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South American Explorer

  • Departure DateMar & Nov 2024 & Feb - Mar 2025
  • Holland America Line Oosterdam
  • 20 Nights Cruise & Stay
  • Prices From £2,999 per person

Itinerary

  • Stay 2 nights in Santiago
  • Santiago
  • Puerto Montt
  • Puerto Chacabuco
  • Punta Arenas, Chile
  • Ushuaia
  • Stanley, Falkland Islands
  • Montevideo
  • Buenos Aires
  • Stay 2 nights in Buenos Aires

South America is such a vast and varied continent, bursting with energy and a real “bucket list” destination. You’ll begin with a 2 night stay in vibrant Santiago where you will see Chile’s rich cultural heritage come to life as you visit iconic landmarks such as La Plaza de Armas and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Then set sail to revel in the rich history, culture and spectacular natural beauty of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Of course, no cruise to South America would be complete without the breathtaking experience of scenic cruising around the Chilean Fjords and Cape Horn. A 2 night stay in bustling Buenos Aires completes this trip. Experience live jazz sets, a dynamic food scene and impressive art and architecture. 

Highlights

  • FREE Buenos Aires Stay
  • FREE Valparaiso, Viña del Mar and Reñaca Tour  
  • Upgrade for only £60pp per day & get: Signature Beverage Package, Speciality Dining, Shore Excursion Discount, WiFi & Gratuities
  • Tango Show & Dinner Included

What's Included?

  • Return flights from UK (call about regional departures)
  • FREE 2 night stay in Santiago on bed & breakfast basis
  • FREE Valparaiso, Viña del Mar and Reñaca Tour
  • 14 night cruise on board Oosterdam on full board basis
  • Upgrade for only £60pp per day & get: Signature Beverage Package, Speciality Dining, Shore Excursion Discount, WiFi & Gratuities
  • 2 night stay in Buenos Aires on bed & breakfast basis
  • Tango Show & Dinner
  • Baggage allowance
  • Transfers

Prices From pp

Departure DateInteriorOceanviewBalconySuite
Mar 2024£2,999£3,099£4,079£4,239
Nov 2024£3,539£3,869£4,389£4,899
Feb 2025£3,499£3,779£4,469£5,069
Mar 2025£3,199£3,399£4,149£4,569

Price based 02 Mar & 28 Nov 2024, 16 Feb & 02 Mar 2025 flying from London, itinerary varies depending on date & also operates in reverse. Prices are subject to availability and may change out with our control. Flight supplements from regional airports will apply. For a live price for your chosen date, airport and hotels please call our Cruise Experts.

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Oosterdam

Oosterdam, a Vista-class ship, recently emerged from dry dock with exciting updates—including completely refreshed suites and new lounge, dining and entertainment venues, such as Music Walk, with Lincoln Center Stage, B.

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Itinerary for South American Explorer

Day 1 - Fly UK to Santiago

Day 2 - Enjoy Santiago

Day 3 - Enjoy Santiago

Day 4 - Embark Oosterdam in San Antonio

This large, modern port serves Chile’s capital, Santiago, a city with Spanish colonial charm and a vivacious spirit. Encircled by the Andes and the Coastal Range, Santiago is centered around the Plaza de Armas, with several of the city’s landmarks: the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral the Palacio de la Real Audencia from 1808, the City Hall and the National Museum of History. North of San Antonio lie the picturesque old port and university town of Valparaíso and the colorful seaside resort of Viña del Mar. In between the coast and the capital are valleys filled with some of Chile’s most famous wineries, all inviting you to come and taste.

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - Puerto Montt

Gateway to the scenic Lake District, a series of fragrant eucalyptus and pine forests, icy lakes, Bavarian hamlets and luminous snowcapped volcanoes. Sample shore excursions: Alerce Mountain Lodge & Lake of Reflections; Petrohué Rapids & Frutillar.

Day 7 - Puerto Chacabuco

Here in the heart of the Chilean archipelago, discover stunning scenery: dense rain forests, bright-blue lakes and snow-covered mountain peaks. Sample shore excursions: Sights of Patagonia; Lake Elizalde Adventure.

Day 8 - Cruising Chilean Fjords

Day 9 - Scenic cruising Sarmiento Channel

Day 10 - Strait of Magellan / Punta Arenas, Chile / Cockburn Channel / Beagle Channel

If Punta Arenas exudes an "edge of the world" air, it's not without reason. This windblown city near Chile's southernmost tip sits on the Strait of Magellan, which itself is positioned squarely between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The city has played—and continues to play—an important role in geographic, political and economic affairs in South America's so-called Southern Cone, which is formed by Chile and neighboring Argentina. Too many travelers rush through Punta Arenas, treating it as a pit stop on their way to the stunningly beautiful landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park and other attractions in Patagonia, but there's plenty in this city and its environs to experience, too. From penguin spotting on Isla Magdalena and kayaking the Strait of Magellan to visiting area farms and then indulging in surf-and-turf specialties (here meaning fresh seafood and asado, or Chilean barbecue) at local restaurants, Punta Arenas is worth a stopover all its own.

