Our Team
Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
Sail the Fjords
Sail through remote fjords and glaciers that are only accessible by boat.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Cruise the Patagonian Fjords
Navigate in an exclusive vessel through fjords and channels in the shadow of soaring mountains and creaking glaciers, exploring native sub-polar forests on foot and searching for signs of resident wildlife along the periphery of Patagonia.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Stella Australis
Stay on an exclusive vessel, the only one that operates in this remote region.
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Penguins of Patagonia
Observe nesting penguin colonies, whales and elusive elephant seals from zodiacs.
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Wine and Tango
Go wine-tasting at a vineyard and absorb the atmosphere in lively Buenos Aires.
Why we like it
Not only is this region solely accessible by boat, but furthermore the Stella Australis is the only cruise vessel that navigates through these fjords. Occasionally a small sailboat may punctuate the panoramic landscape, but the only other traces of humanity are brought here on the live-on vessel. This cruise is ideal for those who endeavour to be surrounded by stunning natural beauty and wish to visit the remote wilderness of southern Patagonia in the company of on-board expert guides. The Stella Australis sails to remote regions that are only accessible by boat on an exclusive route. As there are no towns or roads for miles around, a voyage to these Patagonian fjords is a positively isolating experience that allows for almost complete detachment from the rest of the world.
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Day 1
Santiago
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Day 2
Santiago - Maipo Valley
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Day 3
Maipo Valley - Santiago - Punta Arenas
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Day 4
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Strait of Magellan
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Day 5
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets
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Day 6
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley
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Day 7
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Wulaia Bay & Cape Horn
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Day 8
Ushuaia - Buenos Aires
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Days 9-10
Buenos Aires
Day 1
Santiago
Day 2
Santiago - Maipo Valley
Go wine-tasting at a Maipo Valley vineyard.
Day 3
Maipo Valley - Santiago - Punta Arenas
Day 4
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Strait of Magellan
Sail through the remote fjords and isolated glaciers of southern Patagonia, only accessible by boat.
Day 5
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets
Day 6
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Pia Glacier & Glacier Alley
Experience nature at its purest, observing idle glaciers in almost complete isolation.
Day 7
Sailing the Patagonian Fjords: Wulaia Bay & Cape Horn
See the little Stella Australis-sponsored museum located in in the old radio station at historic Wulaia Bay.
Day 8
Ushuaia - Buenos Aires
Sail all the way around to historic Ushuaia.
Days 9-10
Buenos Aires
Go wine-tasting at a vineyard and absorb the atmosphere in lively Buenos Aires.
The Stella Australis
Disengaging with civilisation is a condition of carriage as the 100-cabin ship is deliberately and proudly constructed without Wi-Fi capabilities. As such, a voyage on the Stella Australis feels truly cut off from the rest of the world. Observe the unfolding ocean views through large picture windows from the warmth of indoors, or hop up in cold-weather clothing and board a zodiac boat to venture out in to the untamed wilderness. Experience nature at its purest, observing idle glaciers in almost complete isolation. The on-board guides, many native to Chilean Patagonia, are fond of momentarily powering down their radio equipment and encouraging a moment of complete silence while observing these huge masses of dense ice.
Wildlife in the Patagonian Fjords
Little critters and great creatures alike gravitate to the splendid coastline and navigable fjords that accompany this vast and secluded region. Entire colonies of native Magellanic penguins toddle on the shore while elephant seals, dolphins and multiple species of whales frolic in the iridescent ocean.
Guides & Indigenous Settlements
From marine scientists to anthropologists, mountaineers to photographers and engineers to sailors, the guides that accompany a voyage on the Stella Australis are a diverse group of passionate and knowledgeable experts on Patagonia and the wildlife of the region. Those interested in learning about the fascinating human history of the indigenous Yámana aboriginal settlements will appreciate the little Stella Australis-sponsored museum located in in the old radio station at historic Wulaia Bay.
What Is Given Back?
Preservation of the environment takes precedence here, and the Stella Australis works closely with the Chilean government and independent environmental bodies to safeguard the area. As this boat is the only regular traverser of these Patagonian fjords, its crew have been trained by CEQUA to collect samples, record iceberg formations and examine the flora and fauna of the place. This data is then delivered to scientists in Punta Arenas on a weekly basis to aid with their important research programmes.
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Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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