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Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise

Voyage north from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas on a small-ship expedition cruise and experience the incredible wildlife, fascinating history and breathtaking scenery of Tierra del Fuego. Step foot on Cape Horn, visit historic Wulaia Bay and walk amongst thousands of Magellanic penguins at Magdalena Island. On seven shore-based you'll experience some of the planet’s most remote fjords and imposing glaciers.

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Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise

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Trip type

Cruise

Trip length

5 Days

From

$3,095 -$6,655

Location

Tierra del Fuego

Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise - 5 Days - $3,095

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

  • Day 1: Depart from Ushuaia
  • Day 2: Cape Horn to Wulaia Bay
  • Day 3: Pia Glacier and Porter Glacier
  • Day 4: Agostini Sound, Águila Glacier and Cóndor Glacier
  • Day 5: Magdalena Island to Punta Arenas

Start from Ushuaia and end at Punta Arenas

Landmarks visited on Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from Ushuaia

Board your ship at Ushuaia’s pier in the afternoon and set sail southwards this evening, across the Beagle Channel and into Chilean waters. During dinner you’ll meet your ship’s staff and expedition team, as you embark on the trip of a lifetime on some of the world’s most remote waterways.

The lights of Ushuaia disappear as you turn into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and head due south, en route to Cape Horn for tomorrow’s first landing.

After dinner you might like to enjoy the open-bar featuring stunning panoramic windows for you to appreciate the breath-taking landscapes at 'the end of the world'. All drinks (alcoholic or not), are included on this voyage.

You're unlikely to spot any other cruise ships during your time aboard, given that very few operators have permission to sail in these magnificent waters.

Meals: Dinner


Day 2: Cape Horn to Wulaia Bay

Around dawn today, the cruise crosses Nassau Bay and enters the remote archipelago that comprises Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you'll go ashore on the windswept island that harbours the legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition – and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland – Cape Horn is a sheer 425m-high (1,394ft) rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage and is the world’s southernmost national park.

For many years this was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic and was often referred to as the 'End of the Earth'. In 2005 UNESCO declared the park a World Biosphere Reserve and the Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a lighthouse keeper and his family. The tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument are also located here. If you land here today, you will get a chance to explore this small, iconic, island on foot.

Sailing back north across Nassau Bay, you'll anchor at the fabled Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on HMS Beagle.

This area is also renowned for its stunning beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the museum in the old radio station – which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area – passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooded mountain behind the bay. On all of these hikes, you'll stroll through an endemic Magellanic forest of Southern beech trees, winter's bark and verdant ferns to reach amazing panoramic viewpoints overlooking the bay. Your expedition guides will accompany you and impart their knowledge, insight and passion for the region’s history and wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 3: Pia Glacier and Porter Glacier

Overnight you’ll be sailing westwards through the sheltered waters of the Beagle Channel and by morning the ship will enter the magnificent Pia Fjord - one of the most beautiful stretches of water in the entire region.

Two immense glaciers slide into the sea water with verdant forests encroaching as the ice recedes. Once anchored in this magnificent aquatic and mountainous amphitheatre, you’ll disembark by small zodiacs for a shore excursion to Pia Glacier. You'll take a short hike to a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea. There is also the option of a longer, much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier.

Both options are detailed by the expedition staff before disembarking, so each guest can analyse and choose which hike they’d like to take. On both options your expedition staff will guide you for the duration of the excursion and import valuable information about the glaciers, geography and wildlife in this region.

No one knows for certain how the hulking mass of snow and ice got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the King of Italy, but standing in front of this magnificent wall of ice as it calves off into the surrounding waters is a truly regal experience.

You’ll return to the ship for lunch, and in the afternoon take to the zodiacs once more to the frigid waters of the Porter Glacier. You’ll be in your zodiac for about an hour, so wrap up warm, as you get a remarkable sense of scale as you approach this 2.5km-wide (1.5 miles) tongue of ice that meanders its way from the peaks of the Darwin Mountain Range into the waters of the bay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 4: Agostini Sound, Águila Glacier and Cóndor Glacier

Early in the morning, you'll sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound. From there it is possible to see the glaciers that descend from the centre of the Darwin Mountain Range, some of them reaching the water - truly a sight worth getting up early for.

