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Home : Chile Tours : Mare and Via Australis

Chile Tours:
MARE and VIA AUSTRALIS

Highlights: Cape Horn * Glaciers

Mare Australis and Via Australis are two Expedition Cruise ships that sail across the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, exploring one of the most beautiful and virgin regions of the world - Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. The ships offer daily land excursions that include walks along paths that go across native forests, visits to glaciers and the astronishing parks of Patagonia.

3 NT ITINERARY

Day 1 | Ushuaia
Check in at San Martín 245, Ushuaia, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cruise ship boarding from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterward, the ship departs for “the uttermost part of the earth.” Our excursion will take us through Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan to explore one of the most captivating wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego. We have just embarked on a Great Adventure!

Day 2 | Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay - Glaciar Pía
We sail through Beagle and Murray channels to reach and disembark in Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). Cape Horn, on Hornos Island, is a sheer, 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory. This mythical place is known as the “End of the Earth”; a visit is a singular privilege. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. In the afternoon, we go ashore in historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region’s largest aboriginal settlements. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other native vegetation to reach a lookout point.

Day 3 | Gunther Plüschow Glacier
In the afternoon, we view awe-inspiring Gunther Plüschow Glacier, named after the region’s pioneering German aviator. Then we sail to Chico Sound, where we disembark in Zodiacs to observe majestic Piloto and Nena glaciers.

Day 4 | Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas
Early in the morning, we go ashore on Magdalena Island, the home of an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic Penguins that we can watch during our walk to a lighthouse, which guides ships on their way through the Strait of Magellan. The island’s penguins migrate in April; as a replacement we visit Marta Island, to observe a sea lion colony. After our visit, we sail to Punta Arenas, disembarking at 11:30 a.m.


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4 NT ITINERARY

Day 1 | Punta Arenas
Check in at Magallanes 990, Punta Arenas, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cruise ship boarding at 6:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterward, the ship departs for “the uttermost part of the earth”. Our excursion will take us through the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel to explore one of the most breathtaking wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego. We have just embarked on a Great Adventure!

Day 2 | Ainsworth Bay – Tucker Islet
At dawn, we continue navigating through Almirantazgo Sound until finally arriving near Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay, where we enjoy a walk to discover a beaver dam in the midst of a marvelous Magellanic forest. On the beach we observe a colony of elephant seals. Later we visit Tucker Islet, where we view colonies of Magellanic Penguins and Cormorants from the Zodiac boats. The islet’s penguins migrate in April; as a replacement we visit Brookes Bay, for a short walk to see a glacier.

Day 3 | Pia Glacier - Glacier Alley
We navigate through the main part of Beagle Channel to reach Pia Bay, where we disembark near Pia Glacier. We take a short hike to a lookout point with a spectacular view of the entire glacier tongue, stretching from high in the mountains all the way to the sea. After this unforgettable experience, we sail again along the northwest arm of Beagle Channel through majestic “Glacier Alley”: Spain, Romanche, Germany, Italy, France and Holland glaciers.

Day 4 | Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay
We sail through Beagle and Murray channels to reach and disembark in Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). Cape Horn, on Hornos Island, is a sheer, 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory. This mythical place is known as the “End of the Earth”; a visit is a singular privilege. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. In the afternoon, we go ashore in historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region’s largest aboriginal settlements. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other native vegetation to reach a lookout point.

Day 5 | Ushuaia
Arrival to Ushuaia, Argentina’s most important city on Tierra de Fuego, and the southernmost city in the world. We disembark at 8:00 a.m., enabling you to get an early start on visiting the city and national parks, and on continuing your trip through Patagonia.

NOTE:The excursions/day trips described in the itineraries below/above can normally be, and are frequently, carried out. Without prejudice to the aforesaid, Transportes Marítimos Terra Australis S.A. y Transportes Marítimos Via Australis S.A. reserve the right to reschedule shorten or alter all or part of itineraries and/or excursions without previous notice, in order to safeguard the well being and safety of passengers, preserve the environment or due to the extraordinary circumstances, acts of god or force majeure. In view of the same reasons, the hours of departure or arrival of the vessels may be subject to change.

Tour Code: CH-05

Departs:
Mare Australis - Wednesday (3 nts) and Saturday (4 nts)
Via Australis - Saturday (3 nts) and Tuesday (4 nts)

2012 rates
Category SGL
US$*
DBL
US$*
SGL
CA$
DBL
CA$
PDF- Via & Stella Australis 2011/12 rates        

Prices are subject to change until time of booking.

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ACCOMMODATIONS:

Cabo de Hornos Deck
10 AAA Cabins:
2 twins/1double bed, private washroom, heater, saftey deposit box, closet, windows

Tierra del Fuego Deck
18 AA Cabins:
2 twins/1 double bed, private washroom, heater, safety deposit box, closet, windows

Magallanes Deck
29 A Cabins: 2 twins/1 double bed, private washroom, heater, safety deposit box, closet, windows

Patagonia Deck
7B Cabins: 2 twins/1 double bed, private washroom, heater, safety deposit box, closet, windows

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS MARE & VIA AUSTRALIS PACKAGE:

- 3 or 4 night cruise aboard the Mare or Via Australis
- Sightseeing per itinerary
- All meals and beverages
- Services of an English speaking guide

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THIS MARE & VIA AUSTRALIS PACKAGE:

- Airfare
- Chile Reciprocity Tax
- Gratuities
- Cancellation/medical insurance

DURATION

3 nights / 4 days
4 nights / 5 days

Rates are per person, in US$ and CA$ as indicated

CALL TODAY TO BOOK YOUR TOUR TO chile
TOLL FREE 1-800-661-2512

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