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On leaving Buenos Aires, Le Diamant crosses the immense estuary of the Plate towards Montevideo, a cosmopolitan capital with colonial charm. Then set sail southwards to the foot of the New World, in the wake of the great explorers. After a call at Mar del Plata, a chic Argentinian beach resort, a day of sailing, guided by the great sea birds, brings you to Puerto Madryn, gateway to Patagonia. Here is the Valdez Peninsula, a nature reserve classified as a Unesco World Heritage site in 1999. Travellers will seize the opportunity to view the wildlife, sea lion and sea elephants, killers whales, dolphins and, if we are lucky, Souther Right Whales, Magellenic penguins, and a few local breeds (guanacos and nandus). Le Diamant continues her journey the lenght of the Patagonian coast, towards Tierra del Fuego, and reaches Ushuaia via the straits of Le Maire and the Beagle Channel. The Argentinian "end of world" is just one amazing call, followed by a navigation through the extensive maze of the canals which brings you to Chile, and Punta Arenas. Four days are spent exploring the Magellan Straits and Chilean Fjords as you make for Puerto Montt, the last call before Valparaiso. This great Chilean sea port has been the starting point for many a grand voyage, and is the end of this spectacular itinerary. |
