AUSTRALIS CRUISES
EXPEDITION TO TIERRA DEL FUEGO & PATAGONIA

Day 1: Punta Arenas

On behalf of the captain Mr. Oscar A. Sheward G., officers and crew members of the M/V VIA

AUSTRALIS,
WELCOME ABOARD

Shortly after you come on board, please make sure that your entire luggage is in your cabin. Starting at 6:00 p.m. please, proceed to the Patagonia dining room, located on 1st deck, for table assignment.
Once this formality is taken care of, please join us at 7:00 p.m. at the Yámana lounge, 3rd deck, to meet your cruise mates for a cocktail with a tasty snack.
Here you will be introduced to the officers and expedition team of the ship.
After that, we'll be casting lines and getting underway. Grab your camera and join us out on Darwin deck (5th deck), the scenery should be spectacular.
Our trip begins in Punta Arenas city, founded on January 18th 1848. Located on latitude 52º South on the coastal side of the Magellan Strait. It is the main city of the Chilean Region of Magellan and Antarctica with an estimated population of 130,000 inhabitants.
At 8:15 p.m. we will start a briefing about safety at sea, your attendance is mandatory.

Today's activities
6:00 p.m. Check-in on board.
6:00 p.m. Table reservation. Place: Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
7:00 p.m. Welcome cocktail with folkloric show. Place: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck.
7:15 p.m. Introduction of the officers and expedition team. Place: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck.
8:15 p.m. Safety at sea instructions. Please proceed to the Yámana lounge, 3rd deck, with your life jacket which is located inside your closet's room. Due to international regulations your attendance is mandatory.
9:00 p.m. Departure from Punta Arenas.
9:15 p.m. Welcome dinner is served. Place: Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
10:45 p.m. Briefing: "Tomorrow's activities". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.

2nd day: Admiralty Fjord - Ainsworth Bay - Marinelli Glacier-Tucker Island - Gabriel Channel

During sunrise we sail the Admiralty Fjord, arriving to Ainsworth Bay during the early hours, where Marinelli Glacier is located. The center of interest this morning will be the Darwin Mountain Range.
The name Ainsworth is due to the Master of the ship" Adventure" in the english expedition of Phillip Parker King. Many names were given in honour of the early pioneers. In this place we will have the opportunity to see a colony of Elephant Seals that have chosen this place to live. We will be as close as possible taking care of the animal's environment. Prepare to walk on a flat area for approximately 2 hours. The area could be muddy and wet.
We will continue our trip sailing to Tucker Island, place of our next excursion, where we will have the opportunity to see Magellanic Penguins who arrive every spring to reproduce. Tucker Island is located in the Southwestern part of Whiteside channel, where we are going to have a close encounter with Cormorants, Magellanic Penguins, Dolphin gulls, Chimango caracara, and many more representatives of the fauna.
The protection of these places is our responsibility. Please, help us to preserve the natural environment. Tucker Island is a very fragile place. This is the reason why we are not going to land on the island.
The afternoon adventure will be onboard zodiacs (rubber boats) for approximately 30 minutes. We recommend wearing warm and waterproof clothes and shoes.
Please remember to check the schedule posted on the screens located at the reception desk or Sky lounge. And don't forget to check out our library to learn more about the region! (Also located at the reception desk)
We invite you to enjoy the fashion show and bingo at night in our Sky Lounge located on deck four.

Today's activities
06:00 Early coffee at Yámana lounge 3rd deck.
06:30-07:45 Breakfast buffet at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
08:00 Instructions and disembarkation in Ainsworth Bay. Meeting Point: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck
11:45 Lecture: "Sea Mammals" Place: Yámana lounge,3rd deck.
12:30p.m. Lunch is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.

2:30 p.m. Instructions and disembarkation for Navigation in zodiacs around Tucker Islands. Meeting point: Sky/Yámana lounge, 4th or 3rd deck.
6:00 p.m. Lecture: "The Beagle Channel". Place: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck.
7:30 p.m. Briefing and optional tours information Place: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck.
8:00 p.m. Dinner is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
9:45 p.m. Fashion Show and Bingo Night at the Sky Lounge 4th deck.
9:45 p.m. Film at the Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.


