Check in at the Cruceros Australis office in Ushuaia, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cruise-ship boarding at 5:30 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. Overnight aboard the ship. (D)
Patagonia Cruise Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
4 Days/3 Nights
From $1,486 per person
- If you want an expert to plan the perfect vacation for you...
- We can customize this tour to suit your requirements.
- We can also book your airfare at below published rates.
Overview
This Patagonia cruise begins in Ushuaia, Argentina and continues via the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan to Punta Arenas, Chile. You will disembark in Cape Horn, the southernmost point of the continent, and Wulaia Bay, and important indigenous site, and sail along the Darwin Cordillera to view glaciers flowing into the sea. The last part of the tour takes you to Magdalena Island to walk among an immense colony of Magellanic Penguins.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 3 nights on the Stella Australis, and 8 meals (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners).
Best Time to Go: September-April.
Destinations: South America, Argentina, Chile, & Patagonia.
Interests: Adventure, Expedition Cruising, and Wildlife Viewing.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
We will sail through the Brecknock, Ocasión, Cockburn, and Magdalena Channels to enter the spectacular Agostini Sound, in the heart of the Darwin Cordillera, in Tierra del Fuego. Here you can see the glaciers flowing down the mountainside, often all the way to the sea. In the afternoon we will get into the Zodiac boats and head to the Águila Glacier where we will take an easy walk on the shore of a lagoon surrounded by mountains until we reach the base of the glacier. We will learn about Patagonia’s cold rainforest and the forces that molded the landscape. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
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 Marta Island to observe sea lions. After our visit, we sail to Punta Arenas, disembarking at 11:30 a.m. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| B Cabins | $2,229 | $1,486 | $1,486 |
| A Cabins | $2,982 | $1,988 | $1,988 |
| AA Cabins | $3,126 | $2,084 | $2,084 |
| AAA Cabins | $3,279 | $2,181 | n/a |
| AA Superior Cabins | $3,941 | $2,627 | n/a |
| AAA Superior Cabins | $4,124 | $2,749 | n/a |
Notes:
- The above prices are based on Low Season departures. Call for the prices of High Season departures.
- A limited amount of triples can be accommodated.
Departure Dates
Promotional Departures: Apr 4, 2018 (20% Discount).
Cruise Low Season: Oct 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2017; Mar 21 and 28, 2018.
Cruise High Season: Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2017; Dec 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2017; Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2018; Feb 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2018; Mar 7 and 14, 2018.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Accommodations on board the M/V Stella Australis.
- All meals scheduled on board including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Shore excursions.
- On-board entertainment.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Transfer from the airport to the Cruceros Australis office in Punta Arenas, Chile, and then to the pier at the beginning of the cruise, and from the pier in Ushuaia, Argentina to the airport at the end of the cruise.
- Hotel nights before/after the cruise.
- Port tax in Punta Arenas, Chile ($50).
- Gratuities to ship crew and guides (suggested $15/passenger/day).
- Gifts and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare, hotels, land services, and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Additional Details
Group Private: All services included in this tour are operated on a group basis.
Elevations: N/a.
Passport/Visa: For ChileU.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens (except Greece) require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Greek citizens can stay for up to 60 days. Australian, and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee (considered a multiple entry visa) of $95 and $132 respectively upon arrival (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons). Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Chilean embassy in their country before traveling. For Argentina, U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online, and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar. You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $800 per person plus the cost of the airfare (if we make the arrangements for you).
