Tierra del Fuego in Chile: Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
The very southernmost tip of South America is home to the incredible Tierra del Fuego archipelago, shared by Chile and Argentina. The islands are scattered across both Argentina and Chile and constitute the holiday of a lifetime if you can make it that far south.
If you are a photographer or simply a lover of dramatic scenery then a trip to Tierra del Fuego is a must. Snowy mountains are reflected in shimmering lakes and the air is so fresh you can almost taste it. The tranquillity here is unrivalled and nowhere else on earth can you feel quite so detached from the world. It is a haven from the chaos of modern life.
Tour highlights
Tierra del Fuego in itself is just one of the several highlights of Chilean Patagonia; there is even more excitement and beauty to be found once you’re actually roaming the archipelago. Below are a few of the highlights.
- Dientes de Navarino Trek. An incredible 5-day trek through some of the most incredible scenery in the world, including the jagged peaks that make up the mountains of Isla Navarino.
- Alberto de Agostini National Park. A beautiful park filled with glaciers that offers spectacular views but is only accessible by boat.
- Marinelli Glacier. An impressive glacier, situated in the Alberto de Agostini National Park.
- The Beagle Channel. The beautiful strait that runs between Tierra del Fuego’s main island and some of its smaller islands.
- Mount Darwin. An imposing peak with a challenging but stunning route to the top.
Travel tips
The Tierra del Fuego archipelago is one of the most remote places on the planet. For this reason, it really pays to be prepared before you go. Here are some tips on how to make sure you’re all sorted before you head off.
- Pack clothes for pretty much every kind of weather imaginable, as Tierra del Fuego will often see rain, snow, hail and sunshine within a 12-hour period. See the best time to visit Patagonia before planning for this trip.
- Hitchhiking is a completely normal activity here so don’t be scared to give it a go. Alternatively, if you have a car, pull over and pick up some passengers — you never know who you’ll meet!
- Make sure you lather up with sunscreen, even if it doesn’t seem very hot or sunny. There’s a big hole in the ozone layer here and it can cause some serious sunburn.
- A trip to Tierra del Fuego is not cheap so be prepared to fork out some hefty sums of money for accommodation, transport and food.
- Although Tierra del Fuego isn’t rammed with tourists, it also doesn’t have tons of accommodation so it’s a good idea to book things in advance.
- If you want to visit the Argentinean Tierra del Fuego, you don’t need a visa to visit Argentina for up to 90 days. Simply take your passport with you to the border and you will be allowed to cross over.
