South America

Fjords of Tierra del Fuego

5 Days aboard Ventus Australis. From AUD $2,918$2,888pp.
Small Ship Expeditions
Details

Overview

Discover the wild beauty of Patagonia on the M/V Ventus cruise that showcases the region’s pristine landscapes, rich wildlife and fascinating human history aboard an expedition ship that brings an extraordinary level of comfort and service to the uttermost edge of the world. Leaving the twinkling lights of Ushuaia behind, the vessel calls on fabled spots like Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay before cruising down the Beagle Channel.

Save up to A$746 pp
  • Book by 15 May 2026, or until sold out (10 cabins per departure).
  • Valid only for sailings during the 2026-2027 season.
  • The reservation must be paid in full no later than May 29, 2026.
  • Applicable only for cabin categories A, AA, AAA, and Superior (excludes category B cabins).
  • Based on regular per-person rates, double occupancy.
  • Valid only for one-way routes (4 nights).

Itinerary Highlights

  • See Magellan Penguins in their natural habitat
  • Visit a glacial waterfall with spectacular views
  • Enjoy the history and scenery that Ushuaia has to offer
  • Sail to Cape Horn National Park and explore the historic area

Itinerary in Brief 

  • Day 1: Punta Arenas
  • Day 2: Ainsworth Bay - Tuckers Islets
  • Day 3: Pia Glacier - Glacier Alley
  • Day 4: Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay
  • Day 5: Ushuaia

*M/V Ventus Australis vessel offers longer round trip cruises. For more information on detailed itineraries, feel free to contact us. 

Ship Information

For more information on the Australis please view the ship page.

View Australis

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Punta Arenas

Check in at 1398 Costanera del Estrecho Ave. (Arturo Prat Port) in Punta Arenas between 13:00 and 17:00 (1-5 PM) on the day of your Australis cruise departure. Board the vessel at 6 PM. After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the remotest corners of planet Earth. During the night we cross the Strait of Magellan and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonian. The twinkling lights of Punta Arenas gradually fade into the distance as we enter the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.

Dinner included.

Day 2: Ainsworth Bay - Tuckers Islets

By dawn the ship is sailing up Admiralty Sound (Seno Almirantazgo), a spectacular offshoot of the Strait of Magellan that stretches nearly halfway across Tierra del Fuego. The snowcapped peaks of Karukinka Natural Park stretch along the north side of the sound, while the south shore is defined by the deep fjords and broad bays of Alberto de Agostini National Park. We go ashore at Ainsworth Bay, which harbors copious bird life and a colony of southern elephant seals which can sometimes be spotted from the Zodiacs. Two guided excursions are available: one is along the edge of a stream, peat bog and beaver habitat to a waterfall-and-moss-covered rock face tucked deep inside a pristine sub-polar forest; the other is a more strenuous hike along the crest of a glacial moraine. Both afford views of Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin Mountains.

Leaving our Ainsworth Bay tour behind, we sail west along the sound to the Tucker Islets. After lunch, we board the Zodiacs again for a close-up view of the Magellan penguins that inhabit the tiny islands. More than 4,000 penguins use Tucker as a place to nest, give birth and nurture their chicks. Many other bird species also frequent the area including king cormorants, oystercatchers, Chilean skuas, kelp geese, dolphin gulls, eagles and even the occasional Andean condor. In September and April -- when the penguins live elsewhere -- this excursion is replaced by a short walk to a glacier at nearby stunning Brookes Bay.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 3: Pia Glacier - Glacier Alley

Overnight we sail around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via the very narrow Gabrial Channel, Magdalena Channel and Cockburn Channel. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the Australis cruise tacks eastward and enters the Beagle Channel again. By morning we are entering Pia Fjord and boarding the Zodiacs for a Pia Glacier tour. After disembarking we take a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea or a longer much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.

No one knows for certain how the hulking mass of snow and ice got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king.

Back onboard the ship, we continue east along the Beagle Channel through an area called Glacier Alley. Living up to its name, the passage features a number of impressive tidewater glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore. Most of them named after European countries -- Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain and France.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 4: Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay

During the morning we cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, we shall go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition -- and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland -- Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. The Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a lightkeeper and his family, as well as the tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument.

In the afternoon we navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station -- which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area -- passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooden mountain behind the bay. On all of these you will be strolling through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. Before leaving Wulaia Bay, drop something into the wooden mail barrel inside the museum – letters or postcards meant to be hand delivered by future travelers – an ancient mariner tradition revived by Australis.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 5: Ushuaia

The following morning we sail into Argentine waters and dock in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. Arrival at 08:30 a.m. and 9:30 am according to date of departure.

