South America Cruise - Ushuaia to Cartagena

The western coast of South America is stunning, as the landscape changes drastically from region to region. This 38-day cruise will find you exploring the best of the west coast aboard the G Expedition. Begin this incredible journey at the end of the earth in Ushuaia where you’ll sail north through incredible fjords and past glaciers before heading on up to the Caribbean coast in search of tropical islands hugged by turquoise waters. Everything South America is here: explore Machu Picchu, get lost inside the Darien Jungle, ride through the Panama Canal, and loads more. Prepare yourself for an adventure that will leave you with moments you’ll cherish forever.

Day 1 Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia at any time. Arrival transfer included. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world's most southerly city.

Day 2 Ushuaia
Free morning to explore Ushuaia. Embarkation on the G Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia.

Day 3 South Pacific Ocean
Get to know your Expedition team with a day at sea. Enjoy a few introductory presentations on safety and what we may be seeing throughout the trip.

Day 4 Punta Arenas
Disembark in Punta Arenas, located on the edge of the Straight of Magellan. Choose between two full-day included options. Opt to visit the 95-year-old Estancia Olga Teresa for a taste of the Patagonian "huasos" daily life. Enjoy a country breakfast and a sheep-shearing demonstration. View a "Chilean rodeo" and savour a barbecue lunch with Chilean wine. If you prefer, opt for a city tour of Punta Arenas with a museum tour to learn more about the history of the area. After, get into the heart of the region with a hike through the Magellan Forest Reserve.

Day 5 South Pacific Ocean
Another day at sea gives you the opportunity to spend some time out on deck. Keep your camera and binoculars on hand for scenery or wildlife viewing opportunities.

Day 6 Puerto Natales
From Puerto Natales, a town of brightly coloured corrugated tin houses, enjoy a full-day tour taking in the gorgeous scenery of Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 7 Angostura Guía
Located in the Guía Narrows, explore Angostura Guía by Zodiac with expert Expedition guides.

Day 8 South Pacific Ocean
Spend time enjoying the scenery, taking part in lectures, photography and painting workshops, or relaxing on board.

Day 9 Laguna San Rafael
Explore the fjords by Zodiac. With a little luck, we may get to witness the spectacle of a calving glacier as the Zodiacs weave between ice formations. Keep an eye out for birdlife and keep your fingers crossed for whales or dolphins.

Day 10 Chacabuco
Enjoy the highlights of spectacular Chacabuco. Visit the colourful market surrounded by the scenic backdrop of the Andes. Take a 45 min drive, soaking in the scenic canyons, rivers and valleys en route to Simpson River National Reserve. Take short walks to experience nature firsthand and hop back on the bus for more scenic driving. Visit Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysen region. Visit the main plaza and handicraft market. Stop at a waterfall on the way back to the port.

Day 11 South Pacific Ocean
Spend today at sea. Choose to participate in lecture programs on board, or take the day to relax and watch the world sail past from the comfort of the lounge.

Day 12 Castro
Step off the ship to the fifth largest island in South America, Isla Chiloe. Explore the area on a full-day tour.

Day 13 South Pacific Ocean
Spend time on board with your fellow travellers, while enjoying an optional painting class or photography workshop.

Day 14 South Pacific Ocean
Spend time on board with your fellow travellers, while enjoying an optional painting class or photography workshop.

Day 15 Valparaíso
Valparaiso. Morning city tour of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Afternoon visit to the Casablanca Valley with winery tour. Some travellers may end their cruise here, while others may join this evening.

Day 16 South Pacific Ocean
Opt to spend this time at sea out on deck or join one of the lectures or painting classes.

Day 17 Caldera
Enjoy a full day of exploring picturesque Caldera. Choose between visiting local museums or a local mine. Soak in the desert scenery.

Day 18 South Pacific Ocean
Another day at sea gives you the opportunity to spend some time out on deck. Keep your cameras and binoculars on hand for scenery or wildlife viewing opportunities.

Day 19 Arica
Enjoy a day in Arica. Opt to relax on the beach, or head out on a city tour and visit the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum.

Day 20 South Pacific Ocean
Enjoy a day hike along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Reach the Hongu Taisha Shrine with the largest torii gate in Japan.

