Aerial view of the colorful houses on the city's hills of Valparaiso, Chile.
Traditional stilt houses know as palafitos in the city of Castro at Chiloe Island in Chile.
Sendero El Tepual footpath at Chiloe National Park - Chiloe Island, Chile.
The Moai, carved human figures with oversized heads on Easter Island, Chile, South America.
Two Magellanic Penguins in Los Pingüinos Natural Monument,  Magdalena Island, Magallanes, Strait of Magellan, Chile.
Aerial view of the colorful houses on the city's hills of Valparaiso, Chile.
ExpeditionsChile's Wild Pacific: Patagonia, Juan Fernández and Easter Island

Chile's Wild Pacific: Patagonia, Juan Fernández and Easter Island

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Sail from the fjords, forests and volcanic landscapes of Chilean Patagonia into the vast South Pacific on a voyage linking remote islands, remarkable wildlife and rich maritime cultures. Explore the ancient alerce forests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, the colorful port city of Valparaíso and the isolated Juan Fernández Archipelago, where endemic species and dramatic volcanic landscapes thrive far from the mainland. Along the way, search for whales, dolphins, seabirds and sea lions while exploring rugged coastlines by Zodiac. The voyage culminates on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), where towering moai and ancient ceremonial sites reveal the ingenuity and enduring legacy of the Rapa Nui people.

Highlights

A guest photographs the great stone heads on the slopes of Ranu Raraku, which was the quarry for all the carved heads, or moai, on Easter Island, Chile
  • Walk among the monumental moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) alongside archaeologists who reveal the history, symbolism and engineering behind Polynesia’s most iconic cultural sites

  • Explore the remote Juan Fernández Archipelago, including Robinson Crusoe and Alejandro Selkirk Islands, rich in endemic wildlife, volcanic landscapes and castaway history

  • Discover the ancient alerce forests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, one of the largest protected wilderness areas in Chilean Patagonia

  • Search for whales, dolphins, penguins, seabirds and sea lions while sailing Chile’s rugged Pacific coast and wildlife-rich offshore islands

  • Experience the vibrant maritime culture and UNESCO-listed hillsides of Valparaíso, one of South America’s most colorful historic port cities

duration
17 Days
starts at
Puerto Montt, Chile
ends at
Santiago, Chile

View our brochure for more details

Explorations

2026-2028
Voyages
Talk to an Expedition Specialist1.800.397.3348
duration
17 Days
starts at
Puerto Montt, Chile
ends at
Santiago, Chile

View our brochure for more details

Explorations

2026-2028
Voyages
duration
17 Days
starts at
Puerto Montt, Chile
ends at
Santiago, Chile

View our brochure for more details

Explorations

2026-2028
Voyages

Itinerary


Starts atPuerto Montt, Chile
Ends atSantiago, Chile

Day 1

Puerto Montt, Chile / Embark Ship

Arrive in Puerto Montt, Chile and embark the ship.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 1

Puerto Montt, Chile / Embark Ship

Arrive in Puerto Montt, Chile and embark the ship.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2

Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park

Spanning 750,000 protected acres in Chilean Patagonia, Pumalín National Park is one of the last areas where the unusual alerce forest remains. These huge trees compare in size and age to California redwoods, with some specimens reaching 2,000 years old. The Pumalín Project was established in 1995 by the late American conservationist Doug Tompkins, who wanted to preserve some of the remaining virgin forest in Chile. Walk through the forest with naturalists, visit a hidden waterfall or climb along a rushing stream and look for forest birds along the trail. In the afternoon, head for the Golfo de Corcovado in search of Magellanic penguins, sooty shearwaters, dolphins and—with luck—whales.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park

Spanning 750,000 protected acres in Chilean Patagonia, Pumalín National Park is one of the last areas where the unusual alerce forest remains. These huge trees compare in size and age to California redwoods, with some specimens reaching 2,000 years old. The Pumalín Project was established in 1995 by the late American conservationist Doug Tompkins, who wanted to preserve some of the remaining virgin forest in Chile. Walk through the forest with naturalists, visit a hidden waterfall or climb along a rushing stream and look for forest birds along the trail. In the afternoon, head for the Golfo de Corcovado in search of Magellanic penguins, sooty shearwaters, dolphins and—with luck—whales.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Castro (Chiloé Island)

