Australis Cruise: Patagonia and Capo Horns

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My main interest was to visit the beautiful fiords in the South of Chile from a cruise that would also allow for some land visits in order to get in touch with the local nature - glaciers, specific flora and fauna. All these goals were fulfilled to perfection.

December 2023-January 2024

WHY GO

Boasting stunning vistas at every turn, paths untrodden by the masses, towering snow-capped mountains, a multitude of lakes varying in many colours and an abundance of wildlife, these are just a few things that draw people to visit Patagonia one of the furthest and most untouched places on Earth.

WHEN TO GO

November to March is the best time to visit Patagonia, with warmth and longer days on both the Chile and Argentina sides. Southern nights last a scant six hours, although night frosts and sleet can occur in the highlands even in summer. Mid-November to mid-December is less crowded, with spring blooms.

FIRST PART AUSTRALIS CRUISE

Ushuaia (Argentina) - Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay - Pía Glacier - Porter Glacier - Agostini Sound - Águila Glacier - Cóndor Glacier - Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas (Chile)

HOW TO BOOK: https://ecommerce.australis.com/zarpes/en/0/0

Day 1 and Day 2

CAPO HORNS

From Ushuaia, Argentina, one of the most important cities in Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), we entered the Beagle Channel and turn towards the Murray Channel -between the Hoste and Navarino Islands- thus entering Chilean waters.
After navigating the Murray Channel and crossing Nassau Bay, we arrived at Cape Horn National Park:
discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition, the mythical Cape Horn is a 425 metre-high (1,394 foot) rocky promontory that dominates the landscape of the turbulent Drake Passage. The Chilean Navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, which is inhabited by a naval officer and his family, as well as the small Stella Maris chapel and a monument depicting the albatross.
Then we visited the Wulaia Bay, a site described by Charles Darwin and illustrated by Fitz Roy during his voyages on the Beagle, and which was one of the largest settlements of the native Yaghan people in the region.

Day 3

PIA FJORD

Setting sail from Wulaia Bay, we will continue along the Beagle Channel until we enter Pia Fjord. We will board the Zodiacs and disembark near the glacier which was named after Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the King of Italy.
There are two excursions available: Pia
Boulders (level of difficulty: medium) and Pia
Lookout (level of difficulty: low). Both activities lead to lookouts which offer panoramic views of this imposing glacier, one of the most active on our itinerary.
In the afternoon, and after having enjoyed lunch surrounded by stunning views, we will begin our second excursion that and travel on Zodiacs to another arm of the beautiful Pia Fjord until we reach the active Porter Glacier.

Day 4

THE CONDOR & AGUILA GLACIERS

After leaving the Beagle Channel and briefly venturing into the Pacific Ocean, we will enter the Cockburn Channel through the night and head towards the Alberto De Agostini National Park, named after the Italian Salesian priest who worked with the inhabitants of the region during the first half of the 20th century.
De Agostini sound is surrounded by numerous glaciers and mountains with steep jagged peaks. In the morning we’ll visit the Aguila Glacier, which is located on a calm glacial lagoon surrounded by a primitive forest. After disembarking from the Zodiacs, we will walk along the edge of the lagoon towards the base of the glacier.
In the afternoon we will board our Zodiacs once more and make our way towards the end of the narrow fjord to Condor Glacier.
Without leaving the boats we will admire the beauty of the glacier and the narrow rocky corridor that it has sculpted.

Day 5

THE PENGUINS

Last day: we will cross the Magdalena Channel through the night until we reach the Strait of Magellan where we’ll anchor at Magdalena Island, halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. The island is part of the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument and is under the administration of CONAF, a government organization for the protection of flora and fauna. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse dating to 1902, the island was an essential source of supplies for seafarers and explorers and is populated by an extensive colony of Magellan penguins. At dawn, we’ll disembark on the island and walk along a path that leads to the lighthouse. On the island it is possible to see many species of birds including cormorants, Dominican and southern seagulls, skuas, caiquenes, carancas and bandurrias.
After a short trip along the Strait of Magellan, we will disembark in Punta Arenas.

ARGENTINA

USHAIA - EL CALAFATE (GLACIER MORENO) & IGUAZU WATERFALL

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CHILE

Torres del Paine National Park (Parco nazionale Torres del Paine)

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Torres del Paine National Park

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