South America Cruise - Ushuaia to Cartagena image
Operated by G Adventures

South America Cruise - Ushuaia to Cartagena

From
Price on request
Duration
38 days
Countries
Argentina, Colombia, Panama, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Activity
easy

The adventure

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.

At a glance

Duration
38 days
Route
Ushuaia → Cartagena
Countries
Argentina, Colombia, Panama, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Activity level
easy
Style
Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Food & Drink, Multi-Country / Grand Tour, National Parks & Wilderness, Rail Journeys, Sailing & Marine, Trekking & Hiking, Wildlife & Safari
Group size
Ask
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome

Where you'll go

South America Cruise - Ushuaia to Cartagena image

Day by day

Beautiful panoramic view of Bariloche's lake and mountain landscape with lush foliage.
Your journey through

Argentina

Day 1Arrive in Ushuaia at any time
Iconic Ushuaia sign in Argentina with stunning mountain and sea view.Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia at any time. Arrival transfer included. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world's most southerly city.
Map showing Ushuaia
Day 2Free morning to explore UshuaiaToday we will embark on the G Expedition. The morning is free to do any last minute shopping, an optional excursion to Tierra Del Fuego National Park or a good hike up to the Marshall Glacier. For a better view, opt for a helicopter ride (weather permitting) to see the port of Ushuaia from the air. Embarkation on the G Expedition is set for 4pm at the port in Ushuaia.
Scenic view of docked boats at Ushuaia harbor with mountain backdrop and cloudy sky.Ushuaia
Today we will embark on the G Expedition. The morning is free to do any last minute shopping, an optional excursion to Tierra Del Fuego National Park or a good hike up to the Marshall Glacier. For a better view, opt for a helicopter ride (weather permitting) to see the port of Ushuaia from the air. Embarkation on the G Expedition is set for 4pm at the port in Ushuaia.
Map showing Ushuaia
Day 3Get to know your Expedition team…Spend time out on deck watching the magnificent scenery. Weather permitting, jump into a Zodiac led by one of our expert guides and head out for an expedition cruise.
Spend time out on deck watching the magnificent scenery. Weather permitting, jump into a Zodiac led by one of our expert guides and head out for an expedition cruise.
Day 4Disembark in Punta ArenasPatagonia
Stunning landscape of snow-capped Andes mountains and lake at sunrise in Argentina.Patagonia
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.
Map showing Patagonia
Day 5Another day at sea gives you the opportunity…
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.
Peaceful mountain landscape with golden fields under a pastel sky during dusk.
Your journey through

