Tierra del Fuego

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Experience the Magic of Reaching the End of the World

Ferdinand Magellan named this place Tierra del Fuego in honor of the fires of the Selk'nam Indians. The Darwin Mountains that recall the famous naturalist stand high above plains where guanacos and wild horses run free.

You might even catch a glimpse of a solitary condor here. If you are interested in learning about the history of this region's first inhabitants or the explorers and settlers who came looking for work at the end of the world, visit Porvenir and the Fernando Cordero Rusque Museum. Its collection includes interesting displays of local fauna, archeological and anthropological artifacts, an exhibit on the history of gold mining in this corner of Chile as well as a world-famous photo exhibit on the Selk'nam Indians.

This is the perfect place to hike and fish, and the Fagnano and Deseado Lakes offer good resting spots and stunning specimens for fly-fishing fans.

Once you've got the lay of the land, take a tour of a local ranch and imagine what everyday life was like here centuries ago.

You can also sail through the region's canals and fjords from Port Williams and Cape Horn, passing spectacular landscapes and ice floes.

Puerto Williams, on Navarino Island, is the world's southernmost town and home to the Padre Martin Gusinde Museum, which depicts the life of the Yámanas, the indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego.

Still looking for adventure? Check out Cape Horn and walk the Dientes de Navarino Circuit, the world's southernmost trekking route.

Featured Destinations of Southern Patagonia

Antarctica		Strait of Magellan
Punta Arenas		Tierra del Fuego
Torres del Paine National Park		Puerto Natales

Tours you can do

Hiking Torres del Paine		The Mylodon Cave
Dientes de Navarino		Magdalena Island
Marino Francisco Coloane Park		Puerto Edén
Última Esperanza - Mariano Glacier		Cruises to Puerto Williams and Cape Horn

Getting There

By Plane

To Puerto Williams: You can take one of the daily flights that leave Punta Arenas in a 20-seater Twin Otter or a small Cessna (1h 15 min).
To Porvenir (Tierra del Fuego): Daily flights from Punta Arenas (15 min).

By Boat

To Puerto Williams: There is weekly ferry service from Punta Arenas (36 hours). Boats depart the Tres Puentes terminal, which is located 5km north of the city.
To Porvenir: There is ferry service from Punta Arenas. Boats depart the Tres Puentes terminal, which is located 5km north of the city. The trip takes about two and a half hours, and you can do a round trip in a day.

Tips

01

Ethno-botanical Park Omora	Adventure Races	Martin Gusinde
The park's expert guides will take you on a tour of a miniature forest, magnifying glass in hand. By the end of the day, you'll be able to identify a wide variety of mosses, lichens and bryophytes. Located 3 km from Puerto Williams.	If you go on an adventure expedition in February, you may come across competitors from the Patagonia Expedition Race, the 20-day competition that made the region internationally famous. The course in the Darwin Mountains, Cape Horn and the Beagle Channel.	If you're curious about the native people of Tierra del Fuego, check out the books of German priest and anthropologist Martin Gusinde. You can download material on www.memoriachilena.cl.

02

Weather	Inform Someone of Your Whereabouts
Due to Tierra del Fuego's proximity to the sea, temperatures do not vary a great deal from season to season. The average temperatures during winter range from -5 to +5 °C, with short but sunny days. The days are longer and warmer during the summertime, with 20 hours of sunlight and average temperatures of 14°C.	Let the Chilean police or park rangers know if you decide to head out on your own. Many areas of this region are difficult to reach and are located far from hospitals and health centers. You'll only have a mobile phone signal in Porvenir, Cerro Sombrero and Puerto Williams.

By Sea:

To Puerto Williams: There is weekly ferry service from Punta Arenas (36 hours). Boats depart the Tres Puentes terminal, which is located 5km north of the city.

To Porvenir: There is ferry service from Punta Arenas. Boats depart the Tres Puentes terminal, which is located 5km north of the city. The trip takes about two and a half hours, and you can do a round trip in a day.