The new ship will have a capacity of 210 passengers distributed in 100 cabins of 16,5 m2 (177 sq. ft.) each approx. She will be 89 meters long (292 ft.), and her beam or breadth will be 14.6 meters (47.8 ft.).

She will have three lounges for meetings equipped with modern audiovisual equipment, a dining room, an exercise room, and a spacious open deck area allowing the observation of the marvelous southern scenery at all times.

Each cabin will have picture windows, independent climate control, a private bathroom, and satellite phone.

“Stella Australis” is being built in Chile under the updated SOLAS 2001 and MARPOL 73/78 standards for worldwide ocean navigation certified by the ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), and is classified as a “Passenger Vessel”.

Cruceros Australis navigates between the Argentine city of Ushuaia (the southernmost in the world) and the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, including the Strait of Magellan, and the Beagle Channel in the extreme south of the American continent.

Impressive glaciers, native forests, penguin and elephant seal colonies can be seen on the journey towards the mythical Cape Horn, declared World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
The trip includes daily excursions in Zodiac boats, directed by the multilingual expedition team, complemented by cultural lectures about the natural surroundings.
The cruise is “all-inclusive”: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Open Bar for wine, beer, liquor and other beverages. The menu combines international cuisine and local recipes, which allows the discovery of the delicious and varied regional gastronomy, accompanied by Chilean and Argentine wines.

INFORMATION FOR DOWNLOAD

The city economy is basically focus on: Tourism, Oil, Gas and Methanol production, Fishing, Timber and sheep/cattle breeding.

From Punta Arenas you can:

Visit Magellanic penguin colony at Otway fiord

Located 40 miles northwest of Punta Arenas this great nesting point holds over 5,000 couples of the Magellanic penguin specie. These gracious bird are about 2 feet tall and weight 12 pounds.

Beautiful place on the shores of the Otway fiord enjoys a great sea view. A short walk (0.5 mile) is to be taken before arrival. The area is protected and people must walk only by clearly sign trails.

Strait of Magellan Excursion to Fuerte Bulnes

Restored Fort where in 1843 the first Chilean settled in Patagonia, only 40 miles south of Punta Arenas. The road offers at all times a great view of the Magellan Strait, Fireland as well as Patagonian plains and woods.
Shortly before arrival a short stop at Port of Famine is requiered, a beautiful and peacefull bay where in 1584 more than 150 spaniards died from hunger and desolation.

Still can be clearly seen the remains of the Catholic old church at city Rey Don Felipe.

At a time to be determined we will begin our excursion heading south 58km to arrive at Laguna Parrillar Forest Reserve, a special place for people who like life in the open air, but especially those who love Fly fishing. This place offers a beautiful species, the Fontinally Trout, with an average size of 600 to 1000 grs. We will have the whole day to fish.
RATES [subject to change without previous notice]
Full day fishing excursion Usd 218.- p/person (min. 02 people)
Half day fishing excursion Usd 150.- p/person (min. 02 paxs)

Fly Fishing Programs in Punta Arenas, Laguna Parrillar, Patagonia Chile
Penitente River
Duration: 1 day
Species: Brown Trout
• Season : Octubre 15th – March 14th
AM: At a time to be determined we will begin our excursion heading north for 150km to arrive at Penitente River, an excellent place to fish which offers an exceptional landscape and, more importantly, a good place to catch the Brown Trout (average size 1kg).

RATES [subject to change without previous notice]
Price per person usd 242
(min. 02 paxs – equipment included)
Opcional 2 Days– 1 Nigth (Penitente Hostel)
Price per person usd 432.- (mín. 2 pax – all included)
Lodging at the beautiful and typical Hosteria Rio Penitente

Service Include
Private transportation
Entrance fees to park
Fishing guide
Fishing equipment
Fishing License

It does not include
Extra beverages
• We recommend to bring spare clothes as trousers and socks
• The bigger size of shoes is 11 .

The most important one, even in the world is Grande river. This river starts inside of the island and go downs to north east growing for the other rivers such as Riberos and blanco. This river has an extension of 180 km . The chilean part is about 100 kilometros.
Here we may find brown trout and rainbow trout, but is not very common. The mean ones are Sea Run trout . Some studies says that this kind of trout stays in the river 2 years to start their way to the sea. They come back every year for nest. The biggest one in the chilean part was 13 kilos, we caught it with spinning but with fly we have catch ones over 10 kilos.

