Australis Cruise: Patagonia & Glaciers

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on an incredible excursion to the otherworldly Perito Moreno Glacier, which includes an exciting Nautical Safari. Travel 50 miles to Los Glaciares National Park, declared a World Natural Heritage Site by Unesco for preserving an extensive area of continental ice fields from which descend the Moreno, Onelli, Agassi and Upsala glaciers. 

Perito Moreno expands over the stunning waters of Lake Argentino, with colors ranging from immaculate white to bright turquoise. Walk along the trails located in front of the glacier. From there, gaze at its immensity and witness the huge blocks of ice detaching from the glacier—a once in a lifetime sight to behold!

The excursion ends with a Nautical Safari on Perito Moreno, a slow 1-hour boat ride to appreciate its beauty and grandeur more closely. You will be able to observe the north wall of the glacier and all its extension, and, if lucky, maybe also get to witness blocks of ice detaching from the glacier. To delve deeper into this incredible landscape, we recommend our optional glacier mini-trek*. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in El Calafate.

*Optional Glacier Mini-Trek: Experience nature and adventure on a mini-trek across the ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Passing through the port "Bajo de las Sombras", cross the walkways of Los Glaciares National Park,  in front of the lower Rico Lake.

Breakfast at the hotel. Your exciting adventure continues today as you transfer to the bus station to catch a shared bus service to Puerto Natales, crossing the border into Chile and admiring the beautiful landscapes of Patagonia along the way.

Arrive at Puerto Natales bus station and transfer to the hotel. Once settled, take some time to explore this once modest fishing port. Make sure to see the pretty corrugated tin houses and cozy old-style lodgings as well as enjoy the international restaurants and cafes overlooking the Señoret Channel. Overnight in Puerto Natales.

Breakfast at the hotel. An unforgettable day awaits today as you set-off to explore the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park, an icon of Chile's natural beauty. Set off into the landscapes of Southern Patagonia, stopping along the way at the Milodon Cave, an amazing natural monument.

Continue into the national park observing the picturesque Sofia Lagoon, Cordillera Prat, Porteno Lake and pristine surrounding landscapes. Take in the views and snap some photos at the Gray Lake Viewpoint, and walk along the shore of Gray Lake. After a short rest stop, continue into the Salto Grande sector of the park to visit the Nordenskjold Lake Viewpoint, Paine Waterfall and Amarga Lake.

Enjoy the amazing untouched wilderness and soak up the fresh air. The last stop, at dusk, is the Sarmiento Lake Viewpoint, for an unforgettable view as the sun begins to set. Return and overnight in Puerto Natales. 

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and spend the day at your leisure. We recommend visiting the local history museum and enjoying the sea views across the islets and inlets from the unique Hand Monument. Take some time to stroll along the waterfront and soak up the tranquil atmosphere of this beautiful city and its breathtaking surroundings! We recommend an optional boat navigation to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers* to make the most of this incredible destination. Overnight stay in Puerto Natales.

*Optional boat navigation to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers: Enjoy sightings of beautiful mountains, waterfalls, ranches and Patagonian birdlife as you sail along. First you’ll encounter the stunning Balmaceda Glacier, and continue navigating until you reach Serrano Glacier. Disembark the catamaran and hike through lush forests until reaching the foot of the immense, stunning glacier. On your route back, stop at Estancia Perales for a delicious Patagonian lunch (included).

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to Puerto Natales bus station to catch a coach to Punta Arenas. Once arrived, a transfer will be waiting to take you to the port to board the cruise. After a welcome toast and introduction of the captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the most remote corners of Planet Earth. 

Cross the Strait of Magellan during the night and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonia. Watch the twinkling lights of Punta Arenas gradually fade into the distance as you enter the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. Overnight aboard.

Full board aboard. Sail up Admiralty Sound at the break of dawn. This spectacular offshoot of the Strait of Magellan stretches nearly halfway across Tierra del Fuego. The snow capped peaks of Karukinka Natural Park extend along the north side of the sound, while the south shore is defined by the deep fjords and broad bays of Alberto de Agostini National Park. 

Disembark at Ainsworth Bay, where its rich birdlife and elephant seals may be spotted from the Zodiacs. We recommend either of our optional excursions to make the most of the experience*. Leaving our Ainsworth Bay behind, sail west along the sound to the Tucker Islets. After lunch, board the Zodiacs again for a close-up view of the speedy Magellan penguins, and many other species that inhabit the tiny islands. Overnight aboard.

*Optional waterfall hike: Hike along the edge of a stream, peat bog and beaver habitat to a waterfall-and-moss-covered rock face tucked deep inside a pristine sub-polar forest.

*Optional glacial hike: A slightly challenging hike along the crest of a glacial moraine. Enjoy amazing views of Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin Mountains.

Please Note: Between September and April, when the penguins live elsewhere, this excursion is replaced by a short walk to a glacier at nearby stunning Brookes Bay.

For the Ainsworth Bay optional guided excursions, you will have to make the choice of either one of the two optional activities once you are on the cruise ship. 

Full board aboard. During the night, sail around the western end of Tierra del Fuego and Beagle Channel. By morning enter the breathtakingly immense Pia Fjord and board the Zodiacs for a tour or Pia Glacier. After disembarking, enjoy either a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, or a more challenging walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.

Back onboard, continue east along the Beagle Channel through an area called Glacier Alley. Living up to its name, the passage features a number of impressive tidewater glaciers, most of them named after European countries, flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore. Overnight aboard.

Full board aboard. During the morning cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn, often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. 

In the afternoon navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, renowned for its mesmerizing beauty, dramatic geography and compelling human history. After a visit to the museum in the old radio station, hike up the stunning wooded mountain behind the bay. Overnight aboard.

Breakfast on board. Sail into Argentine waters this morning and dock in the picturesque town of Ushuaia, in the world's southernmost point also known as ‘The End of the World’.

Transfer to the hotel, get settled, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the unique ambience of this unique destination. The windswept town, perched on a steep hill, is surrounded by the Martial Mountains east of Cordillera Darwin and the Beagle Channel strait. Why not pay a visit to the End of the World Museum to learn about the fascinating history of this incredible place. Overnight stay in Ushuaia.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off on an exciting excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park on the renowned ‘End of the World Train’. During the journey, contemplate the beauty of the Cañadón del Toro, Pipo River and Macarena Waterfall. Typical settlements of the ancient Yamana tribe can also be observed as well as the magical landscapes of The End of the World, crossing enchanted forests and unforgettable panoramic points.

Disembark the train and discover this beautiful area of protected natural landscapes. Visit Ensenada, Acigami Lake and admire Lapataia Bay, home to a rich variety of wildlife. Stroll along the shoreline of the bay, beaver dams and the lake, and take in the unforgettable landscapes of Patagonia at your own pace! Overnight stay in Ushuaia.

NOTE: National Park entrance fees are not included.

Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to return to the capital today. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to board a flight back to Buenos Aires. Arrive, transfer to your hotel and depending on your arrival time, spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the culture and vibrance of the capital.

The city's abundant museums and galleries are a brilliant way to learn more about Argentine culture. We recommend the Eva Peron museum, named after an important figure in Argentine history. Overnight stay in Buenos Aires.