INTRODUCTION

 

Trip Highlights

• Sailing the most unknown and undisturbed southern archipelago.

• The unique privilege of sailing around Cape Horn, the world's most feared headland.

• Fascinating marine mammals including sea lions, fur seals, dolphins and whales.

• The most southerly outposts of sub-Antarctic beech forest.

• Spectacular local birds, which will include Andean Condor, Black-browed Albatross, Kelp Goose, Flightless Steamer Duck and Striated Caracara.

• Spectacular scenery including actively calving glaciers, fjords, channels and the pristine temperate Nothofagus forests of Southern Chile.

• Program suitable for the solo naturalist, birder or nature photographer.

 

The Difference of Traveling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions:   

• Great accommodation, superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches.

• Spacious vehicles that ensure a window seat to each trip participant.

• Each vehicle and vessel we use has been authorized by the Chilean Transportation and Maritime Authority respectively.

• The service and expertise of a professional local naturalist leader, who will look after every logistical aspect of “your” holiday.

• You will receive a free, signed copy of our natural history book "Tierra del Fuego - Wildlife and Landscapes".

• …plus an useful pre-departure information package.

 

Expedition Cruise to Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

• Patagonia Explorer (8 days / 7 nights) nature expedition to discover the wildlife and landscapes of the remote regions of Chilean Patagonia;

• The Falkland Islands (8 days / 7 nights), penguin encounters.

ITINERARY

 

(1) Punta Arenas, Chile - Ushuaia, Argentina | 5 days, 4 nights  

Option A: M/V Stella Australis (Saturday through Wednesday) | Option B: M/V Via Australis (Tuesday through Saturday)

 

Day 1 • Saturday or Tuesday • Evening boarding Mare Australis

After a welcome cocktail, headed by the Captain and crew, our expedition will begin as the ship leaves towards the remote Fuegian Channels and western Tierra del Fuego.

O/N M/V Stella Australis or Via Australis. (D)(G).

 

Day 2 • Sunday or Wednesday • Ainsworth Bay – Brookes Glacier

By morning, we will be in a totally different landscape as we sail the Almirantazgo Sound, with its dramatic mountains and desolate islands, the mirrored surface of the sea barely disturbed by the ship's wake. Flocks of seabirds, including Black-browed Albatross and Southern Giant Petrel, will glide across our wake and groups of Peale's Dolphin may pursue our boat. Then we will move to Ainsworth Bay, where we will study a breeding colony of the largest pinniped in the world, the Southern Elephant Seal. Later during the day we will sail through narrow fjords and channels as we admire the summits of the Fuegian Andes to visit Brookes Glacier. With the help of our zodiacs, we will land near these beautiful glaciers to appreciate the incredible forces exerted by the ice in modifying the landscape and to witness the characteristics of retreating glaciers, listening to their grumbling and groaning and startled by the sharp reports as large "growlers" break off and crash into the water below.

O/N M/V Stella Australis or Via Australis. (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 3 • Monday or Thursday • Pia Glacier – "Avenue of Glaciers"

Early in the morning we will disembark in the sheltered bay of the Pia Glacier to admire its impressive and active front while we also study the miniature plant and lichen community growing on the recently exposed rocks. Later, we will be amazed by the incredible spectacle presented by the many glaciers along the Beagle Channel as we steam eastward. Each of these giants has a different beauty as they descend from Darwin's Mountain Range, a frozen massif rising over 6,000 feet (2,000 m) above us.

O/N M/V Stella Australis or Via Australis. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 4 • Tuesday or Friday • Cape Horn – Puerto Williams

Today is the Big Day! With due respect to the prevailing climatic conditions we shall depart to Cape Horn. Making a voyage around this large mountain that signals the extreme southern limit of the South American continent is the most uplifting moment in the life of any sailor. We will intend to make a landing here and to visit the famous monument to the Cap Horniers, that takes the form of a flying albatross. In the afternoon we will visit the southernmost town in the world, Puerto Williams. There we will explore the coasts, forests and ponds looking for new birds, and visit the local museum, which illustrate the hard life of the Fuegians that originally inhabited these latitudes and their unfortunate fate.

O/N M/V Stella Australis or Via Australis. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 5 • Wednesday or Saturday • Ushuaia

Today we will land at the picturesque town of Ushuaia, Argentina, where our trip ends. (B).

 

(2) Ushuaia, Argentina - Punta Arenas, Chile | 4 days, 3 nights 

Option A: M/V Stella Australis (Wednesday through Saturday) | Option B: M/V Via Australis (Saturday through Tuesday)

 

Day 1 • Wednesday or Sunday • Evening boarding Mare or Via Australis

After a welcome cocktail, headed by the Captain and crew, our expedition will begin as the ship leaves towards the remote Fuegian Channels and western Tierra del Fuego.

O/N M/V Stella Australis or Via Australis. (D)(G).

Day 2 • Thursday or Monday • Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay

After visiting Cape Horn, we head to Wulaia Bay, where sub-Antarctic forests and beautiful hills offer a unique landscape and good opportunity to see many land birds. This sheltered bay is an archaeological site of great interest.

