Cruise Description
4 Night Cruise sailing from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas aboard Via Australis.
Cruceros Australis will take you on an amazing journey to the “uttermost end of the earth”. On the Ushuaia – Punta Arenas route, you will enjoy the splendor and beauty of unique natural scenery and wildlife. You will travel on one of the industry’s most comfortable Patagonia cruises designed to make your trip as pleasant and remarkable as possible through the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel. As you embark on your travels through one of the world’s most historical and revered routes, you get the chance to experience thrilling expeditions and adventures you will not find anywhere else.
Day 1 – Ushuaia
Check in from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 409 San Martín st. Cruise ship boarding at 5:30 p.m. After a welcome cocktail reception offered by the Captain and his crew the ship will depart for “the uttermost part of the earth”. Our trip takes us through the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel to explore one of the most breathtaking wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Day 2 – Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay
We sail through Murray Channel and Nassau Bay to reach Cape Horn National Park, where we disembark (weather permitting). The mythical Cape Horn was discovered in 1616 and it is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory. For many years it was an important navigation route for sailboats between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and it is known as the “End of the Earth”. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 2005.
In the afternoon, we go ashore at historical Wulaia Bay, originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yamana aboriginal settlements. Charles Darwin landed here in 1833, during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will walk through a Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic vegetation to reach a panoramic viewpoint.
Day 3: Pia Glacier – Garibaldi Glacier
We navigate along the Northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to reach Pia Fjord, where we disembark. We take a short hike to a panoramic viewpoint from which we can appreciate the spectacular Pia Glacier, which main tongue stretches from the top of the mountains down to the sea.
In the afternoon we will enter and disembark at Garibaldi Fjord to then hike through the forest up to a glacial waterfall and enjoy the spectacular views. For those who stay onboard, our Capitan will point the bow towards the beautiful blue Garibaldi Glacier and the panoramic view can be enjoyed from the upper decks.
Day 4: Piloto and Nena Glaciers – Agostini Sound – Águila Glacier
In the morning we will be sailing through Cockburn Channel to anchor in Chico Sound. Onboard Zodiac boats, we will explore Alakaluf Fjord and enjoy the view of Piloto and Nena Glaciers from the sea. The intense blue color of Piloto Glacier due to its compression and age draws attention. We will learn about the formation of glaciers and their influence on the abrupt geography of the Fuegian-Patagonian channels.
In the afternoon we will enter the spectacular De Agostini Sound, in the heart of Darwin Mountain Range. In this area we can see glaciers descending from the mountainside all the way down to the sea. In the afternoon, onboard Zodiac boats, we will route to Águila Glacier where we will take an easy walk all the way to the base of the glacier. We will experience the beauty of Patagonia’s cold rainforest and see how the power of nature molded the area’s landscape.
Day 5: Strait of Magellan – Magdalena Island – Punta Arenas
Early in the morning (and weather permitting) we will go ashore on Magdalena Island, located in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. The island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellan Penguins that we will be able to see during our walk to the lighthouse. In September and April this excursion is replaced by a ride on Zodiac boat to Marta Island to observe South American Sea Lions.
Finally, disembarking at Punta Arenas is scheduled at 11:30 am.
NOTE: The excursions described in the itineraries can normally be carried out. Notwithstanding the above, Transportes Marítimos Terra Australis S.A., Transportes Marítimos Via Australis S.A., and Transportes Marítimos Geo Australis S.A reserve the right to reschedule, shorten, or alter all or part of the itineraries and/or excursions without previous notice, in order to safeguard the well-being and safety of passengers, preserve the environment, or due to any extraordinary circumstances, acts of god or force majeure. For the same reasons, the hours of departure or arrival of the vessels may be subject to change.
Cruise Itinerary
Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
---|---|---|---|
23/03 | Ushuaia, Argentina | ||
24/03 | Cape Horn (Cruising) | ||
25/03 | Beagle Channel Chile | ||
25/03 | Chilean Fjords | ||
26/03 | Chilean Fjords | ||
27/03 | Isla Magdalena, Chile | ||
27/03 | Punta Arenas, Chile |
Itinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise lines discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets.