What to see on the Cape Horn route aboard the Stella Australis Cruise
Some trips feel like an expedition, not just a simple tourist excursion. Sailing the Cape Horn route aboard the Stella Australis Cruise is exactly that: a journey to the end of the world , among ancient glaciers , Patagonian channels , and Magellanic forests that seem unchanged since the time of the first explorers.
This tour departs from Punta Arenas and returns to the same port after exploring the Tierra del Fuego archipelago , discovering its marine life, its glaciers and some of the most untamed corners of Chilean Patagonia .
Departure from Punta Arenas: To the Pia Glacier and the Avenue of the Glaciers
The adventure begins in Punta Arenas , where passengers check in at Prat Pier , on the shores of the historic Strait of Magellan , before boarding the Stella Australis . While check-in is being completed, travelers have free time to explore the city, have lunch, or simply enjoy the southern atmosphere before setting sail.
As evening falls, the ship leaves the port behind and begins its journey to the southern tip of the country.
One of the first major highlights of the journey occurs upon entering the Northwest arm of the Beagle Channel , where the cruise ship docks at Pia Fjord . From a nearby viewpoint, passengers can admire the Pia Glacier , whose main tongue descends from the top of the mountain range to meet the sea.
After this experience, the voyage continues under the gaze of the famous Glacier Avenue , a section of the channel where imposing walls of ice follow one after another and can be admired from the decks of the ship.
The legendary Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay
The highlight of the trip comes with the sailing towards Cape Horn National Park , one of the southernmost points on the planet and a place full of history and maritime legends .
When weather conditions permit —because disembarking here is a privilege and not a guarantee—, passengers go ashore to walk through this remote territory, enveloped in the mystique of the ancient navigators who faced its winds and tides in search of trade routes between the Pacific and the Atlantic .
In the afternoon, the itinerary continues towards Wulaia Bay , one of the largest settlements of the ancient Yámana canoe-faring natives . A trail leads to a viewpoint, crossing a Magellanic forest where lenga, coigüe, canelo, and ferns grow, among other native species of Tierra del Fuego .
Walking through Wulaia is, in a way, to walk through the memory of the original peoples who inhabited these canals long before the arrival of the first European explorers.
From Cape Horn to Agostini Fjord and Eagle Glacier
The journey continues through the Brecknock, Ocasión, Cockburn, and Magdalena channels, until entering the spectacular Agostini Fjord , in the heart of Tierra del Fuego . Here, it's possible to appreciate a series of glaciers descending from the Darwin Range , some of which reach directly into the sea.
In the afternoon, the cruise heads to the Eagle Glacier , where passengers disembark in Zodiac boats for a gentle walk along a lagoon surrounded by mountains, until they reach the very front of the glacier.
The excursion allows you to get to know the cold, humid Patagonian forest up close and understand the glacial movements that have sculpted this landscape over thousands of years.
Magdalena Island, the closure of the Cape Horn route
On the last day, the Stella Australis disembarks at Magdalena Island , a point that served as a mandatory supply stop for ancient navigators and discoverers.
During the walk to the island's lighthouse , passengers can observe up close one of the region's most famous Magellanic penguin colonies, a perfect ending before returning to the port of Punta Arenas .
The experience aboard the Stella Australis
Beyond the shore excursions, the Stella Australis offers a boutique cruise experience designed for comfort and exploration. With a capacity for just over 200 passengers and 100 cabins, the ship features spacious staterooms , many with panoramic windows that allow guests to enjoy the scenery without leaving their rooms.
On board, travelers will find lounges with panoramic views , an open-seat dining room serving regional cuisine, and an open bridge policy that invites them to learn about the navigation process and talk to the captain, something uncommon in today's cruise industry.
The itinerary is rounded out with daily lectures by experts, which help to understand the history, geography and biodiversity of the area, as well as welcome and farewell cocktails , and details such as whiskey and hot chocolate during the glacier excursions.
The company also maintains a strong environmental commitment, with a low-impact policy on fragile ecosystems and the elimination of single-use plastics on board.
Sailing the Cape Horn route on the Stella Australis , with a special departure on October 2, 2026 , is to delve into one of the last pristine corners of the planet, where glaciers , fjords , southern wildlife , and the history of exploration coexist in a single landscape. Each day of this journey reveals a new chapter of the most remote Patagonia .
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