Viking Oceans Cruises – South America & the Chilean Fjords (Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Chile) 18 Days

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital, is an eclectic combination of Latin and European influences. The tree-lined streets and postcolonial architecture draw on the city’s Spanish, French and Italian heritage, while the many cafés and bodegas and vibrant nightlife are decidedly Argentine. Its barrios, or neighborhoods, exude an intimate atmosphere that belies the city’s size. Full of bohemian flair, historic San Telmo’s cobblestone streets and Belle Époque–style buildings reverberate with the mesmerizing melodies of the tango.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires boasts one of the liveliest cultural scenes in the world. The stately Kirchner Cultural Center, the largest of its kind in Latin America, and the internationally renowned Colón Theater host some of the world’s most highly recognized symphony orchestras. The National Museum of Fine Arts houses an impressive collection of works by European impressionists, while the Museum of Latin American Art focuses on 20th- and 21st-century Latino artists. Buenos Aires is also home to hundreds of bookstores and libraries, affording it the nickname “City of Books.”

Shore Excursions – Highlights of Buenos Aires
Duration: 4 hours
Experience the diverse communities of Buenos Aires during a scenic tour and learn about the city’s early settlers. Around the Plaza de Mayo, see the city’s major public buildings such as the Cabildo, Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral and the rose-colored presidential palace. Stop to visit the El Zanjón de Granados, a museum housed in a 200-year-old mansion above a set of tunnels that date back to Buenos Aires’ early settlements. Discovered at the end of the 20th century, it took 17 years to restore the structure that can be seen today. Cap your tour with a stop in La Boca, the capital’s most colorful neighborhood. When immigrants began to pour into Argentina, many of the older houses became conventillos, tenements that housed European families. Today, La Boca’s vibrant cityscape is marked by the brightly painted houses and corrugated iron roofs of El Caminito.

Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo enjoys a scenic setting on the Plata River. The Portuguese were the first to settle here, seeking a strategic advantage near open ocean. But Spain, already having established Buenos Aires nearby, expelled them in 1724. This was the beginning of the golden era of Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja, or Old City: Within its walls, some of the most impressive colonial-era buildings were built, from the parliamentary Legislative Council building to the stunning Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral. The wall has long since disappeared, but the character of old Montevideo remains.

Shore Excursions – Discover Montevideo & Carnival Museum
Duration: 3 hours
Admire Montevideo’s landmarks, parks and gardens, then enjoy a visit to the Carnival Museum and murga performance. Take a panoramic drive to Independence Square. See the monument dedicated to national hero José Gervasio Artigas, the Government House and the Solís Theater, before continuing along Avenida 18 de Julio to the Legislative Palace, an impressive building made of Uruguayan marble. Equally impressive is the Batlle y Ordóñez Park, where you will find the La Carreta Monument, the Constituents’ Obelisk and the Centenario Stadium, where soccer’s first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930. Return to the Ciudad Vieja for a visit to the Carnival Museum, an institution that showcases artifacts and preserves the traditions of this beloved festival. Admire the exhibits and enjoy a lively performance of murga, a popular form of musical theater, accompanied by a snack and refreshment.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Puerto Madryn is Argentina’s second-largest fishing port. In the mid-19th century, the Argentine government encouraged European emigration to remote Patagonian territories. But the heritage of the original immigrants lives on in the region’s distinctive windmills and chapels. Several towns have retained their Welsh names; Puerto Madryn was named for the estate of Sir Love Jones-Parry, one of the colony’s founders. Today, the city is the gateway to the scenic Peninsula Valdés, an important nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Shore Excursions – History of Puerto Madryn by Foot
Duration: 3 hours
Appreciate the architectural styles and history on display in Puerto Madryn during a guided excursion. Depart from the pier with your guide, who will lead you past some of the prominent buildings. Your first stop is the Monument to the Welsh Settlers, where you will gain insight into the arrival of these settlers to Puerto Madryn and their lasting impact on the area. Then, embark on a scenic drive to the Tehuelche Indian Monument, honoring the Indigenous people of Argentine Patagonia. Created by the sculptor Luis Perlotti, it depicts a Tehuelche Indian looking toward the Atlantic Ocean. Pause for photographs, then continue to the Toschke House, a historic building that is now home to the Welsh Association of Puerto Madryn. Here, you will enjoy a taste of Welsh black cake, a classic Patagonian dessert, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Shore Excursions – Sea Lions at Punta Loma & Ecocenter
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Observe a colony of sea lions, then learn about Patagonia’s marine ecosystems during an informative museum visit. Embark on a drive by motor coach along the coast to the Punta Loma Nature Reserve. This sanctuary is home to a year-round colony of up to 600 South American sea lions; each of them can weigh up to 700 pounds. Upon arrival, disembark and walk the gravel path to the observation deck, where you will be able to view the sea lions lounging on the nearby beach below the cliffs. After time for photographs, return to your coach and continue to the Puerto Madryn Ecocenter Museum. Here, you will have an opportunity to browse the exhibits and video presentations dedicated to the study of marine ecosystems, as well as attend a scientist’s informative lecture about the preservation and conservation of Patagonia’s migratory species. Afterward, you will return to your ship.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed “there be dragons” beyond the ocean’s horizon. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory comprising almost 800 small islands. Visitors to the main island of East Falkland, from curious travelers to expedition ship crews en route to Antarctica, experience British warmth in Port Stanley’s pubs and at the charming Victorian stone church. Remarkably, there are about 200 sheep for every person in this starkly beautiful archipelago, yet the Falklands are also known for their biological diversity. Five penguin species call the islands home, from the king penguins to the gentoo, and the Magellanic on farther shores.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Gypsy Cove
Duration: 2 hours
Explore the rugged natural beauty and local wildlife of the Falklands during a visit to Gypsy Cove. Board your motor coach and listen as an audio guide provides a brief overview of life in the Falklands during the short drive to this scenic spot: a walking trail overlooking a wind-sheltered stretch of white-sand beach and Port Stanley’s most accessible National Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, meet your guide who will direct you to the start of the path. Join a guided tour or follow at your own pace, enjoying sweeping views of your surroundings. Keep watch for Magellanic penguins and other species of birds such as upland geese and rock cormorants. Stop at three viewing platforms along the way, where knowledgeable guides will explain the local flora and fauna as well as offer personal insight into island life. After, board your coach for the return journey to your ship.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean
The nutrient-rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean are home to more than half of the world’s fisheries, annually providing millions of tons of fish and other marine species for human consumption and industrial purposes. As you sail today, relax in the Explorers’ Lounge, inspired by epic journeys of discovery. Marvel at the views through the two-story panoramic windows as you share a cocktail with friends, or settle down to read a book.