Day 1: (2.5 hours of maritime travel plus 4 hours of land travel)
9:00 a.m. – Departure from Punta Arenas to Porvenir Port (via ferry), Navigation of 2 hours and a half crossing the Famous Magellan Strait. Almost arriving to the other side we will see the AUSTRAL DOLPHIN. At noon , we will be in the island and we will go around the town, have lunch and then continue traveling toward the south of the island where we can observe a large variety of birds and animals like the caiquen (upland goose) and herds of guanaco, among others. We will also visit places of great historical interest like Onaisin and the Russfin dredged. After 2 hours of traveling we will see the first woods, and that advise us that we are getting closer to our destination. After three hours, we will arrive at the lodge.
Here we will spend the night and have dinner, after having visited the river and done a bit of fishing.

Days 2 to 6: Río Grande, Río Blanco, Lago Deseado, Lago Despreciado, Lago Blanco.
There’s no doubt that our main interest is the “Sea Run trout” or “Plateadas” if we want top catch this we have to be in the river quite early, at the sunrise until the sunset. Depending on the place was we will be lodging, we will travel to The Grande River, which is a natural border between two farms or Estancias. We will get in through one of this and with our 4×4 will drive near the bank of the river. We will try to look after the best locations for fishing, remember that Patagonia and specially the Tierra del Fuego Island , has a natural factor that is not very attractive for fishermen of fly fishing, the wind. Lunch: Is the time allow us, we can go back to the lodge to have lunch, if not, we will have to seat and relax in the bank of the river and take our box lunch in for not waste the time in trips.
We will also visit another places for fishing like lagoons, beavers dams and little rivers.

Day 7:
Finally the last day of excursion has come and we will have a dead line to leave the lodge at 3:00PM . For this day our guide and the fishermen will plan the place for fishing. Return to Punta Arenas .
End of the services.

RATES [subject to change without previous notice]
Rates based on a double room
Total net rate p/person

October 30 th to January 14 th            US$ 3.890
January 15 th to march 13 th               US$ 5.810
March 12 th to April 16 th                     US$ 6.410

Other access options: 1. Air Charter: Punta Arenas – Pampa Guanaco – Punta Arenas : US$ 3.600
2. Plane Ticket: Punta Arenas – Porvenir usd$ 50

Program includes
• Terrestrial Transportation
• All meals and beverages
• Lodging in lodges or camping
• 1 Fishing guide every 2 fishermen (Except in camping)
• Fishing License
• Ferry Ticket to Tierra del Fuego
• River transportation Program Does not include
Fishing equipment, Extra beverages & Tips.
04 days Fishing at Camping Rio Grande Tierra del Fuego

RATES [subject to change without previous notice]
Rates based on a double room
Total net rate p/person           2 Pax                 4 Pax
Camping in Rio Grande:       US$ 3.410         US$ 3.050
Additional Day:                      US$ 3.410         US$ 3.050

Other access options:
1. Air Charter: Punta Arenas – Pampa Guanaco – Punta Arenas : US$ 3.650
2. Plane Ticket: Punta Arenas – Porvenir usd$ 50.- Program includes:
· Terrestrial Transportation
· All meals and beverages
· Lodging in lodges or camping Tips
· 1 Fishing guide every 2 fishermen (Except in camping)
· Fishing License
· Ferry Ticket to Tierra del Fuego
· River transportation
Program Does not include
Extra beverages
Fishing equipmen.

This program can be combined if you are staying in El Calafate – Argentina . If you are arriving to Punta Arenas we recommend you to take the first flights from Santiago.

DAY 1: Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine
Reception at the airport, immediate transfer to Torres del Paine National Park, visiting the city of Puerto Natales on the way. Once we will arrive at the National Park (400km). Accommodation in a Hosteria with dinner included. Depending on the arrival time it might be possible to fish this same day.

