Stunning views of Ventus Australis
Stunning views of Ventus Australis
A group of penguins on our cruise to Cape Horne
Glacier exploring with Australis
Breathtaking panoramic views across Wulaia Bay
Penguins on Magdalena Island
Cape Horn, one of the many experiences with Australis
Exploring the beautiful Ainsworth Bay with Australis
One of the many experiences offered with Australis
Exploring Brookes Glacier on the zodiacs with Australis
Spectacular scenery exploring the Darwin Range
Views of Stella Australis as the sun sets

Patagonian Explorer

Sail through Patagonian Fjords on board the Stella or Ventus Australis

5 Days from

$ USD

Trip Code: AUF
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Mandatory Port & Landing Fees
$135 USD
Category A cabin supplement
$1250 USD
Category AA cabin supplement
$1550 USD
Category AAA cabin supplement
$1950 USD
Category AA Superior cabin supplement
$3050 USD
Category AAA Superior cabin supplement
$3570 USD

Duration

  • 5 Days

Activities

  • 4 days adventure cruising

Accommodation

  • 4 nights aboard M/V Stella or MV Ventus

Meals

  • 4 Dinners
  • 3 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

1 / 10

Discovery and Cruising

Trip highlights

  • Visit Cape Horn National Park
  • Cruise along the Beagle Channel and Patagonian Fjords
  • Marvel at spectacular glaciers and channels
  • Discover Tierra del Fuego
  • Relax on a spacious cruise ship with a beautiful atmosphere and fine dining
  • Birdwatching and other wildlife viewing

Overview

Explore the southernmost and wildest region of the world, following legendary maritime routes discovered and explored in the 16th century. Sail comfortably through the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel and visit mythical Cape Horn. Cruise along channels, bays and fjords, passing glaciers, snow-capped peaks, islands and unexplored forests of incomparable beauty to experience nature and wildlife like never before. Discover Wulaia Bay and observe Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island. At the same time you will have an outstanding time onboard an expedition ship designed with your comfort in mind. This route from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas showcases the amazing beauty that the Patagonian region offers. Journey through the southernmost fjords of South America combining both Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia for an exhilarating adventure of a lifetime.

Itinerary

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Check in at the Australis travel center at 409 San Martín Ave. in downtown Ushuaia between 10:00 and 17:00 (10 AM-5 PM) on the day of departure. Board at 18:00 (6:00PM). After a welcoming toast and introduction to the captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the most remote corners of planet Earth. During the night we traverse the Beagle Channel and cross from Argentine into Chilean territorial waters. The lights of Ushuaia disappear as we turn into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands.

Meals: D

During the morning we cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, we shall go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition -- and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland -- Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. The Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a lightkeeper and his family, as well as the tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument. In the afternoon we navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station -- which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area -- passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooden mountain behind the bay. On all of these you will be strolling through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. Before leaving Wulaia Bay, drop something into the wooden mail barrel inside the museum – letters or postcards meant to be hand delivered by future travelers – an ancient mariner tradition revived by Australis.

Meals: B,L,D

We will navigate along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel before disembarking at Pia Fjord. From there, we’ll take a short hike to a panoramic viewpoint from where we can enjoy spectacular views of the awe-inspiring Pia Glacier whose main tongue extends from the mountaintops down to the sea. After this memorable experience, we will continue our voyage along the Beagle Channel through the majestic Glacier Alley.

Meals: B,L,D

Early in the morning, we will sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound. From there it is possible to see the glaciers that descend from the middle of the Darwin Mountain Range -- some of them reaching the water. This morning, we will disembark and go for an easy walk around a lagoon, which was formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier. We will reach a spot right in front of that glacier with stunning views. In the afternoon, we will approach the Condor Glacier via zodiac -- and hopefully see some of the abundant Andean Condors in the area.

Meals: B,L,D

After an overnight cruise that takes us back into the Strait of Magellan, we anchor off Magdalena Island, which lies about halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, the island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic penguins. At the break of dawn, weather permitting, we go ashore and hike a path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside the vintage 1902 lighthouse. Many other bird species are also found on the island. * In September and April -- when the penguins dwell elsewhere -- this excursion is replaced by a ride aboard zodiacs to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions. After a short sail south along the strait, disembarkation at Punta Arenas is scheduled for around 11:30 AM.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • All meals onboard
  • Free Bar (with selected beverages)
  • Comfortable cabin accommodation (category B lower deck cabin)
  • Daily land excursions as scheduled by the ships
  • Professional expedition guide and support staff
  • Whisky and hot chocolate during the excursions
  • All on board activities

Not included

  • Transport and transfers to / from Punta Arenas & Ushuaia
  • International and domestic airfares
  • Visa costs if applicable
  • Passport and vaccination charges, reciprocity fees and airport departure taxes
  • Accommodation and meals or other services not included in the itinerary
  • Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, travel insurance, and items of a personal nature such as bar charges and satellite phone calls
  • Emergency evacuation charges
  • Fuel surcharges
  • Customary end of voyage tips

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Extra trip info

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