Day 21 San Juan de Marcona
Enjoy a guided tour of Nazca desert cemetery and the potter's studio. Opt for a flight over the Nazca Lines (available for pre-purchase).

Day 22 San Juan de Marcona
Enjoy getting a closer look at sea lions, penguins and seabirds with a Zodiac cruise to the nearby nature reserve.

Day 23 Callao/Cusco
Travel from the port in Lima to the airport for a short flight to the colonial city of Cusco set high in the Andes Mountains. Take a tour of the city to learn more about the history, soak in the architecture and the valley's atmopshere. Continue on to a hotel for the night in the Sacred Valley.

Day 24 Ollantaytambo
Spend the day getting to know the Sacred Valley a little better. Enjoy guided visits to the Incan ruins sites of Pisac and Moray with a visit to a local handicraft market. After, meet the women at the G Adventures-supported Ccaccaccollo community and Women’s Weaving Co-op. Learn about their ancient traditions. Stop in the indigenous village of Huchuy Qosco for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Enjoy a delicious lunch and know that your visit is helping to support a remote community. Later, visit the pre-Incan salt pans of Las Salineras and learn more about the Incas with a tour of Ollantaytambo ruins.

Day 25 Machu Picchu
Rise early and journey to the Ollantaytambo station to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins and soak in the famous views. Enjoy free time to explore the ruins on your own before returning to Cusco for the night.

Day 26 Cusco/Trujillo
Fly to Trujillo and return to the Expedition. Opt for a guided visit to the ancient Chimu capital of Chan Chan. Wander this UNESCO site and marvel at the carvings and gain unique insight into the ancient history of the region.

Day 27 South Pacific Ocean
Spend some time on board with your fellow travellers, while enjoying an optional painting class or photography workshop.

Day 28 Salinas
Spend a leisurely day shopping and exploring the waterfront of Salinas. Some travellers may end their cruise here, while others may join this evening.

Day 29 Isla de La Plata
Head out on a full-day wildlife tour to experience the best of Isla de la Plata. Similar to the Galápagos, prepare to see blue- and red-footed boobies, Peruvian pelicans, frigatebirds and waved albatrosses. Explore more of the area on easy hikes.

Day 30 North Pacific Ocean
Enjoy the on board lecture program with this day at sea.

Day 31 Bahía Solano
The G Expedition will dock in Bahia Solano just after lunch. Pick one of the four included excursions. Options include hikes through the jungle to see waterfalls, visits to a nearby fishing village, or free time to wander the town and relax on gorgeous beaches.

Day 32 Punta Alegre/Darien Jungle Reserve
Leave the ship in Punta Alegre for the day and transfer to a motorized canoe to journey into the lives of the Emberá Indian Tribe nestled in the pristine Darien Jungle. Navigate up the Mogue River to this community of the indigenous people of the area. Wander the village and get to know your hosts. Enjoy a presentation of traditional dances.

Day 33 Pearl Islands
With over 200 islands, the Pearl Islands offer world-class beaches and postcard perfect landscapes. Explore this remote area, taking advantage of included snorkelling gear. Take the Zodiacs to stunning snorkelling areas, beautiful beaches or opt to spend time in the sleepy town.

Day 34 Panama City
The G Expedition will reach the Panama Canal with the opportunity to explore this marvel of engineering before the transit through the canal begins tomorrow. Enjoy an included visit to the Miraflores Locks Observation Center to learn more. Walk through the old French Quarter of Panama City to the coast, learning about the history of the area along the way.

Day 35 Panama Canal
With an understanding of the history of the canal and how it works, see it all first hand as the Expedition navigates her way through the canal. Enjoy your first views of the Caribbean when you reach the other side.

Day 36 San Blas Islands
Arrive on the San Blas Islands – full of white-sand beaches, palm trees, and crystal-clear blue waters. Spend this free day relaxing on the beach or snorkelling and swimming. Enjoy a visit to a local market and a small town to learn more about the life of the local Kuna Indians.

Day 37 Capurganá
This seldom visited area is a gem in the Caribbean. Take part in excursions to visit the locals, walk through the jungle and enjoy a traditional meal with your new native friends. Enjoy an included walk through the Eco Reserve El Cielo.

Day 38 Cartagena
Arrive in colonial Cartagena. Catch a departure transfer to a centrally located hotel where the tour ends on arrival.