First Hand Experience in Southern Sea Navigation



Expeditions to Cape Horn, Tierra Del Fuego glaciers and Fjords, Antarctica and South Georgia

Capt. Wolf and Family at their home in Puerto Williams

Welcome to Wonderland, Tierra del Fuego where your voyage begins!

Dear traveler of the world,
We invite you to discover the end of the world; Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, the Cordillera Darwin, Cape Horn and Antarctica. Where the road ends our adventure begins! Join us on a spectacular voyage to one of the most isolated and pristine places on earth. In 2005, UNESCO acknowledged this area as one of the world’s natural heirlooms.

By voyaging in a small group aboard one of our sailing ships, a unique intimacy with this region is made possible. Either joining us onboard or using the sailboat as a support vessel, we provide security and peace of mind for your experience. No specific sailing or mountain experience is required. The only skills needed to join us for a once in a lifetime experience in these spectacular wilderness settings are: enthusiasm for the unspoiled nature of Tierra del Fuego, willingness to lend a hand and consideration for your shipmates.


Schedule for 2008/2009


Diving Video


Oceanic Ketch S/V SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS

Santa Maria Australis


The "SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS" a 20 metre aluminium Ketch, built in 1998 and upgraded in 2003/4, was designed for long distance oceanic cruising in extreme comfort for up to 8 guests in 3 "en suite" guest cabins.
The forward cabin offers 2 single beds plus 1 Pullman berth or converts to Queen size 'V' double plus Pullman. The port cabin offers a generous double bed plus single bunk berth and the starboard cabin offers generous twin single bunk berths.
All cabins have copious storage facilities and en-suite shower rooms with vacuum wc and full sized basin set in marble topped vanity units.
The crew have separate accommodation with deck access at the stern of the yacht.

SY Santa Maria Australis operates under the UK's MCA blue code of safety for 12 persons, which is fastidious in its requirements and recognised through out the world. The safety equipment carried exceeds their requirements, and includes automatic satellite location devices, and is inspected and maintained on a regular basis .

 


 

Deck Plan

 


 

Technical Details Santa Maria Australis

Dimensions:
- 20 metres length, 5.5 metres wide & 2 metres depth
- Sail Area: 2369 sq ft + spinnaker + Cruising chute
- 550 gallons of fuel (1800 mile range on engines only)
- 1,100 gallons fresh water
- 450 gallon waste tank

Communications:
- Nera WorldPhone marine Satellite telephone with Voice & Data
- Computer system linked via GSM & Satellite Networks for e-mail & Data
- 1 x fixed & 2 x Hand held VHF Radios
- GMDSS auto distress radio
- SSB long range radio

Technical Equipment:
- 2 X Deutz Vetus 106hp engines - range 1800 miles
- Generator - 9.5KVA providing 380v,240v, 24v & 12v. (Euro & UK sockets 240v)
- Water maker - tops up the fresh water supply by 70 gallons / hour
- Ice maker, 100ltr deep freeze & 2 x 115ltr refrigerators
- Cooled air circulation & central heating

Navigation Equipment:
- 48 Mile Rader
- Colour chartplotter with GPS & colour depth sounder
- Navtex & Weather fax
- Suite of Simrad navigation & sailing instruments

Leisure and Entertainment Equipment:
- Zodiac YL310 Rib with Jockey seat & 15HP Mercury
- Mistral 'Windglyder' multipurpose water toy
- Snorkel equipment
- Water 'tow toys'
- Card & board games
- Mini ships library of books, CD's & DVD's
- 8 disc CD player & radio with speakers in saloon & cockpit
- DVD & VHS players linked to multi standard TV
- Comfortable deck mattress's for sunbathing
- Removable sun awning over stern deck
- Four Sea Kayaks
- Diving Compressor


See Tierra Del Fuego music Video and

a Diving in Tierra Del Fuego Video

aboard the SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS


Do you feel like having an adventure at the end of the world?

In order to participate on our travels, you don't need any sailing experience. Interest in nature, in helping on board and living together with people sharing your interests. All these are important things for participating and surviving in the wildness and they will help to make your trip and adventure as harmonic a possible.

Become acquainted with this far away country in a way, as it is only possible in a small group, on board a secure sailing boat.

We sail in the channels of Tierra del Fuego and in quiet fjords protected by the Andes. We will sail around the legendary Cape Horn orbit as soon as the weather is suitable and then on into the Antarctic, the unforgetably mysterious continent.

The Santa Maria

 

Crew


Skipper Wolf

Skipper Wolf has been living aboard the "SANTA MARIA" since 1986. The 200,000 nautical miles he has logged give him ample experience handling the ship and crew.

His travel destinations are the Mediterranean, the Caribbean waters, the Atlantic and the Pacific. With the "SANTA MARIA" he has achieved 7 Atlantic crossings and a complete turn around South America. During his travels southward, in the year 1990/91, he was the third German yacht ever to continue into the Antarctic. He could not resist the sweet berries of the calafate. The legend says that everyone who eats from them will return to Tierra del Fuego.

Since 1993 he has continued sailing in waters at the end of the world and inspires his fellow sailors with the "Toerns" around Cape Horn, the channels of Tierra del Fuego, and in the Antarctic. He now has the "Santa Maria" under Captain Orlando and he purchased the luxurious and spacious "Santa Maria Australis" in 2005 aboard which he is the captain. His fellow sailors, among whom we hope you will count yourself, enjoy sailing and enjoying nature. They are healthy and fit.


The SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS is booking for 21 day Antarctic Adventures from December through February

Also sailing 7 day voyages to the Glaciers and Fjords of Tierra Del Fuego from May through September 2007/2008 Austral Winter


Antartica & South Georgia Schedule for 2008/2009

Schedule
SY Santa Maria Australis
2008 / 2009

Code

Destination

Duration

Dates

Euro

A01/14

South Georgia

 

October / November - 38 days

9.375.-

A02/14

Antarctica

21 days

20.12.08 - 10.01.09

6.850.-

A03/14

Antarctica

21 days

17.01.09 - 07.02.09

6.850.-

A04/14

Antarctica

21 days

14.02.09 - 07.03.09

6.850.-

A05/14

South Georgia

 

March / April - 38 days

9.375.-

A typical South Georgia Itinerary from the Falklands:

Explore Antarctica, South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Cape Horn, Tierra Del Fuego, Patagonia !

We provide profound knowledge and logistics for: ocean sailing, sailing adventure, sailing expeditions, whale-watching, ornithologists, film, hiking, climbing, trekking, kayaking, scuba-diving, ice-diving. Come and see Antarctica, cape horn, glaciers, icebergs, fjords, waterfalls, guanacos, albatross, penguins, whales, humpback whales.

SOUTH GEORGIA

(5 weeks)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

South Georgia has been described as like 'the Himalayas seen from Simla' as the mountains are a magnificent sight - especially in moonlight. It is the highest , most mountainous and second largest of the small number of islands which encircle the continent of Antarctica. Two principal mountain chains effectively form the islands spine. The highest peak is Mount Paget (2.934 m), whilst 12 other peaks exceed 2000 m. The highest peaks are concentrated mainly around the middle section of the crescent shaped island, where they provide a substantial barrier against the severe weather which reaches the south-west side of the island with the prevailing winds. The area in the lee has a comparatively less severe climate. South Georgia is 106 miles long and 1- 19 miles wide and is best reached from the Falkland Islands, within 5-6 sailing days. The coast consists mainly of high sea cliffs which are interrupted by many fjords and glaciers. The fjords provide a variety of harbors and anchorages, some deep and clear, others with sunken rocks and reefs, many of them have glaciers at their heads. Glacier snouts, which reach the ocean or waters of the bays and fjords, can be very spectacular - especially when enormous pieces break off and crash into the water (a process, termed calving). Bergy bits, growlers and brash ice infest many bays, mainly during early summer.

