Click for larger image

Itinerary I
Departures Every Wednesday or Sunday, September-April

Itinerary II
Departures Every Tuesday or Saturday, September-April

14 & 15 Days from $2999

Itinerary I - 14 Days
Buenos Aires/Santiago with 4 Day Cruise: Ushuaia to Punta Arenas

Day 1, Wed or Sun: Depart Home City
Day 2, Thu or Mon: Arrive in Buenos Aires Morning arrival and transfer to your selected hotel. In the afternoon, you will have a tour of the "Paris of South America.” Drive down 9th of July Avenue, the widest street in the world, past the Colon Opera House to the Plaza de Mayo. The plaza is faced by the pink Presidential Palace and the National Cathedral, which houses the tomb of the liberator, San Martin. Next visit "La Boca," the old port district with its pastel houses and shops. You will have time to browse for souvenirs.
Day 3, Fri or Tue: In Buenos Aires A day completely free to explore on your own. Sip traditional tea at a local tea shop or visit one of the estancias on the pampas. This evening enjoy a typical Argentine beef dinner followed by a folklore show and Tango performance (left). (B, D)

Sailing on the M/V Via Australis (Sat-Tue) or
Sailing on the M/V Mare Australis (Wed-Sat)

Day 4, Sat or Wed: Buenos Aires/Tierra del Fuego/Embark Cruise Transfer to the municipal airport in Buenos Aires to board a flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost commercial airport in the world on the island of Tierra del Fuego, where the Andes meet the Beagle Channel. Transfer directly to the pier to commence your exciting adventure on board the Australis cruise around the southern tip of South America to Punta Arenas, Chile. (B, D)
Important Note: You may substitute the cruise with an air sector from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, which operates Monday-Friday from NOV-MAR. Approximate cost is $160 per person including taxes. (Click here for packages to extend your stay at Ushuaia on Tierra del Fuego.)

Day 5, Sun or Thu: Cape Horn and Walaia Bay Special navigation into the Beagle and Murray Channels into the open sea to circle Cape Horn, with an opportunity to visit the southernmost point in South America, weather permitting. Here you will get a panoramic view of the famous and mythical Cape Horn, the place where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans merge and the last promontory of South America. (B, L, D)
Day 6, Mon or Fri: Bay of Günter Plushow Glacier Sail the main branch of the Beagle Channel. Disembark at the Bay of the Günter Plushow Glacier and hike near the glacier. After this unforgettable experience, you will continue navigating through O'Brien and Ballenero Channels, Bahía Desolada, Paso Aguirre and Cockburn Channel. (B, L, D)
Day 7, Tue or Sat: Arrive in Punta Arenas and Transfer to Puerto Natales Early in the morning you will disembark on Magdalena Island, home of a colony of over 120,000 penguins in different stages of breeding. You will then take a walk to San Isidro Lighthouse, which used to guide the explorer sailors crossing the Strait of Magellan. Afterwards sail into Punta Arenas, arriving at 11:00 AM. Now, one adventure ends and another begins. You will be picked up at the pier and transferred to downtown Punta Arenas to meet up with your van transfer to Puerto Natales for an overnight stay. The drive takes about four hours, crossing the Patagonian Plain on a smooth, paved road. (B)
Day 8, Wed or Sun: Puerto Natales to Paine National Park The morning sightseeing van departs for Paine National Park and makes a stop en route at Milodon Cave, where Charles Darwin discovered the fossils of a giant, pre-historic sloth. This and other discoveries made during his voyage on board the HMS Beagle led to his theories of natural selection and evolution. Continue on a well-graded road another two hours, to enter the national park, where soon the magnificent, craggy peaks of the Towers of Paine come into view. You will spend three nights in the park at the Hosteria Las Torres or a similar hotel according to availabilities. During the high season, December through March, it is advisable to book and prepay these reservations as early as possible. (B)
Days 9 & 10, Thu & Fri or Mon & Tue: In Paine National Park Days at leisure for sightseeing on your own. You may obtain information and purchase tours at the hotel front desk. Tours vary in degree of strenuousness, ranging from half or full-day hiking excursions to half or full-day tours via sightseeing van. (B daily)
Day 11, Sat or Wed: Paine National Park to Santiago Early morning van transfer directly from Paine National Park to Punta Arenas airport for an afternoon flight to Santiago. Meeting service and transfer to your selected hotel. (B)
Day 12, Sun or Thu: In Santiago You will have the morning to rest and refresh before an afternoon motorcoach city tour. Enjoy visits to Santa Lucia Hill and San Cristobal Hill before stopping at Bellavista, Santiago’s Bohemian district replete with art galleries, restaurants and theaters. Time permitting, stop to see a lapis lazuli workshop. (B)
Day 13, Mon or Fri: Depart Santiago You will have this day free for last minute shopping and sightseeing on your own before an evening departure back home. So many memories and so many experiences you will treasure forever! (B)
Day 14, Tue or Sat: Arrive Home City