Scenic Sailing: Cape Horn
Rising above the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans converge, Cape Horn, named for the Dutch city of Hoorn in The Netherlands, is part of the Hermite Islands archipelago. This remote, stark and treeless place is often considered the continent’s southernmost point. Soaring from Hornos Island is an enormous prehistoric-looking massif of Jurassic volcanic rock. Atop, stands its historic lighthouse near the water’s edge. A beacon of assurance and safety for countless sailors since 1991, it is the world’s southernmost traditional-style lighthouse.

Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Its splendid setting, tucked between the Beagle Channel and the southernmost slopes of the Andes, lends it an outpost atmosphere, as do the Antarctic explorers readying for the expeditions that depart from here. Ushuaia is the capital of and gateway to the celebrated Tierra del Fuego, the “Land of Fire,” named by Spaniards upon seeing the constant flames burned by the indigenous Yámana to keep warm. This largely unspoiled region comprises the large island of Tierra del Fuego and countless Chilean and Argentine islands.

Shore Excursions – Snapshots of Ushuaia
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Discover the intriguing history and scenic views of Ushuaia, the “City at the End of the World.” Embark your coach for a tour of the downtown area and see the city’s iconic landmarks including the Government House—with its distinctive peaked roof—the End of the World Museum. At the Plaza Islas Malvinas, visit the bronze mural that stands as a memorial to Argentinian soldiers who died in the Falklands War and see the Old Cemetery. Drive through La Mission neighborhood and head to the Old Prison of Ushuaia, which occupies remnants of the old presidio. The city’s remoteness made it an ideal location for a prison, and the first inmates arrived in 1896. Designed to hold 380 prisoners, its cramped cells housed 800 by the time of its closing in 1947—many of them repeat offenders or political prisoners. Enjoy a guided tour of the museum before returning to the ship.

Punta Arenas, Chile
Punta Arenas was founded as a penal colony by Chile in 1848. Nestled amid spectacular mountain vistas on the eastern shores of the Brunswick Peninsula, it played host to mariners crossing the continent by ship. Europeans followed, searching for newly discovered gold and establishing vast swaths of sheep farms locally and throughout the surrounding region. Over time, Punta Arenas became one of Chile’s most important ports as, before the opening of the Panama Canal, it laid on the northernmost transcontinental shipping route.

Shore Excursions – Punta Arenas by Foot
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
Discover the frontier spirit of Punta Arenas, the largest city in southern Patagonia. Meet your guide and walk to the Ancud monument, dedicated to the schooner that carried the first settlers here in 1843. Stop at the historic pier to see a large colony of cormorants and observe their interesting behavior. Head toward the city center along the pleasant Colón Avenue, where you will find several neoclassical mansions including the Municipal Theater, the Braun Menéndez Museum and the Sara Braun Palace—each a reminder of the wool boom that brought business and immigrants here at the turn of the 20th century. Arrive at Plaza de Armas to see the monument to Ferdinand Magellan, the explorer who first sailed these waters, and explore the handicraft market. Climb to the Cerro de la Cruz observation deck for panoramic views of the city before returning to your ship.