Permanent snow begins at 200 m on the exposed south-west side and 400 m on the protected north-east side. The mountains are dissected by large numbers of deep fjords, most of which contain glaciers. 50% of South Georgia is covered by glaciers. Some floating glacier fronts may be up to 50 m high, 250 m deep and over 1 km wide. There are over two dozen lakes in the island. Several of them have been formed, where glaciers have dammed valleys.

Gulbrandsen Lake, near Husvik, is the largest and most spectacular of these with icebergs floating in it and a series of over 12 major terraces on its shores (representing previous lake levels). Ponds, pools and tarns are common throughout the island. Another distinctive ground feature is found near many flatter areas of the coast behind beaches .- elephant seal wallows. These are formed by the seals lying closely packed, in mud during their moulting periods (February, March). The wallows are often 1 m deep and become exceedingly fetid with skin, fur, feces, combined with thin mud and the occasional dead seal.

There are millions of breeding seals and penguins: 3 million Macaroni Penguins, 1 million Fur Seals, 360,000 Sea Elephants, 400,000 Gentoo Penguins, 300,000 King Penguins (of which 100,000 at St. Andrews Bay). Also a vast number of breeding Albatross (Wandering) are to be seen.

Until the middle of this century, South Georgia had been a center for the whaling industries. During the last century a couple of whaling stations had been established, the last one was abandoned in 1965. Grytviken was the main settlement with church and cinema. The ruins have been re-occupied by the seals. The church has been saved and restored, the cinema fell into shambles in 1996.

South Georgia is English territory and was declared a nature reserve. It is administered by the Falkland Dependency Administration and counts two research and one administrative settlement (clearance and post office).

1. DAY MOUNT PLEASANT - PORT STANLEY

We pick you up by jeep from Mount Pleasant Airport. The military area - 1 hour drive through the Falklands, across one of the three tarred roads of the Island - first impression with' stone runs', farms and lakes at the horizon - arrival at the yacht - you choose your bunk and get familiar with the boat - visit to the local pub to get to know some Falkland people.

2.-6. DAY PORT STANLEY - SOUTH GEORGIA

Southern ocean - 600 sea miles - wonderful seas with tough but beautiful sailing - everyone participates in the 2-4 hour watches - Albatross (e.g. Wandering Albatross), Cape Pigeons and Petrels follow us - closer to South Georgia we might see whales - we start looking for ice bergs - 4th or 5th day we make the landfall but follow the coast until King Edward Point, where we have to do the clearance.

7. - 8. DAY GRYTVIKEN

Clearance formalities - station visit - ruins, church and other historical places (Shakleton´s grave) of Grytviken - museum - sea elephants - wrecks and whaling station.

TREKKING: 2.5 hours to Mount Hodges - first magnificent view across the island and Cumberland Bay - glaciers near by and the highest mountain of South Georgia, Mount Paget (2,934m) in the far distance.

9. DAY GRYTVIKEN - MAIVIKEN

TREKKING: We follow the east coast of Cumberland Bay until Maiviken, a small settlement - the yacht picks us up and we set sails to look for a good anchorage in one of the nearby creeks.

10. DAY MAIVIKEN - LARSSEN FJORD

We approach our first glacier as close as possible.

TREKKING: possibility to get some ice experience - we might find some safe ice caves, that would be tremendous: blue-white glossy and shining ice walls, silence.

11. DAY LARSSEN FJORD - OCEAN HARBOR

Well preserved ship wreck from the 19th century - sea elephant and fur seal colonies - walking inland we might view some reindeers and waterfalls - like the reindeer also rats had been introduced by man, rats now infest most of the northern shores of the island and are a severe danger for the indigenous plants and animals.

12. - 13. DAY OCENA HARBOR - ST. ANDREWS BAY

TREKKING: we can hike along the coast towards St. Andrews Bay.

Breeding colony of approximately 100,000 king penguin close to the Heaney Glacier - king penguins are 1 meter tall and the most elegant of all penguins - the emperor penguin is taller but less elegant and breeds during winter, therefore he is very difficult to reach - the king penguin breeds on some sub antarctic islands that get hardly reached by passenger ships, they do not breed on Antarctica itself - therefore this is a truly unique opportunity.

TREKKING: reaching the Nordenskjöld top (2,355m) would take 2-3 days severe mountaineering, including the crossing of some glacier fields.

14. DAY ST. ANDREWS BAY - GOLD HARBOR

Again we get a splendid opportunity to watch the king penguins - slowly we will continue towards Gold Harbor.

15. DAY GOLD HARBOR - COOPER BAY

We have reached the most southern point of South Georgia (54°50 South, 35°45 West) - the coast is exposed to heavy storms and therefore consists of high cliffs and deep fjords.

16. DAY COOPER BAY - LARSSON HARBOR

Larsson Harbor is a small fjord near the entrance to the enormous Drygalski Glacier - huge stone walls rise sky-high out of the southern ocean and produce a surrealistic atmosphere.

17. DAY DRYGALSKI FJORD

The most active and spectacular of all glaciers of South Georgia - the sea is covered by ice and ice bergs - the iceberg calving produces tremendous noise and reminds us of the immense natural force involved with this spectacle - blue-eyed cormorant colony.

18. DAY DRYGALSKI FJORD - ROYAL BAY

TREKKING: we observe the king penguin colony at Royal Bay and continue in westerly direction towards St. Andrews Bay - the path is rocky - we reach a plateau and have a magnificent view of the huge colonies of Royal Bay and St. Andrews Bay.

19. DAY ROYAL BAY - GODTHULL

Remaining ruins from a whaling station - rusty factory units and whale bones remind us of the industrial past of this island.

20. DAY GODTHULL - COBBLER'S COVE

We anchor in a tiny but totally calm bay, though the entrance is difficult.

TREKKING: relatively easy we can reach a good height from where we can overlook the whole Cumberland Bay.

21. DAY COBBLER'S COVE - LEITH HARBOUR - STROMNESS BAY - HUSVIK

We will see 3 whaling stations today - huge, industrial installations give us an indication about the enormous scale of these whaling factories.

22. DAY STROMNESS BAY - FORTUNA BAY - HERCULES BAY

Biggest colony of macaroni penguins with approximately 80,000 animals.

23. DAY HERCULES BAY - PRINCE OLAV HARBOR - BAY OF ISLES - ALBATROSS ISLAND

At Prince Olav Harbor we visit for the last time a whaling station - at Bay of Isles we can watch huge numbers of fur seals and breeding Albatross - due to the high concentration of fur seals at Rosita Harbor it is impossible to make a landfall here - at Albatross Island we get perfect opportunities to watch breeding Albatross: Wandering, Sooty, Giant Petrel and Grey Headed Mollymauk.

24. DAY ALBATROSS ISLAND - ELSEHUL

TREKKING: last opportunity for a long track to the most south-western part of the island - we can reach as far as Undine Harbor and Cape Paryadin - we watch the tumultuous Sea Strait between Bird Island and South Georgia, totally exposed to all seas and weathers - several breeding Albatross - this is a fulfilling moment and the right spot for our last day at South Georgia.

25. - 32. DAY SOUTH GEORGIA - FALKLANDS

33. DAY PORT STANLEY - GOOSE GREEN

After 30 days of near isolation we will enjoy the advantages of civilization again - sail along the southern part of East Falkland Island - Goose Green was one of the important battle grounds - Argentinean war cemetery - Goose Green is one of the biggest farms of the Falklands.

34. DAY GOOSE GREEN - PORT STANLEY

Sail back to Port Stanley and preparations for the departure.

35. DAY PORT STANLEY - MOUNT PLEASANT

By jeep back to Mount Pleasant Airport.


