Founded in 2004, Chimu Adventures is a B Corp Certified global business and an expert in small-ship expedition cruising to Antarctica and the Arctic. We offer a portfolio of Signature South and Central America itineraries, showcasing both major highlights and local gems to travellers, and are here to support travellers every step of the way.

With specialist expertise and over 20 years of industry-leading experience, the team at Chimu can help travellers find the perfect expedition cruise or South American itinerary to suit their interests, budget, and schedule.  

We’re passionate about Polar expedition cruising and South American travel, with our team of experts here to ensure you have everything you need for a seamless journey, including your flights, transfers, accommodation, travel insurance, and the support of local guides.

What do Chimu Adventures Specialise in?

As a specialist tour operator, we don’t try to do it all. Instead, Chimu Adventures focuses solely on the destinations that we know and love: Antarctica, the Arctic, and South America. Our preferred ships, Signature South America itineraries, and land packages are all curated based on extensive knowledge, on the ground experience, and over 20 years of traveller feedback.

Small Ship Antarctica Expedition Cruises

As Antarctica expeditions experts with over 20 years of experience, we specialise in small ship cruises. Our Polar vessels take fewer than 200 passengers, allowing travellers to maximise their time off the ship and on the ice. Each trip prioritizes education, citizen science, and twice-daily (weather permitting) opportunities to enjoy guided shore landings, zodiac cruises, kayaking, camping, or a range of other Antarctic activities.

With access to over 30 expedition vessels, our team can help you find the best small ship expedition cruise to Antarctica, including the Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, East Antarctica, and the sub-Antarctic Islands of Australia and New Zealand.

As a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), we advocate for safe and responsible travel to Antarctica, abiding by IAATO’s stringent guidelines to ensure we minimise our impact and protect the fragile environments that we visit.

Expedition Cruises to the Arctic and North Atlantic

Small-ship expedition cruises to the Arctic will introduce you to the culture, history, and landscapes of remote locations such as Svalbard, Greenland, and the Northwest Passage. We also offer cruises to the North Atlantic, including Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland.

Chimu’s Arctic cruises also take fewer than 200 passengers and are led by experienced and passionate guides and crew who always prioritise safety and wellbeing.

South and Central America Signature Itineraries

Each Signature South and Central America itinerary is designed to offer a mix of independent and guided travel, paired with handpicked accommodation, authentic experiences, local support, and assisted transfers. We believe in slow, refined travel, with free time to take in those experiences that matter most when travelling: soak up the flavours of a local empanada bar, learn from a local textile weaver in Quito, or plan a morning hike as golden sunlight reflects off the Andes Mountains.

Each Signature itinerary includes not just major attractions but also local markets, hidden-away experiences, and ethical adventures off the beaten tourist path. Our Destination Specialists can also easily combine any South American itineraries before or after your Antarctic cruise, seamlessly blending your travel, flights, and transfers into one simple package.

Why Travel With Chimu

• Chimu was founded in 2004 and has over 20 years of industry-leading experience in South America and the Polar regions
• We are a Certified B Corporation and members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), with responsible travel for both people and place at the heart of everything we do
• Our experienced Destination Specialists have travelled extensively through the regions where we operate, providing essential travel planning knowledge based on their own experience 
• With our own local operations and ground staff, we offer travellers 24-hour support, because we know how important it is to have someone nearby when you’re overseas
• With staff on several continents, including Australia, North America, and South America, we offer global representation
• Our dedicated team of Destination Specialists have extensive firsthand travel experience to help you plan the perfect trip, not based on a guidebook, but on their own knowledge
• We know you’re busy and need information quickly. With Chimu, you’ll have one point of contact, in your time zone, who’s always there to answer your questions
• If you’re looking for something different, we can customise our trips into a bespoke itinerary, collaborating with our local partners to create your dream adventure
• Chimu offers seamless, stress-free travel, with everything you need packaged together - from airport pickups to local guided walking tours, we’ll ensure you’re prepared and confident to travel, no matter your destination
• Expert assistance the whole way through saves you time and offers better value, compared to trying to figure it out on your own 

How Chimu Adventures Can Help

Reach out to our team of experts

• Please get in touch via phone, email, Livechat, or social media and tell us about your travel plans.
• We’ll pair you up with a Destination Specialist who will recommend the best options for your interests and timeframe. If it sounds promising, they’ll provide you with quotes to review.

Book your Polar or South American journey

• Your Destination Specialist will be here to answer any questions, customise your itinerary, or help you find the best hotel, flights, or tours. 
• Once you’re ready to book, they will handle all of your logistics: not just the cruise or trip itself, but also your international and domestic flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and more.

Travel with confidence

• As you travel, you’ll be supported by our local ground staff throughout your entire trip, no matter what time of day or night. We know peace of mind and security matter more than anything when you’re overseas.
• Your Chimu holiday will show you so much more than just a destination’s highlights, with your itinerary designed to offer an ethical and immersive adventure into Antarctica, the Arctic, or South America. We can’t wait to hear your feedback after you return!