Description
The Via Australis and its sister ships, the Mare Australis and Stella Australis, are elegant ships operating 3 and 4 night expedition cruises through southern Patagonia. Both have elegant lounge and dining areas and the cabins are all exterior-facing, furnished in a modern style, with picture windows affording superb views of the ever-changing scenery. The cruises are supported by an expert team of bilingual guides, who lead daily excursions inland and on the sea.
Sail through the Straits of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, between Punta Arenas in Chile to Ushuaia in Argentina, round the infamous Cape Horn. The voyage takes you past iridescent blue icebergs, immense glaciers and a breathtaking coastline teeming with wildlife including penguins and sea elephants. For an extra special trip combine with a visit to the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina.
Accommodation
The Via Australis sleeps up to 136 passengers, in 64 cabins set over 4 decks. The cabins are approx 15 metres square, with picture windows. Twins, doubles and triples are available (with a pull-out bed from the wall). The Stella Australis sleeps up to 210 passengers, in 100 cabins set over 3 decks. The cabins are approx 16.5 metres square and have floor to ceiling windows. Cabins in both ships are exterior facing, with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning/heating.
Childcare
Children are welcome on board the Via Australis and the Stella Australis although there are no formal facilities or activities for children.
Facilities
Both the Via and the Stella Australis have a panoramic open-air roof deck for admiring the stunning views, a dining room, lounges with panoramic windows and a gift shop. There are also zodiac boats for excursions.
Activities
All activities are included on board the Via and the Stella Australis. There are daily excursions, lead by professional bilingual guides, walking trails, zodiac visits to glaciers and to Cape Horn National Park. The are also on-board lectures by the guides about the region's flora and fauna and evening activities.
When to travel
Season runs from Oct to Apr, with a range of three, four or seven-night packages.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Southern Patagonia, Chile
The Via Australis and the Stella Australis operate cruises between Punta Arenas in southern Chile and Ushuaia in southern Argentina. The cruise sail through the Straits of Magellan and the Beagle Channel.
