Upon arrival in Ushuaia - the world's southernmost city - check in between 10:00am and 5:00pm at 409 San Martín Ave. in downtown Ushuaia. At 6:00pm board the M/V Stella or Ventus Australis. After a welcome toast and introduction of the captain and crew, the ship departs on its voyage to one of earth's most remote corners. During the night, sail the Beagle channel and cross from Argentina into Chilean waters.

(Dinner & Accommodations, Australis Cruise)

At dawn, the ship crosses Nassau Bay and enters the remote archipelago that comprises Cape Horn National Park. Weather permitting, go ashore on the island that includes the legendary cape - a sheer 1,400-foot promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific meet. It is often referred to as "The end of the earth." The Chilean Navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island.

Sailing back across Nassau Bay, the ship drops anchor at historic Wulaia Bay. Originally, Darwin visited the bay in the 1830s on one of his Beagle voyages. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Visit the old radio station, now a museum about the Yámana aboriginals and the European missionaries who came to the area. Then choose from one of three hikes through with increasing degrees of difficulty - all including a stroll through a forest to a panoramic viewpoint. In the afternoon, cruise across Nassau Bay into Cape Horn National Park.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, Australis Cruise)

Overnight the ship sails around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via three narrow channels. After rounding a western peninsula, the ship re-enters the Beagle Channel, heading eastward to Pia Fjord. Here board the Zodiacs for a shore excursion to Pia Glacier, taking a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea. Back on board the ship, continue west along the Beagle Channel and drops anchor near Garibaldi Glacier for another shore excursion. Garibaldi Glacier is one of only three glaciers in Patagonia gaining mass rather than shrinking. Hike through a virgin forest to a glacial waterfall, and on to spectacular viewpoints looking down on the fjord. This is a strenuous hike; for those who choose to stay onboard, the captain will point the bow towards the beautiful sky blue Garibaldi Glacier so that everyone can enjoy the view.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodations, Australis Cruise)

Early a.m. sail through Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound, where there is a view of several glaciers. In the morning, disembark and go for an easy walk around a lagoon formed by the melting of the Aguila Glacier. The hike leads to a spot right in front of the glacier. In the afternoon, approach Cóndor Glacier via Zodiacs, with possible sightings of the Andean Cóndors in the area.

After an overnight cruise through Magdalena Channel and into the Strait of Magellan, the ship anchors off Magdalena Island, which lies halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. At break of dawn - weather permitting - go ashore and hike a path leading to thousands of Magellanic penguins. Visit a small museum lodged inside the 1902 lighthouse. In September and April - when the penguins dwell elsewhere - this excursion is replaced by a Zodiac ride to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions. After a short cruise along the strait, the ship reaches Punta Arenas. Disembarking is scheduled for 11:30am. You will have several hours to explore the town before reboarding the ship at 6:00pm.

After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew for the new guests, the ship departs for one of the remotest corners of planet Earth. During the night we cross the Strait of Magellan and enter the labyrinth of channels that define the southern extreme of Patagonian. The twinkling lights of Punta Arenas gradually fade into the distance as we enter the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.

By dawn the ship is sailing up Admiralty Sound, an offshoot of the Strait of Magellan that stretches nearly halfway across Tierra del Fuego. Using Zodiac boats, land at Ainsworth Bay, which is home to large colonies of birds and a colony of elephant seals. Choose one of two guided excursions. After departing Ainsworth Bay, return to the ship, which sails west to the Tucker Islet. After lunch, board the Zodiacs again for a close-up view of the Magellan penguins that inhabit these tiny islands along with king cormorants, oystercatchers, eagles and other bird species.

Overnight the ship sails around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via three narrow channels. After rounding a western peninsula the ship re-enters the Beagle Channel, heading eastward to Pia Fjord. Board the Zodiacs for a shore excursion to Pia Glacier, taking a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea. Back on board the ship, continue east along the Beagle Channel through Glacier Alley, so named because of the many glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore.

During the early morning the ship navigates the narrow Murray Channel and drops anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Visit the old radio station, now a museum that has information about the Yámana aboriginals and the European missionaries who came to the area. Then choose from one of three hikes through with increasing degrees of difficulty - all including a stroll through a forest to a panoramic viewpoint. In the afternoon, cruise across Nassau Bay into Cape Horn National Park. Weather permitting, go ashore on the island that includes the legendary cape, overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific meet. This second stop gives you an extra chance at a landing on this often tumultuous landscape.

After sailing through Argentine waters, the ship docks at Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, at 8:00 a.m. Explore the city or head to the airport for your next Avanti Destination.