24 March

Argentina: Ushuaia

Perched on the ragged southern edge of Argentina, where the snow-capped Andes fall away into the churning sea, Ushuaia has a frontier town feel to it, and serves as the base for expeditions into the icy waters of Antarctica.

24 March

Chile: Puerto Williams

Puerto Williams has the feel of a true frontier town, situated on windswept Navarino Island facing out across the Beagle Channel. The surrounding mountains offer a spectacular backdrop for hiking and kayaking, while to the south lies the infamous Drake Passage and, beyond that, the frozen continent of Antarctica.

25 March

Chile: Cape Horn

Surrounded by notoriously treacherous waters and battered by gale force winds known as the Furious Fifties, Cape Horn is the dramatic southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. This is the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet, watched over by a lonely lighthouse.

26 March - At sea

27 March to 28 March

Chile: Punta Arenas

The weather-beaten city of Punta Arenas is a laid back and welcoming place, in spite of its inhospitable location on the shores of the Strait of Magellan. Nearby attractions include penguin colonies and the dramatic scenery of Torres del Paine National Park, while beyond the horizon lie the frozen wastes of Antarctica.

29 March - At sea

30 March

Chile: Fjord of the Mountains

31 March

Chile: Pio XI Glacier

1 April

Chile: Caleta Tortel

The little fishing village of Caleta Tortel hugs the base of a mountain, perched above turquoise waters fed by glaciers. There are no cars or horses in Caleta Tortel - instead, the piers and houses are connected together by a remarkable network of wooden boardwalks.

2 April to 3 April - At sea

4 April

Chile: Castro (Chiloé Island)

Rugged and unspoilt Chiloé, situated at the southern end of Chile’s Lake District, is a unique and culturally distinct island that stands apart from the rest of the country. The main town, Castro, is notable for its colourful waterfront homes on stilts (known as palafitos), and is the gateway to the dense forests and rolling hills of the island interior.

5 April

Chile: Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt is the capital of the Chilean Lake District, spread out around a wide bay against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes. This wild region offers a host of outdoor activities, including mountain hikes, kayaking, white water rafting, fishing, zip lining and cycling.

6 April - At sea

7 April

Chile: Santiago (San Antonio)

Chile’s cosmopolitan capital is a smart, sophisticated place, where life plays out against the stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Andean mountains. Santiago’s moneyed elite congregate in the upmarket districts of the barrio alto, while the Centro buzzes with commerce and culture, home to museums, theatres and shopping malls.

8 April - At sea

9 April to 10 April

Chile: Juan Fernández Island

11 April to 14 April - At sea

15 April to 16 April

Chile: Easter Island

The enigmatic moai statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) remain one of the world’s most intriguing archaeological mysteries. Descendants of the Polynesian settlers who carved them still live here, though these days the island belongs to Chile, despite being separated from the mainland by over 2,000 miles of Pacific Ocean.

17 April to 18 April - At sea

19 April

Pitcairn Islands: Ducie Island

20 April

Pitcairn Islands: Pitcairn Island

The remote South Pacific island of Pitcairn was settled by a party of British sailors and Tahitians following the famous mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789, and their descendants still live on the island. The tiny capital, Adamstown, has a population of around 50 people.

21 April to 22 April - At sea

23 April

French Polynesia: Fakarava (Tuamotu Islands)

The Fakarava atoll surrounds a deep lagoon in the west of the Tuamotu island group, scarcely populated and home to a host of rare wildlife. The entire atoll has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and the shallow coastal waters make for excellent snorkelling.

24 April

French Polynesia: Tahanea

25 April

French Polynesia: Anaa

26 April

Arriving in Papeete

Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia, situated on the northwest coast of Tahiti. The port is not the most magical spot, so we advise venturing forth to luxuriate in the turquoise lagoons, relax on the white sand beaches fringed with palm trees, and explore the rugged mountain peaks.