Spend the day exploring Chiloé Island, which is known for its unique palafitos, colorful fishermen’s houses precariously built on stilts along the water’s edge, as well as its wooden churches, collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Castro has shops and a large open-air market where the Chileans show their wares, such as alpaca sweaters and lapis jewelry. You may choose a trip to Chiloé National Park to see its forests, wetlands and wildlife, with a selection of longer or shorter walks. Alternatively, visit some of the welcoming small communities that dot the countryside and learn about their traditional rural way of life.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Castro (Chiloé Island)

Spend the day exploring Chiloé Island, which is known for its unique palafitos, colorful fishermen’s houses precariously built on stilts along the water’s edge, as well as its wooden churches, collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Castro has shops and a large open-air market where the Chileans show their wares, such as alpaca sweaters and lapis jewelry. You may choose a trip to Chiloé National Park to see its forests, wetlands and wildlife, with a selection of longer or shorter walks. Alternatively, visit some of the welcoming small communities that dot the countryside and learn about their traditional rural way of life.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

At Sea

Spend the day at sea editing photos alongside a Certified Photo Instructor or listening to a lecture by our Expedition Team. Visit the Bridge to spend some time spotting wildlife along the coast or take advantage of the wellness area onboard.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

At Sea

Spend the day at sea editing photos alongside a Certified Photo Instructor or listening to a lecture by our Expedition Team. Visit the Bridge to spend some time spotting wildlife along the coast or take advantage of the wellness area onboard.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Mocha Island National Reserve

Explore the rugged coastline of Mocha Island with exceptional close-up access to sea caves, rocky outcrops, and wildlife-rich shores. Search for seabirds, sea lions, and dolphins while navigating the island’s remote Pacific waters. Hike through windswept landscapes and native forest, offering a deeper perspective on the island’s unique ecology and isolation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Mocha Island National Reserve

Explore the rugged coastline of Mocha Island with exceptional close-up access to sea caves, rocky outcrops, and wildlife-rich shores. Search for seabirds, sea lions, and dolphins while navigating the island’s remote Pacific waters. Hike through windswept landscapes and native forest, offering a deeper perspective on the island’s unique ecology and isolation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Isla Santa Maria

Explore the shores of Isla Santa María by Zodiac to get a rare glimpse into one of Chile’s lesser-visited island ecosystems. Observe seabirds, sea lions and migrating species along the island’s rugged Pacific coastline. Land ashore for a coastal hike through rolling landscapes, fishing settlements and native vegetation shaped by centuries of maritime tradition and isolation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Isla Santa Maria

Explore the shores of Isla Santa María by Zodiac to get a rare glimpse into one of Chile’s lesser-visited island ecosystems. Observe seabirds, sea lions and migrating species along the island’s rugged Pacific coastline. Land ashore for a coastal hike through rolling landscapes, fishing settlements and native vegetation shaped by centuries of maritime tradition and isolation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Valparaíso

In Valparaíso, spend the day immersed in one of South America’s most colorful and culturally vibrant port cities. Weave through the city’s historic hills, lively markets, and maze-like streets lined with celebrated murals, cafés, and restored funiculars overlooking the Pacific. Learn more about the maritime heritage, and architectural character that earned Valparaíso UNESCO World Heritage status.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Valparaíso

In Valparaíso, spend the day immersed in one of South America’s most colorful and culturally vibrant port cities. Weave through the city’s historic hills, lively markets, and maze-like streets lined with celebrated murals, cafés, and restored funiculars overlooking the Pacific. Learn more about the maritime heritage, and architectural character that earned Valparaíso UNESCO World Heritage status.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

At Sea

Spend the day at sea, attending expert talks from your expedition team, relaxing with a book in the lounge or taking in the ever-changing ocean views from the Bridge and observation deck. As the ship makes its way across the Pacific, keep watch for whales and other marine life that may surface in these vast waters.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

At Sea

Spend the day at sea, attending expert talks from your expedition team, relaxing with a book in the lounge or taking in the ever-changing ocean views from the Bridge and observation deck. As the ship makes its way across the Pacific, keep watch for whales and other marine life that may surface in these vast waters.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Robinson Crusoe Island

