At the tip of South America, the natural beauty of Patagonia defines the experience of the end of the world. In 2016, Australis Cruises is highlighting the historic first landing of Western explorers in Cape Town 400 years ago with specially priced and planned tours of the region. Travelers to Patagonia are greeted with magnificent glaciers, vast sub-polar forests, and fascinating regional wildlife unlike any other destination in the world.
Departing from the city of Punta Arenas, the cruise bids farewell to urbanization and greets the wild lands of South America. On a three-night cruise with M/V Via Australis, travelers explore distinct regions of Patagonia including the Darwin Mountain Range, Ainsworth Bay, and Parry Fjord. Guides who are educated in the history, culture, and ecology of Tierra del Fuego lead tours of these regions as well as give presentations while on the ship. With experience and enthusiasm, Australis guides give travelers a first-hand experience with everything from navigation to elephant seals.
In fact, due to the unique nature of the trip, many researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society embark on the Wild Patagonia tour on a regular basis. They have joined forces with Australis to monitor southern elephant seals, black-browed albatross, and other endemic species of Tierra del Fuego and southern Patagonia. Australis provides close access to the wildlife and fauna that researchers need to examine and, as a result, travelers also gain a first-hand experience of the ongoing efforts to preserve this fragile Magellanic environment.
“At the towering Brookes Glacier, seals peek their heads through the icy waters and take naps on the various sized ice caps that float along the open waters. On board the M/V Via Australis ship and smaller excursion boats, travelers cruise through the Patagonia channels while being able to marvel at the expanse of colorful fauna and rugged landscape,” said Mauricio Alvarez Ruiz, Australis Expedition Director.
“Penguins waddle around Magdalena Island and provide amusing action shots for the last day of the cruise. Overall, visiting the end of the world expands possibilities of what the world holds in store for travelers.”
Wild Patagonia tours are discounted $400 for 2016 in honor of the 400 year milestone of the first Cape Town landing. Departure dates for 2016 trips include January 8 and 22; February 5 and 19; March 4 and 18; April 1; October 7 and 21; November 4 and 18; December 2. Australis is a vacation cruise company specializing in the navigation of the southernmost Chilean-Argentinean channels, exploration of the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel. For 23 years, Australis has offered travel expeditions running from September to April each year with more than 100,000 travelers from all over the world. The object is to help travelers discover Patagonia Chile through expeditions by land and sea, and sail various different routes between the southern cities of Punta Arenas and Ushuaia.
A look at the Australis Cruises experience:
For more information, visit the Australis website at www.australis.com
