Silversea Luxury Cruises À PUNTA ARENAS

Experience the daily lives and activities on an authentic estancia in Chilean Patagonia during this picturesque, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Punta Arenas, Patagonian Pampas, Rio Verde, Estancia Olga Teresa

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive northwest along the endless Patagonian pampas en route to the charming community of Rio Verde, and a visit to Estancia Olga Teresa. This estancia dates from 1920, and is still owned by the English- and French-speaking descendants of the original owner's family. A visit here offers a unique opportunity to learn about the daily life and activities of the huaso (cowboy), and a bit about the history of the people from the Chilean Patagonia.

Guided Estancia Tour, Chilean Cowboys, Horse Roundup with Sheepdogs, Sheep-Shearing

Upon arrival to the farm, you are welcomed by the property's owner and family, and escorted on a guided walking tour highlighting the various activities that take place on the farm. Observe Chilean cowboys (huasos) demonstrate their skills in rounding up a herd of sheep with their well-trained horses and dogs, and offer excellent photo opportunities by bringing the herd to a stop directly in front of a lucky guest. Additional highlights include the amazing kelpie dog, who always entertains visitors with his speed and agility, and a sheep-shearing demonstration conducted in the barn.

Palomares Mountains, Condors, Patagonian Barbecue Lunch

In addition to the farming activities on the ranch, you can observe the nearby Palomares Mountains in the distance, home to an impressive colony of condors nesting in the upper-reaches of caves. Close-range encounters with these mighty birds are few-and-far between. However, those fortunate enough to participate on this tour, and fit enough to reach the upper levels of the hills, may be treated to a look at these majestic birds. Following your tour, proceed for a typical Patagonian barbecue lunch served al fresco, and accompanied by a Pisco sour, Chilean wine and splendid views of your surrounds. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Discover the life and times of those who choose to make Punta Arenas their home during this visit to a local family's home and traditional BBQ. Magellanic hospitality still pervades local culture, undeterred (or perhaps nurtured by) nature's inhospitality, this city is remarkably relaxed and friendly.

Punta Arenas

Leave the pier and head for a short sightseeing drive of the city and to the observation point located at Cerro De La Cruz, where a short stop will be made to enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Straits of Magellan. Afterwards, head to a local family house to spend some time with them and learn about different topics.

Local Lunch

Upon arrival, share an aperitif and participate in the preparation of a Patagonian lamb barbecue while sharing with the hostesses and learning about the local culture, immigration stories and history of the region. Probably you will also learn the reason local people of Punta Arenas feel that they leave in an Independent Region, far from the rest of the country and even why they have their own flag.

Get to know the members of the family and enjoy a tasty home-made barbecue.

At agreed time, leave the house and head to the Main Plaza to have a look to the local monuments and also the chance to stroll at the small handicraft stalls before returning to the ship.

Explore one of the largest penguin colonies in southern Chile during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion to Magdalena Island.

Laredo Bay, Boat-Ride, Strait of Magellan and Magdalena Island

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to Laredo Bay. Upon arrival, embark your motorboat for the approximately one-hour ride to Magdalena Island via the Strait of Magellan. Magdalena Island is located in the middle of the Strait of Magellan, approximately 22 miles (about 35.4 kilometres) north of Punta Arenas.

Magdalena Island

Magdalena Island was declared a National Park in 1966, and re-classified as a Natural Monument in 1982. The aim is to protect the avifauna of the island, such as Magellan penguins, cormorants and seagulls, among others. This island constitutes one of the largest penguin colonies in southern Chile, with a population estimated at more than 50,000 pairs of Magellan Penguins, which is more than 95% of the bird-life bio-mass in the area.

Nature Hike, Penguins, Seabirds and Boat-Ride

Upon arrival, disembark your boat for a guided, approximately one-hour hike along well-marked trails to avoid disturbing the local avifauna. Along the way, observe large numbers of penguins and other birds. Following your trek, embark your motorboat and relax with a snack and a tasty pisco sour before heading back to Laredo Bay. After disembarking the boat, you may opt to re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier, or be dropped off in the downtown area near the pier for shopping and further exploration, and return to the ship on your own.

