Expedition cruise company, Australis, runs intimate cruises through the glacial channels of southern Patagonia and onto Cape Horn. The three or four day all-inclusive cruises offer once in a lifetime adventures through Patagonia allowing guests to experience incredible landscapes and untouched wildlife, perfect for families with an exploratory spirit. Families can benefit from free child travel this December including Christmas departures, saving up to £1,476 per child. Bookings must be made before 31st October and the offer is available across a range of itineraries.* A three night cruise costs from £1,217 ($1,895**) per person and a four night cruise costs from £1,476 ($2,298) per person on an all-inclusive basis. 

Australis cruises follow in the footsteps of Shackleton and Darwin taking guests to one of the most isolated parts of the world, which can only be seen and explored from an Australis ship. The cruises are the ultimate escape with no wifi or phone reception and no other ships seen over the four days- ideal for quality family time.  Every day there are staggered on shore excursions in small groups, exploring glaciers, mountains and forests.  Excursions are graded from easy to difficult, catering for families with children of varying ages.

Cruise highlights include being within a few metres of a huge colony of  Magellan penguins, a walk through the Cape Horn National Park, a trip to Wulaia Bay, where Darwin landed in 1833 and a stop off at the Pia Glacier, the only glacier in the world which can be seen from the mountain tops to the sea. Whilst on board families can enjoy the floor to ceiling windows of the deck and lounges and look out for elephant seals, dolphins, sea lions and humpback whales.

The cruises will be aboard one of Australis' two ships, the Via Australis (max. 136 passengers) or Stella Australis (max. 210 passengers).

The deal is available on a number of three or four night itineraries with departure dates in December. All have departure and arrival points either in Ushuaia, the southernmost city of Argentina or Punta Arenas, the southernmost city of Chile. For more information and bookings: www.australis.com

Travelling to Patagonia 
Patagonia is accessible with flights to Chile (Punta Arenas) or Argentina (Ushuaia). The tour is available with a number of UK tour operators and through travel agents.

*Terms and conditions apply. Promotion includes one free cruise ticket for a child aged 17 or under. Maximum of two children per booking. Valid for trips during December 2015, subject to availability. Discount applicable on specified dates only. Cannot be combined with any other promotions or benefits. Discounts valid for bookings made before October 31st 2015, subject to availability.

**Dollar conversions use the exchange rate of 12.08.15

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For further information or images contact Amelia Astley Birtwistle at Lotus UK on amelia@lotus-uk.co.uk/ 0207 953 7470

For further details on Australis visit: www.australis.com