DAY 2: Torres del Paine – Serrano River
A.M. In schedule to coordinate we will initiate the fishing day crossing the creeks of the river, fishing in the best places. In this River it will be able to find Trouts resident of the Brown species mainly, but depending on the time of the year and its volume, also it is possible to capture Chinnok Salmon and trouts of sea (Searun Trout). The fishing journey will extend by all the day with rest in the food schedules, being possible to return to hostería or eat in the fishing place. In addition we must mention that we will count on a unique landscape, panoramic views of the Paine mountain range with all its flora and fauna, has supper and lodging in hostería.

DAY 3: Torres del Paine – Serrano River
All day fishing excursion to the Serrano River . Lunch. Dinner and lodging in the Hosteria. Depending on the client expectations we will visit some lagoons of the sector DAY 4: Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas
Fishing in the morning only. In schedule to determinate return to Punta Arenas (06 hrs.). End of our services.

RATES [subject to change without previous notice]
Rates based on a double room
Total net rate p/person Usd 2.030 (based on 2/3 people)
Total net rate p/person Usd 1.610 (based on 4/5 people)
Total net rate p/person Usd 1.370 (based on 6-8 people)
Single room Usd 326Price per additional day usd$ 374

Program includes
Transportation with private vehicle.
03 nights in Hosteria inside the park.
All mentioned meals and beverages.
Fishing guide.
Fishing license.
Entrance fees to the Park . Not included
Extra meals
Fishing equipment
Lodging in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales

FLY FISHING TORRES DEL PAINE
Serrano River Information

DESCRIPTION:
It is difficult to describe this part of Chile . Firstly for its world wide importance of being an International Biosphere Reserve, and second for its great nature diversity that has with a variety of flora and fauna, glaciers, lakes and old forests. However, the most impressive are its great granite formations called Paine Towers , that every year attract thousands of tourists from all the world. For us, the fishermen, it has also a big attraction. It ´s one of its natural borders… the Serrano River. This river has about 32 kilometers long, from which 15 kilometers are able to enjoy by fishing, surrounded by a big variety of endemic fauna and forests, accompanied by the wonderful view of the Paine Massif. Its turquoise-green waters have different deep and fast running sections that change depending on the time of the year, due to strong defrosting, powerful and strenuous rainfalls.

LOCATION:
Located around of 248 miles from Punta Arenas city and 98 miles from Puerto Natales. The Serrano river ends at Ultima Esperanza Inlet.
LOGISTIC (ROOM AND BOARD):
We will be staying at Cabañas del Paine Hosteria that has 20 comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and heating, next to an unforgettable view of the Paine Horns. Each menu lunch/dinner offers a variety of regional foods from the area: lambs and seafood, good Chilean wines and the option to take a fast lunch type pic nic for the road to go around or to make better use of the time while you are touring. We have vehicles, horses and small boats to reach into the fishing places. The Serrano River is a very known zone visited for many tourists. We cannot guarantee an absolute privacy on the fishing places.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Fishing Rod: We recommend a number 7/8 – 9/10 as a top action and between 9 and 10 as a medium action, fast and ultra fast should use a number 6 or 9.

Fishing Lines: We recommend lines of fast collapse, (such as mini tip T-250 to 400 or similar). Lines that would allow you to get great distance and depth, and don’t forget the floating.

Flies: Mainly steamers ballads on sizes 4, 6 and 8, on colors purple, olive, brown or black.

Waders: They are necessary to move on the creeks, to find a good location for the distance launching. Don’t forget the thermal underwear.

Climate: This area its known for a very variable climate, it´s recommended that you wear light and waterproof clothes, besides hat and gloves in order to prevent the frecuent winds.

River inhabitants and Time: The resident brown trout all year round. Although on February, March and April are special months for the trouts that overcome the river.

Some others fishing places: Toro Lake , Maravilla´s Lagoon, Brunch River and Hidden Lagoon.

ABOUT THE HOTEL
The hotel is located in Puerto Natales and has 72 rooms, all with a view of Ultima Esperanza bay, the Balmaceda glacier and the Paine Mountain Range.
Each room has 344 square feet and has a private bath, direct dial phone and safe; two meeting halls: 1900 and 1,470 square feet respectively as well as a restaurant and bar.
There is an additional complex with an indoor pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.

CLIMATE:
The Andes mountain range acts as a weather curtain in Patagonia and this makes for sudden variations in precipitations from one place to the other. In Puerto Natales, the close proximity to the ocean does not have great variations in weather.
In summer, highs vary from the mid 50`s to the low 70`s with sunny windy days. In winter, you can expect high temperatures reaching the mid 40`s and lows down to 28ºF with less wind than in summer.

