Cruises Through Tierra del Fuego: Navigating the Chilean Patagonia

Navigating the Patagonian channels at the southernmost point of the world is one of the most recurring dreams among lovers of travel and adventure. Exploring ancient ice and photographing exotic fauna on a cruise through Tierra del Fuego, or ¨Land of Fire¨, has become a must-do for many travelers who come to Chile.

Passing through the breathtaking geography of the extreme south of Chile makes you feel like a true explorer, marveling at the imposing glaciers, seeing the beautiful native forests while enjoying the comforts of a cruise, is one of the most requested offers by visitors.

It’s a trip to one of the most unimaginable places on the planet, that allows visitors to come in contact with the most pristine nature like no other place in the world. Entering the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

There are different offers and routes that sail out of the city of Punta Arenas, crossing the mythical Tierra del Fuego and reach Cape Horn, the fabulous point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Atlantic.

EXTREME LANDS

The Tierra del Fuego archipelago is located at the southern end of South America between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It extends to the south of the Strait of Magellan and is made up of an infinity of large and small islands that form a complex network of channels.

Hailed as one of the most interesting and remote areas of the world, Tierra del Fuego is the largest island in South America and one of the 30 largest on the planet.

Rich in heritage sites and native Chilean culture, this destination allows visitors to connect with Chilean history and discover the fascinating cultures of the native peoples of this territory, the pre-Columbian Ona and Yagan peoples.

It’s a land full of contrasts. While in northern Tierra del Fuego the undulating steppe is the main characteristic, in the south, the native forests and lakes intensely dominate the geography.

The Tierra del Fuego archipelago invites travelers to tour the region and enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, trekking, sport fishing and the sighting of a recently discovered colony of King Penguins.

JOURNEY TO THE SOUTHERN END OF THE WORLD

Cruiser ships, catamarans and Zodiac boats have various itineraries and routes to explore the beauties of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.

Most marine expeditions travel to the southern tip of South America through the mythical Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, in journeys that take between 5 and 8 hours of sailing, where various prices and luxuries are offered.

An unforgettable voyage to visit the home of an abundance of marine mammals such as whales, sea lions, elephant seals,  as well as birds like penguins,  the Imperial Cormorant, Ruddy Colorado and the Magellanic Plover,  and where you can capture images both through the lens of a camera and of your eyes, pictures that will surely be instilled in your memory forever.

For the romantics, this is an adventure to the furthest place in the world, accompanied by a crew of expert guides, where you will experience nature and live moments that are impossible to replicate, such as watching the sunset with a rainbow or tasting a glass of whisky with pieces of ice taken straight from a glacier. It’s Magic!

MUST-DOs!

Ainsworth Bay and the Tuckers islets are among the most popular routes used by tour companies and cruiser ships in Tierra del Fuego.

From the first light of dawn, you will navigate through the Almirantazgo Sound until you reach the vicinity of the Marinelli glacier in Ainsworth Bay. From there, you can learn how life resurfaces after the ice retreats.

Taking a walk to discover a beaver’s dam and the wonderful sub-Antarctic Magellanic forest that surrounds it is very much recommended. On the beach or on the island you can spot South American elephant seals. These animals are very representative of the Patagonia. In addition to their enormous size – as they can weigh up to 800 kilos (1763 lbs)- their most recognizable feature is their particular trunk, which is why they are called Elephant seals. They spend most of their lives in the sea, but they approach the coast when they change their skin.

Another option is to reach the Tuckers islets on a small boat in order to see the most illustrious residents: the Magellanic penguins.

Going to see the Pia Glacier in the northwest branch of the Beagle Channel is another excellent option in this adventure. Cruisers and other ships offer excursions to a marvelous lookout point from where one can see the glacier  and a strip of earth that extends from the highest part of the mountain range into the sea.

The Avenue of Glaciers is a series of glaciers that have detached from the giant Darwin ice field into the sea, and it is one of the most spectacular sights of the Beagle Channel.

Most of these eternal ice fields that surround the snowy mountains have European names, in honor of the explorers who made the first maps in the nineteenth century.

DARWIN ADVENTURE

Passing by Wulaia Bay is a must in this route. It is one of the largest settlements of native Patagonians, named Yaganes, who have been the canoeing around the southern end of the world for centuries. This destination is also important because it’s where Charles Darwin disembarked in 1833 during his trip on board the HMS Beagle.

From here, many scenic views can be enjoyed, which urge one to take long walks along its paths, amid Magellanic forests of native species such as the Lenga, Coihue, and Canelo tress, and ferns, until one reaches a viewpoint where tourists can marvel at the icy beauty of our country.

CAPE HORN

The adventure’s last stop is at Cape Horn, an emblematic destination known as the “End of the World” because it has been considered for a long time as the southernmost point of America, although in reality it is not. This headland has an elevation of 425 meters high and in 2005 it was declared a World Biosphere Reserve, standing out among the planet’s top 100 greenest destinations.

The archipelago is one of the few groups of islands in the world that has remained free of extensive human impact. Due to its ecological, scientific and touristic importance, this area has captivated the attention and concern of conservationist and of the Chilean Government, demanding the country to focus their efforts on achieving sustainable development and the promotion research and education in order to save it from being heavily affected by climate change.

Without a doubt, Patagonia is a land of impressive beauty that no one should miss the opportunity to visit. To fully enjoy this destination, take a cruise around the “End of the World” to get a clear view of the marine fauna and the white mountain peaks, to appreciate the wonders of Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean Patagonia in all its splendor.