During the tour you will be able to experience the very best of the Chilean spirit. First, your bus will take you into the heart of Casablanca Valley. Since 1875 there have been vineyards in Casablanca Valley but only since the 1980’s was the true potential of the valley discovered. It was determined only recently that the soils and the conditions were in many ways similar to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California. The valley is oriented in such a way that daily ocean breezes cool the grapes on the vine and result in intensely fruity wines when properly vinified.

Here you will visit one of the wineries located in this valley. You will be shown the wine-process and will taste some of the wines they produce.

Afterwards, drive towards Puro Caballo, a unique place where you will be introduced to the “huaso” traditions of our country. First, learn about the Chilean horse, a pure breed, able to do things that no other horse races in the world can do due to its special morphology. Then, while enjoying a glass of wine or pisco sour, witness an exhibition of the skills of the “duet” man-horse in our national sport: the Chilean rodeo. A delicious typical lunch awaits for you in the restaurant locate

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Observe the abundant wildlife in the naturally beautiful Patagonian steppe, highlighted by a leisurely walk among a large colony of Magellanic penguins.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive along the New Gulf and on to rugged Punta Ninfas on the Patagonian steppe. The vegetation here is shrubby, wind-blown and an ideal wildlife habitat. Gray fox, llama-like guanacas and various species of seabirds, including oystercatchers and albatrosses, are found in this dry landscape.

Even so, penguins are the star attractions in this part of Patagonian, as you will discover from your base at El Pedral Lodge. Perched on a cliff, the lodge was built in 1904 and some of the period furnishing still remain, including the mahogany dining table.

From here, you will head to a nearby Magellanic penguin rookery for an extended walk among these highly social birds. If you hear the penguins braying like donkeys, it is simply the way they seek mates.

You can expect to see the penguins tottering about, tending to their young, interacting with each other, and perhaps hunting small fish just offshore. A group of penguins floating in the ocean is called a raft; a group on land is sometimes called a waddle because of their awkward walk.

Lunch at the lodge follows, after which you will return to the pier.

Soaring mountains, islands and a historic lighthouse are the perfect backdrop for a scenic wildlife cruise on this southernmost tip of South America. Your narrated trip takes you into the Beagle Channel, past Bird Island, where many species of birds gather, including a colony of cormorants. Cruise around Sea Wolves Island, a rocky outcrop that is home to seals and sea lions. The catamaran cruises close to the shore, offering you some great photo opportunities.

The land portion of this tour takes you through Tierra del Fuego National Park. From the rugged peaks, pristine lakes and ancient forests of the Andes to the glacier-draped shores of the famed Beagle Channel, the world's southernmost national park offers picture postcard scenes. Photo stops are made along the way, including one at the milestone marker for the End of the World (fin del mundo).

San Antonio, commune and the capital of the San Antonio Province in the Valparaíso Region. It is the hub of the fishing area that spans the Chilean coast from Rocas de Santo Domingo to Cartagena. Its port is the largest in terms of freight handled and the busiest in the western coast of South America. Continue through the central valley, crossing the coastal range on a two hour scenic journey to Santiago. Stop for a typical Chilean snack of Empanadas with local wine before arriving to Santiago. Your city tour includes the most important highlights of historic and modern Santiago, including La Moneda (Presidential Palace). Then, continue towards the Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral and through the newer residential areas of the city. Visit Los Domínicos handicraft town showing local craft. Here, you will have some time for shopping. You’ll enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant just before your tour ends at the airport.

Perfect for those with late flights, this tour allows you to see the absolute highlights of Buenos Aires before spending the afternoon watching gauchos at a working ranch and then transferring to the airport to fly home. After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely drive through Buenos Aires, taking in landmarks such as the oldest neighborhood San Talmo. You will also see Plaza de Mayo, arguably the country’s most famous square. Its name refers to the revolution that began nearby in May 1810 and led to Argentina’s independence from Spain. Some of the surrounding buildings are just as celebrated, including the salmon-colored executive mansion known as Casa Rosado and the glorious Metropolitan Cathedral. Then, it’s on to the neighborhood La Boca, where you will meander along El Caminito, a street full of expressive brightly colored buildings. Some claim the tango originated here around 1870, and tango dancers are often seen performing impromptu in the streets. Continuing on into the countryside, you will spend nearly four hours at an estancia that evokes the spirit of traditional ranching. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with traditional empanadas and a glass of wine or juice before enjoying a hearty barbeque of grass-fed Argentine beef that has been grilled to perfection. To enhance the experience, there will be a folkloric performance and gauchos will show off their prodigious skills as horsemen by riding at breakneck speed during a ring race. Following your gaucho experience, you will transfer to the Ezeiza International Airport for the flight home. Arrival time at the airport will be approximately 5:00 p.m.