Later in the morning, you’ll disembark for a relatively easy 2km-walk (1.5 miles) along the beach and lagoon which was formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier. You’ll eventually reach a spot right in front of the beautiful glacier with truly stunning views. Your guide may take you into the verdant forest in order to explain how the forest grows in these latitudes, before you return to the landing site and board the zodiac back to your ship.

After lunch and a short sailing, you’ll approach another one of the region's impactful glaciers, Cóndor Glacier, by zodiac and hopefully see some of the abundant Andean condors in the area. Your guide will get you as close to the glacier as is safe and give explanations to help you understand how these magnificent blocks of ice are formed and eventually disappear.

All members of the expedition team are specially trained for interpreting the flora and fauna of the region. They are seasoned travelers, local residents, and many participate in the scientific enhancement of knowledge of the region’s biodiversity. They will hugely enrich your learning experience.

Return to the ship for you final dinner, accompanied by the captain, as your ship sails northwards and enters the famous Strait of Magellan.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 5: Magdalena Island* to Punta Arenas

After an overnight cruise through the Magdalena Channel and back into the Strait of Magellan, you'll anchor off Magdalena Island* which lies about halfway between the island of Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, the nowadays protected island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic penguins.

At the break of dawn, weather permitting, you will go ashore and hike an easy circular path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside the vintage 1902 lighthouse. Many other bird species are also found on the island. It's a fitting finale to your expedition cruise as you get the opportunity to see the nesting Magellanic penguins from close proximity.

Finally, after a short cruise south along the strait, disembarkation at Punta Arenas is scheduled for about 11:30am (weather permitting). Here you’ll say farewell to you travel companions and expedition staff and continue your adventure into Chilean Patagonia.

Meals: Breakfast

* In September and April this excursion is replaced by a ride aboard zodiacs to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions.

Note that camera extension poles are prohibited on Magdalena Island.


Please note that the same route can be taken in the opposite direction – see full details.

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What our customers think of Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise

Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise trips scored 4.4/5 from 53 reviews

Difficult to say - the variety was amazing. But if I had to choose, I think it would be seeing the sunrise in the Beagle channel - and some pretty incredible clouds!

Travelled: March 2024

Amy -

Tierra Patagonia hike thru the wind

Travelled: March 2024

Michael -

First view of towers Glaciers up close

Travelled: February 2024

Paul -

Being on Cape Horn Meeting new friends

Travelled: January 2024

Mariana -

The visit to Cape Horn

Travelled: January 2024

OMOURTAG -

Our three day trek around El Chalten and our two hikes in Torres Del Paine. And our trip to the Moreno glacier was a close second.

Travelled: January 2024

David -

Entire cruise is memorable. What an eye-opening experience.

Travelled: January 2024

Sally Haueter -

How can a person select one when there were so many...I'd say top 5 include the trek on Perito Moreno Glacier, Kayaking La Leona / Hiking Los Hornos, Hiking to & Lunching at Cerro Torre, Hike to & View from Toro Lookout, & Huemul Glacier / Lago Desierto.

Travelled: December 2023

Brent -

My most memorable moment was being able to land at Cape Horn, we got very lucky and the weather was perfect!

Travelled: December 2023

Anonymous -

Zodiac rides out to the glaciers. Visiting the Penguins on Margaretta island. Argentinian steak and dulche la leche

Travelled: December 2023

James -

Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park

Travelled: December 2023

Bee Choo -

There were so many…. the lack of other people, noise pollution and sound pollution . We felt very privileged having access to many remote areas in a sensitive way. The sights, sounds, weather and flora were incredible.

Travelled: December 2023

Colette -

Too many to mention. People of Patagonia, service at Torres Del paine, Glaciers, Yurts, food at camp patagonia, breathtaking scenery, treks at torres del paine, seeing calving at PIU glacier, wildlife

Travelled: November 2023

Peter -

Seeing Águila Glacier was my favorite moment. The trek along the bay was beautiful, and then to walk back and see the glacier and touch the water was a very emotional moment for me. Absolutely breathtaking.

