Fjords of Tierra del Fuego
Highlights
- Navigate the fabled Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel, retracing the routes of early explorers through a spectacular maze of fjords and glaciers.
- Witness the power and beauty of Southern Patagonia’s wild ice at Pia Glacier and Glacier Alley, where colossal rivers of ice tumble into pristine waters.
- Step ashore at the windswept, myth-laden Cape Horn and hike through Wulaia Bay’s enchanted Magellanic forests, once home to the indigenous Yagán canoe people.
Set sail on this captivating 5-day expedition cruise that charts a breathtaking course through the remote and rugged heart of Patagonia, tracing the same legendary waterways that once challenged explorers like Magellan and Darwin. From the windswept docks of Punta Arenas to the southernmost city on Earth, Ushuaia, you’ll voyage through the soul-stirring fjords and channels of Tierra del Fuego — an otherworldly region where land, sea, ice, and sky seem to dance in perpetual motion.
Timed for early spring or the tail end of summer, this voyage reveals Patagonia in a moment of powerful transition — when migrating penguins nest on the islets, snow-fed glaciers calve dramatically into turquoise fjords, and forests awaken in bursts of green and gold. Each day brings new opportunities for awe: glide by Zodiac through penguin-dotted waters at Tucker Islets, walk beneath the towering Pia Glacier, and marvel from the ship at Glacier Alley’s ice-streaked grandeur.
Whether hiking through lush Magellanic forest or standing on the wave-battered shores of Cape Horn — the southern edge of the world — you’ll be steeped in the spirit of discovery. Onboard, you’ll be immersed in knowledge through expert briefings and storytelling, while off the ship, you’ll engage deeply with Patagonia’s elemental forces on shore landings and wilderness walks.
Crossing these remote latitudes is more than a journey — it’s a rare human feat, especially when you step foot on Cape Horn, a privilege granted to few due to its notoriously wild weather. This is an ideal voyage for lovers of raw nature, cultural history, and those seeking a short but potent immersion into one of Earth’s last great frontiers. Expect to leave transformed — awash in wonder, filled with stories, and forever connected to the untamed spirit of the Far South.
About the Fjords of Tierra del Fuego
Set sail on this captivating 5-day expedition cruise that charts a breathtaking course through the remote and rugged heart of Patagonia, tracing the same legendary waterways that once challenged explorers like Magellan and Darwin. From the windswept docks of Punta Arenas to the southernmost city on Earth, Ushuaia, you’ll voyage through the soul-stirring fjords and channels of Tierra del Fuego — an otherworldly region where land, sea, ice, and sky seem to dance in perpetual motion.
Timed for early spring or the tail end of summer, this voyage reveals Patagonia in a moment of powerful transition — when migrating penguins nest on the islets, snow-fed glaciers calve dramatically into turquoise fjords, and forests awaken in bursts of green and gold. Each day brings new opportunities for awe: glide by Zodiac through penguin-dotted waters at Tucker Islets, walk beneath the towering Pia Glacier, and marvel from the ship at Glacier Alley’s ice-streaked grandeur.
Whether hiking through lush Magellanic forest or standing on the wave-battered shores of Cape Horn — the southern edge of the world — you’ll be steeped in the spirit of discovery. Onboard, you’ll be immersed in knowledge through expert briefings and storytelling, while off the ship, you’ll engage deeply with Patagonia’s elemental forces on shore landings and wilderness walks.
Crossing these remote latitudes is more than a journey — it’s a rare human feat, especially when you step foot on Cape Horn, a privilege granted to few due to its notoriously wild weather. This is an ideal voyage for lovers of raw nature, cultural history, and those seeking a short but potent immersion into one of Earth’s last great frontiers. Expect to leave transformed — awash in wonder, filled with stories, and forever connected to the untamed spirit of the Far South.
Itinerary Day to Day
Punta Arenas check in
Between 13:00 and 17:00 hrs, we will begin to check-in at Muelle Prat (EPA), Av. Costanera del Estrecho de Magallanes 1398, Punta Arenas – Chile, to embark at 18:00 hrs. Once on board, we will gather on the fifth deck to make a welcome toast and meet the Captain. Through the mythical Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, we will travel through Patagonia and the fjords of Tierra del Fuego.
Ainsworth bay and Tucker Islets
We will arrive in the vicinity of the Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay. We will learn how life resurfaces after the ice has melted. We will hike through the wonderful sub-Antarctic Magellanic forest. We will visit the Tuckers Islets, where you will see Magellanic penguins and cormorants from the Zodiacs. In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a hike near a glacier in Brookes Bay.
*Due to the migratory cycle of the penguins, In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a short walk to a glacier at nearby stunning Brookes Bay.
Pia Glacier and Glacier Alley
We will sail along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and disembark in the Pia Fjord. We will sail to the viewpoint from where you can see the homonymous glacier, whose main peak extends from the top of the mountain range to the sea. After this unforgettable experience, we will continue our navigation under the majestic gaze of the “Glacier Alley” to enjoy spectacular panoramic views from the boat.
Cape horn and Wulaia bay
We will arrive at the Cape Horn National Park, where we will disembark, if the weather conditions are suitable, to experience the
magic of walking through one of the southernmost points of the world, surrounded by charm and legends.
In the afternoon, we will disembark at Wulaia Bay, a historic site of one of the largest settlements of the native Yagans canoeists. We will reach a viewpoint, walking through the Magellanic forest in which lengas, coigües, canelos and ferns grow, among other species.
Ushuaia
The following morning we sail into Argentine waters and dock in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city.
It is scheduled to arrive at 8:30.
Route Map
IMPORTANT: The excursions described in the itineraries are usually possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Ship Operator reserves the right to alter, change or omit part of this itinerary without prior notice, whether motivated by the welfare and safety of passengers, for the proper preservation of the environment or in the event of any extraordinary circumstance, fortuitous event or force majeure. The departure or arrival of vessels may be subject to possible changes. It is not possible to guarantee bird and animal sightings, since the precise location of these is variable.
Departure Dates
What's Included
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5 days / 4 nights. All-inclusive trip.
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Sea transportation.
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Meals and drinks. Full board – Open bar.
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Presentations.
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Expeditions: zodiac and land activities.
What's Excluded
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Gratuities (US$ 25 per person per night is recommended).
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Purchases from the onboard store.
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Optional tours or activities outside the itinerary.
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Transfers in Punta Arenas or Ushuaia and any immigration fees.
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Government port fees, taxes and national park fees (boarding taxes) which for the 2025-2026 season are as follows: 1)Punta Arenas to Ushuaia route: US $135 per person. 2)Ushuaia to Punta Arenas route: US $135 per person. 3) Punta Arenas to Ushuaia to Punta Arenas route: US $150 per person. 4) Ushuaia to Punta Arenas to Ushuaia route: US $150 per person. These government port fees/taxes and national park fees may change at the discretion of port authorities.
Related Itineraries
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords (Northbound)
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords (Southbound)
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords
Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords & Torres del Paine
Patagonian Explorer
Darwin's Route From Ushuaia
Darwin's Route From Punta Arenas
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