Sunrise: 05:34 AM Friday, January 13th 200 Sunset: 10:10 PM

3rd day: Ballenero Channel - O'Brien Channel - Beagle Channel - Garibaldi fjord - Pia fjord and glacier - Avenue of the Glaciers

During the night we sail Magdalena channel, Cockburn channel, and Ocasión channel. Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa gave Magdalena channel its name. He sailed the coasts of Tierra del Fuego in 1580 on board the ship "Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza" and named the channel Santa Magdalena, according to the holly lady described in the Bible.
Cockburn channel is a mandatory route from Punta Arenas to Beagle channel. Admiral George Cockburn (1772-1853) was commissioned by the British Admiralty to write the instructions for the first expedition of Phillip Parker King in 1825.
Early in the morning we sail canal Ballenero (Whaler Boat Channel). Captain Fitz Roy gave this name to the channel because he never found the boat that was stolen by the local aborigines.
During this morning we sail Garibaldi fjord to our next landing point. Before our excursion the expedition team will give you intructions.
The name Garibaldi was given by the italian Father Alberto De Agostini after the famous italian conqueror.
During the afternoon we sail the Pia fjord. Our excursion will be in front of Pia glacier.
Later on, we will sail the Avenue of the Glaciers, well known by the magnificent glaciers like the Romanche, Germany, Italy, and Netherland. Enjoy the panoramic navigation
Today noon is the last opportunity for our passengers to book tours in Ushuaia at the reception desk.

Today's activities

06:30 Early coffee at Yámana lounge 3rd deck.
08:00-09:00 Breakfast buffet at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
09:15 Lecture: "Glaciology". Place: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck.
10:05 Information about excursion to the waterfall, at Yamana lounge, 3th deck.
10:30 Instructions and Disembarkation in Garibaldi Fjord at Yamana lounge 3th deck.
1:30 pm. Lunch at dining room Patagonia, 1st deck.

3:30 pm. Instructions and landing at Pía Fjord.Place: Yamana lounge, 3rd deck.
7:00 pm. Avenue of the Glaciers navigation starts.
8:00 pm. Briefing: "Tomorrow's activities". Place: YámanaLounge, 3rd deck.
8:30 pm. Farewell dinner at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck
10:15 pm. Farewell champagne, and Captain's farewell words Place: Sky lounge, 4th deck.
10:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m.Bill's payment passengers who disembark at Ushuaia. Place: Boutique at the 2nd deck.


Sunrise: 05:20 AM Saturday, January 14th 2006 Sunset: 10:03 PM


U S H U A I A

4th Day: Ushuaia

Welcome to Argentina. Ushuaia is the main city of the big island of Tierra del Fuego with a population of 50,000 inhabitants. Founded in 1884, this place was one of the first points of encounter between the Yámana culture and the Anglicans.
The name Ushuaia is a Yámana name that means "Penetrating Bay". Ushuaia bay is deep enough to be the best place for the arrival of large cruises and cargo ships which export products of the region, such as wood, wool, frozen meat and imported goods such as gasoline and vehicles for the residents of Ushuaia.
After breakfast, your touristic activities in Ushuaia will begin. Enjoy them!
We remind you to be back on board at 7:00 p.m.

Today's activities

07:15 - 08:30 Breakfast at the dining room Patagonia 1st deck.
08:30 - 9:45 Optional tours departure
12:30 - 01:30 p.m. Lunch at the dining room Patagonia, 1st deck.
2:00 p.m. Optional tours departure.
7:00 p.m. All on board!
7:00 p.m. Welcome cocktail. Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
7:05 p.m. Tango show. Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck

7:15 p.m. Introduction of the officers and expedition team. Place: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck.
07:30 p.m. Briefing: "Tomorrow's activities".
Lecture: "HISTORY OF CAPE HORN". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
08:00 p.m. Departure from Ushuaia.
08:30 p.m. Dinner is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
10:00 p.m. Arrival to Puerto Navarino.
10:00 p.m. Pub Night at Sky lounge, 4th deck.

