Santa Cruz Cruise Ship

The most exclusive navigation on the “Argentinian Lake” (Lago Argentino)

The Spirit of the Glaciers is an ideal program for those who are willing to discover remote corners of our land, while enjoying all the comfort that world travelers seek.

Life on board our Cruise will be the highlight of the day. A selected group will share the wonderful experience of sailing on Lago Argentino, in search of the “Spirit of the Glaciers”.

From the quiet and warm inside it is possible to bask in the harmony of nature at its best.

 

Day 1. Embark: Tue-Fri Transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Puerto Privado La Soledad, Bahía Tranquila (Paraje Punta Bandera) at 7:30 pm. Check in will be on board, the crew is introduced and an informative talk is given as well as a welcome drink. We will navigate to Bahia Alemana, dinner and overnight.

 

Day 2. After a delicious breakfast, the craft will start its navigation, heading north across Brazo Norte. The first icebergs to appear will indicate the closeness to Upsala Glacier, one of the largest in the National Park. After lunch, the cruise will sail across Canal Spegazzini to Puesto Las Vacas where the passengers will disembark to enjoy a long rest or an interesting hike. Once again on board our new target is Bahía Toro, at Seno Mayo where we will pass our second night.

 

Day 3. At 9 a.m. the cruise will depart heading south. We will land again, to Visit Mayo and Black Glaciers. Later we will navigate towards Perito Moreno Glacier, through Canal de los Témpanos. Our itinerary ends at Puerto Privado La Soledad, Bahía Tranquila, Paraje Punta Banderas. At 4 pm we will be landing and transferring the passengers back to El Calafate.

Antártica & Shetland Islands from the South

Expedition Cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands aboard the Ushuaia.

 

Day 1: Depart from Ushuaia

Shipping afternoon. After you have settled into your cabins we sail along the famous Beagle Channel through passage Mackinlay .

 

Days 2 and 3: Crossing the Drake Passage

Named after the renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake , who sailed these waters in 1578 , the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence , a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters.

As we sail across the passage, our staff will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow our boat. We can learn some aspects about navigation , watch for whales, and enjoy the view .

The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands , an archipelago of 20 islands and islets first sighted in 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. At our lecturers and naturalists will accompany the first landing and experience the encounter with the penguins and seals.

 

Days 4 to 8 : Discovering the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands are full of wildlife. Penguin rookeries, beaches Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable.

King George Island is the largest island of the South Shetland Islands and features colonies of Adélie Penguins and other colonies. Is home to scientific bases of many different countries.

We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways depending on ice conditions : the Gerlache Strait , the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two landings per day.

 

The landing sites may also include:

Paradise Bay, literally named the best place in the world , and we attempt a landing on the continent.

Further exploration may take you to Melchior Island , Cuverville Island , Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island to visit the southernmost colony of Papua Penguins .

 

Days 9 and 10: Crossing the Drake Passage

We leave Antarctica and head north , crossing the Drake Passage. Take time to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.

 

Day 11 : Arrival at Ushuaia

We arrived in Ushuaia in the early morning , where disembark after breakfast.

The above itinerary is a guide only . Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife.

Via Australis: Ushuaia – Ushuaia

The end of the world is waiting and Australis will sail through it with you.

The route Ushuaia – Ushuaia teaches you the breathtaking beauty offered by Patagonia. During cruise enjoy it ‘s splendor and beauty of natural landscapes, while experience a unique stay aboard an expedition cruise designed with comfort you .

 

Day 1 : Ushuaia

Welcome cocktail and presentation of the Captain and crew. Later , the ship will sail to the South end . Through the mythical Beagle Channel , will travel to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.

 

Day 2 : Glacier Garibaldi – Pia Glacier – Glacier Alley

During the morning we enter the Garibaldi Fjord , for a walk through the cold Patagonian forest , up to the base of a waterfall of glacial origin. From this point we can appreciate a stunning landscape . For those staying on board , the Captain will bow to the Garibaldi Glacier to appreciate the view from the outside decks .

In the afternoon sail along the west arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and disembark at Pia Fjord . An excursion to the viewpoint . After this unforgettable experience, we continue sailing the majestic look of the ” Glacier Alley ” .

 

Day 3 : Cape Horn – Bay Wulaia

Sail through the Murray Channel and Nassau Bay arriving at Cape Horn National Park, where we will disembark , weather permitting . It is known as the end of the world and was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 2005.

In the afternoon, disembark at bay Wulaia . Charles Darwin landed here in 1833 during his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. This place offers the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will reach a lookout , walking through the Magellanic forest growing beech , coigües , cinnamon ferns and other species.

 

Day 4 : Arrival to Ushuaia

NOTE : The trips described in the itineraries are usually possible to be made , but can vary due to climatic changes . For the same reasons , the departure or arrival of the vessels may be subject to possible changes.

 

Via Australis: Ushuaia – Punta arenas

The end of the world is waiting and Australis will sail through it with you. The route from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas teaches featuring the stunning beauty of Patagonia. During the journey enjoy the splendor and beauty of natural landscapes. Embark on exciting expeditions through the amazing wilderness of Patagonia an exhilarating adventure.

 

Day 1 : Ushuaia

Welcome cocktail and presentation of the Captain and crew. Later , the ship will sail to the South end . Through the mythical Beagle Channel , will travel to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.

 

Day 2 : Cape Horn – Bay Wulaia

Sail through the Murray Channel and Nassau Bay arriving at Cape Horn National Park, where we will disembark , weather permitting . It is known as the end of the world and was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 2005.

In the afternoon, disembark at bay Wulaia . Charles Darwin landed here in 1833 during his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. This place offers the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will reach a lookout , walking through the Magellanic forest growing beech , coigües , cinnamon ferns and other species.

 

Day 3 : Glacier Garibaldi – Pia Glacier – Glacier Alley

We navigate along the Northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to reach Pia Fjord, where we disembark. We will then take a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular Pia Glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea.

In the afternoon, we will enter Garibaldi Fjord where we will disembark for a hike through the forest up to a glacial waterfall to enjoy the spectacular views.

For those who choose to stay onboard, our Captain will point the bow towards the beautiful blue Garibaldi Glacier so that they can enjoy the panoramic view from the upper decks.

 

Day 4: Piloto and Nena Glaciers – De Agostini Sound and Águila Glacier

In the morning, we will be sailing through Cockburn Channel to anchor in Chico Sound. Traveling in well-equipped Zodiac boats, we will explore Alakaluf Fjord and enjoy the view of Piloto and Nena Glaciers from the sea. You will find yourself being drawn to the intense blue color of Piloto Glacier, which is due to its compression and age. We will learn about the formation of glaciers and their influence on the unexpected topography of the Fuegian-Patagonian channels.

In the afternoon, we will enter the spectacular De Agostini Sound, right in the heart of the Darwin Mountain Range – the perfect viewing point to appreciate glaciers that make their way down to the sea from the upper ice field. Later that afternoon, we will travel aboard Zodiacs to the Águila Glacier where we will embark upon an easy walk to its base. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of Patagonia’s cold rainforest and to see how the power of nature has molded the spectacular landscape.

 

Day 5: Magdalena Island – Punta Arenas

Early in the morning, weather permitting, we will go ashore on Magdalena Island, located in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. The island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellan Penguins that we will be able to see during our walk to the lighthouse. In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a ride aboard Zodiacs to Marta Island to observe South American Sea Lions.

Finally, disembarkation at Punta Arenas is scheduled for 11:30.

 

NOTE : The trips described in the itineraries are usually possible to be made , but can vary due to climatic changes . For the same reasons , the departure or arrival of the vessels may be subject to possible changes.