Click here to register to join this CAU Study Tour to one of the most mysterious and remote regions on Earth.

For rates, terms and more, download the brochure!

Raymond Craib is the Marie Underhill Noll Professor of History at Cornell University, where he has taught since 2001. A specialist in modern Latin American history, he has published widely on the history of Mexico and Chile, as well as the Caribbean, Central America, and the southwest Pacific. He has led CAU programs to Chile and Argentina and to Spain.

Craib is the author of Cartographic Mexico: A History of State Fixations and Fugitive Landscapes (2004); Adventure Capitalism: A History of Libertarian Exit from the Era of Decolonization to the Digital Age (2022); and The Cry of the Renegade: Politics and Poetry in Interwar Chile (2016), which is based on a decade of research in Chile between 2006 and 2015. He is currently working on a history of 20th century Chile through the life and work of novelist and vagabond intellectual Manuel Rojas.

Travel with peers who are as curious as you are. By day, settle in for a farm-to-table lunch with dazzling conversation in Chile's wine region. By evening, step into the fireplace lounge at your top-tier accommodations to reflect on the day's experiences with new friends.

Embark on exceptional excursions with expert guidance and on-location lectures from Professor Raymond Craib. Seasoned trail guides will escort you on optional treks and horseback rides through Torres del Paine National Park as you connect with the landscape and take in the serenity of this magical part of the world.

Traveling deep into remote swaths of Patagonia, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine National Park will awe you with dramatic glaciers, towering granite mountains, black-necked swans, and herds of flamingos.

Make your exclusive expedition even more extraordinary with an optional pre-tour extension on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), where hundreds of moais (basalt statues) serve as an impressive—and mysterious—demonstration of human ingenuity.

Depart for an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile.

(Meals aloft.)

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, meet Professor Raymond Craib and your expedition guide for an insightful tour of the dynamic city of Santiago, including the iconic San Cristobal Hill featuring panoramic city views and the Moneda Presidential Palace and Plaza de Armas. Wander through the lively streets, taking in the blend of historical charm and modern architecture. Gather tonight for a welcome dinner.

(Meals included: Dinner)

Today, you'll take a cultural journey through Santiago, focusing on its rich history and heritage, with insights from Professor Craib. Stops include the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, a institution that commemorates the victims of human rights violations during the military dictatorship led by Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990, and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, a gem of Santiago, housing a remarkable collection of artifacts from ancient civilizations. After a shared lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore on your own.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Today promises a full-day exploration of Chile's renowned wine region. Two winery visits, to Kingston Family Vineyards and Viña Mar Winery, will showcase the region's unique microclimates and acclaimed wines through vineyard tours and guided tastings of limited release wines. Enjoy the stunning scenery and culinary delights during an al fresco farm-to-table lunch highlighting local ingredients.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning, we'll fly to Chiloé Island, where locals maintain a deep connection to traditional farming and fishing practices. Spot oxen plowing fields and discover several of the island's antique wooden churches, each an architectural marvel in its own right. See the stilt houses where many artisans make their home and practice traditional fiber, pottery, and wood crafts.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

Today is at leisure for you to spend exploring the exquisite amenities at Refugia Hotel. Take in Chiloé's stunning beauty from panoramic windows (all rooms have water views), set out on a small group excursion by land, sea, horseback, or bicycle, or treat yourself to some mid-journey relaxation with a signature spa service.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

En route to Puerto Varas, cross the Chacao Channel via local ferry and spot sea lions, seals, and several species of birds whose only habitat is this unique part of the world. After arriving in Chile's Lake District, take in the charm of this lakeside village, Puerto Varas, the peaceful views of Lake Llanquihue and the magestic Osorno Volcano. Perhaps you'll stroll through the village and meet some of the warmest, friendliest people on earth.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This morning, we'll fly to Punta Arenas, Chile's most southern city. During a guided tour to discover the city's fascinating pass, visit the Magallanes Region Museum, a lavish, well-preserved mansion symbolizing the wealth and power of the Braun-Menéndez family during Patagonia's Golden Age. Discover the history of exploration of the region and stop to take in the panoramic views of the region known as a gateway to the Antarctic.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

En route to Patagonia today, stop at Estancia Cerro Negro, a traditional sheep farm, to immerse yourself in the rural life of the region over a shared lunch. Take in the stunning landscapes of rolling hills turning to towering peaks as you drive to Torres del Paine National Park and your hotel situated at its gateway.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Have you ever felt completely insignificant in comparison to nature? You will when you glimpse the dramatic views of this national park, known as the crown jewel of Patagonia. Take full advantage of the 17 hours of daylight in the summer and take in the colors: lakes and lagoons in hues of blues, greens, grays and ochres, the horns of the Torres del Paine massif glowing purple and red. Your hotel blends naturally into the mountain backdrop and offers a serene and luxurious place to reflect on your adventures.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Another full day of exploring awaits you. Will you venture out on a guided horseback ride or trek to the lenga tree forests, viewpoints, and prairies? Your path will be peppered with beautiful wildflowers and an assortment of bird species (from condors to swans to the ostrich-like rheas), as well as herds of guanacos (cousins to llamas). Look out for foxes, huemul, Andean deer, and maybe you'll spot the reclusive puma.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

With the memories of Grey Glacier and Salto Grande (a glacial waterfall amidst the peaks) still fresh in your mind, set out for your transfer to Puerto Natales Airport for flights to Santiago. Bid your fellow travelers farewell—for now!—and board your plane to the U.S., already planning your next adventure.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

Arrive to the U.S. on the morning of Saturday, January 17th with just one question in your mind: where will I go next? Start organizing your photos, writing to fellow travelers, and planning your next adventure with Cornell's Adult University.

December 31, 2025 to January 6, 2026

After overnighting in Santiago, depart for Easter Island (Rapa Nui), to see the hundreds of moais, basalt statues, unique in the whole of Oceania, that are scattered throughout the island. Ring in your new year like no other on this mysterious and hard-to-reach island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Bragging rights included!

To register for the pre-tour extension: email info@royaladventures.com |  Register Online

January 5 – 17, 2026

Produced by CAU in partnership with Royal Adventures

Download the brochure

To register: info@royaladventures.com | 800-453-4754 | Register online

December 7 – 18, 2025

Aboard the National Geographic Resolution with Warren Allmon,
Director of the Paleontological Research Institution

When you travel with Cornell's Adult University, you save yourself the hassle of planning, and benefit from unique itineraries in hard-to-reach parts of the world with our award-winning partners. Our partners are deeply invested in providing high quality experiences for alumni, family, and friends. On CAU Study Tours like this one, your travel and learning are enhanced with Cornell faculty who travel alongside you.