CRUISING TO THE END OF THE EARTH- PATAGONIA

 

Patagonia is the southernmost tip of South America; a rugged and beautiful area shared between Chile and Argentina. Although people flock here in summer, in the southern hemisphere, the magic happens come wintertime. It's the best time to visit if you want this magical place all to yourself! Explore the wonders of the Patagonian fjords with Australis, a Chilean Expedition Cruise company that, since 1990, has been touring the main attractions of Tierra del Fuego, the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and Cape Horn. Discover impressive geography marked by imposing glaciers, native forests, and exotic flora and fauna while sailing through canals of incomparable beauty.

 

Cape Horn

 

Highlights

Punta Arenas, Chile

Located on the continental coast of the Strait of Magellan, just over 3,000 km south of Santiago, the capital of Chile, it was the main port of navigation between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans until the construction of the Panama Canal in 1914. This explains why it flourished as the tremendous cosmopolitan center of the southern tip of South America, providing it with a rich architectural heritage preserved to this day.

 

Australis Cruise Ship

 

Cape Horn

Considered the southernmost cape among the three great projections of the southern hemisphere, it marks the northern limit of the Drake Passage, which separates America from Antarctica. It is a place of great importance and mysticism for world navigation, for the majesty of its landscape, and for having been the site of numerous shipwrecks in ancient times. Disembarkation at Cape Horn National Park depends on the weather conditions. For reference, the historical percentage of possible landings is 75%.

 

Dolphins at Cape Horn

 

Magellan Straight

Discovered in 1520 by Ferdinand Magellan, it is the navigable maritime route located immediately south of continental America and north of the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It is the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and was the first maritime trade route between the East and Europe.

 

Magellan Strait

 

Magellan penguins

There are numerous colonies of Magellan penguins in the region. The most accessible are the penguins of the Otway Sound, with approximately 5,000, and that of Magdalena Island, in the Strait of Magellan, where over 130,000 individuals are located in what is called the "Penguins National Monument." Penguins are migratory birds usually found in the region between October and March.

 

Cruise Ship departure to the Important Sights

 

Onboard lectures

 

The guides will pass on their knowledge of glaciology, flora and fauna, geography, history, and the evolution of the landscapes we travel through. Daily, the guides will share their knowledge with you, on board, through thematic lectures that complement and deepen what is discovered and experienced during these expeditions to the mainland. Something you will remember for a lifetime.

 

Cruise Ship Cabin

Premium Cuisine

 Various breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, a 24/7 cafeteria service, combining the best local ingredients in an international gastronomic setting that prioritizes variety, quality, and excellence. What more can you ask for on a small cruise in Patagonia?

 

South Chilean Ceviche

A Sustainable experience

 

This cruise is an in-depth exclusive, non-massive tourism cruise, accompanied by expert guides trained to inform and scientifically instruct guests about this incredible region. Visiting remote areas of Patagonia doesn't mean you have to compromise on excellence!

 

Pristine Wildlife

Book your Australis cruise of the Patagonian fjords on the Va Expeditions Luxury Cruise to The End of The Earth here.