Day 01
Arriving at Punta Arenas. Transfer by regular bus to Puerto Natales (3,5 hrs.) (private bus optional with visit to a Penguin Colony) Reception at terminal and transfer to hotel. Program and equipment check-out. Lodging at hotel.

Day 02
Breakfast 8:00. Leaving by private bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Arriving to Refugio Las Torres (11:00 am) we leave our gear and star trekking up to the base of Paine’s Towers by Asencio River (7: hours r/t). Box lunch during excursion. Return to refugio (19:00 pm). Dinner and lodging at Refugio Las Torres.

Day 03
Breakfast 8:00. We load our gear on a 4×4 vehicle and we go to Refugio Lago Paine, riding by and old “estancia” track that turns this trip into an off-road adventure on the north bank of Paine River, were woods and lagoons enligthen the trip. Arriving at Paine Lake (11:00) box lunch here we star walking with to Refugio Dickson (3 hours). Dinner and lodging at Refugio Dickson.

Day 04
Breakfast 8:00. Today we load all our gear in the backpacks and we walk up fallowing river los perros, thru native an ancient wood and moreins to get to camping los perros, next to lagoon and glacier los perros (5 hours), dinner service at the store and lodging in tents.

Day 05
Breakfast 8:00. We keep ascending by wet lands and rocky mountain sides till we reach the highest point of the circuit, Paso John Garner (1.300 mts) were we’ll have a great view of the Patagonia ice cap. Box lunch. The way down goes into the woods followings the edge of Glacier Grey, crossing gorges and streams reaching Refugio Lago Grey, located at a lake side spot next to the front of Glaciar Grey (10 hrs. Walk). Dinner and lodging at Refugio Grey.

Day 06
Breakfast 8:30. Morning excursion to the front of the glacier, to see the seracs falling into the water. Lunch at refugio. Afternoon walk to the refugio lago pehoe (3 hrs.) With support of pack horses. The trail goes around mount paine grande foothills edging Lago Grey and the crossing over to arrive to Lago Pehoe.

Day 07
Breakfast 8:00. Trekk to the French Valley, passing Lago Skottsberg, french hanging glacier till we reach Camp Italiano, morrena and british camp, box lunch. From this point we can take a good look at the inner part of the valley and its granitics towers sorrounding it (7 hrs. R/t). Dinner and lodging at Refugio Los Cuernos.

Day 08
Breakfast 90:00. Morning trek to Estancia Las Torres. We catch our bus and return to Puerto Natales, visiting on the way the Milodon’s Cave. Arriving at town about 19.00 hours. Dinner on pax account. Lodging at hotel.

Day 09
Breakfast. Transfer to terminal in Puerto Natales, regular bus back to Punta Arenas. End of our services.

This Program Include
Bilingual trekking guide / regular bus Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas / private bus Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine – Puerto Natales / hotel in Puerto Natales 02 nights / all meals according to program / vhf radio all the time / insurances and first aid kit / lodging at refugios and camping sites / 4×4 vehicle Las Torres – Lago Paine.

Does Not Include
Tips, beverages and extras no especified in the program / horse package
National Parks entrance fees / sleeping bags / back packs

RATES
Rate p/person : Usd 1.970.- (min. 02 people)

We are concerned of the details…
For example, our bed linen was selected in Barcelona, tapestries from New York, chinaware from England, and the wicker furniture from Chimbarongo. All of our furniture is hand made with different types of the finest local woods. The hotel facilities include fax, telephone, radio and television receiving international channels. For outside recreation there are facilities for open air jacuzzis, saunas, swimming pool and of course our own dock, an all the comforts of an hotel at the highest level.

Guests of explora may participate freely in the wide range of explorations we have developed. Everyday there are five different options chosen according to the weather and the wishes of our guests: by van, horseback, on foot, in launch or on mountan bike, always with the help of our selected guides, the wonders of nature are within reach.

