Fjords of Tierra del Fuego Punta Arenas — Ushuaia

By dawn, the ship will enter the Admiralty Sound (Seno Almirantazgo) — a majestic arm of the Strait of Magellan extending nearly to the center of Tierra del Fuego. Snow-capped peaks of Karukinka Natural Park line the northern shore, while the southern coast is cut by deep fjords and broad bays of Alberto de Agostini National Park. You will disembark at Ainsworth Bay, home to numerous birds and a haul-out site for southern sea lions, sometimes visible from the zodiac boats. Two guided excursions are offered: the first follows a stream through peat bogs and beaver habitats to a moss-covered cliff with waterfalls, hidden deep in untouched subpolar forest; the second is a more challenging climb along the ridge of a glacial moraine. Both offer views of Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin Mountains. After leaving Ainsworth Bay, the ship heads west along the channel to the Tucker Islets. In the afternoon, you will return to zodiac boats for close observation of Magellanic penguins, which use these tiny islands for nesting, hatching, and raising chicks — more than 4,000 birds in total. Other species frequently seen include royal cormorants, oystercatchers, Chilean skuas, Patagonian geese, gray gulls, eagles, and even Andean condors. In September and April, when penguins migrate, this excursion is replaced by a short hike to a glacier in the stunning nearby Brooks Bay.

Overnight, the ship will round the western tip of Tierra del Fuego through the narrow Gabriel, Magdalena, and Cockburn Straits. Passing the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the vessel will head east and re-enter the Beagle Channel. By morning, you will reach Pia Fjord, where you will board zodiac boats for landing at Pia Glacier. Once ashore, choose between a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the glacier, which descends from the mountains to the sea, or a more challenging climb along the lateral moraine of the ancient Pia Glacier. The glacier’s name is believed to honor Princess Maria of Piedmont, daughter of the King of Italy. Returning on board, the journey continues east along the Beagle Channel through the Avenue of the Glaciers, aptly named for the many impressive glaciers cascading into the waters from the Darwin Mountains and the glacier shield on the northern shore, many named after European countries — Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.

In the pre-dawn hours, the ship will pass through the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste Islands and anchor in historic Wulaia Bay — one of the few places in the archipelago where human history is as captivating as the natural environment. Originally a major settlement of the Yámana people, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and drawn by Captain FitzRoy during their 1830s voyage on the HMS Beagle. The area is also renowned for its striking landscapes. After visiting the museum in the old radio station building (supported by Australis), which highlights the history of the Yámana people and European missionaries, travelers may choose one of three hiking routes of varying difficulty, ascending the forested hill behind the bay. All trails pass through enchanting Magellanic forest of lenga, coigüe, canelo, ferns, and other endemic flora, leading to a viewpoint overlooking the bay. Before departing Wulaia Bay, drop letters or postcards into the wooden mailbox inside the museum — intended for future travelers to deliver by hand, following an old maritime tradition revived by Australis. In the afternoon, the ship crosses Nassau Bay to a remote archipelago, including Cape Horn National Park. Weather permitting, it may be possible to land on the windswept island that hosts the legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch expedition and named after the town of Horn in Western Friesland, Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394 ft) rock cliff towering over the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years, it was the only passage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and was often called the “End of the World.” In 2005, the area was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Chilean Navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, where a keeper and family live, along with a tiny Stella Maris chapel and a modern Cape Horn monument.

This morning, the ship will enter Argentine territorial waters and dock in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Arrival is scheduled for 8:30–9:30 AM, depending on the departure date.