Spectular wildlife, tropical rainforests, incredible glaciers, fine wines and hypnotic dancing - with a cruise around South America you can truly experience the wonders of this stunning part of the world.
South American cruises can sail from either Buenos Aires in Argentina (Atlantic Ocean) or Valparaiso, Chile (Pacific Ocean), navigating via Cape Horn, the most southern point of South America and tend to be around 12 to 16 nights in duration.
Typical ports of call include, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas in Chile, Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn in Argentina, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands and Montevideo in Uruguay.
Puerto Montt - Chile
Lying to the north of the famous Chilean Fjords on Chile's Pacific coast. Puerto Montt’s picturesque fishing port boasts a superb market, specializing in local crafts such as handmade boots, copper work, ponchos, and woollens. Its setting amid forested hills, fjords, lakes and snow-capped Andes peaks has made it a popular resort. Sights in the town include its oldest building, Iglesia Cathedral, built in 1856, the Campanario and the Regional Museum.
Punta Arenas - Chile
Located on the western side of the Strait, Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes region and the bustling center of one of the world's largest sheep farming areas. As the best and largest port for thousands of miles, it provides a base for South Atlantic fishing boats and Antarctic research vessels.
The city centre features the impressive mansions of the sheep barons of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Palacio Sara Braun and several good museums.
Ushuaia - Argentina
Separated from mainland South America by the Straits of Magellan, Patagonia's Tierra del Fuego ('Land of Fire') is an island of ancient legend and austere grandeur. Ushuaia, set between the green Beagle Channel and snowtipped peaks, claims the title of the world's southernmost town, and its hilly streets and interesting buildings capture the distinctive flavour of a 'frontier' outpost.
Take the chairlift and a short hike to view looming Glacier Martial and a panorama of the Beagle Channel with little Ushuaia nestled by its shores below.
Cape Horn
At the southernmost point of the South American continent, in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the mighty Andes extends as a few rocky islands into Drake Passage, the Antarctic strait connecting the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans.
Horn Island's shingle beaches and steep cliffs support a variety of birds, including kelp geese, steamer ducks, and black-bowed albatross. Storms, strong currents, and icebergs make passage around Cape Horn extremely hazardous. During the era of sailing ships, hundreds of vessels were wrecked while "rounding the Horn".
Port Stanley - Falkland Islands
Attractions include the Falkland Islands Museum, Government House, built in 1845 and home to the Governor of the Falkland Islands, a golf course, and Christ Church Cathedral. Christ Church is the southernmost cathedral in the world and but the town is also known for its whalebone arch, a totem pole, several war memorials and the shipwrecks in its harbour.
From Stanley you can also visit Gypsy Cove Magellanic Penguin Colony and Cape Pembroke Lighthouse.
Puerto Madryn - Argentina
Situated snugly in a well protected bay of the Golfo Nuevo, Puerto Madryn is the Chubut region's natural access point for the plains of Patagonia, a vast area covering a third of the country, but occupied by less than four per cent of the population.
The area around Puerto Madryn was originally settled by a group of adventurous Welsh immigrants some 120 years ago. Although the town appears today unmistakably Argentine, Welsh customs, names and even some of the language have survived.
Montevideo - Uruguay
Montevideo, on the Río de la Plata on the southern coast, is home to nearly half of Uruguay's population and is the nation's only major city. There are boutique sidewalk cafés, fine restaurants, chic shops, casinos and miles of clean beaches. Many tourists visit the nearby beach resorts like Punta del Este.
Buenos Aires - Argentina
There are ample opportunities to stroll and shop in fashionable Calle Florida and Avenida Santa Fe, to test the famous tea-rooms and nightspots, and to explore further afield amid this intriguing scenario of 'Evita' and the hypnotic tango. If you have time it is possible to seek the gauchos of the Pampas and travel to the famous Iguazu Falls by air.
When to visit?
Most cruises that navigate this spectacular region tend to depart between January and May which is the summer / early autumn season in South America.
Which cruise?
Many of the major cruise lines base at least one ship in this area, including Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line.
The Cruise Specialists Pick
19 night Star Princess South American Adventure Cruise
Choose from 4 dates in 2013
14th January 2013, 28th January 2013, 9th February 2013 and 23rd February
Click on your preferred date for more details - please note 28th January and 23rd Febuary departures follow the same itinerary but in reverse order to that listed below.
Itinerary
Fly out to Santiago in Chile where you will have 2 night 4* hotel stay for you to experience this beautiful city - also included is a free Santiago City tour.
You will then embark the 4* Star Princess in Valparaiso for your 13 night voyage to Buenos Aires.
Cruise itinerary includes:
Valparaiso, Puerto Montt, Amalia Glacier, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Port Stanley, Puerto Madryn, Montevideo and then disembark in Buenos Aires.
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you will then transfer to a 4* hotel for a further 2 night stay - included is a free Buenos Aires city tour and tango show with dinner. After your stay in Buenos Aires fly back to the UK.
Fares start from £2599 per person - this is an exclusive fare for The Cruise Specialists.
For more information and alternative dates click here or freephone one of our specialist cruise team on 0800 612 8373.