Sunrise: 05:14 AM Sunday, January 15th 2006 Sunset: 10:03 PM
5th: Nassau Bay - Nassau Bay - Wollaston Island - L'Hermite Island- Cape Horn - Nassau Bay - WULAIA - Nassau Bay -
Beagle Channel

The mythical Cape Horn and the surrounding islands are waiting for us. Its location, 55°56' South and 67°19' west, between two oceans and the intense harshness of the area, make Cape Horn a unique and unforgettable experience. Weather permitting, we will disembark with zodiacs, climb 130 steps and visit the Cape Horn Memorial, inaugurated on January 5th 1992 by the Chilean Cofrady of Cape Horn Captains. Over the centuries, more than 800 vessels have sunk where the Pacific Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean.
This afternoon we will visit Wulaia Bay, rich in legend and history. It is the place where the british Captain Fitz Roy on board the HMS Beagle had close encounters with the Yámana aborigines in the XIX century. We'll be visiting a few archaeological sites located in one of the southern most landscapes of the world. We kindly ask you to take care of the sites we will be visiting. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a view of the bay and our ship.
Also, please feel free to check out our library books located in front of the reception desk.

Today's activities

06:00 Early risers' coffee. Place: Yámana lounge 3rd deck.
07:15 Instructions for landing in Horn Island. Meeting point at the: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck
08:30 - 10:30 Breakfast is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
10:45 Documentary video. Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
12:00 p.m. Lecture: "Flora in Darwin Mountain Range". Place: Yámana lounge 3rd deck.
13:00 p.m. Lunch is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
15:30 p.m. Lecture: "Aborigines of Patagonia". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
16:45 p.m. Disembarkation instructions. Place: Yámana lounge, 3rd deck for beach walkers and Sky lounge, 4th deck for hill climbers.
20:00 p.m. Briefing: "Tomorrow's activities". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
20:30 p.m. Dinner is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
22:00 p.m. Cocktail Demonstrations with our bartender. Place: Sky lounge 4th deck.
22:30 p.m. Movie Night. Place: Yámana lounge, 4th deck.
22:30 p.m. Pub Night at Sky lounge, 4th deck.

Sunrise: 05:26 AM Monday, January 16th 2006 Sunset: 10:04 PM

6th Day: Beagle Channel - Avenue of the Glaciers - Pía Fjord - Desolada Bay - Ocasión Channel- Cockburn Channel

Early in the morning, we sail the Avenue of the Glaciers, well known by the magnificent glaciers like the Netherland Italy. Germany and Romanche, Enjoy the panoramic navigation
After the Glacier Avenue, we will enter Pia fjord, located beside the Northwest arm of the Beagle channel on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego.
Our excursion will be in front of e Pia glacier. We will enjoy a short walk by the glacier.
Weather permitting, we will experience the dramatic view of ice breaking off from the glacier. Our disembarkation will be in Punta Expedición, place that was explored by the expedition team of Cruceros Australis in 1999 on board the vessel Austral II.

Today's activities

06:00 Early coffee at Yamana lounge 3rd deck.
07:00 Avenue of the Glaciers.
08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast buffet in the Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
09:30 Instructions and disembarkation at Pía Fjord. Place: Yamana lounge, 3rd deck.
1:00 p.m. Lunch is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
3:30 p.m. "Culinary demonstration", by our chef. Place: Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
3:30 p.m. Engines room tour. Meeting point: Patagonia dining room entrance, 1st deck
4:45 p.m. Lecture: "Magellan Strait". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
6:30 p.m. Sailor Knots Demonstration. Place: Sky Lounge, 4th deck.
8:00 p.m. Briefing: "Tomorrow's activities". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
8:30 p.m. Dinner is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
10:15 p.m. "Karaoke Night" at the Sky lounge, 4th deck.
10:15 p.m. Movie at the Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.

Sunrise: 05:39 AM Tuesday, January 17th 2006 Sunset: 10:58 PM

7th Day: Cockburn Channel - Chico Fjord - Plüschow Glacier Magdalena Channel - De Agostini Fjord - Águila Glacier

Today we will be navigating through the channels of the west coast of Tierra del Fuego. With a beautiful landscape ahead, it reminds us of these unexplored and magnificent areas. During the afternoon we will sail through Seno Chico which will take us to the excursion area. With 6 miles ahead, the fjord will show us its impressive view of rocks eroded by the Glaciers.
At the end of this fjord the Günther Plüschow Glacier awaits us. The name comes from the German pioneer aviator Günther Plüschow, who brought from Europe a plane "Condor de Plata" (Silver Condor) that enabled him to take the first aerial photographs of the Darwin Mountain Range, beginning of the 20th century.
Today is the last opportunity for our passengers disembarking in Ushuaia to buy souvenirs.

Our Captain invite you to the farewell dinner.

