Cross the South Atlantic

 

Each year Europa makes a winter migration from the Northern Hemisphere accross the equator to South America, and ever southward to Terra del Fuego. There are several legs where you can join. In Autumn 2012 the legs are Amsterdam - Lisbon - Las Palmas in the Canaries - Salvador in Brazil and Punta Arenas in Chile.

 

When crossing oceans like the South Atlantic on a square rigger you are always looking for the traditional sailing routes. 

 

 

The ship will resupply and make ready for its Antarctic season in Salvador. There are a few days between voyage legs if you want to stretch your legs and do a bit of local exploring in Brazil.

 

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 either the Magellan Strait for Punta Arenas or the famous Beagle Channel if you are heading for Ushuaia. The most famous landmark to the South of you is now Cape Horn and you are officially sailing a tall ship in the infamous 'Roaring Forties' latitudes.

 

 

 

This year 2012 Europa is sailing from Salvador to Punta Arenas instead of Ushuaia for her first Antarctic voyage. Punta Arenas is in Chile which is better placed if you plan to trek in the Andes after the voyage South.  The famous Torres del Paine Mountains are not far and the Fitzroy range a bit further North.

They may be Antarctic Cruise ships in Port and their guests will be amazed that you sailed South on a square rigger. If you stay on for an Antarctic Voyage on Europa then you can be very smug walking about town - in the knowledge that you are going to explore the Great White Continent on a real sailing ship and experience what it was like in the days of Shackleton, Mawson(Australian), Captain Scott, Gerlache (Belgian) and Amundsen.

 

 

It is not difficult to fly from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia if you have plans to explore Argentina.

 

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.