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YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE AWAITS
patagonia cruise ship under rainbow

Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Ushuaia to Punta Arenas

Fjords and Channels of Patagonia

This cruise is the perfect extension to our Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia itinerary. Please contact us for more details.

Overview

Explore Patagonia on an adventurous five-day journey from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas through some of the planet’s most remote, untamed wilderness. From aboard an expedition ship that brings an extraordinary level of comfort and service to the uttermost edge of the world, witness fabled spots like Cape Horn, Wulaia Bay, and Beagle Channel. Sail through a maze of islands and visit icy blue glaciers—frozen giants that guard the southern flank of the Fuegian Archipelago, enter the legendary Strait of Magellan, and explore Isla Magdalena to view its impressive penguin colony. Whether from Zodiac or on foot, shore excursions will get you up close to witness the incredible range of wildlife that lives along these magnificent waterways.

Note: This cruise is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the ship operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the cruise line.

Itinerary

Day 1
Ushuaia / Embark

After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, depart for one of the most remote corners of the planet. Overnight, the ship will traverse Beagle Channel and cross from Argentina into Chilean territorial waters. Watch the lights of Ushuaia disappear as you sail into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands.

Day 2
Cape Horn / Wulaia Bay

By early morning, you will be crossing Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you can bundle up and go ashore on the windswept island that harbors 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 sheer 1,394-foot-high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and is 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 tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument.

Sailing back across Nassau Bay, the ship will 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 the 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, you'll have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooded mountain behind the bay. On each hike, you'll stroll through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. Before leaving Wulaia Bay, drop something into the wooden mail barrel inside the museum —letters or postcards meant to be hand delivered by future travelers—an ancient mariner tradition revived by Australis.

Day 3
Pia Glacier / Garibaldi Glacier

Casting off from Wulaia Bay, the ship retraces its route to the Beagle Channel and sails westward along the southern edge of Tierra del Fuego into a section of Alberto de Agostini National Park called Glacier Alley. Flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet are a number of impressive tidewater glaciers, most of them named after European countries—Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain and France. Amongst this frozen league of nations, you'll enter the narrow Pia Fjord and board a Zodiac for a walk to Pia Glacier. No one knows for certain how the hulking glacier got its feminine moniker, but according to one theory, it was named for princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king. Enjoy a short hike with panoramic views of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea, or take a longer, more challenging walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.

Day 4
Agostini Sound / Aguila Glacier / Condor Glacier

Early in the morning, 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. Take an easy walk around a lagoon, which was formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier. The walk leads to a spot right in front of that glacier with stunning views. In the afternoon, you can approach the Condor Glacier by Zodiac and, if the timing is right, witness some of the abundant Andean condors in the area.

Day 5
Magdalena Island / Punta Arenas

Cruise overnight back into the Strait of Magellan, where the ship anchors off Magdalena Island, 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, 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. If you are on the September or April departure when the penguins dwell elsewhere, rather than hiking you will take a Zodiac ride to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions. After a short sail south along the strait, disembark at Punta Arenas in the late morning.

Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Ushuaia to Punta Arenas route-map

Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Ushuaia to Punta Arenas

Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Ushuaia to Punta Arenas route-map

Highlights

Highlights

Go ashore on legendary Cape Horn
Explore several impressive tidewater glaciers on foot and by Zodiac
Choose from easy or more challenging walks through magical forests to waterfalls and viewpoints
Witness a wide array of wildlife from Magellanic penguins to South American sea lions

Details

Length: 5 days
Cost From: $2220  
Full pricing
Arrive: Ushuaia, Argentina
Depart: Punta Arenas, Chile
Lodging: 4 nights aboard a 210-passenger expedition vessel
View Lodging
Meals: All meals aboard ship included
Activity: Walking, Wildlife and Natural History, Small Ship Cruising
Trip Level:

5-day cruise, nature walks, day hikes, Zodiac excursions
What the Trip is Like

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!

Trip Cost

Fuel Surcharges

Because the prices published by cruise operators are set so far in advance of the trip dates, they are occasionally faced with exceptional cost fluctuations due to increase in fuel costs that affect the actual cost of running the trip. In most years, no price changes are necessary. However, they do reserve the right to raise or lower the trip price if there is a significant change in costs. If this is the case, your final invoice will reflect the difference in trip cost.

