Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Argentina's Staten Island
 

Experience the region’s iconic wildness on a perfectly paced expedition
This carefully curated expedition offers the peak experiences of Patagonia and its surrounding environs in a compact timeframe. Discover the fjords, glaciers, and panoramic vistas that make Chilean Patagonia one of the most lauded nature destinations on Earth. Exposing you to the ‘best of’ highlights, like the stunning Beagle Channel, massive glaciers and snowcapped peaks, this perfectly-paced voyage also brings you into the seldom-seen natural splendors of Karukinka Natural Park. Cap off your expedition by exploring Argentina’s rugged, seldom-seen Isla De Los Estados (Staten Island), a land of mythic wildness that has been largely off limits to travelers since 1923.

• Venture through wildlife reserves not easily accessible to the public, including Karukinka Natural Park in Tierra del Fuego.
• Kayak and Zodiac cruise the breathtaking Chilean fjords
• See massive glaciers, dramatic fjords, and soaring snow-covered peaks, and spot wildlife including condors and elephant seals.
• Transit the legendary Beagle Channel and take in the view of Cape Horn
• By special permission, be one of the few people ever to explore Isla de los Estados (Staten Island), located at the extreme end of South America.

Venture into incredible wildlife reserves for up-close exploration
Tuck deep into fjords and venture into seldom-explored channels that are only accessible by expedition ship. Here you’ll discover the bright blue glaciers and near-mythic wildness. Explore vast areas of snowcapped mountains, gigantic glaciers, thousands of islands covered with vegetation, lakes, soaring granite walls, and waterfalls provides days of spectacular adventure. And through our worldwide network of friends, we’ve arranged to explore wildlife reserves to see the wildlife of the Patagonian steppes. Look for Magellanic penguins, Andean condors, Austral parakeets, foxes, sea lions, elephant seals, and more.

Explore Argentina's seldom-seen Isla de los Estados
By special permission, our ship will call at Isla de los Estados, a wild island largely untouched by humans in decades, it has only a naval outpost with four guardians. Walk its wild beech forests, look for penguins, see the replica of the 1884 San Juan de Salvamento “lighthouse at the end of the world,” which inspired Jules Verne’s novel by the same name, plus explore the ruins of a penal colony. Weather permitting, take a Zodiac cruise around Observatory Island, one of the largest, most diverse and most important bird nesting colonies of the region and a haven for sea lions and fur seals.

Actively explore: Hike, kayak & Zodiac cruise

You’ll get out on adventures often in Patagonia. Explore the towering fjords by Zodiac and kayak; hike to the terminus of massive glaciers; walk the spongy, vegetation-covered ground surrounded by the immensity of a wild pristine landscape. Because Orion has a fleet of both Zodiacs and kayaks, the entire expedition community can embark at once on forays, no waiting around for returning parties. You’ll have a choice of activities each day, and the option to join any naturalist whose interests mirror yours. Your choices also include opting to enjoy the view from the ship's deck and the many fine observation spaces aboard ship. You can visit the fitness center with its panoramic windows, or ease into the sauna, or have a massage in the wellness center.

Take advantage of  superb photo ops
You’ll have a National Geographic photographer as your traveling companion, to inspire you and provide tips in the field. And the services of a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor, as well––to help you turn your point-and-shoot camera into an aim & create. You’ll find no end of subjects, and the help you need to return home with your best photos ever.