Itinerary II - 15 Days
Santiago/Buenos Aires with 5 Day Cruise: Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Departures Every Tuesday & Saturday, September-April

Day 1, Tues or Sat: Depart Home City
Day 2, Wed or Sun: Arrive in Santiago Afternoon Santiago City Tour
Day 3, Thu or Mon: Leisure Day in Santiago (B)
Day 4, Fri or Tue: Santiago to Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales (B)
Day 5, Sat or Wed: Puerto Natales/Paine National Park (B)
Days 6 & 7, Sun & Mon or Thu & Fri: In Paine National Park (B daily)
Day 8, Tue or Sat: Paine National Park to Punta Arenas/Embark Australis Cruise (B, D)

Sailing on the M/V Via Australis (Tue-Sat) or
Sailing on the M/V Mare Australis (Sat-Wed)

Day 9, Wed or Sun: Ainsworth Bay/Marinelli Glacier/Tucker Islet With the first light of dawn, navigate Almirantazgo Fjord. Disembark in Ainsworth Bay near Marinelli Glacier for a walk to see the beaver dams, and the Magellan forests, as well as a close-up view of a colony of sea lions. In the afternoon, visit a small colony of Magellan penguins at Tucker Islet, where dolphins may likely join you. (B, L, D)
Day 10, Thu or Mon: Garibaldi and Pia Glaciers Sightseeing of Garibaldi Glacier and the impressive snow-covered mountains of the Darwin Range. Disembark at the coast of the Garibaldi Inlet to take an adventurous excursion where you will appreciate the wild vegetation and forests on the slopes of the mountains. Disembark at the Pia Glacier and hike to an observation point. (B, L, D)
Day 11, Fri or Tue: Cape Horn and Puerto Williams Navigation through the Beagle and Murray Channels to disembark at the Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn) National Park. Weather permitting, you will get a panoramic view of the famous and mythical Cape Horn, the place where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans merge and the last promontory of South America. Disembark at Puerto Williams, the southernmost town in the world. (B, L, D)
Day 12, Sat or Wed: Arrival in Ushuaia/Buenos Aires Sightseeing in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. (B)
Day 13, Sun or Thu: In Buenos Aires Sightseeing in Buenos Aires and evening Tango Show with dinner. (B, D)
Day 14, Mon or Fri: Depart Buenos Aires (B)
Day 15, Tue or Sat: Arrive Home City

Make the Magic Last
See our trip extensions to Peru and Machu Picchu and to Iguassu Falls and Rio.

Come visit "the uttermost part of the earth" aboard Cruceros Australis’ modern cruise ships the M/V Mare Australis and the all new M/V Via Australis, and explore the legendary channels and waterways plied by the early European navigators and the native inhabitants of this remote South American region...an area as beautiful as it is still untamed...perhaps more pristine and captivating than you ever imagined. Cruceros Australis has been sharing this unforgettable experience at "the far end of the earth" with travelers from around the world since 1991.

M/V Mare Australis & M/V Via Australis

The M/V Mare Australis & M/V Via Australis have been specifically constructed and equipped with the latest navigation and safety technology for expedition cruising off the southern tip of South America. They are both 233 feet long and 42 feet wide, accommodating 132 passengers in 64 spacious cabins. All of the attractively decorated cabins are 15 sq. meters (approx. 161.5 sq. ft) with picture windows, private bathrooms and either two lower beds or one double bed, heating, closet and safe-deposit box. Each ship features a spacious open top deck for admiring the spectacular southern scenery, and a gift shop, game room, infirmary and small library. With a crew of 40 plus lecturers and guides, passengers enjoy maximum attention, excellent cuisine and fine Chilean wines.

Cruise Rates Per Person September 2008-April 2009
	4-Day Cruise (3 Nights) Ushuaia-Punta Arenas (with sailing of Cape Horn) M/V Mare Australis WED-SAT M/V Via Australis SAT-TUE			5-Day Cruise (4 Nights) Punta Arenas-Ushuaia (with sailing of Cape Horn) M/V Mare Australis SAT-WED M/V Via Australis TUE-SAT
Cruise Category	Low	High	Holiday	Low	High	Holiday
B	$1050	1330	1460	$1400	1770	1950
A	$1410	1790	1970	$1890	2400	2640
AA	$1490	1890	2080	$1980	2510	2770
AAA	$1560	1970	2170	$2080	2630	2890
Triple (B Cabin)	Triple Cabin is the same per person rate as the rate for the double cabin in any category.
Single (B)	$1890	2330	2570	$2510	3110	3410
Note: Single rate in all category cabins will have a 50% surcharge over its double occupancy rate.
Low Season	SEP 27-OCT, 2008 & MAR 15-APR 22, 2009
High Season	NOV-DEC 29, 2009 & JAN 03-MAR 17, 2009
New Years	DEC 30, 2008-JAN 02, 2009
Note: Ship is in dry dock April-August
Click here for Deck Plans

