ITINERARY
TIERRA DEL FUEGO – STRAIT OF MAGELLAN PROGRAM
GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
Not included:
- Meals not specified
- Other expenses not mentioned
- Other services not specified
- Personal insurance or travel insurance
- Entrance fees, unless otherwise indicated in each excursion
- Technical clothing or appropriate attire for the activity, unless otherwise indicated in each excursion
What to bring:
- Personal water (mandatory)
- Valid identity document
- Camera or mobile phone with a fully charged battery
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for the service, according to the destination and weather conditions
Day 1
➜ Flight and transfer
Flight: Santiago – Punta Arenas:
Shared transfer: Punta Arenas Airport – Accommodation in Punta Arenas
Check-in – accommodation: From 15:00 hrs
Day 2
➜ Tierra del Fuego and King Penguin
The Tierra del Fuego and King Penguin excursion allows you to discover one of the most emblematic territories of Chilean Patagonia, combining navigation through the Strait of Magellan, overland routes across Tierra del Fuego Island and a visit to the only King Penguin colony in South America, located in the Bahía Inútil (Inútil Bay) sector, in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region.
The excursion begins with departure from your accommodation in Punta Arenas, heading to the corresponding terminal to board the ferry or, depending on the operational schedule, begin the crossing via Primera Angostura. During the day, different sectors of Tierra del Fuego Island are explored, a territory known for its vast steppes, old sheep ranches, historic towns and southern landscapes that reflect the remote character of the far south of Chile.
During the experience, the city of Porvenir is visited, along with the Bahía Inútil (Inútil Bay) sector where the King Penguin Park is located, as well as points such as Cerro Sombrero, Bahía Azul (Blue Bay) and the historic site of San Gregorio Ranch, depending on the conditions of the day and the ferry operation. At the park, an informative talk is given and penguin observation takes place from an approximate distance of 25 to 30 meters, respecting conservation protocols. Afterwards, the return to the accommodation in Punta Arenas takes place.
Places to visit: Strait of Magellan, Bahía Chilota (Chilota Bay), City of Porvenir, King Penguin Park, Bahía Inútil (Inútil Bay), Cerro Sombrero, Bahía Azul (Blue Bay) and San Gregorio Ranch
Departure time: (Departure from the accommodation)
- Between 07:15 and 07:45 hrs approx
Return time: (Return to the accommodation)
- From 20:30 hrs approx
- The return time may vary depending on weather conditions or other operational circumstances
Starting point of the activity: Ferry crossing (Primera Angostura or Bahía Azul sector, depending on the operating day)
- Transfer time between the accommodation and the activity location:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: direct transfer to the ferry crossing, with departure approximately between 09:00 and 09:30 hrs
- Wednesday and Friday: transfer toward Primera Angostura, making a first stop at San Gregorio Ranch (10:00 hrs approx), then continuing to the ferry crossing between 10:30 and 11:00 hrs
Includes:
- Shared round-trip transportation from and back to the accommodation in Punta Arenas (van)
- Certified bilingual guide
- Ferry ticket
Important information:
- Meals are not included
- Total tour duration: approx 13 hours
- Entrance to King Penguin Park is not included
- Bring: Identity document is mandatory
- Beverages and snacks are not included. We recommend bringing your own
- Entrance to the Porvenir Museum is not included, in case of visit
- During much of the route there may be low or no phone signal
- The visiting time to King Penguin Park is assigned by the park administration
- A lunch stop is considered in Porvenir or Cerro Sombrero, subject to the operation of the day
- During the winter season, it is possible that no restaurant will be available, so it is recommended to bring personal food
- It is recommended to bring cash for entrance fees, lunch or personal purchases, since card payments may be limited by internet signal
- The itinerary may be modified according to the visiting time assigned by King Penguin Park, weather conditions and the operation of the ferry crossings
- On Wednesdays and Sundays, the direct ferry crossing between Punta Arenas and Porvenir does not operate in the morning, so entry to Tierra del Fuego is made via Primera Angostura and the return may extend approximately until 23:30 hrs
- When King Penguin Park assigns an early visiting time, the crossing to the island may be made round-trip via Primera Angostura, which may mean that the visit to the city of Porvenir is not carried out
- If the activity cannot be carried out and the cancellation is informed at least one day in advance, the possibility of rescheduling during the trip or the corresponding refund will be evaluated, according to operational conditions
- If the cancellation occurs once the transfer has started or while en route due to force majeure, the service will be considered as provided by the supplier
Day 3
➜ Navigation to Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island) and Isla Marta (Marta Island)
The Navigation to Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island) and Isla Marta (Marta Island) allows you to explore part of the historic Strait of Magellan toward two of the main marine wildlife sanctuaries of Chilean Patagonia. This experience takes place in the surroundings of Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island), known for receiving more than 60,000 Magellanic Penguins each season, and Isla Marta (Marta Island), habitat of sea lions and southern birds, in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region.
The excursion begins with departure from your accommodation in Punta Arenas, heading toward Bahía Laredo (Laredo Bay), where the speedboat is boarded to begin the navigation through the Strait of Magellan toward Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island), one of the most important penguin observation sites in southern Chile.
