Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise
Trip type
Cruise
Trip length
5 Days
From
$2,265
Location
Tierra del Fuego
Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise - 5 - $2,265
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.
What our customers think of Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise
Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise trips scored 4.2/5 from 35 reviews
the itinerary, transfers, tours, sights were all top quality. the trip exceeded my expectations. we were so fortunate that for 16 days , there were no weather problems. every tour, sight , planned activity was available to us. this, i understand , is the exception not the rule when traveling in march. if we experienced bad weather, i would probably be disappointed, but i am not.accommodations were interesting, especially staying in a yurt. the views, trips, food, guides end all wonderful. the only surprise was on the stella where we had assigned seating for meals. biggest surprise for us was the length /distances we had to walk . not all the trails were in great shape and 2 of us suffered falls, one fall requiring a doctor (not me). the only animal we didn't see that we wanted to see was the puma, however, we did see results of puma hunts.we met people that we enjoyed talking with and maybe see again, we'll see about that. what i was most pleased with was the itinerary. being able to travel in both chile and argentina and cruising the wild waters of the straits and fjords, for us, truly demonstrated the wild beauty of patagonia. we felt we didn't miss anything while fulfilling a dream to visit this part of the world. we did have airline issues but it was not due to anything swoop did. AR is a cheat airline, charging for bags and not even offering water to passengers on one flight. they also striped down planes of all amenities that i would normally find on similar aircraft if flown in the US. LATAM was OK , however, they did switch my reserved seats and i was unable to check in online. once again, this has nothing to do with swoop. highlight was camp patagonia. we were able to customize our hikes where as we couldn't do that in chalten . totally liked the day cruise in calafate. perfect for us. stopping at sights and taking short walks with spectacular views. i want to emphasize that ALL our guides/ tours were exceptional. we were delighted with each person who took us around showing what patagonia has to offer. we also discovered the most delicious candy bar that the guides gave us. we looked for this bar and bought it wherever we could. just know, you guys put together a fabulous trip.
Travelled: March 2021
Vic Schultz -
Landscapes and hiking were the highlights, very happy with all the people in my Swoop Group.
Travelled: March 2021
Rosalinda Mendoza -
The whole Australis boat experience.
Travelled: March 2023
Jacqueline -
The weather was the best part as we got lucky and out of 17 days had about a half of a day of rain. Beyond that, the hiking and landscapes were spectacular, the people were friendly, the guides were wonderful, the food and lodgings were all spectacular as well.
Travelled: March 2021
Eric -
All of the cruise was memorable, particularly the storm around Cape Horn with 100mph+ winds and 6 meter waves. The glaciers and scenery, were truly spectacular. It was good to be in a relatively small group of people.
Travelled: February 2023
Joy -
There's not just one memorable moment. Every part of our journey had wonderful and unexpected experiences. I usually don't care much for big cities but I found Buenos Aires to be a beautiful and interesting city. The Lake District was as beautiful as I expected. Hiking around El Chalten was easy because most of the hikes start right there in town. The cruise around the Magellan Straight was relaxing after several days of intense activity with car rentals and several flights inside Argentina and lots of hiking; we were able to disembark in Cape Horn which was fabulous. Torres del Paine was the best part of the trip!
Travelled: April 2023
Maggy -
Lake Deseado was memorable in so many moments! We didn't have high expectations because it was a fill-in when Covid canceled our cruise from Ushuaia, but the lake was exquisite from our first glimpse. Then, the lodge itself (very isolated) was lovely in every detail. The view from our windows was of pristine waters with mountains in the distance. The short path to the dining facilities took us past beautiful birds, a brook and a beaver dam. Andres and the staff were welcoming, very helpful and genuine. We were a family of 14, joining one another from many parts of the United States and the only ones at the lodge. We were amazed at the menu, and managed to order everything from brie with local berries to guanaco, everything delicious. We over-80 grandparents got plenty of help so we could climb some trails and coast down the mountain on a bike. We also loved the library's collection of books about Patagonia. Our teens found challenging trails. Thank you to everyone including the gracious owners of Deseado Lodge!
Travelled: January 2022
Kathie -
How can I answer this? The glaciers of Patagonia, Eco camp as a base for fantastic food, adventures and friends, the Ventus Australis for sophisticated exploration and great information ( as well as making new contacts), Puerta Varas for adventures and the best guides on the planet plus so much more.
Travelled: April 2023
Gina -
hiking to Mt Fitzroy, Then Cape Horn. Overall Explora best multi day experience
Travelled: January 2023
Brad -
Standing on the tip of Cape Horn on a beautiful cold sunny morning, with a nearly calm sea, and being the southern most people on any continent on the planet (except for Antarctica !) And another one...walking up close under Mount Fitzroy, again in stunningly clear and beautiful weather And another one...the absolute drama of Perito Moreno Glacier And lots more !
Travelled: March 2023
Peter -
The story I tell first is the unsuccessful attempt to climb Laguna de los Torres because of the sideways wind, rain and cold. Just to take off my raincoat to add a down jacket was quite an experience.
Travelled: April 2023
Paul -
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 -
Seeing something like 10 glaciers on a perfect weather afternoon as the ship took an extra and unexpected spin into a fjord. And when a double rainbow had all the guests AND crew running outside for photos.
Travelled: January 2023
Kathryn -
Too many to count,
Travelled: April 2023
Bob -
Being at the top of Cape Horn was emotional. I had no idea that it would have been so wonderful. However, the entire trip made a most memorable moment in my life.
Travelled: December 2022
Cindy -
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 -
The Australis is well-run and enjoyable. There was no one highlight of the places we visited - Cape Horn, the fiords, the penguins, and so on. The wild and beautiful mountains and glaciers were amazing to see.
Travelled: March 2021
Barry Fields -
I've already recommended this trip to family and neighbors!
Travelled: March 2021
Diana Wood -
The breathtaking scenery in Patagonia both Argentina and Chile which was almost unreal.
Travelled: December 2022
Peter -
Explora hotel
Travelled: December 2022
Nancy -
Review:
About The Ship
Your cruise ship
Bar on board your cruise ship
Lounge onboard your cruise ship
Dining Room onboard your cruise ship
Lecture theatre onboard your cruise ship
Lounge onboard your cruise ship
Fellow passengers onboard your cruise ship
AAA Cabin onboard your cruise ship
AA Cabin onboard your cruise ship
Twin Cabin onboard your cruise ship
B Twin Cabin onboard your cruise ship
Your cruise ship
Both of the company’s sister ships that operate this route offer the same design, capacity and level of comfort with only 210 passengers on board. Built specifically for expedition cruising, these ships are engineered to explore the remote southern tip of South America and have features such as a shallow draft, reinforced hull for ice navigation, perfect manoeuvrability and great access to the fleet of zodiacs which are used for every landing. There are no better vessels and crew for sailing through the narrow fjords and channels of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, where other ships dare not venture.
Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices are per person, based on a double-occupancy basis.
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Book with us by September 30th 2023 and save up to USD $900 on a cabin! Please ask us for more details.
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Please contact us for more information, terms and conditions and details of any cabins recently made available.
2023
2024
2025
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $2265
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)
- 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
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