Cabins

 

Main Salon


More Photos and info


ITINERARIES:

 

Antarctica - 21 days

Day 1:

You reach Puerto Williams, the starting point of your sailing turn, via:

a) Buenos Aires and Ushuaia

The skipper welcomes you at the AFASYN sailing club in Ushuaia Bay. The sailing yacht is either at the pontoon there or lying at anchor in the bay.

All participants should have arrived at the club by lunchtime.

After arrival on the first day of the turn, as well as on the last day, there will be a complimentary transfer from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams or respectively the other way round.
If necessary we may use a craft other than the yacht booked to run these transfers.

b) Santiago and Punta Arenas

From Punta Arenas there are the two-engine Twin-Otter or the new Antarctica Dash run by the air taxi operator DAP, which will take you across the Darwin Range into the Beagle Channel to the starting point of our expedition.

Puerto Williams (appx. 2.300 inhabitants) situated on Navarino Island is the southernmost settlement in the world. It is here that we have reached the last outpost of civilisation.

The sailing yacht will reach Puerto Williams in the afternoon of the first day of your turn.
After arrival we will make ourselves at home on the yacht, move into our berths and unpack our luggage. The cosy narrowness of the yacht's quarters will become our home for the three weeks to come. The yacht will provide us with safety and shelter in the pristine wilderness that we are about to enter.
The technical installations as well as the safety equipment on board will be demonstrated and explained.

The last native Tierra del Fuego Indians live on Navarino Island in the small settlement of Ukika. We can visit the Martin-Gusinde-Museum to learn about the local environment and native Indian culture or else go for a little stroll and admire the nearby beaver dams.
In the evening we will be guests at the home of Wolf Kloss for a typical Tierra del Fuego asado.
A glass of pisco sour at the yacht club will round off our first evening.

Day 2:

Off we go!
Now we need to find a favourable window between two passing depressions. Either first to Pto. Lennox, 40 nm, or we move on right away: Leaving Cape Horn on our starboard side we sail out into the Drake-Passage.

Days 3,4,5:

These days are dedicated to crossing this demanding strait.
Limitless ocean expanses. We feel the long breath of the Southern Ocean. No land to be seen either to the west or to the east. This is where the wave systems keep rolling around Antarctica. It is where the petrels and albatrosses feel at home - and ourselves, at least for one short moment.

Our yacht crosses the Antarctic convergence zone. From now on we must take a close lookout for icebergs. With a bit of luck weatherwise we will reach the old whaling station Deception Island on the fifth day. The crater of its still active volcano provides excellent shelter amid the South Polar Seas.

Day 6:

Hillocks of black lava surround the bay.
Seals and penguins enjoy themselves on the warm beach. We anchor at Port Forster. On the beach there are still the remnants of an old whaling station to be seen.
At the outer side of the crater there are large colonies of penguins. We climb the edge of the crater and visit the breeding penguins there taking care not to cause any disturbance to the birds.
There are a few spots in the bay, where the volcano warms up the seawater. The skipper invites us for an Antarctic bathing spree.

DAY 7:

Today we have got to get up early. We need to cover 80 miles to Enterprise Island. We cross the Bransfield-Strait, which separates the South Shetland Islands from the Antarctic continent. We have to sail around numerous icebergs, drifting with the current along the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula until they take their exit into the Weddell-Sea.

The Gerlache-Strait makes for more relaxed sailing. It runs in NE - SW direction between the continent and the forelying islands.
We aim for Foyn Harbour. An old whaler grounded in the bay and its small and fragile hunting boats on the surrounding rocks bear witness of times long past.

DAY 8:

Our trip along the mountain range of the Antarctic Peninsula takes us further to the south. With a bit of luck we watch orcas hunting for penguins between the Rongé and Cuverville Islands. Sea leopards, too, patrol between the growlers. Or else they can be see lounging leisurely on their drifting resting places after a successful hunting spree.
Like every year the Chilean Station of Videla is looking forward to our promised visit. Weather permitting we will spend the evening with the Chileans stationed here, provided their workload gives them sufficient time to spare for us.

