How to get to Tierra del Fuego
The end of the world is pretty remote, and getting there is an adventure in itself. With a bit of planning, you can make the journey down here one of the most memorable of your …
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Why an adventure cruise?
- Daily excursions off the boat give you a chance to explore the forests, fjords and glaciers up close
- Discover secluded beaches, hidden waterfalls, and walk up to the face of magnificent glaciers
- Visit the colonies of elephant and leopard seals, penguins, condors and falcons that make this wilderness their home
- Passionate guides are on hand to enrich your knowledge of Tierra del Fuego's fascinating history and nature
Pia Glacier, Southern Patagonia
Pia Glacier, Chilean Fjords
Zodiacs depart the ship to explore the Patagonian Fjords
Hiking through the remote forests around Pia Glacier
Wulaia Bay, Tierra del Fuego
Adventure cruises
Cruise ships wind through the sheltered waters between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas, and on-board these adventure ships is one of the best ways to travel between the two cities. Not only will you make the most of your time travelling between Argentina and Chile, you'll explore some of the best scenery in the region. Cruises range from four to eight nights, either one-way or round trip.
Don't be put off by the word cruise: the emphasis here is on getting out and about, and up close with the scenery and wildlife.
What our customers think of Adventure cruises in Tierra del Fuego
Adventure cruises in Tierra del Fuego trips scored 4.5/5 from 288 reviews
The Stella Australis was wonderful, as were the crew, above and beyond expectations. The Glaciers were amazing. The scenery was breath-taking and memorising.
Travelled: January 2017
Chris and Nikki -
We particularly appreciated Chloe's suggestion to add the Australis cruise - brilliant choice.
Travelled: March 2016
Heinrich -
Review:
Patagonia Cruises: FAQs
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Will it be expensive?
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be. If you plan in advance and book early, you can snap up a cabin in the cheapest category before anyone else. We work very closely with a range of cruise and operators in Patagonia and know the best early booking discounts. There are some excellent low season rates too, if you’re willing to travel at the start/end of the season.
We offer cruises and boat trips to suit a wide spectrum of budgets, from around $600 USD for a 1 day whale watching trip to $4,000 for the best cabin in high season on a luxury adventure cruise vessel.
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I’m not normally a cruise person. Is an adventure cruise really for me?
Our Adventure Cruises have been described as ‘cruises for people who don’t do cruises’. Basing yourself from a boat is a great way to explore deep into the sparkling, mountain-lined fjords, both on and off the vessel, to watch crashing glaciers calve before you and wildlife going about their business, and experience the peaceful channels as the pioneers once did - with barely anyone else around.
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How big are the ships? I don’t want to be on a big boat...
We work with 15 different ships, small boats and sailboats, with capacity of between 10 to 210 passengers. Each ship has a different style and focus and we can talk you through the pros and cons of each, to help you to choose the best cruise for you.
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How active will it be?
We can help you choose the right cruise to suit you, depending on how active you want to be. All of our cruises and boat trips offer the opportunity to be active, but it’s not compulsory; excursions are optional and there are different effort levels available on some cruises, so that you can mix challenging hikes with more relaxed excursions - the choice is yours.
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What routes do Patagonia cruises take?
The most popular Patagonia cruise routes run between Ushuaia (Argentina) and Punta Arenas (Chile), and are a great alternative to flights or bus journeys as they combine border crossings with sightseeing along the way. There are also a number of ‘there and back’ trips, for example from/to Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Ushuaia, Puerto Montt and Puerto Aysen - great if you want to start and end in the same place.
Places to visit on an adventure cruise
- Ainsworth Bay is a long fjord flanked by dense sub-polar forest. At the top rests the Marinelli Glacier, which rolls down from the Darwin Ice Field into the water. The scenery here is evidence of Tierra del Fuego's wet climate: trails wind past streams and waterfalls, and there's an enchanted feel to the moss covered rocks and trees.
- Cape Horn is a classic bucket list feature, and the end of the world does not disappoint. Discovered in 1616, the place where the Atlantic meets the Pacific has been a significant point for sailors for hundreds of years, and a beautiful monument now stands at the 'end of the earth' to memorialise the many who have travelled here.
- Pia Glacier - get on board a zodiac to the face of the glacier, travelling to a lookout where you can see the entire glacier as it flows from the mountains all the way to the sea.
- The Tucker Islets are one places you might smell before you see - here lives a colony of over 4,000 Magellanic penguins. You'll get right onto the beach in zodiac boats to observe these curious birds noisily getting on with waddling, swimming and nesting.
Keeping a close eye for calving ice, Pia Glacier
- Tread in the footsteps of the indigenous Yaghàn people at Wulaia Bay, a sheltered spot where humans have thrived for thousands of years. Charles Darwin also landed here in 1833.
- Àguila Glacier is found at the end of an easy walk that snakes around a lagoon.
- Walk amongst the Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, an important stop for sailors.
Observing Magellanic penguins from a zodiac in the Chilean fjords
Discover Tierra del Fuego
Wildlife Cruises
Both Patagonia’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts are teeming with wildlife, and the best way to put yourself in the action is by taking the water on an adventure cruise ship or a …
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Things To Do in Tierra del Fuego
Exposure to the fierce elements has left this rugged, untamed wilderness a haven for adventurers. Forge your own trails on the southernmost trek in the world, cruise past icy …
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Ushuaia Tours
Ushuaia is the southernmost city before Antarctica, and boy are they proud of it! Set with a mountain range to the north and the Beagle Channel to the south, the city is nestled …
Discover MoreReady to plan your Tailor-made Adventure?
1
Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2
Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3
Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Get in touch today to talk about your dreams for your trip. Whether it’s a 2-week or 2-month adventure, you’re travelling independently or in a big group, you want to see Patagonia in comfort or discover challenging hikes, we’d love to help.
1-888-970-4571