Breakfast included.

Next Departure Date: 21 Sep 2026
DatesCabinFromAdditional
21 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026 AUD$2888ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
B TwinAUD$2918pp testContact us
A MatrimonialAUD $3634pp AUD$2888ppSave up to A$746 |
AA MatrimonialAUD $3948pp AUD$3202ppSave up to A$746 |
AAA MatrimonialAUD $4261pp AUD$3515ppSave up to A$746 |
AA SuperiorAUD $5052pp AUD$4306ppSave up to A$746 |
AAA SuperiorAUD $5381pp AUD$4635ppSave up to A$746 |
29 Sep 2026 - 03 Oct 2026 AUD$2888ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
07 Oct 2026 - 11 Oct 2026 AUD$4353ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
15 Oct 2026 - 19 Oct 2026 AUD$4353ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
23 Oct 2026 - 27 Oct 2026 AUD$4353ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
31 Oct 2026 - 04 Nov 2026 AUD$4353ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
08 Nov 2026 - 12 Nov 2026 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
16 Nov 2026 - 20 Nov 2026 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
24 Nov 2026 - 28 Nov 2026 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
02 Dec 2026 - 06 Dec 2026 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
10 Dec 2026 - 14 Dec 2026 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
18 Dec 2026 - 22 Dec 2026 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
26 Dec 2026 - 30 Dec 2026 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
03 Jan 2027 - 07 Jan 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
11 Jan 2027 - 15 Jan 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
19 Jan 2027 - 23 Jan 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
27 Jan 2027 - 31 Jan 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
04 Feb 2027 - 08 Feb 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
12 Feb 2027 - 16 Feb 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
20 Feb 2027 - 24 Feb 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
28 Feb 2027 - 04 Mar 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
08 Mar 2027 - 12 Mar 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
16 Mar 2027 - 20 Mar 2027 AUD$5966ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
24 Mar 2027 - 28 Mar 2027 AUD$4353ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
01 Apr 2027 - 05 Apr 2027 AUD$2888ppExpand to view prices - Includes specials!
  • Port taxes and national park fees are not included in the price of the voyage and will be an additional cost of US$135 per person for the 2025 / 2026 season. These will be charged to you during the booking process.

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

B Twin

Twin / 16,5 m2 / 177 sq.ft

B Twin
B Twin
A Matrimonial

Matrimonial / 16,5 m2 / 177 sq.ft

A Matrimonial
A Matrimonial
AA Matrimonial

Matrimonial / 16,5 m2 / 177 sq.ft

AA Matrimonial
AA Matrimonial
AAA Matrimonial

Matrimonial / 16,5 m2 / 177 sq.ft

AAA Matrimonial
AAA Matrimonial
AA Superior

Superior / 20,5 m2 / 220 sq.ft

AA Superior
AA Superior
AAA Superior

Superior / 20,5 m2 / 220 sq.ft

AAA Superior
AAA Superior
AA Twin

Twin / 16,5 m2 / 177 sq.ft

AA Twin
AA Twin
AAA Twin

Twin / 16,5 m2 / 177 sq.ft

AAA Twin
AAA Twin

Ventus Australis Deckplan

Ventus Australis deck plan

Specifications

  • Guest Capacity: 200
  • Total Number of Cabins: 100

What's included?

  • On-board accommodation
  • All meals throughout the voyage
  • Tours led by English-speaking Guide
  • Activities as specified 
  • On board entertainment
  • All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (only when bar is on duty)

What's not?

  • Air transportation
  • Passport, visa, immigration fees
  • Airport arrival/departure taxes 
  • Airport transfers
  • Additional hotel nights
  • Port taxes*
  • National park fees* 
  • Travel Protection Plan
  • Laundry service 
  • Gratuities
  • Any items not mentioned as included

Important notes and additional information

* Port Taxes & National Park Fees
Port taxes and national park fees are not included in the price of the voyage and will be charged during the booking process. Additional costs per person for each season are:

  • 2025 / 2026 Season: US$135 per person
  • 2026 / 2027 Season: US$145 per person

**Required clothing

Please note that trekking or hiking shoes are required for all passengers. 

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: South America

The vivid sights and sounds of South America offer something for everyone. Stretching from the Caribbean to Patagonia, the variety of cultures, climates and landscapes has to be experienced firsthand to be believed. The memories you take home will leave you wanting more – we’re sure you’ll want to return again and again, just like us!

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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Fjords of Tierra del Fuego

5 Days aboard Ventus Australis. From AUD $2,918$2,888pp.