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 Punta Arenas 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 will disembark on Magdalena Island, the home of an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic Penguins that we will be able to observe during our walk to the Lighthouse that guides different ships on their way through the Strait of Magellan.
After our visit, we will return to Punta Arenas, disembarking at 11:30 a.m., concluding our adventure.
Catch an afternoon flight to 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. (B)
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/mail/fourways.php
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 45 days or more | $400 deposit |
| 30-44 days | 25% trip cost |
| 15-29 days | 50% trip cost |
| 0-14 days | 100% trip cost |