Explore one of the South Pacific’s most remote and storied islands, long celebrated for its dramatic landscapes, endemic wildlife, and connection to the legend of Robinson Crusoe. Echoing the spirit of classic expedition voyages to the archipelago, the day combines Zodiac exploration along rugged volcanic coastlines with guided walks through lush forests, scenic ridgelines and the island’s small maritime community of San Juan Bautista. Naturalist guides interpret the island’s extraordinary biodiversity, including rare endemic plant and bird species found nowhere else on Earth, while sharing the history of early explorers, shipwrecks and resilient island culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Robinson Crusoe Island

Explore one of the South Pacific’s most remote and storied islands, long celebrated for its dramatic landscapes, endemic wildlife, and connection to the legend of Robinson Crusoe. Echoing the spirit of classic expedition voyages to the archipelago, the day combines Zodiac exploration along rugged volcanic coastlines with guided walks through lush forests, scenic ridgelines and the island’s small maritime community of San Juan Bautista. Naturalist guides interpret the island’s extraordinary biodiversity, including rare endemic plant and bird species found nowhere else on Earth, while sharing the history of early explorers, shipwrecks and resilient island culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Alejandro Selkirk Island

Remote and rarely visited, Alejandro Selkirk Island offers a true expeditionary experience at the outer edge of the South Pacific. Conditions permitting, guests explore the island’s dramatic volcanic coastline exclusively by Zodiac, navigating beneath towering cliffs, sea caves and rugged headlands shaped by wind and ocean over millennia. The surrounding waters are rich with seabirds and marine life, while naturalist guides interpret the island’s extraordinary isolation, endemic ecosystems and connection to the legendary castaway history of the Juan Fernández Archipelago.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Alejandro Selkirk Island

Remote and rarely visited, Alejandro Selkirk Island offers a true expeditionary experience at the outer edge of the South Pacific. Conditions permitting, guests explore the island’s dramatic volcanic coastline exclusively by Zodiac, navigating beneath towering cliffs, sea caves and rugged headlands shaped by wind and ocean over millennia. The surrounding waters are rich with seabirds and marine life, while naturalist guides interpret the island’s extraordinary isolation, endemic ecosystems and connection to the legendary castaway history of the Juan Fernández Archipelago.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 11-15

At Sea

Enjoy time at sea, attending expert presentations, connecting with fellow travelers and taking advantage of the ship’s exceptional amenities. Relax in the sauna or infinity hot tubs, visit the Bridge for wildlife sightings and take in the vast expanse of the Pacific as your expedition team shares insights into the islands and cultures ahead.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 11-15

At Sea

Enjoy time at sea, attending expert presentations, connecting with fellow travelers and taking advantage of the ship’s exceptional amenities. Relax in the sauna or infinity hot tubs, visit the Bridge for wildlife sightings and take in the vast expanse of the Pacific as your expedition team shares insights into the islands and cultures ahead.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16

Easter Island (Rapa Nui), French Polynesia

Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava fields and sweeping grasslands to discover the colossal moai statues–the astonishing legacy of a long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine these statues and discuss their meaning and creation. Visit burial sites, quarries and intricately carved ceremonial altars.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16

Easter Island (Rapa Nui), French Polynesia

Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava fields and sweeping grasslands to discover the colossal moai statues–the astonishing legacy of a long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine these statues and discuss their meaning and creation. Visit burial sites, quarries and intricately carved ceremonial altars.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) / Disembark Ship / Santiago

Disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Santiago, Chile. Arrive in Santiago and connect to late-night homebound flights.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) / Disembark Ship / Santiago

Disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Santiago, Chile. Arrive in Santiago and connect to late-night homebound flights.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Expedition Team

Our captains, crew, staff and guides make up the most experienced team in the industry—committed to making every voyage unforgettable. Veteran captains, with decades at sea, are experts at navigating in all conditions, while seasoned naturalists bring advanced knowledge in fields such as geology, wildlife biology and climate science. Many of these professionals have been with us for decades, and their insights bring each destination to life in ways that profoundly enrich your journey. Their expertise is the foundation for the meaningful and transformative experiences we offer in the world’s most extraordinary places.

Captain Andrew Cook with guests and Staff on the Bridge of National Geographic Venture, Baja California, Mexico

Special Offers

View our brochure for more details

Explorations

2026-2028
Voyages

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