Departures

2023
Sep 29-Oct 3, 2023   *Ventus Australis 
Oct 7-11, 2023   *Ventus Australis 
Oct 15-19, 2023   *Ventus Australis 
Oct 23-27, 2023   *Ventus Australis 
Oct 27-31, 2023   *Stella Australis 
Oct 31-Nov 4, 2023   *Ventus Australis 
Nov 4-8, 2023   Stella Australis 
Nov 8-12, 2023   Ventus Australis 
Nov 12-16, 2023   Stella Australis 
Nov 16-20, 2023   Ventus Australis 
Nov 20-24, 2023   Stella Australis 
Nov 24-28, 2023   Ventus Australis 
Nov 28-Dec 2, 2023   Stella Australis 
Dec 2-6, 2023   Ventus Australis 
Dec 6-10, 2023   Stella Australis 
Dec 10-14, 2023   Ventus Australis 
Dec 14-18, 2023   Stella Australis 
Dec 18-22, 2023   Ventus Australis 
Dec 22-26, 2023   Stella Australis 
Dec 26-30, 2023   Ventus Australis 
Dec 30, 2023-Jan 3, 2024   Stella Australis 
2024
Jan 3-7, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Jan 7-11, 2024   Stella Australis 
Jan 11-15, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Jan 15-19, 2024   Stella Australis 
Jan 19-23, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Jan 23-27, 2024   Stella Australis 
Jan 27-31, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Jan 31-Feb 4, 2024   Stella Australis 
Feb 4-8, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Feb 8-12, 2024   Stella Australis 
Feb 12-16, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Feb 16-20, 2024   Stella Australis 
Feb 20-24, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Feb 24-28, 2024   Stella Australis 
Feb 28-Mar 3, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Mar 3-7, 2024   Stella Australis 
Mar 7-11, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Mar 11-15, 2024   Stella Australis 
Mar 15-19, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Mar 19-23, 2024   Stella Australis 
Mar 23-27, 2024   Ventus Australis 
Mar 27-31, 2024   *Stella Australis 
Mar 31-Apr 4, 2024   *Ventus Australis 
Apr 8-12, 2024   *Ventus Australis 

Deck Plan

stella ventus australis deckplan

Cabin details:

  • All Standard cabins are 177 sq ft.
  • Category B cabins have twin beds.
  • Category A, AA and AAA cabins have either twin beds or double beds.
  • AA Superior cabins and AAA Superior cabins are 220 sq ft and have Queen bed only.

Trip Cost Includes

  • All accommodations
  • All meals on board the ship
  • Open bar when on duty (wine, beer, liquor)
  • All shore excursions
  • Onboard entertainment

Trip Cost Does Not Include

Airfare from your home city to Ushuaia and return from Punta Arenas; optional land tours before/after the cruise; port taxes and National Park Fees; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure transfers; passport and/or visa fees; travel insurance; lunch in Punta Arenas; items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages (other than listed), and other incidentals; personal telephone charges.

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: $600
70 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Up to 120 days prior to departure: No charge!
60-119 days prior to departure: $300 per person
50-59 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
40-49 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
30-39 days prior to departure: 75% of trip cost
29 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Arrival & Departure Information

You are responsible for your own transportation arriving to Ushuaia, Argentina, and departing from Punta Arenas, Chile. If you have any questions, please call our office at 1-800-368-2794.

Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip. Once your tickets have been purchased, please send us a copy of your airline schedule.

Fall 2022-Spring 2023
Arrival & Meeting Place
Ushuaia, Argentina
Date: Day 1
Time: By 1:00 pm

Suggested Airport for Arrival
Ushuaia (USH) via Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE/AEP)

If you are connecting in Buenos Aires to a flight to Ushuaia, you should allow at least four hours of connection time, as a transfer between the international airport (EZE) and the domestic airport (AEP) can take up to two hours.

Check-in at downtown Ushuaia between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on Day 1. Board at 6:00 pm.
Departure
Punta Arenas, Chile
Date: Day 5
Suggested departure time: After 2:00 pm

Suggested Airport for Departure
Punta Arenas (PUQ)

Disembarkation in Punta Arenas is scheduled for around 11:30 am. Transfer on own from the ship to Punta Arenas airport or downtown Punta Arenas. Taxis will be available at the dock.

Stella Australis or Ventus Australis

Tierra del Fuego, Chile

Tailor-made for exploring the remote southern tip of South America, the state-of-the-art 210-passenger Stella Australis or Ventus Australis each have the extreme maneuverability necessary to navigate narrow fjords and channels where few cruise ships can venture. Specially designed for Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego cruising, each ship offers cabins in six categories, all with a picture window and private bathroom. Enjoy regional and international cuisine in the dining room, along with Chilean and Argentine wines and wide-ranging views. With spacious lounges, sky bars, cozy passenger cabins, and spectacular views from the open top deck, these are the perfect ships for exploring Patagonia’s waterways.

Our Trips using this Lodging

  • Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia
  • Patagonia: Tracking Pumas and Cruising the Fjords
  • Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
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Stella ventus australis 02
Stella ventus australis 03
Stella ventus australis 04
Stella ventus australis 05
Stella ventus australis 06
Stella ventus australis 07
Stella ventus australis 08

Trip Level

The trip is rated Level 1, Easy, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Zodiac landing crafts are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to wildlife sanctuaries, glaciers, and local points of interest. There are several options for more challenging hikes. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts.

Explain Trip Level

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.

Email Area Manager

References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

Email Area Manager

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California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
Wilderness Travel Awards
1102 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
Discover
  • Our Trips
  • New Trips
  • Special Offers
  • Top Ten Places in 2023
  • Wish List
  • Travel Blog
Keep in Touch
  • Contact Us
  • Catalog Request
  • Digital Catalog
  • Enews Sign-up
  •  
  •  
  •  
About WT
  • Welcome
  • How We Travel
  • Our Leaders
  • Making a Difference
  • Awards
  • WT in the News
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Resources
  • Reserving a Trip
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Toucan Club
  • Referrals
  • Post-trip Survey
  • Client Forms & Helpful Links
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Agents
  • Gear Store
  • Gift Certificates
  • Travel During Covid-19
  • Site Map