Beneath the windswept skies of the far south, where the Andes sink into the sea and the wilderness remains as untouched as in the age of early explorers, the Australis Cruise links Punta Arenas with Ushuaia in one of the world’s great expedition routes. Few journeys capture the grandeur of Patagonia so completely: glacier-lined channels, legendary capes, remote bays, and wildlife that thrives at the edge of the world.
This voyage also forms the maritime centerpiece of our Patagonian Rail & Wilderness tour — a remarkable blend of classic rail travel and modern expedition cruising that reveals Patagonia with both comfort and authenticity.
The Australis route is a passage into landscapes still governed by nature. You sail through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, gliding past glaciers that calve into the sea, ancient lenga forests, and lonely fjords sculpted by ice.
Daily landings — always via Zodiac — bring you ashore to beaches untouched by roads or settlements. Elephant seals, sea lions, cormorants, and penguins share these shores, while the dramatic silhouettes of the Darwin Range dominate the horizon.
The Stella Australis and Ventus Australis are purpose-built for navigating Patagonia’s narrow channels with safety and grace. With only about 100 cabins, life on board feels personal and unhurried.
Wide observation decks, a panoramic lounge, and refined dining rooted in regional flavors create an atmosphere of understated luxury, allowing you to savor both the landscape and the journey.
Each excursion is led by expert naturalists whose passion for this region is contagious. They interpret glacial formations, reveal the traditions of the Yaghan people, and introduce you to the unique flora and fauna that survive in this sub-Antarctic climate.
Their knowledge turns every landing — from forest walks to glacier viewpoints — into a meaningful story of nature, time, and human history.
A sheltered world of sub-Antarctic forest, meadows, and wildlife — including elephant seals and a wealth of birdlife. Walks here offer an intimate look at the ecosystems that thrive in this rugged climate.
Mountains rise like cathedrals above the sea, with glaciers descending all the way to the waterline. Landing near the Águila Glacier allows you to stroll along a glacial lagoon and stand face-to-face with the ice.
A narrow passage where five magnificent glaciers — each named for a European country — cascade down from the Darwin Cordillera. The ship slows here, giving you time to absorb one of the most dramatic panoramas in the south.
Reaching Cape Horn is a privilege few travelers experience. This remote island, long feared by sailors, stands at the very end of the continent — a place where the elements rule and the sense of history is profound.
Your voyage concludes in Ushuaia, the southernmost city on Earth. Cradled between the Beagle Channel and the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia offers a memorable finale to your Patagonian adventure — a blend of maritime heritage, rugged landscapes, and a touch of end-of-the-world charm.
Whether you’ve arrived by the Australis Cruise or through our overland route via Porvenir, this is where the Patagonian Rail & Wilderness journey reaches its natural end. From here, most travelers fly home or continue onward on their own explorations. Ushuaia’s small museums, coastal walks, and warm cafés provide a gentle and fitting close to days of extraordinary discovery.
For those who appreciate the romance of both classic rail travel and refined expedition cruising, this tour weaves the two together seamlessly.
You begin with iconic rail experiences — including the famed La Trochita (Old Patagonian Express) — before joining the Australis voyage from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia.
It is a journey rich in contrast: open steppe and deep fjord, historic trains and modern expedition vessels, remote nature and heartfelt hospitality.
Travelers can also journey from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia by ferry and overland vehicle via Porvenir and Río Grande. This route offers local color and stark Patagonian landscapes — and I will personally guide this segment on our next tour for part of the group.
But nothing matches the convenience, comfort, and sheer emotional impact of the Australis voyage. The cruise reveals a Patagonia that cannot be reached by road — a world accessible only by sea, and only to those willing to venture to the margins of the map.
For many travelers, Patagonia represents a lifelong dream — a remote frontier where nature still sets the rhythm. The Australis Cruise honors that spirit with respect, care, and a sense of quiet wonder.
Combined with the overland and rail experiences of our signature tour, it becomes an unforgettable chapter in a wider Patagonian story.
If you feel drawn to this region — to its silence, its scale, its beauty — this journey offers it in its purest form.
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