Travelled: November 2023

Jennifer -

Private boat trip to Perito Merino glacier on a gloriously sunny day

Travelled: November 2023

Clare -

The adventure tat Swoop organized for us was perfect in very respect. It was beautifully coordinated with the two major venues in our itinerary; The Ventus Australia’s Tierra del Fuego expedition cruise and the time we spent in Patagonia Camp. Both segments of the trip were of quality outstanding quality run by highly professional, safety conscious, warm and caring staff. Everything from the beauty of the glaciers to the surreal vistas 9f snow covered mountains is something that is embedded in out souls and or memories for the rest of our time here on the planet.

Travelled: October 2023

Tim -

Getting to Cape Horn and later seeing Pia Glacier calving

Travelled: October 2023

Mike -

Landing on Cape Horn, in the snow & sleet and very powerful wind.

Travelled: October 2023

Katherine -

There were numerous memorable moments, but likely the best was reaching the top of the trail to Torres del Paine. It was very empowering from a physical standpoint to know that the months of hiking had been culminated in this amazing hike up and up and then up some more through boulders to reach the view at the top!

Travelled: April 2023

Debbie -

I'll list two items: 1. Completing the Torres del Paine hike. This was a push for Debbie and I and we were very lucky with the weather. The whole day, all aspects were stunning but that combined with the effort involved yielded a sense of real accomplishment at the end of the day. 2. As a sailor, seeing Cape Horn. Even though we couldn't disembark with the wind howling 50 knots, to me this didn't matter. Cape Horn lived up to it's reputation and that was for me almost better!

Travelled: April 2023

Rob -

Review:

Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices are per person, based on a double occupancy basis.

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Contact us for more information, terms and conditions and details of any cabins recently made available.

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Please note that the early penguin offer is back! USD $500 off per person for travel in the 2024/25 season if booked this March/April 2024 (Special T&Cs apply). Pick your cruise date below. 

2024

2025

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* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $3095

Additional Notes

Seasons – Promotional season is September and April; Low season is October, and March 20th to 31st; High season is November to March 19th

Excursion notes – Cape Horn Landing is subject to weather conditions. In September and April, due to penguin migration, the Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony trip will be replaced by a zodiac boat trip to the Sea Lion colony at Marta Island.

Cabin details – Please contact us for further details of the different cabin types. In short:

  • There are a limited number of 'B' cabins on the lowest deck which tend to get booked up a long time in advance
  • 'AAA' cabins are on a higher deck than 'AA' and 'A' cabins
  • Superior cabins ('S') are approx. 25% larger

Cruise route – Please note that the same route can be taken in the opposite direction – see full details.

Single Supplement And Child Policy

Single supplement and solo travellers – The cruise operator does not have a 'willing to share' policy. If you are a solo traveller or would like a single cabin, there is a 50% surcharge.

Baby policy – 0 to 3-year-olds travel for free if sharing a bed with parents. Please ask for availability of complimentary travel cots. Please note, they will still be charged the port tax.

Child policy – 4 to 12-year-olds receive a 50% discount when sharing a cabin with an adult.

Extra beds – It is possible to turn certain cabins into triple cabins; for availability and rates please contact us.

Includes

  • Meals: Four buffet breakfasts, three buffet lunches, four dinners with table service
  • Drinks: all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during the entire duration of the cruise
  • All drinking water as requested - you are gifted a complimentary metallic water bottle which you can refill at the numerous stations around the ship
  • All safety equipment (life jackets) for zodiac excursions
  • Accommodation: cabin as requested (four nights)
  • Seven shore/zodiac excursions and shipboard activities (as detailed in itinerary) weather permitting
  • Onboard activities and lectures from your expeditions staff
  • All national park entrance fees, as per itinerary

Excludes

  • Port tax (USD $105 per person for 2023-24 season)
  • Port tax (USD $120 per person for 2024-25 season)
  • Meals not indicated in itinerary
  • Any extra/optional excursions
  • Transfers to/from cruise port terminal at Punta Arenas/Ushuaia
  • Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list), especially waterproof clothing required for shore excursions
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gratuities/tips
  • International and domestic/in-country flights
  • Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses

Questions about this Voyage?