Today's activities

07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast buffet at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
08:30 Disembarkation instructions to Piloto and Nena glaciers Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
(Please check disembarkation time at the
reception area).
12:00 Lecture: "Terra Incognita". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck
1:30 p.m. Lunch is served at Patagonia dining room.
3:30 p.m. Disembarkation instructions to Águila glacier. Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.

6:30 p.m. Lecture: "The Magellanic Penguin". Place: Yámana Lounge, 3rd deck.
7:45 p.m. Farewell cocktail, raffle of the Jack and auction of the navigation chart used to navigate to Cape Horn. Place: Sky lounge, 4th deck.
8:30 p.m. Farewell dinner is served at Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
10:15 p.m. Farewell champagne and captain's farewell words. Place: Sky lounge 4th deck.
10:45 p.m. - 24:00 a.m. Payment of the bill. The hotel manager will be available at the reception area for those of you wishing to pay tonight. Place: Shop desk, 2nd deck.

Sunrise: 05:47 AM Wednesday, January 18th 2006 Sunset: 10:57 PM

8th Day: MAGDALENA ISLAND- PUNTA ARENAS

"Magdalena Island" is protected by the Chilean organization Corporacion Nacional Forestal, responsible of the wildlife. They take care of the abundant species of birds specially the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) that use the island for breeding.
The island has a population of 60.000 couples of penguins that represent the 95% of the fauna in the island.
Two species of cormorants may be seen, the Rock Cormorant and the Imperial Cormorant. In addition, a colony of Kelp Gull and the Dolphin Gull are seen along the coast of the island. The Skua nests on flat or slightly inclined areas of Magdalena Island. It is possible to see occasional visitors on the island: Upland Goose, Kelp goose, Sheatbills and Buff Necked Ibis. If we are lucky, we might spot several Sea Lions.
Today our southern most adventure comes to an end. We have discovered the wonderful beauty of these legendary lands and saw Albatrosses, Giants Petrels and Upland Geese, Steamer ducks, Cormorants, Seagulls and penguins. Through it all, the driving force has been your curiosity and a penchant for fun. The captain, the officers and Crew will have unforgettable memories of you. Our purpose is to make the adventure on board de M/V VIA AUSTRALIS an unforgettable experience.

We wish you a happy and safe return home.

Today's activities

06:00 Early risers' coffee at Yámana lounge, 3rd deck.
06:55 Instructions for the disembarkation in Magdalena Island. Meeting point at the Sky lounge, 4th deck.
08:45 All on board.
08:30 - 09:30 Breakfast is served. Place: Patagonia dining room, 1st deck.
08:00 - 10:00 The hotel manager will be available at the SHOP DESK, 2nd deck, to complete your landing formalities and to return your passport.
11:00 Arrival to Punta Arenas.
11:15 Check-out. Passengers must wait at Sky / Yamana lounge, 4th deck.

See special route to Cape Horn...

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT AUSTRALIS CRUISES, PLEASE VISIT WWW.PATAGONIA-CRUISES.COM.AR

THIS IS A BASIC TOUR TO VISIT USHUAIA AFTER OR BEFORE YOUR CRUISE...

DAY 1 - Arrival to Ushuaia Airport and transfer to hotel. 03 nts of accommodation with breakfast

DAY 2 - Excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Return to the city and take a Beagle Channel Navigation to see Isla de los Pàjaros, Isla de los Lobos and Faro Les Eclareirs.

DAY 3 - Excursion to Fagnano and Escondido Lakes

DAY 4 - Transfer to airport

This is a basic program to visit Ushuaia Area. Please visit our tour list to see more tours combining this area and others place in Argentina and Chile

See More Tours | Request Price |

See our Ushuaia´s Interactive Map	Ushuaia Area: Tierra del Fuego i-Map	Add Mare Australis Cruises to your trip
Ushuaia Area: Train of The End of The World	Ushuaia Area: Beagle Channel Navigation	Ushuaia Area: Cerro Castor Information´s map
Ushuaia Area: Bahía Lapataia (Tierra del Fuego NP)	Ushuaia Area: Glaciar Martial location map	Ushuaia Area: Estancia Tunel location map
Islas Malvinas (Argentina)	Ushuaia Area: Laguna Esmeralda location map	Antartida Interactive Map
General Information about Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego Province	Ushuaia Photo Gallery

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