Itinerary 1: Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
Day 1: Ushuaia
Check in at San Martín 245, Ushuaia, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cruise ship boarding from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterwards, the ship departs for “the uttermost part of the earth.” Our excursion will take us through the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan to explore one of the most captivating wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego.
Day 2 Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay
We sail through the Beagle and Murray channels to reach Cape Horn National Park, where we will disembark (weather permitting). Cape Horn, is a sheer, 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory, and in the past it was the only entrance to the Pacific Ocean. This place is known as the “End of the Earth”, and it’s the last territory before Antarctica. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005.
In the afternoon, we go ashore in historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region’s largest Yamana aboriginal settlements. Charles Darwin landed here on January 23rd, 1833, during the voyage of the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coihues, Canelos, ferns, and other native vegetation to reach a look-out point.
Day 3 Piloto and Nena Glaciers
In the morning we sail through the desolate Brecknock and Ocasión channels, to reach Cockburn Channel in the afternoon. After lunch, we arrive at Chico Sound and disembark in Zodiac boats to explore Alakaluf Fjord, and to see its beautiful waterfalls and observe the Piloto and Nena glaciers from the sea. We will learn about the formation of glaciers and their influence in the abrupt geography of the region’s channels.
Day 4 Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas
Early in the morning, we go ashore on Magdalena Island (weather permitting). Located in the Strait of Magellan, it was an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers in the past. The island is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic Penguins which can be sighted during our walk to a lighthouse, which guides ships on their way through the strait.
In September and April this excursion is replaced by a Zodiac boat ride at Isla Marta to observe sea lions. After our visit, we sail to Punta Arenas, disembarking at 11:30 a.m.
Itinerary 2: Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Day 1: Punta Arenas
Check in at Magallanes 990, Punta Arenas, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cruise ship boarding at 6:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterwards, the ship departs for “the uttermost part of the earth”. Our excursion will take 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 Ainsworth Bay – Tuckers Islets
At dawn, we continue navigating through Almirantazgo Sound, arriving at Ainsworth Bay, inside the Alberto De Agostini National Park. From a distance we may see the Marinelli Glacier which descends from the Darwin Mountain Range, and we will learn how life begins after the retreat of the ice. We will also take a walk to discover a beaver dam in the marvelous subpolar Magellanic forest. On the beach, we will try to see elephant seals, but we cannot guarantee this as the precise location of the colony is unpredictable.
Later, we sail to Tuckers Islets, and after lunch we board the Zodiac boats to view Magellanic Penguins (which only live in the Southern Hemisphere), and Cormorants. In September and April this excursion is replaced by Brookes Bay where we land for a short walk to approach a glacier.
Day 3 Pia Glacier – Glacier Alley
We navigate along the main part of the Beagle Channel to reach Pia Fjord, where we disembark near Pia Glacier. We take a short hike to a look-out point with a spectacular view of the entire glacier tongue, stretching from high in the mountains all the way to the sea. After this unforgettable experience, we continue sailing along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel through majestic “Glacier Alley”.
Day 4 Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay
We sail through the Beagle and Murray channels to reach Cape Horn National Park, where we will disembark (weather permitting). Cape Horn, is a sheer, 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory, and in the past it was the only entrance to the Pacific Ocean. This place is known as the “End of the Earth”, and it’s the last territory before Antarctica. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005.
In the afternoon, we go ashore in historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region’s largest Yamana aboriginal settlements. Charles Darwin landed here on January 23rd, 1833, during the voyage of the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coihues, Canelos, ferns, and other native vegetation to reach a look-out point.
Day 5 Ushuaia
Arrival at Ushuaia, Argentina’s most important city on Tierra del Fuego, and the southernmost city in the world. We disembark at 8:00 a.m., enabling you to get an early start on visiting the city and national parks, and on continuing your trip through Patagonia.
Ship facts
Mare Australis
Departs Punta Arenas on Saturdays
Departs Ushuaia on Wednesdays
Gross tonnage: 2664 trg
Built: 2002
Cabins: 64 cabins, with private facilities, low beds and panoramic windows.
Decks: 5 Decks.
Lounges: 2 lounges and one dining room.
Length: 71,83 m
Draft: 3,15 m
Breadth: 13,4 m
Decks and cabins: (from top to bottom):
Cabo de Hornos: 10 AAA Cabins (2 double, 8 twin)
Tierra del Fuego: 18 AA Cabins (4 double, 13 twin)
Magallanes: 29 A Cabins (4 double, 25 twin)
Patagonia: 7 B Cabins (3 triple, 4 twins)
All cabins have private facilities, large windows, safety deposit box, independently controlled heating, closet.
