Chile Intensive Cruise: Puerto Montt, Castro & Punta Arenas

Valparaíso's dramatic topography—45 cerros, or hills, overlooking the ocean—requires the use of winding pathways and wooden ascensores (funiculars) to get up many of the grades. The slopes are covered by candy-color houses—there are almost no apartments in the city—most of which have exteriors of corrugated metal peeled from shipping containers decades ago. Valparaíso has served as Santiago's port for centuries. Before the Panama Canal opened, Valparaíso was the busiest port in South America. Harsh realities—changing trade routes, industrial decline—have diminished its importance, but it remains Chile's principal port. Most shops, banks, restaurants, bars, and other businesses cluster along the handful of streets called El Plan (the flat area) that are closest to the shoreline. Porteños (which means "the residents of the port") live in the surrounding hills in an undulating array of colorful abodes. At the top of any of the dozens of stairways, the paseos (promenades) have spectacular views; many are named after prominent Yugoslavian, Basque, and German immigrants. Neighborhoods are named for the hills they cover. With the jumble of power lines overhead and the hundreds of buses that slow down—but never completely stop—to pick up agile riders, it's hard to forget you're in a city. Still, walking is the best way to experience Valparaíso. Be careful where you step, though—locals aren't very conscientious about curbing their dogs.

The capital of Chile’s Lakes District, Puerto Montt delivers the best of land and sea. Savor fresh seafood, spend the day at the beach, or embark on an adventure to explore snow-capped volcanoes.

South of Puerto Montt, surrounded by majestic fjords, Puerto Chacabuco looks more like Norway than Northwest Patagonia.

Chile’s southern Patagonian coast features some of the most spectacular natural scenery on Earth. From countless glacial fjords, inlets, islands, and navigable channels, to vast temperate rainforests and snow-capped mountain peaks reaching by glacier to the sea below, prepare to feel small.

Chile’s southern Patagonian coast features some of the most spectacular natural scenery on Earth. From countless glacial fjords, inlets, islands, and navigable channels, to vast temperate rainforests and snow-capped mountain peaks reaching by glacier to the sea below, prepare to feel small.

Perched on the western side of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas has long been a European trading point and is now the most commercially crucial city in Patagonian Chile. A relaxed, diverse city rich with a vibrant pioneering history, this welcoming port is equally popular as a gateway for adventures to Antarctica.

Perched on the western side of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas has long been a European trading point and is now the most commercially crucial city in Patagonian Chile. A relaxed, diverse city rich with a vibrant pioneering history, this welcoming port is equally popular as a gateway for adventures to Antarctica.

Alive with marine life offshore, Ushuaia has fully embraced its reputation as a hub of outdoor adventure at the tip of Argentina.