O/N M/V Mare or Via Australis. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 3 • Friday or Tuesday • Günter Plushow Glacier

Early in the morning we visit the the Bay of the Günter Plushow Glacier, and later we will continue navigating through the western channels of Tierra del Fuego, including O'Brien and Ballenero, Bahía Desolada, Paso Aguirre and Cockburn Channel.

O/N M/V Mare or Via Australis. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 4 • Saturday or Wednesday • Magdalena Island – Punta Arenas

At dawn, we will spend our final hours sailing the Straits of Magellan and finish our expedition by visiting an impressive colony of Magellanic Penguins comprising approximately 60,000 pairs of breeding penguins. On Magdalena, a clearly defined path protects the nesting sites while allowing excellent photographic opportunities. During our visit we will learn about the natural history and population dynamics of these charismatic seabirds. We will then dock in Punta Arenas, ending our journey to the end of the world. (B).

Codes:  B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner; G=Expedition Leader and Guides

 

MAP

DATES & RATES

 

September 2011 - April 2012 Dates:

 

LOW SEASON	HIGH SEASON
October & December 10, 13, 14 & 17, 2011 2nd Half of March & April 2012	November & December 2011 January, February & 1st Half of March 2012
PROMOTIONAL DEPARTURES	SPECIAL
September 2011 & April 10 & 14, 2012	Christmas & New Year's

 

(1) Punta Arenas, Chile - Ushuaia, Argentina | 5 days, 4 nights

 

M/V 'Via Australis' | Tuesday to Saturday
September	2011				20	27
October	2011	4	11	18	25
November	2011	1	8	15	22	29
December	2011	6	13	20	27
January	2012	3	10	17	24	31
February	2012	7	14	21	28
March	2012	6	13	20	27
April	2012	3	10

 

NEW! M/V 'Stella Australis' | Saturday to Wednesday
October	2011	1	8	15	22	29
November	2011	5	12	19	26
December	2011	3	10	17	24	31
January	2012	7	14	21	28
February	2012	4	11	18	25
March	2012	3	10	17	24	31

 

(2) Ushuaia, Argentina - Punta Arenas, Chile | 4 days, 3 nights

 

M/V 'Via Australis' | Saturday to Tuesday
September	2011				24
October	2011	1	8	15	22	29
November	2011	5	12	19	26
December	2011	3	10	17	24	31
January	2012	7	14	21	28
February	2012	4	11	18	25
March	2012	3	10	17	24	31
April	2012	7	14

 

NEW! M/V 'Stella Australis' | Saturday to Wednesday
October	2011	5	12	19	26
November	2011	2	9	16	23	30
December	2011	7	14	21	28
January	2012	4	11	18	25
February	2012	1	8	15	22	29
March	2012	7	14	21	28
April	2012	4

 

 

September 2011 - April 2012 Rates:

 

(1) Punta Arenas, Chile - Ushuaia, Argentina | 5 days, 4 nights

Cabin	PROMOTION	LOW	HIGH	SPECIAL
B	1,198	1,498	1,894	2,083
A	1,720	2,145	2,608	2,869
AA	1,805	2,249	2,731	3,004
AAA	1,890	2,353	2,863	3,150
AA Superior	2,112	2,631	3,195	3,515
AAA Superior	2,211	2,753	3,350	3,685
Single*	2,153	2,688	3,266	3,592

 

(2) Ushuaia, Argentina - Punta Arenas, Chile | 4 days, 3 nights

Cabin	PROMOTION	LOW	HIGH	SPECIAL
B	899	1,124	1,420	1,562
A	1,290	1,609	1,956	2,152
AA	1,354	1,687	2,048	2,253
AAA	1,418	1,765	2,148	2,362
AA Superior	1,584	1,974	2,396	2,636
AAA Superior	1,658	2,065	2,513	2,764
Single*	1,615	2,016	2,449	2,694

 

Notes:

Single rate applies in B or A category. Single rate in AA, AAA, AA Sup or AAA Sup will be 1.5 of the category rate.

AA Superior and AAA Superior are only available in M/V 'Stella Australis'.

 

What the trip includes/excludes

The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy.

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested or forced.

The trip price includes: Welcome cocktail, expedition cruise accommodations and activities on full-board basis, drinks, shore excursions in zodiac boats, lectures, shipboard entertainment and expedition guide services.

The trip price excludes: Tipping, visa and/or passport expenses, arrival and departure taxes, lodging and meals other than those offered in the program, personal insurance, extra baggage charges, additional expenses, such as: laundry service, telephone calls, use of Internet or other means of communication, etc.

 

Tour Registration: To register for this tour, complete the Fantástico Sur Expeditions registration form and return it with a deposit of US$ 500 per person. Full payment of the tour fee (in US Dollars) is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

 

Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 250 is refundable.

If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.

If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.

