Patagonia Ultimate 5 Day Cruise

What's Included?

• 5 Day Cruise
• All Meals
• Open Bar (Specific Hours)
• Shore Excursions
• On-board entertainment

Cruise through Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego on an adventurous five-day, four-night journey between Ushuaia (Argentina) to Punta Arenas (Chile) through some of the planet's most remote places and incredible scenery. Discover the wild beauty of Patagonia on a cruise that showcases the region's pristine landscapes, rich wildlife and fascinating human history aboard an expedition ship that brings an extraordinary level of comfort and service to the uttermost edge of the world. Leaving the twinkling lights of Ushuaia behind, the vessel calls on fabled spots like Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay before cruising down the Beagle Channel. Continuing through the maze of islands, we'll visit a number of glaciers, frozen giants that guard the southern flank of the Fuegian Archipelago, before entering the legendary Strait of Magellan. Last stop is the Isla Magdalena and its boisterous Patagonian penguin colony before docking at Punta Arenas.

Day 1: Ushuaia

Check in at 409 San Martin Ave. in downtown Ushuaia between 10:00 and 17:00 (10 AM-5 PM) on the day of your cruise departure. Board the Australis Cruise at 18:00 (6 PM). After a welcoming toast and introduction of 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 Argentina into Chilean territorial waters. The lights of Ushuaia disappear as we turn into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands.

Day 2: Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay

Around the break of dawn, the Australis cruises crosses Nassau Bay and enters the remote archipelago that comprises 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), a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage.

Sailing back across Nassau Bay, we anchor at fabled Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region's largest Yamana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on HMS Beagle. Passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooded mountain behind the bay. On all of these you stroll through an enchanted Magellanic forest of lengas, coigues, canelos and ferns to reach panoramic viewpoints overlooking the bay.

Day 3: Pia Glacier - Porter Glacier

In the morning we will navigate the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and disembark in Pia Fjord. We will take a short hike to a lookout from where we can see Pia Glacier extending from the top of the mountain range all the way down to the sea. In the afternoon and aboard our Zodiac boats, we will sail between high rocky walls until we reach Porter Glacier. We will stop to observe its colors, listen to its sounds and if we are lucky, even witness some calving. We will stay here for a moment to discuss this incredible ice mass and take some photographs before returning on board.

Day 4: Agostini Sound - Aguila Glacier - Condor Glacier

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 Aguila 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.

Day 5: Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas

After an overnight cruise through Magdalena Channel and 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 cruise south along the strait, disembarkation at Punta Arenas is scheduled for around 11:30 AM.

*Camera extension poles are prohibited on Magdalena Island

Exclusions

• Gratuities (US$ 15 per person per night is recommended)
• Calls from the onboard satellite phone
• Boat shop purchases
• Optional tours outside the Australis route itinerary
• Port transfers visa fees
• National park fees or Chile and Argentina port fees.

Total port fees per person for bookings are as follows:
Punta Arenas to Ushuaia route: US $95 (US Dollars)
Ushuaia to Punta Arenas route: US $95 (US Dollars)
Punta Arenas to Ushuaia to Punta Arenas route: US $110 (US Dollars)
Ushuaia to Punta Arenas to Ushuaia route: US $110 (US Dollars)

These fees may change at the discretion of port authorities. They are not included in the cruise rate and must be paid along with your final payment.