Day 9:

Closed in by its surrounding glaciers Paradise Bay lies ahead of us.
Huge masses of ice break off from the impressive glaciers and drift slowly in the glittering sunshine. We carefully steer our way through them. Quite often we sight whales. Seals and penguins also seem to enjoy this sheltered and quiet spot.
We have to move on, however. Our course is SW through the Bismarck-Strait. Let's see what the ice situation is like in the Le-Maire-Strait.

We are about to sail through this impressive narrow passage between towering summits and glaciers. Quite often drifting masses of ice make moving forward difficult. Port Pleneau provides shelter for the night. If we can't make it that far, we try and spend the night in Port Charcot and have another go tomorrow.

Days 10 and 11:

The Argentine Islands are our next stop in the south. The scientific station Akademik Vernadsky was British until 1996 and thus was always good for a decent stout in its Penguin-Bar. Now it houses a Ukrainian team of scientists, so it's vodka for everybody.
Provided the ice conditions have permitted us to get so far, this will be the southernmost point of our trip: 65 degrees 25 minutes South. To procede any further is only possible in years when the ice opens up unusually much.
From this point onward the islands sheltering the coast thin out. Thus the huge icebergs drift in from the open sea until they strand on the coastal shelf. This makes getting through with a boat quite difficult and one may end up getting stuck altogether.

Day 12:
In the morning we make a halt in front of Peterman-Island. Here Adelie Penguins live in a crowded colony between the rocks. Our route takes us back through the Le-Maire-Strait. In case there was no weather for pictures yesterday, we hope for it today.
We steer north for Port Lockroy on Wiencke-Island. A museum, a post station, a souvenir shop, a colony of Gentoo penguins, a whale skeleton, all nicely laid out on land. Here at last we have a chance to send an all-alive-and-well signal and buy the souvenir of our choice.

Day 13:
Dorian Bay is just around the corner. An uninhabited British hut for provisions and shelter gives us an impression of the heroic times of the past. From its terrace you enjoy a breathtaking view of the Antarctic scenery. In front of us rises Mount Frances on Anvers Island, the highest peak of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 14:

SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS ploughs her steady course through the polar waters of Neumayer Channel between the steep mountains on Anvers Island and Wiencke Island. Back again in Gerlache-Strait we soon turn into Dallmann-Bay, a funnel shaped bay studded with tiny islands, the Melchior Islands, between whose turtle-shaped rocks we find a wonderfully quiet anchorage.

Day 15:

This is when we are going to ready ourselves for the return trip across the Drake Passage.

Days 16, 17 and 18:

At sea again.
The open sea with all its grandeur and beauty surrounds us once again.
Now we get a good chance to reflect on all the exciting experiences we made in the past ten days.

Day 19:

SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS and its successful crew anchor in a safe spot.
Antarctica, the Drake Passage and Cape Horn lie behind us. The tension of the past days gives way to the joy of having happily completed a very special turn.

Day 20:

Back to Puerto Williams, where we have a good reason for celebrating. Three weeks packed with unforgettable experiences lie behind us. It will take some time yet to internalize it all.

Day 21:

A good day to sleep late, do the packing and get the return flights confirmed.

The return journey is again via

Ushuaia and Buenos Aires

Transfer on the yacht or by an alternative craft to Ushuaia.

Punta Arenas and Santiago

The well known Twin Otter or the Dash take us back to Punta Arenas. The last views of the Beagle Channel and the Cordilliera Darwin bid us farewell from one of the last pristine nature reserves in the world.

Back to civilisation what we have experienced will seem like a dream to us.
A journey to the mysterious White Continent.

Upon returning to the hotel, memories of these experiences will be like a dream. A trip to a land of mysteries-The White Continent. A trip beyond the horizon.

