Each voyage offers unique highlights and landscapes, but they differ in experiences, disembarkation logistics, and wildlife encounters.
Magellanic penguins, Tierra del Fuego (Claudia Corona)
Route Overview
The Patagonian Explorer sails northbound, starting in Ushuaia, Argentina and ending in Punta Arenas, Chile. In contrast, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego sails southbound, from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia.
While the vessels and onboard experiences are similar across both journeys, the routes feature distinct stops and scenic highlights that may influence your choice depending on what you are most excited to see!
Why Choose the Patagonian Explorer (Ushuaia → Punta Arenas)?
This itinerary is ideal for travelers keen on up-close wildlife encounters and a diverse range of glacier experiences.
Exclusive Visit to Magdalena Island: This is one of the few places in Patagonia where you can walk among a large colony of Magellanic penguins. The island is a protected reserve and accessible only on this route, making it a true highlight. Even better, you'll arrive before the classic tours departing from Punta Arenas, meaning your group often has the island to itself during the quiet early hours.
Porter, Águila & Cóndor Glaciers: Unlike the Fjords itinerary, this route lets you actually step off the ship and explore three different glaciers up close—pretty amazing if you're keen on seeing that icy grandeur firsthand.
Leisurely Disembarkation: The cruise ends in Punta Arenas around 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, allowing for a slower-paced final morning and potential onward travel the same day.
This itinerary is also a strong choice for photographers and nature lovers wanting variety—penguins, fjords, glaciers, and expansive Patagonian landscapes.
Trip Planner Claudia Corona, Pia Glacier, Chilean Patagonia (Emily Stanton)
Why Choose the Fjords of Tierra del Fuego (Punta Arenas → Ushuaia)?
This route focuses more on scenic cruising and forest exploration, making it a great option for those seeking a more relaxed immersion into Patagonia’s untouched terrain.
Ainsworth Bay & Forest Walk: One of the highlights is a landing at Ainsworth Bay, where travelers can explore a Patagonian forest and spot native wildlife
Tucker Islets by Zodiac (No Landing): You’ll cruise past these islets for a chance to spot penguins and cormorants from the water—perfect for wildlife photography without disembarking!
Glacier Alley in Daylight: This itinerary sails past the Holland, Italian, German, Spanish and French glaciers during daylight hours (paired with a scenic aperitif on deck), making for a striking visual journey through the icy corridors of the Beagle Channel.
Early Arrival in Ushuaia: Disembarkation in Ushuaia is around 8:30 AM, ideal for travelers needing to catch flights or begin new adventures that same day.
This route is best suited for those who enjoy scenic variety and would prefer to start their cruise closer to Torres del Paine or the Chilean mainland.
What’s Shared Between the Two?
Both cruises include signature Australis experiences:
Cape Horn landing (weather permitting) there are roughly 50/50 chances on stepping foot on this legendary site at the edge of the world. Even if conditions do not allow for a landing, you will still sail past the Cape, gaining a true sense of the extreme conditions early explorers braved aboard far less comfortable vessels.
Wulaia Bay Once a Yamana indigenous settlement, Wulaia Bay combines fascinating human history with breathtaking natural beauty. Here, you can hike through a forest of native lenga trees to a panoramic viewpoint, all while surrounded by a landscape shaped by glacial forces.
Pia Glacier, One of the most striking glaciers in the region, Pia spills dramatically from the towering Darwin Mountains straight into the sea. Depending on the conditions, you will disembark for a short hike to a lookout point, where you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the glacier’s jagged front and the fjord below—a truly cinematic setting where ice meets ocean.
These iconic stops are repeated on Australis’ 8-day roundtrip cruises, giving you the chance to experience two different excursions at Wulaia Bay and Pia Glacier, and doubling your chances of a successful landing at Cape Horn!
Peering through the trees to see the Stella Australis cruising Patagonian waters (Claudia Corona)
Verdict: Which One is Better?
There’s no definitive “better”—just better suited to your travel style!
Choose Patagonian Explorer if:
You want to walk among penguins
You want glacier landings and wildlife encounters are a priority
You prefer a more relaxed disembarkation time
You’re flying onward or connecting to a Chilean adventure
Choose Fjords of Tierra del Fuego if:
You love spectacular cruising views and forest landscapes
You need an early disembarkation in Ushuaia
You’re flying onward or connecting to an Argentine adventure
Ready to start planning your dream journey with Australis?
Contact one of our expert Trip Planners today to book your next Australis Adventure: Get in touch now!
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