Cruise Rates Per Person September 2009-December 2009
	4-Day Cruise (3 Nights) Ushuaia-Punta Arenas (with sailing of Cape Horn) M/V Mare Australis WED-SAT M/V Via Australis SAT-TUE			5-Day Cruise (4 Nights) Punta Arenas-Ushuaia (with sailing of Cape Horn) M/V Mare Australis SAT-WED M/V Via Australis TUE-SAT
Cruise Category	Low	High	Holiday	Low	High	Holiday
B	$1440	1750	1930	$1930	2350	2590
A	$1690	2060	2270	$2270	2760	3040
AA	$1780	2180	2400	$2380	2890	3180
AAA	$1880	2270	2500	$2490	3030	3340
Triple (B Cabin)	Triple Cabin is the same per person rate as the rate for the double cabin in any category.
Single (B)	$2450	2990	3290	$3290	3990	4390
Note: Single rate in all category cabins will have a 50% surcharge over its double occupancy rate.
Low Season	SEP-OCT, 2009
High Season	NOV-DEC, 2009
New Years	DEC 30, 2009-JAN 02, 2010
Note: Ship is in dry dock April-August
Click here for Deck Plans

Note: Cruises Ushuaia/Punta Arenas or v/v are NOT included in the quoted tour rates. The cruise rates are additional, based on the category and season. Click here for Deck Plans of the M/V Mare Australis or M/V Via Australis.

The Ships Technical Specifications
Vessel Name	M/V Via Australis	M/V Mare Australis
Category	Expedition Cruise	Expedition Cruise
Gross Tonnage	2750 (TRG)	2664 (TRG)
Length	71.83 meters (235 feet)	71.83 meters (235 feet)
Draft	3.30 meters	Draft: 3.15 meters
Breadth	13.4 meters (44 feet)	13.4 meters (44 feet)
Shipyard	ASENAV (Chile)	ASENAV (Chile)
Construction Year	2005	2002
Engines	2 Cummins diesel main engines at 850 hp each
Electricity	Cabins are equipped with 220 volt plugs. Bathrooms have plugs for both 220 volts and 110 volts.
Lifeboats	2 SOLAS lifeboats, 14 life rafts for 25 passengers each and 2 life rafts for 12 passengers each.	2 SOLAS lifeboats, 14 life rafts for 25 passengers each.
Safety	The M/V Mare Australis and M/V Via Australis were built according to SOLAS 2001 and MARPOL 73/78 updated standards for Worldwide oceanic navigation and finished in November 2002 and December 2005 respectively. Both vessels have a classification certificate issued by ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), with the notation of “Passenger Vessel.” According to ISM (International Safety Management Code), imposed by IMO (International Maritime Organization), the ships have a SMC (Safety Management Certificate), which guarantees the operation under international safety standards as well as the protection of the environment. The ships also have complete navigation systems (echo sounder, radar, GPS and the modern communication system integrating it to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, GMDSS), emergency generator, fire stations, smoke detectors in every cabin, corridor and lounge and a sprinkler fire suppression system installed in all areas of the ship. The machine room is also equipped with a CO2 fire extinguisher bank for increased fire prevention.
Protection of the Environment	The protection and preservation of nature is a permanent preoccupation of Cruceros Australis. For such purpose, we use specialized processes to prevent damaging the beautiful spots of the region, such as the separation of oil waste and other contaminating fluids, which are later deposited at port; compacting and deposit of garbage at port, and a sewage and solid waste treatment plant.

	Cabin with twin beds	Cabin with double bed
	Cabins B, A, AA and AAA are the same size (approx. 161 sq. ft.) with picture windows, private bathrooms and either two twin beds or one double bed. They vary only by location. Category B cabins also have an upper pull-down berth for triples. CLOTHING: We want your stay on our cruise ships to be comfortable. We recommend sports clothing for both women and men. Summer nights and sometimes during the day the Patagonian climate is cold. We recommend sweaters, jackets, pants and rain garments during the excursions. For exploring and walking, gloves and a pair of firm shoes or boots are suitable.

---

EcoAdventures, Inc.
16375 Monterey Street, Suite E
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
CST #1011294-10
800-326-5025
408-465-8181
Fax: 408-465-8177

Copyright 1999-2008 EcoAdventures

Designed & Produced by MindOverData.com