OVERVIEW

Discover a world of indigenous flora and fauna at Bertha’s Beach, including numerous endemic plants and a large colony of Gentoo penguins. To reach this isolated stretch of sand, you will ride through the starkly beautiful flatlands. Stone runs comprised of boulders that have naturally accumulated in stripes are the landscape’s most prominent feature. The flatlands are home to some of the island’s most elusive waterfowl and you may spot dabbling ducks such as Chiloé wigeons and silver teals, whose characteristics the guide will describe. Seeing hundreds of Gentoo penguins that live year-round on Bertha’s Beach will be quite the spectacle, as you will see them close-up. They swim underwater faster than any other bird in the world and can reach speeds up to 22 miles per hour. However, like all penguins they waddle awkwardly on land. You may also spot sea lions and seals resting on the rock-strewn beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through the hauntingly beautiful flatlands west of Stanley.
• See stone runs, a geological phenomenon prominent in the flatlands.
• Walk among a colony of hundreds of Gentoo penguins at Bertha’s Beach.
• Look for other birds such as steamer ducks, which are endemic to the Falklands.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Punta Tombo, home to the world’s largest nesting colony of Magellanic penguins and a place that attracts wildlife researchers and conservationists from around the world.

This is the largest penguin nesting ground in continental South America and from September through April this vast rookery and breeding area hosts hundreds of thousands of Magellanic penguins. With two nurturing parents foraging at sea and taking turns with their care, chicks thrive and start fledging in January.

Magellanic penguins mate with the same partner year after year and live approximately 25 years. Males reclaim the burrow from the previous year and wait to reconnect with their mates. You’ll have time to walk among the thousands of nests and marvel at this wonder of nature and these unforgettable birds. A boxed lunch is provided.

Following your Iguazu Falls adventure, you will fly back to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel booked through NCL or independently within 8 mile radius. Guests who depart from Buenos Aires on the day of the tour cannot participate as they will not make it on time to connect with any international fight. This is an overnight tour and hotel is not included. Fly to a national park on the border of Argentina and Brazil and behold the staggering power and beauty of Iguazú Falls by walking along trails and cat walks that give you extraordinary views of this amazing natural wonder. After departing from the pier, you will transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires and fly directly to Iguazu, which lies inland near Iguazú National Park. The falls were discovered in 1541 by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and established in 1984 as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Situated in Iguazú National Park, the falls are shared by both Brazil and Argentina. The massive cascade is made up of 275 separate waterfalls that thunder down sheer cliffs in a majestic display of nature’s power. The falls are nearly twice as high and three times as wide as Niagara Falls, a fact not lost on Eleanor Roosevelt who reportedly said, “Poor Niagara,” when she beheld roaring Iguazu. You will observe this staggeringly beautiful, natural phenomenon by walking a path either above or below the falls. Both trails are extraordinary in their own way. The surrounding rainforest is equally impressive, as it is home to about 2,000 plant species and 400 bird species, including toucans, parrots and peregrine falcons.

Begin with a scenic drive to Central Station for an unforgettable trip on the Tierra del Fuego Southern Railway, Train to the End of the World. This railway uses the original narrow-gauge line that was part of the small train for prisoners that ran until 1947.

Upon arrival at the Park Station, board your coach for a drive through Tierra del Fuego National Park to Lapataia Bay, marking the end of the road which is 2,010 miles from Buenos Aires. Here, a catamaran awaits you for your return to the ship via the Beagle Channel. En route, you will see the historic lighthouse, Les Eclaireurs, as well as Seal Island, Isla de los Lobos and Island of the Birds, whose names clearly express the rich wildlife you can view from the deck on your journey back to the ship.