Via Australis
Departs Punta Arenas on Tuesdays
Departs Ushuaia on Saturdays
Gross tonnage: 2716 trg
Built: 2005
Cabins: 64 cabins, with private facilities, low beds and panoramic windows.
Decks: 5 Decks.
Lounges: 2 lounges and one dining room.
Length: 72,30 m
Draft: 3,30 m
Breadth: 13,4 m
Decks and cabins: (from top to bottom):
Cabo de Hornos: 10 AAA Cabins (3 double, 7 twin)
Tierra del Fuego: 18 AA Cabins (5 double, 7 twin, 6 triple)
Magallanes: 29 A Cabins (7 double, 20 twin, 2 triple)
Patagonia: 7 B Cabins (7 twins)
All cabins have private facilities, large windows, safety deposit box, independently controlled heating, closet.
On Board Lectures
During the cruise there will be interesting lectures on the wildlife, history and geography of this legendary region given by the Mare Australis and Via Australis Expedition Group. The lectures will take place both on board (with audio-visual support) and on land.
Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
Geography and Navigation Route
You will learn about the geographic environment where our expedition cruiseship sails and each one of the channels, fjords and glaciers making this route a unique and mysterious place at the end of the earth.
Patagonia Ice Flowers
You will enjoy a beautiful audio-visual exhibition of the different species making up the Magellan forest. You will know trees and bushes that are characteristic of the region, such as Coigüe, Lenga, Ñirre, Maitén or leña dura, Canelo, and some fruits such as Calafate, Myrtleberry, Zarzaparrilla and Chaura, as well as one of the most delicate flowers in the world, the Orchid.
Beagle Channel
You will learn about the importance of Captain Fitz Roy, who carried out the first expedition to this region, exploring the islands near the Navarino Island. In 1830, he discovered the Beagle Channel, which owes its name to the brig called “Beagle”, which took them to these remote lands. You will also discover other adventurous voyages and the colonization south of Tierra del Fuego.
Penguins
Penguins are one of the most characteristic birds of this region. You will be amazed to know the different species inhabiting the Patagonia, their reproduction process, how they feed, why they emigrate and come back to the same place every year and many other peculiar characteristics of this seabird.
The Native People
You will know about the ethnography and some theories on the inhabiting of the American continent and the first contacts with the aborigines: Tehuelches or Aonikenk, Onas or Selknam, Alakalufes or Kaweskar, Yaganes or Yámanas and Haush, their customs, their way of living and their mythology.
Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Geography and Navigation Route
You will learn about the geographic environment where our expedition cruiseship sails and each one of the channels, fjords and glaciers making this route a unique and mysterious place at the end of the earth.
Patagonia Ice Flowers
You will enjoy a beautiful audio-visual exhibition of the different species making up the Magellan forest. You will know trees and bushes that are characteristic of the region, such as Coigüe, Lenga, Ñirre, Maitén or leña dura, Canelo, and some fruits such as Calafate, Myrtleberry, Zarzaparrilla and Chaura, as well as one of the most delicate flowers in the world, the Orchid.
Birds of Patagonia
In an audio-visual exhibition, you will appreciate the most varied families of wild birds inhabiting this southern region, such as Condors, Penguins, Albatross, Petrels, Upland Geese, Cormorants and many other species.
Beagle Channel
You will learn about the importance of Captain Fitz Roy, who carried out the first expedition to this region, exploring the islands near the Navarino Island. In 1830, he discovered the Beagle Channel, which owes its name to the brig called “Beagle”, which took them to these remote lands. You will also discover other adventurous voyages and the colonization south of Tierra del Fuego.
Glaciology
You will learn about the beginning of this impressive phenomenon, its extension, rate of displacement, types of glaciers and their colors, with surprising images of these masses of ice covering Patagonia and other places of the world.
Penguins
Penguins are one of the most characteristic birds of this region. You will be amazed to know the different species inhabiting the Patagonia, their reproduction process, how they feed, why they emigrate and come back to the same place every year and many other peculiar characteristics of this seabird.
Included
Accommodation on board, sea transportation, all meals, open bar when on duty
(without additional cost for wines, beverages, and liquors), shore excursions, and onboard
Lectures.
Not Included
Transfers, Port taxes to be paid locally (Departing Punta Arenas US$ 20, departing Ushuaia US$ 10), obn board extras such as satellite communications and gratuities.
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