Scenic Sailing: Amalia Glacier
The Amalia Glacier, part of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, is a marvel of nature. This massive glacier skirts the northern rise of the Reclus volcano located behind it, slowly eroding the hulking mound’s slopes. Amalia’s ice floe journeyed here millennia ago from the heights of the Andes—a fractional segment of one of the world’s largest continuous ice fields, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. In the vicinity, Andean condors and cormorants soar above, and marine otters reside in the waters below.

Scenic Sailing: Chilean Fjords
A pristine paradise of soaring peaks, countless lush islands teeming with wildlife and a tapestry of glaciers and rivers spilling into shimmering waters, the fjords of Chile are heralded as one of the most rugged and untamed places on earth. The crystal waters are a breathtaking sight as they journey through vast ice fields, towering mountainsides and serene fishing villages that hug tranquil shores against backdrops of dramatic forested hills.

Puerto Montt, Chile
Puerto Montt is considered the capital of the nation’s Northern Patagonia province. The city was founded in 1853 after government-sponsored immigration brought Germans here to populate and develop the remote region. By 1912, a train linked Puerto Montt to Santiago, opening up trade and transport with larger cities. Beyond this cultural center, Chile’s second-largest lake, Llanquihue Lake, is watched over by the snowcapped volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco. On the lake’s shores, villages boast endless delights, magnificent gardens and charming architecture from Old Europe.

Shore Excursions – Puerto Varas & Frutillar
Duration: 4 hours
Travel through two stunning lakeside cities and discover the Germanic traditions of southern Chile. Leaving Puerto Montt, you will head toward Puerto Varas, situated 12 miles away. This “City of Roses” overlooks Llanquihue Lake, where the perpetually snowcapped Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes are perfectly reflected in the clear waters. The coastal road leads to Puerto Varas’s main square with its manicured gardens and historic monument. Your guide will point out the city’s main features, including the German heritage evident in the traditional wood architecture of its buildings. After free time to explore, continue to Frutillar, a hamlet founded by German settlers in 1856. Enjoy a short walk, witnessing the sight of half-timbered homes boasting window boxes full of colorful flowers, then return to your ship.

Shore Excursions – Leisurely Puerto Varas
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Immerse yourself in pristine nature during a panoramic drive along the stunning western shores of Llanquihue Lake. Shaped by ancient glaciers, Chile’s second-largest lake features a majestic backdrop of the perpetually snowcapped Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, which can often be seen in the reflection of its crystal-clear waters. Arrive at Puerto Varas, known as the “City of Roses,” where you can enjoy free time to sit and soak up the views across the water. Continue your scenic drive, tracing the shores of the lake to Ensenada. The views become more incredible with each passing mile, with lush green countryside, oxen-ploughed fields and weather-beaten barns. You will enjoy a second stop to pause for photos, before returning to your motor coach and back to your awaiting ship.

Sail the Pacific Ocean
Sail Mar Pacífico, meaning “peaceful sea,” dubbed by Ferdinand Magellan when he crossed these waters almost 500 years ago. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Santiago (Valparaíso), Chile
Chile’s modern capital of Santiago is one of the largest cities in the Americas. Its impressive neoclassical, neo-Gothic, art deco and other architecture spans several centuries. Santiago’s gateway, Valparaíso, is often compared to San Francisco for its many cerros, or hills. The city prospered as a major port until the opening of the Panama Canal rendered it unnecessary. Quaint Victorian-era architecture recalling its 19th-century affluence and steeply sloped barrios are linked by ascensores, or funiculars, and winding byways. From Los Cerros, the views are spectacular.

Shore Excursions – Valparaíso & Museums
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Discover the city of two halves, Valparaíso, and enjoy a short sojourn in Viña del Mar to visit the Fonck Museum. Valparaíso’s upper area, Los Cerros, is a maze of residences nestled among 42 hills, from historic villas to small dwellings. Marvel at the views from the top, overlooking the city and bay below. Gaze out over the port and its cluster of colorful houses, then visit the Baburizza Palace, admiring its important collection of artworks by European and Chilean artists. Descend to the foot of the hill for a stroll around Plaza Sotomayor and view the naval headquarters building and the solemn Monument to the Heroes of Iquique. Continue by motor coach to the resort city of Viña del Mar and visit the Fonck Museum, a former mansion featuring archaeological artifacts and historic items from the Chilean mainland and Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Shore Excursions – Historical Buildings of Viña del Mar & Panoramic Valparaíso
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Embark on a journey to discover the splendid art, culture, and history of Chile. Board your motor coach for a coastal drive to the city of Viña del Mar. Visit the Quinta Vergara Park, an oasis of greenery within the city, to witness the Vergara Palace. This stately residence was constructed in the early twentieth century and was once home to the founding family of Viña del Mar. Today, it houses an art gallery, featuring works by both national and international artists. Explore its halls before returning to your coach to enjoy a panoramic drive back to Valparaíso. Pass through charming residential areas, before stopping at Plaza Sotomayor, the heart of Valparaíso’s historic center. Take a moment to appreciate the monument commemorating the Heroes of Iquique, unveiled in 1886, before beginning the journey back to your awaiting ship.

Santiago (Valparaíso), Chile
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.