Day 11 - Daylight cruising Glacier Alley / Ushuaia

Dramatic, fantastical, otherworldly—this is the end of the world, for real. Positioned at the southernmost tip of Argentina, this memorable port town is cradled between the pristine—and towering—Martial Mountains and accessed by the picturesque Beagle Channel (which was named for Darwin’s famed vessel). Ushuaia is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego region, which is best described as a spectacular collection of superlative natural wonders. It’s a veritable kaleidoscope of glittering glaciers, snowcapped mountains, dense forests, sparkling lakes and windswept plains spread across an archipelago of rugged islands. The town itself is a maze of streets lined with low-slung buildings that all seem to meet at its heart, the port. Founded in 1884, the far-flung spot welcomed missionaries, gold prospectors and naval officers before becoming known primarily as a penal colony. After its closure under the infamous Argentine leader Juan Perón, the large jail was reconfigured to house one of the city’s most popular museums. Other current in-town attractions include a maritime museum and a museum dedicated to the region’s natural history, as well as restaurants preparing the marquee offering—local king crab.

Day 12 - Scenic Cruising Cape Horn

Day 13 - Stanley, Falkland Islands

The world's southernmost capital, Stanley is located in the Falklands archipelago, which consists of two main islands, East and West Falkland, along with smaller islands nearby. Stanley is proud of its British heritage, evidenced everywhere from its red telephone boxes to its pubs. The Falklands were first claimed by the English in 1765; over the centuries the Crown has had to abandon, reclaim and defend these far-flung islands from invading nations—including an Argentine foray in 1982. During the early years of their colonization, the Falklands were used as a base for ships hunting sperm whales for oil, followed by those hunting seals for fur. Today in this remote British territory, fishing and tourism are what drive the economy.

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - At Sea

Day 16 - Montevideo

Friendly and genteel, Montevideo honors colonial customs: long lunches, siestas, high tea. Nearby: Colonia del Sacramento, the oldest city in Uruguay (ca. 1680) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sample shore excursions: Colonia del Sacramento; A Gaucho's Life.

Day 17 - Buenos Aires

In the early 20th century, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gained immense wealth when it began shipping its pampas-raised beef around the world. It quickly entered the club of great world cities, and a slew of attractions and architectural jewels soon arose. Since that time, the capital has experienced huge swings in economic and political fortune. But Buenos Aires continues to fascinate and entertain sightseeing visitors, both for its chaotic energy and for its sheer urban beauty. Thankfully, the Belle Époque grandeur and enormous tracts of greenery remain. Any list of things to do in Buenos Aires would begin with its many walkable neighborhoods; Palermo especially stands out, thanks to creative residents who have pushed the restaurant scene well beyond beef. Porteños—as the locals are called—may be of Spanish, Italian, Jewish or Middle Eastern descent; that mix of cultures is reflected in the city's dialect, foods and pastimes. Looking beyond the city's sights, Buenos Aires is known as the birthplace of tango, and while the music and dance never quite went away, today tango is making a resurgence. Fans come here from around the world to take part in or watch the milongas (dance events). Argentines are world leaders in polo as well, and as the sport captures the interest of more and more travelers, hunky players like Nacho are gaining global celebrity.

Day 18 - Buenos Aires / Enjoy Buenos Aires

In the early 20th century, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gained immense wealth when it began shipping its pampas-raised beef around the world. It quickly entered the club of great world cities, and a slew of attractions and architectural jewels soon arose. Since that time, the capital has experienced huge swings in economic and political fortune. But Buenos Aires continues to fascinate and entertain sightseeing visitors, both for its chaotic energy and for its sheer urban beauty. Thankfully, the Belle Époque grandeur and enormous tracts of greenery remain. Any list of things to do in Buenos Aires would begin with its many walkable neighborhoods; Palermo especially stands out, thanks to creative residents who have pushed the restaurant scene well beyond beef. Porteños—as the locals are called—may be of Spanish, Italian, Jewish or Middle Eastern descent; that mix of cultures is reflected in the city's dialect, foods and pastimes. Looking beyond the city's sights, Buenos Aires is known as the birthplace of tango, and while the music and dance never quite went away, today tango is making a resurgence. Fans come here from around the world to take part in or watch the milongas (dance events). Argentines are world leaders in polo as well, and as the sport captures the interest of more and more travelers, hunky players like Nacho are gaining global celebrity.

Day 19 - Enjoy Buenos Aires

Day 20 - Fly Buenos Aires to UK

Fly Buenos Aires to UK / Arrive UK

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