Patagonia Cruise Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
5 Days/4 Nights
From $1,960 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
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 4 nights on the Stella or Ventus Australis, and 11 meals (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners).
Best Time to Go: October-March.
Destinations: South America, Argentina, Chile, and Patagonia.
Interests: Adventure, Expedition Cruising, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego and Punta Arenas.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Ushuaia-Australis Cruise.
Day 2: Australis Cruise-Cape Horn-Wulaia Bay.
Sailing back across Nassau Bay, you anchor at fabled Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s 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. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station — which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area — 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, coigües, canelos and ferns to reach panoramic viewpoints overlooking the bay. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Australis Cruise-Pia Glacier-Garibaldi Glacier.
No one knows for certain how the hulking mass of snow and ice got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king.
Making way further west along the Beagle Channel, you enter another long fjord and drop anchor near Garibaldi Glacier for another shore excursion. Garibaldi is one of only three glaciers in Patagonia gaining mass rather than staying the same or slowly shrinking. This time you hike through virgin Magellanic forest to a glacial waterfall, a towering wall of ferns and moss, and spectacular viewpoints looking down on the glacier and fjord. The walk is demanding — very steep, negligible trail, rough footing — and not for everyone. For those who choose to stay onboard, the captain will point the bow towards the beautiful sky blue Garibaldi Glacier so everyone can enjoy the panoramic view from the upper decks. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Australis Cruise-Agostini Sound-Águila Glacier-Cóndor Glacier.
Day 5: Australis Cruise-Magdalena Island-Punta Arenas.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| B Cabins | $2,940 | $1,960 | $1,960 |
| A Cabins | $3,930 | $2,620 | $2,620 |
| AA Cabins | $4,097 | $2,731 | $2,731 |
| AAA Cabins | $4,221 | $2,814 | n/a |
| AA Superior Cabins | $5,000 | $3,333 | n/a |
| AAA Superior Cabins | $5,297 | $3,531 | 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: Sep 25, 2019; April 4 and 8, 2020 (20% Discount).
Cruise Low Season: Oct 3, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, and 31, 2019; Mar 15, 19, 23, 27, and 3, 2020.
Cruise High Season: Nov 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28; Dec 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30, 2019; Jan 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, and 31; Feb 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28; Mar 3, 7, and 11, 2020.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Accommodations on board the M/V Stella Australis or M/V Ventus 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 ($65).
- 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.
Additional Details
Group/Private: All services included in this tour are operated on a group basis.
Elevations: N/a.
Passport/Visa: For Chile, U.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).