Due to weather or forces beyond our control, the route laid out here is subject to changes, which will always be made to ensure the safety of the participants.


Cape Horn & Darwin Range

 

14 days through the water world of the Yamana Indians and a journey to the glaciers of the Darwin Range


Day 1:
You reach Puerto Williams, the starting point of your sailing turn, via:

a) Buenos Aires and Ushuaia

The skipper welcomes you at the AFASYN sailing club in Ushuaia Bay. The sailing yacht is either at the pontoon there or lying at anchor in the bay.

All participants should have arrived at the club by lunchtime.

After arrival on the first day of the turn, as well as on the last day, there will be a complimentary transfer from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams or respectively the other way round.
If necessary we may use a craft other than the yacht booked to run these transfers.

b) Santiago and Punta Arenas

From Punta Arenas there are the two-engine Twin-Otter or the new Antarctica Dash run by the air taxi operator DAP, which will take you across the Darwin Range into the Beagle Channel to the starting point of our expedition.

Puerto Williams (appx. 2.300 inhabitants) situated on Navarino Island is the southernmost settlement in the world. It is here that we have reached the last outpost of civilisation.

The sailing yacht will reach Puerto Williams in the afternoon of the first day of your turn.
After arrival we will make ourselves at home on the yacht, move into our berths and unpack our luggage. The cosy narrowness of the yacht's quarters will become our home for the next fourteen days. The yacht will provide us with safety and shelter in the pristine wilderness that we are about to enter.
The technical installations as well as the safety equipment on board will be demonstrated and explained.

The last native Tierra del Fuego Indians live on Navarino Island in the small settlement of Ukika. We can visit the Martin-Gusinde-Museum to learn about the local environment and native Indian culture or else go for a little stroll and admire the nearby beaver dams.
In the evening we will be guests at the home of Wolf Kloss for a typical Tierra del Fuego asado.
A glass of pisco sour at the yacht club will round off our first evening.

Day 2:
We follow the Beagle Channel to Puerto Toro passing small "estancias" and the wreck of a stranded freighter. 100 years ago Puerto Toro was meant to become the administrative centre of the southern section of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. But after the gold rush Puerto Toro fell back into oblivion. Today the local fishing fleet use the harbour as a safe spot. With a bit of luck we can trade in freshly caught "centollas", king crabs, here.

Day 3:
Weather permitting we cross Bahia Nassau non stop. Now we procede into the heart of the Wollaston Archipelago, the Cape Horn Islands. From here it is 15 more miles to the Cape. We anchor in a protected bay and wait for suitable weather.
In case of foul weather we go to Caletta Lennox as an alternative. Around 1900 there was a gold rush here quite similar to the one in Alaska. Place names like Caletta Oro (Gold Bay) remind us of these times. Since 1995 digging has been taken up again.

Day 4:
We take the first possible chance and round the Cape. Weather permitting we pay a visit to the Chilean crew at the lighthouse in their lonely outpost. In the small chapel Stella Maris we pay our respects to the seamen who lost their lives fighting the terrifying elements at this stormy cape. In the evening we anchor 10 nm further to the north in Caletta Martial.

Day 5:
North westerly courses take us through the Franklin Channel and out of the Cape Horn Archipelago. The east coast of the Hardy Peninsula provides us with a number of protected anchorages sheltered by the Darwin Cordillera against the frequently rough westerlies. Many 19th century expeditions sought protection here to carry out their geographical and anthropological work.

Day 6:
We sail through the Murray Channel separating Hoste Island from Navarino Island. The Yamana culture was centred around this Channel. Depending on wind direction we anchor in its opening.

Day 7:
We carry on westwards, up the Beagle Channel. We pass small estancias framed by the dramatic ranges of Tierra del Fuego. The snow covered peaks get higher as the channel gradually narrows. We immerse ourselves into the calm loneliness of this deserted mountain range, the Cordillera Darwin. Anchorage is in Caletta Olla.

