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Ship:  MV Via Australis

Itinerary:  M/V Via Australis 8 Day/7Night - Ushuaia

click to enlarge
  Ushuaia

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

A sister ship to the Mare Australis, the Via Australis was built in 2005 specifically to cruise Patagonia along the spectacular waterways around the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel. During your Patagonia travels you'll navigate around Cape Horn, Wulaia Bay, and explore the famed Glacier Avenue as you cruise through the Beagle Channel. You'll then travel to the penguin populated Madgalena Island. If you are scheduled for a longer cruise, your Patagonia travels with continue onto Gardibaldi Bay and the Pia Glacier. The Via Australis is a wonderful way to experience some of Patagonia's most celebrated treasures.

Day 1 : Ushuaia

This afternoon in Ushuaia we board the Via Australis, a newly constructed, state-of-the-art cruise ship to begin our Patagonia travel adventures. Check in at San Martín 245, Ushuaia, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., embark the Expedition Cruise Ship. The Captain and crew will give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterward, the ship will set sail for “the uttermost part of the earth.” Through the mythical Beagle Channel, we will travel to Southern Patagonia, including Tierra del Fuego. This is the beginning of a Great Adventure. (D)

Day 2 : Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay

We will sail through the Beagle and Murray Channels to disembark in Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). Cape Horn was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June, 2005. In the afternoon we will disembark in historical Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region’s largest native settlements. This area is also renowned for the spectacular beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will walk through a Magellanic forest filled with Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other species to reach a look-out point. (B,L,D)

Day 3 : Gunther Pluschow Glacier

We will disembark near the Gunther Plüschow Glacier and approach to Piloto and Nena glaciers from the Zodiac boats, providing us with a closer look at these awe-inspiring masses of ancient ice. (B,L,D)

Day 4 : Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas

Early in the morning we'll disembark in Magdalena Island. Located 25 miles north of Punta Arenas in the Strait of Magellan, Magdalena Island is a natural reserve of sea lions, cormorants, and over 120,000 Magellanic penguins. Year after year, the penguin couples return to nest in the same burrow they've built within the island's "rookery." Between October and March they occupy almost the entire island, making for a unique and comical sight! After a walk to San Isidro Lighthouse we re-board the Mare Australis. Late morning when we dock in Punta Arenas. (B,L,D)

This is the point where passengers disembark from the Ushuaia-Punta Arenas sector and others board for the Punta Arenas-Ushuaia cruise. If you're doing the 8-day continuous journey, the day is free to explore the area as you wish. If you're ending your Patagonia travels here, we can make arrangements for your return flights home.

Day 5 : Ainsworth Bay - Marinelli Glacier - Brookes Glacier

During the dawn’s early light, our ship will continue navigating through Almirantazgo Inlet, until arriving near Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay, where we will enjoy a walk to discover a beaver dam in the midst of a marvelous Magellanic forest. On the beach we will observe a colony of Elephant Seals. Continuing the voyage, we will visit Tucker Islet, where we will sight colonies of Magellanic penguins and Cormorants from the Zodiac boats. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Pia Glacier - Glacier Alley

We will navigate the main part of the Beagle Channel to enter Pia Bay and disembark near the glacier of the same name. We will take an excursion to a look-out point that is ideal for viewing the mountain range where the glacier originates, and its flow all the way to the sea. After this unforgettable experience, we will sail again along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel through majestic “Glacier Alley”: Spain, Romanche, Germany, Italy, France and Holland glaciers. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Revisit the Cape - Puerto Williams

We will sail through the Beagle and Murray Channels to disembark in Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). Cape Horn, a sheer, almost 425-meter-high promontory, where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean merge.
In the afternoon, we will disembark in Puerto Williams, the southernmost town in the world, where you can take optional excursions, such as the visit to Martin Gusinde Museum or to take part in one trekking to the La Bandera hill. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Ushuaia

Early this morning we arrive in Ushuaia, the most important city on the Argentinean side of Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia is the entrance to the Tierra del Fuego National Park and we use this base as a jumping off point to explore all the wonders of this landscape where the forests and mountains meet the sea. Our adventures end in Ushuaia. Here you can catch an afternoon flight to Buenos Aires and Santiago and connecting flight homeward, or with a bit more time you can add an extension to Torres del Paine, go rafting in the Lakes District, help a Mapuche family with the annual Araucaria seed harvest, explore the Atacama desert, or enjoy a trip through wine country to continue your Patagonia travel adventures.

During the cruise there will be interesting talks on the wildlife, history and geography of this legendary region given by the Via Australis Expedition Group. The talks will take place both on board (with audio-visual support) and on land.

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Flights to/from Punta Arenas or Ushuaia are not included. These may have been included in your main tour. However, if not, each flight costs around US$205 (flight cost subject to change). Hotel transfers are also extra and we will happily arrange them for you.

Prices include a 3% cash discount.

Ship Description: MV Via Australis

click to enlarge
  Via Australis

Built in 2005 as a sister ship to the M/V Mare Australis, the M/V Via Australis has 64 cabins with private facilities and panoramic windows, and offers travelers a comfortable experience with 4 decks, 2 lounges, and a restaurant that serves exquisite regional and international cuisine. This expedition cruise ship also boasts a game room, small library, gift shop, a doctor on board - and, of course, magnificent panoramic views from the lounges, decks, and dining room.

B 7 cabins located on the first deck, each with two twin beds, large window, and private facilities.	A 29 cabins located on the second deck, with one double or two twin beds. All have a large window and private facilities.
AA 18 cabins on the third deck, with one double or two twin beds. All have a large window and private facilities.	AAA 10 cabins on deck 4 with two twin beds or one double bed. All have a large window and private facilities.
Extra Bed (Triple) 6 AA cabins and 3 A cabins have an additional high berth, increasing their capacity to a triple.	Single Single rates apply for all cabins. Solo travelers are assigned A or AA cabins.