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 Punta Arenas
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 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Magallanes 990, Punta Arenas. 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 Strait of Magellan, we will travel to Southern Patagonia, including Tierra de Fuego. This is the beginning of a Great Adventure. (D)
Day 2 Ainsworth Bay - Tucker Islet
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 3 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 4 Cape Horn - 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 5 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.
This is the point where passengers disembark from the Punta Arenas-Ushuaia sector and others board for the Ushuaia-Punta Arenas cruise. If you're ending your Patagonia travels here, we can make arrangements for your return flights home. (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 |
