
Unlimited Premium WIFI internet access (satellite reception varies depending on navigation and latitude)
Flat screen TV, international channels (availability varies depending on navigation area) and on-demand videos with interactive content
24-hour room service
Private air conditioning

* This price is per person based on double occupancy, including our “Discovery Offer -25%” - Limited time offer.

Gallery

PATAGONIA: A PARADISE OF GLACIERS AND CHANNELS

YOUR EXPEDITION