Cross the South Atlantic

When crossing oceans like the South Atlantic on a square rigger you are always looking for the traditional sailing routes. This is not likely to be the shortest route from the tip of Africa to Montevideo, Uruguay. Bark Europa’s voyage planning motto is “get there under sail” hence the route Northwards towards St Helena to pick up the SE trades and avoid the high pressure systems.

Northwards towards the equator means hotter weather, probably sailing west around the Tropic of Capricorn. On this voyage out will come Bark Europa’s secret weapon – her magnificent skysails and studding sails (stun’sails) – boomed out from the yards to offer 30 sails to catch the wind. Very few ships in the world have the searoom and the knowledge to set so much sail so you can learn a skill that even the Classic Sailing staff team have yet to try.

When you arrive in Montevideo you will have sailed about 4700 miles and ‘discovered’ a new continent with little help from the modern world.

 

Crossing the Atlantic Voyage Booking >>

 

The ship will resupply and make ready for its Antarctic season in Montevideo so those re-joining the ship for the passage south to Ushuaia* (* you will need to find accommodation ashore) will have a week to enjoy some luxuries ashore and get a taste of South America. If you are leaving the ship why not extend your holiday to explore Uruguay, or continue on your round the world adventure through South America and the Andes.

 

We have a local travel agent in Montevideo who can provide 3-5 day farm stay packages with horse-riding lessons in English, day rides and a chance to see the gaucho riders in action working on the estancia.

 

Punta de Esta is a well known world beach resort nearby to Montevideo, but beachside fishing villages like Jose Ignacio have become the latest secret hideaway for Hollywood stars looking for the simple life, locals that don’t recognise them and a supply good fish restaurants right on the beach and bohemian places to stay. Try it before the boutique hotels move in.

 

Explore colonial Montevideo or visit Colonia – the 17^th Century Portuguese city recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its architectural riches. There are also ferries across the River Plate to Buenos Aries in Argentina. Tango the night away.

 

 

If you can’t afford an Antarctic expedition then this is a great value wildlife taster of what the rich South Atlantic Oceans can offer. As Europa sails South into the Roaring Forties where the winds sweep Albatrosses forever westwards around the bottom of the world, you will be accompanied by Cape Petrels, white chinned petrels, many types of Albatross. Near the Falklands penguins, seals, porpoises and dolphins are sighted often feeding hundreds of miles from home. As you approach the tip of South America and Terra del Fuego, the snow capped Andes start to fill the horizon and Magellanic penguins and sea lions will often escort you into the famous Beagle Channel. The most famous landmark to the South of you is now Cape Horn, not that far from your final destination of Ushuaia.

 

Montevideo to Ushuaia Voyage Booking >>

 

If you are booked on an Antarctic Expedition Ship then for very little more you can start your adventure by sailing to Ushuaia first on a real sailing ship and experience what it was like in the days of Shackleton, Mawson(Australian), Captain Scott, Gerlache (Belgian) and Amundsen. For the rest of us we can step off the quay in Ushuaia smug in the knowledge that we stood watches on Bark Europa’s open deck and we stowed sails aloft in jumpers not duvet jackets !

Ushuaia is a friendly frontier town in a stunning mountain setting below the Darwin mountain range. It is well worth staying on after your voyage with cheap travellers accommodation in town or exclusive Estancias- working sheep farms – in stunning mountain settings. Activities include horse riding or trekking in national parks nearby, some of the best fly fishing in the world, and mouth watering Patagonian organic lamb.

 

November is the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer so combining the good value Bark Europa voyage with trekking in Parques Nationale Tierra del Fuego or further north to Andes highlights of Torres del Paine, Fitzroy Peaks or the Chilean Fjords and glaciers will create a very special South American adventure.

 

Cape Town to Ushuaia via Montevideo - The Complete Voyage Booking >>