Chile - North to South

Travel to the north and the small oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, a gateway to the barren but beautiful Atacama Desert.

Hotel Nayara Alto Atacama is set at the base of the Salt Mountains in the fertile Katarpe Valley and built in a traditional adobe settlement style. Designed to recreate an ancient Altiplanic village, the hotel blends seamlessly into the terracotta coloured backdrop. Experience the tranquillity and silence from one of the hotel’s wonderful outdoor lounge spaces as you gaze at the endless night sky and twinkling stars.

Atacama is a magical area of lunar landscapes, adobe-built indigenous villages and vast salt flats.

Watch the sunset over the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), spot vibrant pink flamingos and travel high into the altiplano. You can also marvel at perfect lagoons framed by volcanoes or El Tatio Geysers.

As the sun rises over this barren area, be awed by the huge funnels of steam escaping from bubbling pools. Soak in thermal baths surrounded by silence or indulge in a treatment at the Puri Spa, one of the finest in Latin America.

Journey high into the altiplano to visit the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, set on the furthest end of Los Flamencos National Reserve.

The mesmerising combination of desert, mountains and lagoons results from the harsh climate and dramatically beautiful setting beneath the shadow of the towering volcanoes. An area of natural richness, the altiplano is home to a variety of wildlife, including the horned coot, crested duck, yellow-billed pintail, speckled teal, Chilean flamingo, Andean seagull, silvery grebe and Baird’s sandpiper.

En route back to San Pedro, visit the traditional town of Socaire, taking the opportunity to see the Altiplanic church.

Travel from the far north to the far south of the country: the town of Punta Arenas, gateway to Patagonia.

Ideal for an overnight stay, this remote outpost is easy to navigate, with most landmarks and museums a short distance from the main Plaza de Armas. Walk to Mirador la Cruz viewpoint for a good panorama of the multi-coloured buildings in downtown and the seemingly endless landscapes.

Discover the magic and natural beauty of the Chilean Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego for the next four nights aboard your Australis cruise. On this remarkable and unforgettable expedition, visit some of the world’s remotest areas, including Cape Horn (the southernmost point of the Americas) en route to Ushuaia in Argentina.

Your Australis ship is specially designed for comfort, with an expert crew and guides. Get up close to wildlife such as penguins, seabirds such as albatrosses and sea lions. And along the way, view dramatic sunsets, majestic glaciers and picture-perfect snow-capped mountains.

Navigate through the Strait of Magellan to Almirantazgo Sound and the landing point of Ainsworth Bay. Sited within Alberto De Agostini National Park, this is the perfect spot to view the Marinelli Glacier and explore between the scattered pancake ice by zodiac boat.

On land, visit the subpolar Magellan Forest to visit the beaver dam for possible sightings. There's also a chance of spotting southern elephant seals, although the colony movements are somewhat unpredictable. At Tucker Islet, get up close to a colony of inquisitive Magellanic penguins, a species indigenous to the southern hemisphere.

Traverse the northwest part of the Beagle Channel to reach Pia Fjord. Here, you'll take a short hike to the panoramic viewpoint for a spectacular view of Pia Glacier. Embedded within the Darwin Range, this majestic glacier displays many shades of blue. Listen out for the deafening sound of calving as huge chunks of ice tumble into the still waters.

Continue through the Beagle Channel, taking in the landscapes and the awe-inspiring ‘Glacier Alley’ – España (Spain), Francia (France), Alemania (Germany), Holanda (Holland) and Italia (Italy).

Sail through the Murray Channel, landing at Wulaia Bay, the site of one of the region’s largest Yamaana Aboriginal settlements. The famous Charles Darwin landed here in 1833 during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. Meander through the Magellan Forest of lengas, coigües, canelos and ferns to reach a panoramic viewpoint.

The legendary Cape Horn, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is one of the cruise's highlights. Weather permitting, you'll get to visit the monument (marking the southernmost point of the Americas).

Explore the city on a scenic tour that incorporates many of its highlights, from the Plaza de Mayo and the Presidential Palace (the pink house) to the bohemian, cobblestone streets of San Telmo.

La Boca is home to the famous football team Boca Juniors and the iconic, colourful 'caminito' houses emblematic of this vibrant city. Finish the short tour with a visit to the upmarket Recoleta district and the cemetery where Eva Peron is buried.

By evening, enjoy a sensual tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel, where the evocative dancers perform their skilful dancing.