South America’s largest island awaits silently at the southernmost tip of the continent. Vast steppes stretch out into infinity, interrupted only by the silhouettes of tress that have managed to withstand the howling winds that are typical of these latitudes. Towards the south, the terrain becomes steeper as thick lenga forests begin to occupy ever-expanding landscapes . Little by little we approach one of the best kept secrets of Tierra del Fuego: stunning lakes, amazing wildlife, mountains, fiords and glaciers. Feel the harmony of the silence that reigns in these lands at the End of the World.
We start our expedition from Punta Arenas. Depending on the day and ferry schedule arrival at Porvenir – Tierra del Fuego’s capital. The excursion heads to the southern tip of the Great Island to visit one of the southernmost parks on the planet Alberto de Agostini National Park and which is part of an extensive network of protected and adjacent national parks, covering more than 1.700miles, from the city of Puerto Montt to the mythical Cape Horn at the end of the world, through “The Route of the Parks of Patagonia”. But before going into the most pristine landscapes of the end of the world, just 70miles after leaving the city of Porvenir, we arrive at Estancia Onaisin where we visit the British cemetery by means of a short walk within the limits of this mythical ranch. We continue only for a few more kilometers to reach the King Penguin Natural Reserve, in this place we spend about an hour observing and admiring the beauty of this wonderful sub-Antarctic bird. The tour continues until arriving at Estancia Russfin, where the famous “Gold Dredger”, Draga del oro, is located, which reminds the days of the gold rush at the beginning of the 20th century. Continuing our journey toward the Darwin’s Andes, it is possible to observe and marvel at a great variety of native birds such as the Bandurria and the Caiquén, and perhaps with a little luck we will be able to observe the delicate elegance of the Chilean Flamenco. After traveling another 62miles we enter the Karukinka Natural Park, a wonderful natural reserve that remains an area not intervened by human presence and is a refuge for the Guanaco the Condor and the culpeo fox, (this last one in danger of extinction). The native flora of this park is unique, the sub-Antarctic forest of Lengas, Coigües de Magallanes and Ñirres, where Mosses and Lichens also deserve special attention. During our tour it is also possible to observe large areas destroyed by beavers, which in total cover almost 300 square miles of forests and peatlands. Crossing through forests and mountains we arrive at Estancia Caleta María, an impressive bay sheltered by the foothills of the Fuegian Andes, where its resplendent glaciers welcome to the Alberto de Agostini National Park.
Overnight at Lodge Cordillera Darwin / Lunch Box / Dinner *no drinks included
After breakfast, we begin the second day of the expedition with a navigation through the Almirantazgo Sound, up to the glaciers of the Parry Fjord.
Sailing at 09:00 am in the direction Tres Mogotes Island to observe the Black-browed Albatross in their nests. Then we go towards Parry Fjord, where our next stop is in Parry Bay, in this place is the first imposing wall of this Glacier. Later we continue navigating the Fuegian fjords, enjoying the mosaic of landscapes that the Alberto de Agostini National Park and the Darwin Mountain Range offer us until we reach the New Zealand glacier beach, where we disembark in an auxiliary boat to start a walk bordering a lagoon with icebergs of ice. When passing through a forest of ancestral lengas, it is also possible to enjoy the fruit of the calafate and the chaura (native wild fruits, only in season), and after an hour reach the end of the road, in front of the imposing wall of the New Zealand Glacier, in this place it is also possible to observe the remains of the fuselage of an Argentine bomber plane that wrecked in 1950. Later we begin our return enjoying the landscapes with the sunset light.
Overnight at Lodge Cordillera Darwin Breakfast / Lunch Box / Dinner *no drinks included
After breakfast departure. We will say goodbye to the wonders of Southern Corner of Tierra del Fuego. Arrival at Ferry terminal in Porvenir (depend on ferry schedule). Drop off in Punta Arenas’ hotels.
Breakfast / Lunch Box
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