Tierra del Fuego

The night Ferdinand Magellan sailed through the Straits that bear his name, he saw the fires of the Selk’nam along the shores. He called the land “Tierra de los Fuegos” — Land of the Fires. The Selk’nam called it Karukinká. Few travelers make it to the “End of the World”. The main island is shaped like a massive jigsaw puzzle piece with a long, westward tail ridged by the Cordillera Darwin. It is the largest isle of the archipelago, protected mainly by Alberto de Agostini and Cabo de Hornos National Parks. Across the Beagle Channel from Tierra del Fuego Island is Isla Navarino, home of the world’s southern-most town, Puerto Williams.

Highlights of Tierra del Fuego:

• Ushuaia is the tourist hub of the island and by far the most visited part of the region. Its beautiful setting and proliferation of tourist services make it an excellent base from which you can explore the nearby attractions, of which there are many.
• Take a boat trip along The Beagle Channel, where you will be surrounded by wildlife on all sides – sea lions, whales, and birds such as albatross and cormorants all inhabit this area.
• The peaks of the Cordillera Darwin also make a good day trip from Ushuaia, with its thick forests and hiking trails.
• Likewise, the coastal Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is not far from Ushuaia and delights visitors with its beech forest, rugged peaks, and stunning coastline.
• Go to the world’s most southerly town, Puerto Williams, which is on Isla Navarino. You can fly there or go by boat.