Via Australis, ex Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
[Ship: Via Australis]
4 Night Cruise sailing from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas aboard Via Australis.
Duration & Cruise Type:
4 day
Package Departs::
Ushuaia, Argentina
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 at San Martin 409, Ushuaia, between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with cruise ship boarding from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board, and afterwards the ship departs for the journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions in the world.
Day 2 - Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay
We sail through the Murray Channel and Nassau Bay to reach Cape Horn National Park, where we will 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 between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and it is known as the "End of the Earth". The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. In the afternoon, we go ashore at 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: Pia Glacier - Garibaldi Glacier
In the morning we navigate along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter Pia Fiord where we disembark near Pia Glacier. We take a short hike to a vantage point with a spectacular view of the mountain chain giving origin to this impressive glacier moving slowly down the valley until it falls into the sea.
In the afternoon we enter Garibaldi fiord on the southern coast of Tierra del Fuego, where we will do an incredible excursion through Patagonia's cold jungle and a hike through the forest up to a waterfall of glacial origin. There is a spectacular view from this spot. For those who stay onboard, our Capitan will point the bow towards the beautiful blue Garibaldi glacier, and the panoramic views may be enjoyed from the outdoor decks.
Day 4: Piloto and Nena Glaciers - Agostini Sound - Aguila Glacier
In the morning we sail through Cockburn Channel to anchor in Chico Sound. Our adventure begins in the Zodiac boats to explore Alakaluf Fiord, where we will see beautiful waterfalls and observe the 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 enter Agostini Sound, a spectacularly beautiful area located in the heart of the Darwin Mountain Range in Tierra del Fuego. Here we can view glaciers descending from the mountains, some of which reach the sea. We will head to Aguila Glacier where we will disembark to take an easy walk along a beach bordering a lagoon surrounded by mountains until reaching a spot in front of the glacier. We can get to know Patagonia's cold rainforest and the movements that molded the region's geography.
Day 5: Strait of Magellan - 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 seen during our walk to the lighthouse, which guides ships on their way through the strait. In September and April this adventure is replaced by an excursion to Marta Island where we can observe South American sea lions from the Zodiac boats. After our visit, we sail to Punta Arenas, disembarking at 11:30 a.m.
2 Double Beds & 8 Twin Beds Cabins feature large window and are located on the fourth deck and have two low beds or one double. They feature independently controlled heating, safety deposit box, closet and 220/110 volts of power (US type connectors) adapters are available onboard.
4 Double Beds & 14 Twin Beds Cabins feature large window and are located on the third deck and have two low beds or one double. They feature independently controlled heating, safety deposit box, closet and 220/110 volts of power (US type connectors) adapters are available onboard.
4 Double Beds & 25 Twin Beds Cabins feature large window and are located on the second deck and have two low beds or one double. They feature independently controlled heating, safety deposit box, closet and 220/110 volts of power (US type connectors) adapters are available onboard.
3 Triple and 4 Twin Beds Cabins feature large window and are located on the first deck and have two low beds (or upper pullman for triple occupancy). They feature independently controlled heating, safety deposit box, closet and 220/110 volts of power (US type connectors) adapters are available onboard.