All year round…

The Hotel is open all year round. The Park can be visited throughout the year. There is a surprising variety of panoramas in the Patagonia during the 52 weeks of the year. In winter, the pumas and other fauna descend from the mountain tops, making it possible to appreciate them in all of their majesty. It is also a delight to gather around the fire with the horse handlers, or dip into the outdoors jacuzzis, and contemplate the splender of snow. In the spring, an inmense variety of flowers covers the fields as new guanacos join the approachable flock. Summers is warm and radiant. In the fall, the Park and its trees turn red and copper color, offering a seductive scenery to the photographer.

DAY 01
Reception at Punta Arenas airport by our guide. Transfer to bus station for a 03 hrs ride to Puerto Natales (suggest optional visit to Penguin colony)
Upon arrival in Puerto Natales transfer to your hotel. Meet your trekking guide. Briefing about the program.
Lodging at Hotel

DAY 02
Early breakfast to head towards Paine Towers National Park .. Arrival at Refugio Las Torres, leave our gear to start trekking up to Paine Towers Base
This is a 07 hrs trek following beautiful Asencio upper river valley.
Dinner and lodging at Refugio Las Torres.

DAY 03
Breakfast 08:30 hrs to start our daily trekk by the shores of Nordenskjold lake to Refugio Los Cuernos (5 hours) Great sights of Paine Horns ..!
Box lunch, dinner and lodging at Refugio Los Cuernos.

DAY 04
Breakfast 08:30 hrs to trekk up over inside part of French Valley up to British Camp. Box lunch while sightseeing marvelous hanging French glacier.
Later we pass by Lake Skottsberg while heading over Lake Pehoe.
Dinner and overnight at Refugio Paine Grande (formely known as Refugio Pehoe)

DAY 05
Breakfast 08:30 hrs to keep trekking on the way to Grey Glacier (03 hrs) passing by native woods and soft slopes. At half way we reach an overlooking point of lake and Glacier Grey. Also, best point to admire a perfect view of the Patagonian South Ice Field.
Lunch at Refugio Grey. Afternoon visit to front wall of Grey Glacier (30 meters) that breaks right into the lake.
Dinner and lodging at Refugio Grey.

DAY 06
Breakfast 08:30 hrs. Return to Refugio Pehoe, lunch at refugio. Early afternoon get on board catamaran to sail across Pehoe lake to Pudeto area
where will connect our bus back to Puuerto Natales.
Lodging at hotel

DAY 07
Breakfast. Transfer to bus terminal to take final ride directly to Punta Arenas international airport (Optional private trasnsfer)
End of our services.

Rate p/person
Usd 1.640.- (min. 02 people)

Program Includes
English speaking trekking guide
02 hotel nights in Puerto Natales (tourist class)
All transfers
Full board while trekking
Catamaran sailing
Radio VHF
First aid Kit

Not Included
Tips, drinks, entrance fes, sleeping bags, backpacks

The Antarctic, with its spectacular beauty, amazing colors reflected on the ice, wildlife in full splendor and magnificent sites for visiting, promises to be unforgettable for travelers in search of unique experiences.

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Passengers board the M/V Antarctic Dream where you will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Check-in will begin at 2:30 pm. aprox. on departure day.

Day 2 to 3: Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands as “barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance”.

Day 4: Aitcho Island
Aitcho Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. It is the biggest island of the South Shetlands, where we will disembark in Potter Bay. In the afternoon we will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert Islands. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.

Day 5: Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife. Other birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely to see include Weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals while orcas, humpback and mink whales may be spotted at close range. The program includes your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island). Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de Gerlache, a Belgian explorer. Port Lockroy is close to Wiencke Island in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin Operation – the scientific research included the Antarctic’s first ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric whistle.

Day 6: Paradise Bay – Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that if weather permits, we will disembark or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to one of the largest colony of Gentoo penguins and skuas. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.

Day 7: Pleneau – Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel who’s high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations.

Day 8: Deception Island – Whaler’s Bay – Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is the largest active volcano in the area at the northwest side of the Peninsula. During the morning we will try to disembark in Whaler’s Bay and Pendulum Cove where you can live the unique experience of swimming in this water. In the afternoon we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, giant petrels, Wilson petrels, skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck, we should also see sea elephants.

Days 9 and 10: Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.

Day 11: Ushuaia, Argentina
After an early breakfast we will land at 9:00 am. aprox. and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition.

INFORMATION FOR DOWNLOAD