Punta Arenas Darwin Range Cape Horn Beagle Channel Ushuaia
A wonderful cruise through the magnificent Patagonian fjords that showcases the breathtaking glaciers, wildlife and landscapes at the southern tip of South America. Departing from the Chilean city of Punta Arenas on the shores of the historic Straits of Magellan, the cruises follows in the foosteps of the explorers on a voyage through the lush channels of Tierra del Fuego. Discover the huge glaciers of the Darwin range, Cape Horn National Park and historic Wulaia Bay before reaching Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.
Note: This itinerary runs from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia (West-East) but equally it can be done in reverse, ie Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (East-West). Please contact us for details.
Itinerary Highlights
Pristine sub-polar forest and mesmerising views
Visit the historic Wulaia Bay
Observe a wealth of wildlife from penguins to whales
Marvel at the Pia Glacier as you cruise along Glacier Alley
Visit Cape Horn at the ends of the earth
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
4
Nights
Price Guide
$2900 – $10950 pp (cruise only)
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Chile
Day 2
Punta Arenas & the Straits of Magellan
Arrive into Punta Arenas and transfer to the port to embark your wonderful Australis cruise. After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the remotest corners of planet Earth. During the night we cross the Strait of Magellan and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonian. The twinkling lights of Punta Arenas gradually fade into the distance as we enter the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.
Day 3
Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets
By dawn the ship is sailing up Admiralty Sound, a spectacular offshoot of the Straits of Magellan, flanked by the snowcapped peaks of Karukinka Natural Park and the deep fjords and broad bays of Alberto de Agostini National Park. Heading out on zodiac inflatable, you visit Ainsworth Bay, home to copious bird life and southern elephant seals. Here, you have the chance to immerse yourself in a pristine sub-polar forest or hike along the crest of a glacial moraine with wonderful views of the Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin range. Leaving Ainsworth Bay behind, you continue to the Tucker Islets, nesting ground of over 4,000 Magellanic penguins as well as wealth of other sea-birds such as king cormorants, oystercatchers, Chilean skuas, kelp geese, dolphin gulls, eagles and even the occasional Andean condor.
Day 4
Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley
Overnight, you sail around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via the very narrow Gabrial – , Magdalena – and Cockburn Channels. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the vessel tacks eastward entering the famous Beagle Channel to reach the stunning Pia Fjord and Glacier. Boarding the Zodiacs, you head to shore and enjoy a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which tumbles down from the mountain-tops to the ocean. Energy-allowing, you may prefer a tougher walk to reach a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.
Day 5
Wulaia Bay & Cape Horn
During the early morning, you navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, once home to the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, as first spotted by Charles Darwin and Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on the HMS Beagle. Here you visit the local museum before enjoying a walk through a Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic flora to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. In the afternoon, the cruise continues to the archipelago of Cape Horn National Park where, weather and sea conditions permitting, you will disembark at Cape Horn itself and visit the monument that marks the “End of the Earth.”
Day 6
Ushuaia
The following morning, you sail into Argentine waters and dock in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Disembark the vessel for a transfer to the airport for onward connections. Alternatively, you may prefer to spend a day in Ushuaia visiting the Lapataia National Park and taking a ride on the “train at the end of the world”.
Day 7
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $2900 – $10950 per person (cruise only)
When to travel
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Argentina’s weather is as diverse as the country’s landscapes. In the far south, temperatures reach the high teens during the spring and summer months of November to March (best time to visit) though can drop close to zero at night. Due to its latitude, days are long – 16 hours of light in December which contrasts with around 8 hours in mid-winter when temperatures run close to zero during the day and sub-zero at night. Heading north, the Lake District follows a similar pattern though is warmer over 20° in the summer and wettest in March/April though with beautiful autumnal colours. Buenos Aires and central Argentina enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with annual highs of 30° while the subtropical north is very hot and sticky with tempestuous downpours during the summer months – Iguazu Falls are particularly impressive in January in February though often the sheer volume of water and surrounding mist shroud the view.
In Argentina, January is usually one of the hottest months of the year with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. It can be quite humid, especially in Buenos Aires, so it's important to stay hydrated and wear light clothing. If you're planning to explore the country during this time, be prepared for some intense heat and seek shade during the hottest parts of the day.
February in Argentina is usually warm with temperatures ranging from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius. While it may not be as hot as January, it's still important to stay hydrated and wear light clothing. The weather is generally pleasant and sunny, making it a great time to explore the country.
In March, Argentina experiences an autumn climate with temperatures ranging between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius. It is generally sunny with occasional cooler days, making it a good time to explore the country without worrying about the scorching heat. It is recommended to wear layers as the temperature can drop at night.
In April, Argentina experiences a mild autumn climate with temperatures ranging between 14 and 23 degrees Celsius. It is generally sunny with occasional cooler days, making it a good time to explore the country without worrying about extreme heat or cold. It is recommended to wear layers as the temperature can still drop at night.
May in Argentina is the beginning of winter, with temperatures ranging from 9 to 18 degrees Celsius. It can be quite chilly, especially at night, so it's recommended to pack warm clothes and layers. Despite the cooler weather, it's still a good time to visit Argentina as there are fewer crowds and the scenery can be quite stunning.
In June, Argentina experiences the heart of winter with temperatures ranging from 6 to 14 degrees Celsius. It can be quite cold, especially at night, so it's important to pack warm clothes and layers to stay comfortable. Despite the cooler temperatures, June is still a great time to visit Argentina as there are fewer crowds and the scenery is still breathtaking.
In July, Argentina experiences winter with temperatures ranging from 5 to 13 degrees Celsius. It can be quite chilly, particularly in the evenings, so it's important to bring warm clothing and layers to stay comfortable. Despite the cooler temperatures, July is still a great time to visit Argentina as there are fewer tourists and the scenery is still stunning.
In August, Argentina experiences a milder winter with temperatures ranging from 6 to 16 degrees Celsius. While still cool, it's not as chilly as July and visitors can still enjoy the beautiful scenery without having to worry too much about the cold. It's still recommended to bring layers for the evenings, but overall, August is a great time to visit Argentina.
In September, Argentina experiences a gradual increase in temperature with highs ranging from 14 to 20 degrees Celsius. The evenings can still be cool, so it's best to bring layers, but overall, the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
During October, Argentina experiences a slight increase in temperature with highs ranging from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. The evenings can still be cool, so it's best to bring layers, but overall, the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
In November, Argentina's temperature starts to rise again with highs ranging from 20 to 27 degrees Celsius. The weather is generally warm and sunny, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities. However, it's still advisable to bring some layers for cooler evenings.
In December, the weather in Argentina is generally warm with temperatures ranging from 21 to 30 degrees Celsius. It's a great time to explore the outdoors and enjoy the sunshine, but it's also a good idea to bring some layers for cooler evenings.
Add on’s
A short distance away from Punta Arenas, the Torres del Paine National Park is unmissable and leads you on beautifully to El Calafate in Argentina and Mount Fitzroy, the face of Patagonia. Ushuaia (and Punta Arenas) is also the starting point of many Antarctic cruises and there is no better add-on to Patagonia than the Great White Continent!
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