Depart the ship and travel out of San Antonio into the Casablanca Valley, the youngest Chilean viticulture area which boasts the perfect trilogy: climate, soil and vines. Your first stop will be at a local Winery for a tour and wine tasting.

Drive through the valley, with a stop at Estancia el Cuadro. During the welcome drinks, enjoy a folkloric music performance. You will continue tasting varietal wines during a leisurely lunch.

Then your excursion continues to Santiago for a scenic drive through Chile's capital to the beautiful handicraft village of El Pueblo de Los Domìnicos in the Las Condes district. Visit the handicraft shops to see artisans working in copper, wool, ceramics, lapis lazuli and other indigenous materials. Enjoy a stroll around this market before transferring to the Santiago Airport in time for your flight.

Valparaiso is well-known all over the world due to its impressive architecture and because it has been mentioned in world-famous books such as “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville. During the tour you will be able to experience the hilly old part of Valparaiso, as well as the impressive downtown section, and experience a ride on two of the amazing “ascensores”, or funiculars, some of them unique in the world. This tour has been designed for those who want to walk the town and want to “discover” Valparaiso more intimately.

The city consists of two completely different sections, one of them known as El Plan, referring to the lower part adjacent to the port area. Continue with a drive up the hillside where we find the other section, "Los Cerros" or "El Plan Alto". On some 42 hills we find a jumbled mass of fine mansions, tattered houses, and shacks in utter confusion spread along the narrow streets. Your first stop will be at the promenade “Paseo 21 de Mayo”. From here there is a superb view over the city and its bay. Next, your bus will descend to El Plan and you will pass by the main feature of this area which is the Plaza Sotomayor, dominated by the Naval Headquarters building and the impressive monument to the Heroes of Iquique. From here you will cross the historical business center with fine office buildings on narrow streets strung along the edge of the bay. As your bus drives along Prat avenue, you will distinguish majestic, ancient buildings belonging to some banks that do not exist anymore, such as A. Edwards and Cia. and the former Banco de Londres. Also notable is the Turri building, right at the end of the block, which has at the top a very impressive clock. Other interesting buildings worth mentioning are the El Mercurio building, the oldest newspaper in Chile still in operation, the Stock Exchange, and the Public Library.

The tour will continue through Plaza Victoria, which was the heart of all social life during the 1880’s. In front of it is possible to see the cathedral, built between 1930 and 1950. Afterwards, you will have the wonderful chance to experience a ride on one of the most picturesque funiculars of Valparaiso.

From here, your bus will take Alemania Avenue, the only one that crosses most of the Valparaiso hills. Climbing up hills, you will see the city from another point of view. You will reach “La Sebastiana”, one of the museum houses of the laureate Nobel Prize winner, Pablo Neruda. Astonishing in its construction, and also for the enormous variety of different types of objects found here. From here you will go to Cerro Alegre. Afterwards, lunch at a local restaurant. Then, you will descend in to El Plan of Valparaiso on another amazing “ascensor”. Your bus will be waiting to take you back to the ship.

Travel by 4x4 to a remote beachside nature preserve to observe and walk among a colony of King penguins, Gentoo penguins and Magellanic penguins. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a scenic two and one-half hour’s drive north to Johnson’s Harbour and then on to Volunteer Point via a 4x4 vehicle. Along the way, you may spot remnants of the 1982 Falklands War, the result of the Argentine invasion of the British-owned islands. Still, it is the natural beauty and abundant wildlife of this rugged landscape that are most impressive. Birds in particular are the attraction at Volunteer Point, a nature preserve that supports the largest concentration of King penguins in the islands. Volunteer Point is also home to a multitude of Gentoo penguins, Magellanic penguins and dozens of other avian species. As you walk along the beach, you will observe these birds interacting in their native habitat. At up to three feet tall, king penguins look regal even waddling about. Their size and bright orange coloring on their heads and beaks make them easy to distinguish from the other penguins. Gentoo penguins are smaller and sport white feather caps, while Magellanic penguins feature two distinct black stripes across their chests and often bray like donkeys. You may also see ruddy-headed geese, black-throated finches and peregrine falcons, which can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per mile. Before rejoining your vehicle and traveling back to Stanley, you will be provided a boxed lunch.