Australis Cruise luxury expedition!

Can you imagine being able to explore each of the natural corners that connect Punta Arenas and Ushuaia? The Australis Cruise makes it possible! And this navigation between fjords not only gives us unspoiled landscapes of the Patagonian region, but also enters its flora and fauna with unprecedented expeditions along the Beagle Canal, the Magellan region and a special visit to the mythical Cape Horn.

We are talking about the southernmost cape of the Island of Horn and the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, in the Southern Zone of Chile. An almost vertical promontory, 425 meters high, which for years was a sailing route for sailboats between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It’s the last land share of the American Continent, the End of the World, where not any vessel contemplates the descent of its passengers.

The Australis Cruise takes you where others don’t arrive. Its two boats, Stella or Ventus, were designed to navigate narrow and deep fjords without leaving aside its majestic lakes, glaciers and islands to which you lower through the practical, modern and safe Zodiac boats.

There are several options for making this expedition. It will all depend on the needs, tastes and expectations of travelers. See itineraries of five or nine days and you choose the route, based on the destinations you prefer to explore, the place you want to leave and where you want to go. The alternatives are:

•         Punta Arenas-Ushuaia, four nights between Fjords of Tierra del Fuego.
•         Ushuaia-Punta Arenas, four nights exploring Patagonia.
•         Ushuaia-Punta Arenas-Ushuaia, eight nights making Darwin’s route from Argentina.
•         Punta Arenas-Ushuaia-Punta Arenas, eight nights making Darwin’s route from Chile.

To give you a more accurate reference, we share one of the four-night programs. The rest of the operational routes you can see right now in Australis Itineraries.

PUNTA ARENAS-USHUAIA FOUR NIGHTS IN TIERRA DEL FUEGO FJORDS

•         Day 1, Punta Arenas: we start with check-in between 13:00 and 17:00 hrs on Av. Costanera del Estrecho 1398, Arturo Prat Pier. Boarding is at 18:00 hrs, with a welcome toast and presentation from the Captain and his crew. Through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Canal, we set sail towards the southern end, touring Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
•         Day 2, Ainsworth Bay-Islotes Tuckers: through the Almirantazgo sinus we sail to the Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay. After knowing how life resurfaces after the retreat of the ices, we take a walk to the beaver dam and Sub-Antarctic Magellan forest. If we run hopefully, on the beach or island, we’ll spot South American elephant seals. We have lunch and continue navigation to the Tuckers islets from the zodiac boats to delight in the penguins of Magellan and Cormorants.
•         Day 3, Glacier Pía-Avenida de los Glaciares: after a navigation on the northwest arm of the Beagle Canal, we arrive and disembark in the Pía Fjord. There, we start an excursion to the viewpoint that gives us spectacular views of the eponymous glacier, which extends from the top of the mountain range to the sea. We resume the lake promenade along the majestic “Avenida de los Glaciares”.
•         Day 4, Cape Horn-Wulaia Bay: sailing continues along the Murray Canal and Nassau Bay until we reach the magical Cape Horn National Park, “World Biosphere Reserve”, where we will disembark. Keep in mind that everything depends on the weather! In the afternoon, we get off in Wulaia, a bay of great historical cargo. It’s a settlement that housed large native Yámanas canoeists. We walk through a Magellanic forest of lengas, coigs, canelos and ferns.
•         Day 5, Ushuaia: let’s get to Ushuaia. The landing is at 8:30 hrs.

Please note that the one-way route is not the same as back. The Ushuaia-Punta Arenas expedition includes other places. That’s why the eight-night itineraries arise. Get to know the excursions you can take with the Australis cruise.

AUSTRALIS EXPERIENCE, WHY IS IT A LUXURY EXPEDITION?

The Australis experience is a real luxury. Combine adventure with world-class onboard service, maintaining the essence of the expedition while inside the boat, thanks to its successful design. Each space of the ship is glazed in order to grant you a full view of nature surrounding you!

The maximum capacity of the boats is 200 people. There are 100 cabins with external windows, which means that even before you sleep you won’t miss out on the majestic panoramas. Case similar to that of its 3 lounges, café, bar and restaurant. Even the stairs are stained glass!

Its gastronomy is excellent, top notch internationally although, of course, emphasizing the typical dishes of the Patagonian region with: red fruits, cheeses, fish and the must-see Patagonian Lamb. All by the hand of a Chilean chef who spent more than 20 years based in France.

Everything is included. In coffee break for early risers, breakfast and lunch bufett. Also a la carte dinner with 4 times (with two menu options and special meals according to requirements), up to drinks, wines and other spirits. The open bar of crucero Australis works hand in hand with local and international wineries, so you can delight in exquisite Argentine, Chilean and other imported wine; champagne and whiskey. Cocktails and beers are also available.

There are 5 decks equipped with state-of-the-art technology, carefully decorated. The Patagonia Dining Room is located in the lower cabin. The 3 central decks are intended for the cabins and the Darwin Lounge is on the upper deck which houses the bar and has an open terrace where you can go out for photos or share an outdoor drink.

That said, it’s important to know that room categories don’t influence services. Everyone enjoys the same amenities, everyone eats and does the same. There’s no difference between the passengers. For a more accurate reference, you can check out Australis Cruise, all you need on board!

GROUND ACTIVITY, SUITABLE FOR ALL GROUPS OF TRAVELERS

Understanding that the main activity of the Australis Cruise is not by boat but on land it’s appropriate that you know that this expedition is suitable for all groups of travelers, including children from 4 years and on and adults over 65 years of age. So if you are considering this family adventure, we tell you that it is possible. In fact, cots can be included in some of the cabins.

Simply put, it’s not a trip that requires trekking training. There are all kinds of adventures: hikes with intense climbs? Perhaps, but also walks without difficulty and very enjoyable. Entering nature will be no problem, there are excursions for all levels.

Likewise, before each departure, the expedition guides -specialized in the natural history of the Magellan region, glaciology, flora and fauna of the area-, tell us about every place to explore. Simultaneously in two languages, English and Spanish, through groups divided into two of its three halls.

It is a pleasant and magical talk, a mouth open to everything you will discover during each shore excursion. The Australis Cruise is an expedition of significant historical cargo. Many were the personalities who sailed this canal and lived in the places we are going to visit, studying the evolution of humanity more than 500 years ago!

GET TO KNOW THE OPERABILITY AND POSSIBILITY TO COMBINE THE ROUTES

While the Australis Cruise offers 4 basic routes, with 2 itineraries of four nights and 2 of eight nights, there is the possibility to extend your itinerary to 10 and up to 15 days, completing the itinerary with the most popular attractions and excursions of your destination. This means that if you decide on the Punta Arenas-Ushuaia route you can continue your adventure in El Chaltén, El Calafate and Tierra de los Glaciares National Park. Otherwise, you have the option to combine with Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park.

In this sense, we invite you to consult our travel advisors. It will be a pleasure to help you assemble your itinerary, informing you in detail about the changes that have taken place after the pandemic generated by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Although this navigation takes place the entire spring-summer season of the southern cone, from the last week of September to the first of April, this 2020 is started in December. Of course, under the necessary preventive and safety measures in health matters, not ruling out changes in the food service. Which means, the buffet service at breakfast and lunch would be replaced by another modality.

Ready to navigate through majestic fjords and explore fascinating corners? Whatsapp us!