Discover the past to present in Punta Arenas during this half-day outing. Punta Arenas, with a population of 110,000, is the capital of the Magallanes and Antarctic Region, and it is Patagonia's most important city; its streets hum with activity and its airport and seaports bustle with traffic. The town has made a living from coal mines, wool production, oil, fishing, and as a service centre for cargo ships.

Cerro De La Cruz

The tour commences with a drive from the pier through the city of Punta Arenas to the observation point located at Cerro De La Cruz, where a short stop will be made to enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Straits of Magellan.

Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum

Drive to the Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum, which was created by the Salesian missionaries, where exhibits illustrating the habitat and history of Patagonia's aboriginal people and the region's natural history can be seen. The museum consists of 3 floors which are only accessible by stairs and most explanations are only written in Spanish.

Patagonia Institute

Continue with a visit of Patagonia Institute, an open-air museum with horse-drawn carts, farm machinery, and other items from the golden age of Punta Arenas. Due to the Patagonia Institute being an outdoor museum it is necessary to walk around on uneven terrain in order to visit it.

Plaza de Armas

Finally drive to the city centre and visit the Plaza de Armas, where a statue of Magellan with a mermaid and two Fuegian Indians at his feet can be seen. Punta Arenas' earliest wealth is reflected in the grand stone mansions that encircle this square, which were built with earnings from the sheep ranches of the late 1800s.

Following this visit, make the return drive to the pier in order to re-join the ship.

Discover the exquisite natural topography of Chile during this full-day excursion to picturesque Torres del Paine National Park.

Torres del Paine National Park

Depart the pier for the brief transfer to the airport for your chartered, one-hour flight to Puerto Natales. Upon arrival, board a bus for the scenic, 2-hour drive north through picturesque rolling pampas and distant mountain ranges en route to Porteria Serrano, one of the entrances to Torres del Paine National Park. Your drive within the park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offers breath taking panoramic vistas in all directions. Around this area of Serrano, lunch will be served with the best views of the park.

Salto Grande Waterfall and Lunch

Drive to the Salto Grande Waterfall. Upon arrival, take an approximate 50-minute hike amidst the rugged beauty surrounding this scenic locale.

Lake Nordenskjold

Established in 1959, this 598,338-acre (242,138-hectare) park was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Your drive within the park offers incredible vistas. Along the way, a stop is made at the Lake Nordenskjold Lookout for spectacular views of the famous jagged spires that grace numerous publications.

Lastly, a stop will be made at Cerro Castillo Coffee Shop for some snacks before the drive to the Puerto Natales Airport for your return flight to the pier to re-join the ship.

Embrace the pristine natural beauty of Patagonia during a scenic and exhilarating trek in the Magallanes Nature Reserve. The Reserve takes you into the forests and mountains above Punta Arenas, offering a beautifully spent half-day of hiking with incredible scenery.

Magallanes Nature Reserve

The tour commences driving west towards the Magallanes Nature Reserve on a road that is mainly on gravel for approximately 2 miles (3.2 kms). Upon arrival at 'El Mirador', a flat and even trekking trail, begin your walk and trek for about 0.6 mile (0.96 kms), reaching the estuary of the river 'Las Minas', a place of historical significance for the area as it was the main source of coal for the first half of the 1900´s. Along the trail you can observe diverse native vegetation such as Lengas and Coigües and it may be possible to spot wildlife.

Then board your vehicle and drive towards to the entrance area of the park to start a longer and more difficult trek. Now trek up Mount Fenton for 1.2 mile (1.93 kilometres) to reach the top and enjoy from there the panoramic view over the city, the Straits of Magellan and the legendary Tierra del Fuego Island. Descend following the same trail and board your vehicles. Before driving back to the pier, enjoy a revitalizing hot coffee.

An optional drop off at the Main Plaza in Punta Arenas will be offered with an independent return to the pier.