313 - Australis Cruise: Patagonian Explorer

Day 1

AUSTRALIS CRUISE: Departure from Ushuaia

Check in at 409 San Martín Ave., 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 introductions of the captain and crew, the ship sets sail for one of the most remote destinations on Earth. During the night, we traverse the Beagle Channel and cross from Argentina into Chilean territorial waters. As we navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands, the lights of Ushuaia fade away. This marks the beginning of an incredible journey.

Day 2

AUSTRALIS CRUISE: Disembark in Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay

At dawn, the Australis Cruise crosses Nassau Bay and enters the remote archipelago of Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, we will go ashore on the windswept island that houses the 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 dramatic 425-meter (1,394-foot) promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. Once the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, it 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 small Stella Maris Chapel and the modern Cape Horn Monument (currently awaiting repair due to damage from fierce winds).

You can visit our lecture room to learn more about this fascinating region. Returning across Nassau Bay, we anchor at the renowned Wulaia Bay, a location where human history rivals the natural beauty. Once home to one of the largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on HMS Beagle. After exploring the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station, which focuses on the Yámana people and European missionaries, passengers have the option of three hikes (increasing in difficulty) up the heavily wooded mountain behind the bay. These hikes lead through an enchanting Magellanic forest of lengas, coihues, canelos, and ferns, culminating in panoramic viewpoints of the bay. It’s a remarkable excursion. Return to the ship for some free time to reflect on your amazing day.

Day 3

AUSTRALIS CRUISE: Pia and Garibaldi Glaciers

Overnight, we continue our Patagonia glacier tour, navigating the narrow Gabrial Channel, Magdalena Channel, and Cockburn Channel. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the Australis ship heads eastward and re-enters the Beagle Channel. By morning, we arrive at Pia Fjord and embark on a Zodiac shore excursion to Pia Glacier. This excursion offers two options: a short hike to a panoramic view of the glacier, which stretches from the mountaintops to the sea, or a more challenging walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.

The glacier’s feminine name may be a tribute to Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king.

Continuing west along the Beagle Channel, we anchor near Garibaldi Glacier for another shore excursion. Garibaldi is one of the few Patagonian glaciers that is gaining mass rather than shrinking. This time, we hike through pristine Magellanic forest to a glacial waterfall, a towering wall of ferns and moss, and spectacular viewpoints overlooking the glacier and fjord. The hike is demanding — very steep, with rough footing — and may not be suitable for everyone. For those who prefer to stay onboard, the captain will ensure everyone can enjoy the panoramic views of the stunning Garibaldi Glacier from the upper decks.

Day 4

AUSTRALIS CRUISE: Agostini Sound. Aguila and Condor Glaciers

Early in the morning, we sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound. From here, you can view glaciers descending from the Darwin Mountain Range, with some reaching the water. We will disembark for an easy walk around a lagoon formed by the melting Águila Glacier, with stunning views directly in front of the glacier. In the afternoon, we approach Condor Glacier via Zodiac, with hopes of spotting some of the abundant Andean Condors in the area.

Day 5

AUSTRALIS CRUISE: Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve & Arrival to Punta Arenas

After an overnight cruise through Magdalena Channel and back into the Strait of Magellan, we anchor off Magdalena Island, located halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. The island, crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, was once a crucial supply point for navigators and explorers and is now home to a large colony of Magellanic penguins. Weather permitting, we will go ashore at dawn and hike a path through thousands of penguins to a small museum housed in the historic 1902 lighthouse. The island also hosts various bird species. In September and April, when the penguins are elsewhere, this excursion is replaced with a Zodiac ride to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions.

After a brief cruise south along the strait, disembarkation at Punta Arenas is scheduled for around 11:30 AM.
Camera extension poles are prohibited on Magdalena Island.
If you have booked an organized tour, you will be transferred to Punta Arenas Airport, or to your hotel or bus station in Puerto Natales to continue your itinerary. If you only booked the cruise, our services conclude here.