Chile

Day 6From Puerto NatalesTorres del Paine
Explore the breathtaking Andes mountains in Torres del Paine, Chile, with dramatic skies and untouched nature.Torres del Paine
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.
Map showing Torres del Paine
Day 7Located in the Guía Narrows
Located in the Guía Narrows, explore Angostura Guía by Zodiac with expert Expedition guides.
Day 8Spend time enjoying the scenery
Spend time enjoying the scenery, taking part in lectures, photography and painting workshops, or relaxing on board.
Day 9Explore the fjords by Zodiac
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 10Enjoy the highlights of spectacular 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 11Spend today at sea
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 12Step off the ship to the fifth largest…Explore the area on a full-day tour. Choose between two options - a visit to the local villages and churches or a birdwatching excursion. Both are full day excursions.
Explore the area on a full-day tour. Choose between two options - a visit to the local villages and churches or a birdwatching excursion. Both are full day excursions.
Day 13Spend time on board with your fellow travellers
Spend time on board with your fellow travellers, while enjoying an optional painting class or photography workshop.
Day 14Spend time on board with your fellow travellers
Spend time on board with your fellow travellers, while enjoying an optional painting class or photography workshop.
Day 15Valparaiso
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 16Opt to spend this time at sea out…
Opt to spend this time at sea out on deck or join one of the lectures or painting classes.
Day 17Enjoy a full day of exploring picturesque Caldera
Enjoy a full day of exploring picturesque Caldera. Choose between visiting local museums or a local mine. Soak in the desert scenery.
Day 18Another day at sea gives you the opportunity…
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 19Enjoy a day in AricaWith a warm climate year round, Arica is known as the City of Eternal Spring. With some of the best beaches in Chile, spend a relaxing day catching some sun, or opt to explore the San Miguel de Azapa Archeological Museum for some local cultural history.
With a warm climate year round, Arica is known as the City of Eternal Spring. With some of the best beaches in Chile, spend a relaxing day catching some sun, or opt to explore the San Miguel de Azapa Archeological Museum for some local cultural history.
Day 20Enjoy a day hike along the Kumano Kodo…
Enjoy a day hike along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Reach the Hongu Taisha Shrine with the largest torii gate in Japan.
Day 21Enjoy a guided tour of Nazca desert cemetery…Travel to Nazca for a guided tour of the Chauchilla desert cemetery and potter's studio. Opt for a flight over the Nazca Lines (available for pre-purchase) before returning to the ship. Along the coast there may be opportunities to spot local wildlife.
Travel to Nazca for a guided tour of the Chauchilla desert cemetery and potter's studio. Opt for a flight over the Nazca Lines (available for pre-purchase) before returning to the ship. Along the coast there may be opportunities to spot local wildlife.
Day 22Enjoy getting a closer look at sea lions
Enjoy getting a closer look at sea lions, penguins and seabirds with a Zodiac cruise to the nearby nature reserve.
Day 23Travel from the port in Lima…
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 24Spend the day getting to know the Sacred…
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.
Breathtaking view of snow-capped Andes mountains under blue skies in Cusco, Peru.
Your journey through

Peru

Day 25Rise early and journey to the Ollantaytambo station…Machu Picchu
Stunning aerial view of the historic Machu Picchu in the Andes mountains, showcasing its ancient architecture and lush surroundings.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.
Map showing Machu Picchu
Day 26Fly to Trujillo and return to the Expedition
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 27Spend some time on board with your fellow travellers
Spend some time on board with your fellow travellers, while enjoying an optional painting class or photography workshop.
Day 28Spend a leisurely day shopping and exploring…
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 29Head out on a full-day wildlife tour…
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 30Enjoy the on board lecture program with this day at sea
Enjoy the on board lecture program with this day at sea.
Day 31The G Expedition will dock in Bahia 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 32Leave the ship in Punta Alegre…
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 33With over 200 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 34The G Expedition will reach the Panama Canal…
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 35With an understanding of the history…
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 36Arrive on the 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 37This seldom visited area is a gem…
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.
A breathtaking aerial view of the lakes and rolling hills in Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia, under a dramatic sky.
Your journey through

Colombia

Day 38Arrive in colonial Cartagena
Vibrant colonial architecture on a historic street in Cartagena, Colombia.Cartagena
Arrive in colonial Cartagena. Catch a departure transfer to a centrally located hotel where the tour ends on arrival.
Map showing Cartagena

Discover Argentina

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

A breathtaking view of the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina surrounded by rocky landscape and misty atmosphere.
Stunning view of snow-capped mountains and serene lake under a cloudy sky, perfect for nature enthusiasts.
Stunning view of Mendoza's rugged mountains with clear blue skies.
Vibrant panoramic view of multicolored mountains under a dramatic blue sky with clouds.
Expansive desert view with cacti under a dramatic sky in Salta, Argentina.
Operated by G Adventures

A TripFinder-trusted operator. We compare the trip and handle your booking with a real advisor — you travel under the operator's terms.

Book my trip →

More Multi-region adventures

Spain, Morocco and Portugal
Trafalgar

Spain, Morocco and Portugal

Spain, Portugal, Morocco · 16 days · Easy

fromCAD 5,547
Next: 20 Jun
Best of Spain
Trafalgar

Best of Spain

Spain, United States · 15 days · Easy

fromCAD 4,527
Next: 26 Jun
Spain, Morocco & Portugal Whirl
Trafalgar

Spain, Morocco & Portugal Whirl

Spain, Portugal, Morocco · 12 days · Easy5.0(1)

fromCAD 4,766
Next: 07 Sept