Day 8:
We take a walk through the pristine wilderness to the lake of the glacier with its numerous beaver dams. We carry on through the Channel along the "avenida de los glaciares" at the feet of the ice giants. In this area the glaciers stream directly into the sea. Our overnight stop is in Seno Pia, a deep fjord. The water in the fjords is well covered with drifting glacial ice.

Day 9:
We explore the fjord, take a hike to the glacier and even walk on the glacier if the weather conditions are favourable. A colony of seals makes itself well heard. Here we have reached the westernmost point of our journey.
Our way now takes us south through the Thomson Channel. At its opening called Bahia Cook we often encounter the long running swell of the Pacific Ocean. Our course turns east by 90 degrees into Seno Coloane in the Brazo Suroeste of the Beagle Channel.

Days 10 and 11:
We explore the various fjords by boat and on foot. Here there is still a lot of unknown territory to discover. We find protection for the night in Bahia Fleuriais.

Day 12:
At lunchtime the gaucho Eugenio and his wife Esther welcome us at their estancia Canasaca. They have a few horses ready for us. Those of us who feel like it can explore the surroundings of the estancia on horseback with their son Claudio as a guide. After this we enjoy a local lunch with centollas for a starter to be followed by lamb grilled on the spit.

Day 13:
We take our leave of the majestic lonely mountain range and sail back to Puerto Williams. Back to "civilisation" the new Cape Horniers raise their glasses of the traditional pisco sour to their successful rounding of the Cape and the unforgettable experiences in the Cordillera.

Day 14:
A good day to sleep late, do the packing and get the return flights confirmed.

The return journey is again via

Ushuaia and Buenos Aires

Transfer on the yacht or by an alternative craft to Ushuaia.

Punta Arenas and Santiago

The well known Twin Otter or the Dash take us back to Punta Arenas. The last views of the Beagle Channel and the Cordilliera Darwin bid us farewell from one of the last pristine nature reserves in the world.

Back to civilisation what we have experienced will seem like a dream to us.

Due to weather or forces beyond our control, the route laid out here is subject to changes, which will always be made to ensure the safety of the participants.


The SANTA MARIA AUSTRALIS cruises to Cape Horn and the glaciers/fjords of Tierra Del Fuego from her base at the world's most southern town, Puerto Williams, Chile.





Ready to do something unique, different, daring, adventurous?. A trip that will make the adrenaline move through your body like never before? Something only a true adventurer would do? Are you one of those Adventurers? If you are...

What you need to do to join us on a unique adventure.

It's simple, just contact us with a rough outline of your requirements and let me, Captain Ben, and my Crew to do the rest for you.

Finally there isn't much we cannot cope with. Individuals or larger parties. Just let us know. "Navigating the Beagle Channel, Antarctica  and Cape Horn since 1990."

Ring us direct by Telephone at 5661-621010

Or, for further information on expeditions or flights  Patagonia, Antarctica, South Georgia, Cape Horn, and Tierra Del Fuego, please Email me at CaptainBen@victory-cruises.com

Or you may send inquirys to INQUIRIES




Your FREE newsletter, The Patagonian Newsletter Monthly, with information (Email only) on Patagonia, Tierra Del Fuego, Antarctica, Cape Horn, South Georgia and the Southern Islands,
send mail to: capehorn@victory-cruises.com & write "subscribe" as subject.

VICTORY ADVENTURE EXPEDITIONS LTD.

Since 1991 Exploring The "Uttermost Parts Of The Earth": The Arctic, Antarctica and Cape Horn
Your Cruise Specialists at the "ends of the earth"


Phone/Fax (56)61-621092, Phone (56)61-621010,Box 70, Teniente Munoz 118, Puerto Williams,
Tierra Del Fuego, Chile 'The Gateway To Antarctica'


http://cape-horn.net email: sailing@victory-cruises.com


All rights reserved, Copyright © Victory Yacht Cruises, Victory Adventure Expeditions, Ltd. TM 1996-2008

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