 

THE SHIPS

 

THE SHIPS

 

M/V Stella Australis Gross tonnage: --- GRT (Gross registered tonnage) Built: 2010 Cabins: 100 cabins, with private facilities, low beds and panoramic windows. Passenger capacity: 210 Decks: 5 Lounges: 3 lounges and one dining room. Length: 236 ft. • 71,83 m Draft: 10,3 ft. • 3,15 m Breadth: 44 ft. • 13,4 m

M/V Via Australis Gross tonnage: 2,716 GRT Built: 2005 Cabins: 64 cabins, with private facilities, low beds and panoramic windows. Decks: 5 Decks. Lounges: 2 lounges and one dining room. Length: 237 ft. • 72,30 m Draft: 10,8 ft. • 3,30 m Breadth: 44 ft. • 13,4 m

PHOTOS

 

Check out our set of images from recent trips to Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn.

 

WILDLIFE CHECKLIST

 

Birds and mammals possible to be seen during this expedition

Compiled by Claudio F. Vidal, FS Expeditions

 

Penguins | Spheniscidae

Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus

Grebes | Podicipedidae

White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland

Great Grebe Podiceps major

 

Albatrosses | Diomedeidae

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris

Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma

 

Shearwaters & Petrels | Procellariidae

Antarctic Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus

Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides

Cape Petrel Daption capense

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis

Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus

 

Storm-Petrels | Hydrobatidae

Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Diving-Petrels | Pelecanoididae

Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides magellani

Cormorants | Phalacrocoracidae

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Rock Shag Phalacrocorax magellanicus

Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps

 

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns | Ardeidae

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

 

Ibises & Spoonbills | Threskiornithidae

Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis

 

Flamingos | Phoenicopteridae

Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis

 

Ducks, Geese & Swans | Anatidae

Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocorypha

Upland Goose Chloephaga picta

Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida

Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala

Flightless Steamerduck Tachyeres pteneres

Flying Steamerduck Tachyeres patachonicus

Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix

Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris

Spectacled Duck Anas specularis

Crested Duck Anas specularioides

Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica

Red Shoveler Anas platalea

 

New World Vultures | Cathartidae

Andean Condor Vultur gryphus

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

 

Hawks, Eagles & Kites | Accipitridae

Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus

Chilean Hawk Accipiter chilensis

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Rufous-tailed Hawk Buteo ventralis

 

Falcons & Caracaras | Falconidae

Southern Crested Caracara Caracara plancus

Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango

Striated Caracara Phalcoboenus australis

American Kestrel Falco sparverius

Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

 

Rails, Gallinules & Coots | Rallidae

Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus

Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata

 

Oystercatchers | Haematopodidae

Magellanic Oystercatcher Haematopus leucopodus

Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater

 

Plovers & Lapwings | Charadriidae

Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis

Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus

Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus

 

Sandpipers & Allies | Scolopacidae

South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii

 

Seedsnipes | Thinocoridae

White-bellied Seedsnipe Attagis malouinus

Least Seedsnipe Thinocorus rumicivorus

 

Sheathbills | Chionidae

Snowy Sheathbill Chionis alba

 

Skuas & Jaegers | Stercoraridae

Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis

 

Gulls | Laridae

Dolphin Gull Larus scoresbii

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus

Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis

South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea

 

Doves & Pigeons | Columbidae

Rock Dove Columba livia

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

 

Parrots, Macaws & Allies | Psittacidae

Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus

 

Typical Owls | Strigidae

Magellanic Horned Owl Bubo magellanicus

Austral Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nanum

 

Hummingbirds | Trochilidae

Green-backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes

 

Kingfishers | Alcedinidae

Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata

 

Woodpeckers & Allies | Picidae

Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus

 

Ovenbirds | Furnariidae

Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus

Gray-flanked Cinclodes Cinclodes oustaleti

Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus

Blackish Cinclodes Cinclodes antarcticus

Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda

White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis

 

Tapaculos | Rhinocryptidae

Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus

 

Tyrant Flycatchers | Tyrannidae

White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus

Patagonian Tyrant Colorhamphus parvirostris

Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope

Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana

Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa

 

Swallows | Hirundinidae

Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni

 

Wagtails & Pipits | Motacillidae

Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera

 

Wrens | Troglodytidae

House Wren Troglodytes aedon

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis

 

Thrushes & Allies | Turdidae

Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii

Old World Sparrows | Passeridae

House Sparrow ( I ) Passer domesticus

 

Siskins, Crossbills & Allies | Fringillidae

Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbata

 

Buntings, Sparrows & Allies | Emberizidae

Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi

Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

Troupials & Allies | Icteridae

Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca

Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus

 

MAMMALS

Otters

Marine otter Lontra felina

 

Foxes

Culpeo Fox Pseudalopex culpaeus

 

Eared Seals

South American Sea Lion Otaria flavescens

South American Fur Seal Arctocephalus australis

 

True Seals

Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina

 

Dolphins

Commerson's Dolphin Cephalorhynchus commersonii

Chilean Dolphin Cephalorhynchus eutropia

Peale's Dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis

Dusky Dolphin Lagenorhynchus obscurus

Orca or Killer Whale Orcinus orca

 

Whales

Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae

 

Lagomorphs

European Hare Lepus europaeus

European Rabbitt Oryctolagus cuniculus

 

Rodents

Beaver Castor canadensis