Australis takes you on an amazing journey to the “uttermost end of the earth” on modern expedition cruise ships that ply the untamed wonderland at the bottom end of South America. Patagonian nature is on full display as we navigate the legendary Strait of Magellan, Cape Horn and the remote islands of Tierra del Fuego on voyages that take you to places that only around a thousand people visit each year. Follow in the footsteps of Magellan, Drake and Darwin as you hike secluded beaches, listen to groaning glaciers, explore the lush sub-polar forest, discover elephant seals, penguins and other native creatures, and glimpse what the earth must have been like before human beings.
Given our decades of experience in the region, Australis had crea- ted itineraries that highlight the best of the waterways and islands of Patagonia. You can elect to sail with us for an entire week or on our 3 and 4 night one way itineraries from Punta Arenas (Chile) or Ushuaia (Argentina) — on roundtrip journeys that land you back in the same port where you started or straight-line itineraries that start at one city and end at the other. In addition, we feature a special land-and-sea itinerary that entails a drive across Tierra del Fuego (and its king penguin colony) and a cruise back through the archipelago. No matter which trip you choose, each and every Australis cruise blends Patagonia’s incredible scenery and wildlife with onboard ple- asures like gourmet cuisine, interesting presentations and comfy cabins. Shore landings are carried out in well-equipped Zodiacs and led by guides who are experts on the region’s flora, fauna, geology and human history.
One of the few cruise ship companies that navigates the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and that offers shore excursions at Cape Horn, Australis has exclusive landing rights at a number of stops along our routes including Wulaia Bay. No matter which cruise you choose, the journey includes the snowcapped peaks of the Darwin Range, spectacular fjords that rival those of Norway, tidewater glaciers that tumble down to the shore from vast ice fields, pristine Magellanic forests where few humans have trod before, and a unique blend of South American and Antarctic wildlife that thrives in one of the few uninhabited areas left on planet Earth. As part of this privilege, Australis has created practices and infrastructure that minimize the impact of our visitations so these precious areas will endure forever. Among these steps are boardwalks to protect fragile habitats and ongoing monitoring of flora, fauna, water conditions and other scientific protocols in conjunction with researchers from Chilean institutes and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The following are summaries of the cruises’ itineraries. For detailed itineraries, please click here.
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