Ushuaia, Argentina Fly overnight and arrive in Ushuaia and meet your representative from AE Expeditions who will oversee your transfer to your pre-voyage hotel. Spend the remainder of your day exploring Ushuaia the southernmost city in the world and enjoy your overnight stay at the Arakur Resort & Spa.
Embarkation Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out, your luggage will be stored and taken directly to the ship to await your arrival in your cabin. Enjoy a little more time taking in the dramatic scenery and all that Ushuaia has to offer before boarding the Douglas Mawson and settling in to life on board. As you sail away the ships’ guests will gather on deck to celebrate the commencement of your exciting exploration of Southern Patagona while experiencing the spectacular views of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.
Chilean Fjords Whilst exploring the natural beauty of Patagonia up close, with every turn providing a different stunning vista, each day will bring a new and exciting area to explore. Enjoy the snow-capped mountains, glacier fed waterways, ancient icefields and forests that line the majestic fjords. Experience Glacier Alley which is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which protects the Magallanes Sub-Antarctic Evergreen Rainforest and is home to a diverse selection of wildlife and a unique ecosystem found nowhere else. To begin explore the tidewater glaciers on the south side of the Cordillera Darwin Icefield. Part of the Alberto de Agostini National Park, here the Andes plunge directly into the fjords and you can explore by zodiac. After leaving the Beagle Channels western entrance, a short amount of time will be spent at sea before joining the Canal Cockburn to explore the northwest side of the Darwin Icefield via Seno Agostini. Navigate between floating ice, brash ice and bergy bits by zodiac while spotting wildlife along the dramatic shores. Overnight you will travel northwest up through the Straits of Magellan, here there is an opportunity to discover the Magallanes region of Southern Chile, famous for its deep waters, scenic fjords, and abundant wildlife. Highlights may include observing Chilean dolphins, Peale’s dolphins, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. Continuing north along Canal Concepción, a maze of fjords provides the entrance to Pío XI—named in honour of Pope Pius XI by Father Alberto de Agostini, the Italian missionary and explorer who, became the first person to cross the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in 1931. There are 48 glaciers which feed into this ice field and nearly all of them are in retreat with the exception of Pio XI, even scientists can not explain the reasoning for this and it’s a privilege to be able to view up close. This is the northernmost part of the journey and from here you will begin to sail towards Punta Arenas. Exploring the many Caletas and sheltered Puertos that you would have passed during the night enroute. This area is perfect for zodiac exploration and good weather will hopefully allow time to enjoy the densely forested area on foot. Continuing on through the Straits of Magellan to Seno Almirantazgo, enjoy the experience of exploring the northern shores of the Cordillera Darwin Icefield. Explore the areas sub-Antarctic forests on a hike where the glacially sculpted landscapes lead to spectacular views of the Marinelli Glacier and surrounding mountains. Experience an incredible wildlife excursion to Tucker Islets in Almirantazgo Sound. The Zodiac cruise will take you close to the shoreline for exceptional wildlife viewing. Observe more than 4,000 Magellanic penguins, search for Chilean skuas and imperial cormorants and if you are really lucky dolphins may make an appearance. Continuing to travel the Strait of Magellan, a landing will be attempted at Bahía Fortescue. This is a notoriously challenging place to land. It is a site of great historical significance as it is where the first Christian mass on Chilean territory was celebrated by Fray Pedro de Valderrama on 11 November 1520. On your final evening enjoy the Captain’s Cocktail Party and Farewell Dinner to celebrate the end of a an incredible journey through this majestic landscape. Please note, this trip is an expedition, and sites mentioned in this itinerary may vary depending on the conditions during the trip.
Punta Arenas The voyage ends in Punta Arenas, bid farewell to your expedition team before departing to the airport for your onward journey.