Many regions of wilderness Patagonia in the south of Chile and Argentina can be visited by land, although this can involve long road journeys.  However there is an alternative, one which will allow you to visit the most remote, most enticing corners, and that is to travel by ship, on an expeditionary cruise.

This holiday includes a five day voyage of discovery on purpose-built ship Australis (there are two sister ships, Stella and Ventus Australis) which, with just 100 cabins, offers you an intimate and friendly experience alongside like-minded travellers.   Travel along historic waterways the Straits of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, viewing glaciers and marine wildlife from fjords deep cutting into the mountainous coastline, and arrive at tempestuous Cape Horn – all places resonating with the history of navigation and the brave exploration of uncharted waters by naval and scientific officers including Charles Darwin.

Afterwards head to northern Patagonia and spend a few days on arid, treeless plains where, in spite of the inhospitable environment, you’ll be amazed by the abundance of marine wildlife, including whales and penguins, all discoverable from your base at a cosy lodge.

For a complete contrast, the holiday is bookended by days spent in the cosmopolitan capitals of Chile and Argentina, Santiago and Buenos Aires respectively.