Increasingly, charter guests are seeking more experiences on land as part of their cruising vacation. It’s especially true of adventure charters. If riding with gauchos, spotting pumas, and journeying through fjords appeals to you, EYOS Expeditions and one of the world’s southernmost hotels have a special opportunity. You can charter the yacht Hanse Explorer on a land and sea expedition in Argentina and Chile.
EYOS Expeditions has partnered with Awasi Patagonia (above), a Relais & Chateaux property, for the experiences. Specifically, you can stay in the hotel for four days, then cruise aboard the purpose-built expedition yacht Hanse Explorer for five days. The charter takes you through the Chilean fjords, concluding in Ushuaia, Argentina. The city has the nickname “end of the world,” since it’s at the tip of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of South America. Although these experiences start in October, an even more adventurous opportunity is available from December through February. Following the Awasi stay, guests can take a 10-night voyage to Antarctica (below) aboard the yacht.
Regardless, the Awasi land stay affords the chance to explore Torres del Paine National Park. Guests can take advantage of the resort’s private guide, with intimate knowledge of the area, and vehicles. As mentioned, riding with gauchos is possible, as is hiking to the top of mountains. Notably, the resort says there are no set itineraries, letting you be as adventurous as you wish. At the resort itself, each of its 14 private villas has views of the mountains. The chef specializes in local delicacies, which you can enjoy alongside fine Chilean wines, too.
EYOS Expeditions previously has arranged land-and-sea experiences with the yacht Hanse Explorer, including a “Land of Fire and Ice” expedition in Iceland. Ice-classed and able to remain independent of land for 40 days, the 157-footer (48-meter) accommodates 12 guests. A nautical ambience inside complements the views through large windows. The yacht further has in-demand amenities like a sauna, a saltwater hot tub, dive gear, RIBs, and of course open deck areas for enjoying the naturally untouched scenery.
Ben Lyons, EYOS Expeditions’ CEO, says, “We’ve been sending our clients to Awasi after their Antarctic adventures for so long now, it seemed a natural fit to formally partner.” Matias de Cristobal, the director general for Awasi, adds, “The combination of Awasi Patagonia with EYOS Expeditions gives guests the opportunity to experience an ever-rarer thing in this world: areas where nature reigns and people tread lightly, aware that they are visitors and privileged to be able to set foot in these places.”
The charter rate for Hanse Explorer, whose operations are entirely carbon offset, is $235,000 per week plus expenses. The rate includes the expedition team accompanying you. If you book a villa at Awasi, you receive a 10-percent discount on the charter rate. Additionally, directly booking Awasi through EYOS Expeditions for the combination trip provides you with the same discount on villas in October and next April.
EYOS Expeditions eyos-expeditions.com
More About the Yacht Hanse Explorer
LOA: 156’7” (47.76 meters)
Beam: 34’1” (10.4 meters)
Draft: 14’4” (4.4 meters)
Guests: 12 in 6 staterooms
Engine: 1/1,824-hp MAK
Range: 8,000 nautical miles at 9 knots
Builder: Fassmer Werft
Stylist: Fassmer Werft
Naval Architect: Fassmer Werft
Interior Designer: Harren & Partner
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