During the experience, a guided walk of approximately one hour is carried out on Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island), following its main trail and observing up close the natural habitat of the Magellanic Penguin. Afterwards, navigation continues toward Isla Marta (Marta Island), where a circumnavigation takes place to observe sea lions, imperial cormorants, southern gulls and, depending on the natural conditions of the day, the possibility of spotting Peale’s Dolphins, Commerson’s Dolphins and even Sei Whales. Afterwards, the return to the accommodation in Punta Arenas takes place.
Places to visit: Strait of Magellan, Bahía Laredo (Laredo Bay), Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island) and Isla Marta (Marta Island)
Departure time: (Departure from the office) – The office is at most a 10-minute walk away
- Between 06:00 and 06:15 hrs approx
- You must arrive at the shipping company’s office at the indicated time. Upon arrival, state your first and last name
Return time: (Return to the office)
- From 12:00 hrs approx
- The return time may vary depending on weather conditions or other operational circumstances
Navigation starting point: Bahía Laredo (Laredo Bay)
- Transfer time between the accommodation and the navigation starting point: 30 min approx per leg
Includes:
- Shared round-trip transportation from and back to the office in Punta Arenas (bus or van)
- Navigation to Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island) and Isla Marta (Marta Island)
- Certified bilingual guide
- Coffee service on board
- Cookies on board
- Entrance to the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument
Important information:
- Lunch is not included
- Total tour duration: approx 4.5 hours
- It is recommended to have a light breakfast before the tour
- Disembarkation takes place only on Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island)
- Tour not recommended for people with reduced mobility
- It is recommended not to carry loose objects during navigation
- During much of the route there may be low or no phone signal
- On Isla Marta (Marta Island), a circumnavigation and wildlife observation are carried out, without disembarkation
- The wildlife that may be observed can vary depending on natural conditions, time of year and nesting processes
- If the activity cannot be carried out and the cancellation is informed at least one day in advance, the possibility of rescheduling during the trip or the corresponding refund will be evaluated, according to operational conditions
- If the cancellation occurs once the transfer has started or while en route due to force majeure, the service will be considered as provided by the supplier
Day 4
➜ Full Day Whales and Glaciers
The Full Day Whales and Glaciers excursion allows you to explore one of the most remote and pristine environments in the far south of Chile, navigating through the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, an area recognized for the presence of humpback whales, sei whales, Peale’s dolphins, Commerson’s dolphins, seabirds and active glaciers in the heart of Chilean Patagonia.
The excursion begins very early in the morning with departure from your accommodation in Punta Arenas, heading toward the boarding point in Bahía Carrera (Carrera Bay), located approximately 50 km south of Punta Arenas. From there, an extensive navigation begins through the Strait of Magellan, crossing southern sectors where the landscape is marked by fjords, channels, native forests, mountains and glaciers in the surroundings of Isla Santa Inés (Santa Inés Island).
During the experience, it is possible to observe places such as Cape Froward, the southernmost point of the American continent, as well as sectors linked to the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, where the main marine wildlife sightings are concentrated. The navigation includes glacier observation, cetacean watching and other southern species, in a full-day exploration that ends with the return to the accommodation in Punta Arenas.
Places to visit: Bahía Carrera (Carrera Bay), Strait of Magellan, Cape Froward, Francisco Coloane Marine Park, Glaciers of Isla Santa Inés (Santa Inés Island), Bárbara Channel, Carlos III Island and Whale Sound
Departure time: (Departure from the office) – The office is at most a 10-minute walk away
- Between 03:45 and 04:00 hrs approx
- You must arrive at the shipping company’s office at the indicated time. Upon arrival, state your first and last name.
Return time: (Return to the office)
- From 16:00 hrs approx
- The return time may vary depending on weather conditions, sea conditions or other operational circumstances
Navigation starting point: Bahía Carrera (Carrera Bay)
- Transfer time between the accommodation and the navigation starting point: 1 hour approx per leg
Includes:
- Shared round-trip transportation from and back to the office in Punta Arenas (bus or van)
- Navigation through the Francisco Coloane Marine Park
- Certified bilingual guide
- Coffee service
- Whisky with ancient ice
- Breakfast
- Includes sandwich, brownie, snacks and beverage
- Breakfast is fixed
- Lunch
- Includes: starter, main course, beverage
- Lunch is fixed-menu and vegetarian
Important information:
- Activity suitable for all audiences
- Total tour duration: approx 12 to 14 hours
- Operating days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
- During much of the route there may be low or no phone signal
- The wildlife that may be observed can vary depending on natural conditions and the time of year
- It is recommended to prepare for changing weather conditions typical of the austral zone
- It is possible to observe humpback whales, sei whales, Peale’s dolphins, Commerson’s dolphins, Magellanic penguins, sea lions and seabirds such as cormorants, albatrosses, petrels, vultures and condors, among other species
- If the activity cannot be carried out and the cancellation is informed at least one day in advance, the possibility of rescheduling during the trip or the corresponding refund will be evaluated, according to operational conditions
- If the cancellation occurs once the transfer has started or while en route due to force majeure, the service will be considered as provided by the supplier
Day 5
➜ Transfer and return flight
Check-out – accommodation: 11:00 hrs
Shared transfer: Accommodation in Punta Arenas – Punta Arenas Airport
Flight: Punta Arenas – Santiago
End of our services.