Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia holidays
Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia holidays at a glance
This is a land of jagged fjords, towering glaciers and remote islands, one of the most isolated and spectacular regions in South America. The gateway is Punta Arenas, a historic settlement whose wealth was built on shipping and sheep farming before the opening of the Panama Canal rerouted global trade.
Only a single road leads out of the town, a three-hour drive to Puerto Natales and onward into Torres del Paine and Argentine Patagonia. Otherwise, Punta Arenas is reachable only by air.
Beyond the town lie ancient forests shaped by relentless winds, glacier-fed rivers and dramatic channels, creating a landscape unlike anywhere else in Chile.
Southern Patagonia is also home to a remarkable concentration of wildlife. Penguin colonies, sea lions, condors and guanacos thrive amongst the fjords, islands and coastal plains.
Traces of earlier struggles remain too: forts, churches and the words of Charles Darwin, who wrote of Puerto Hambre that “looking due southward, the distant channels between the mountains appeared from their gloominess to lead beyond the confines of this world.”
Further south, Tierra del Fuego, Navarino Island and Cape Horn offer some of the most remote and evocative destinations in the Americas. Navarino Island is home to Puerto Williams, the southernmost town in the Americas, as well as hundreds of archaeological sites connected to the indigenous Yaghan people. Beyond lies Cape Horn itself, lashed by storms and standing as the final landmark before Antarctica.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Southernmost Patagonia is a wilderness of jagged fjords and towering glaciers, where the frostbitten Andes finally crumble into the sea.
When to visit Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia
Southern Patagonia experiences highly changeable weather throughout the year, with conditions influenced by ocean winds and polar systems.
These are the peak summer months, with the clearest and warmest weather conditions. Strong, pervasive winds blow across the remote wilderness, and you may spot a humpback whale breaching the surface of the ocean. Conditions are ideal for kayaking in hidden lakes and trekking through the evergreen forests of the islands.
This is a shoulder season with fewer visitors, so you’ll enjoy sweeping views of autumnal foliage and turquoise lakes uninterrupted by crowds. Temperatures begin to drop and rainfall, bursts of snow and brilliant sunshine are all possible. Spot thriving colonies of magellanic, king and gentoo penguins on Tierra del Fuego.
Conditions are perfect for skiing as there is heavy snowfall in the south. Expect freezing temperatures and frequent rain, though the fierce winds of summer will usually have quietened down.
With the arrival of spring, it is possible to visit the gentoo, king and magellanic penguins of Tierra del Fuego. The landscapes bud and bloom and temperatures begin to warm up. Fewer visitors during this season mean you’ll experience the shadowy fjords and dense forests in utter peace.
Top Things to do in Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia
The region rewards travellers with expedition cruising, wildlife encounters and some of South America’s most dramatic scenery, from penguin colonies to Cape Horn cruises through the Beagle Channel.
Cruise Tierra del Fuego’s far reaches, crossing the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel via Cape Horn.
Accommodation in Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia
Accommodation ranges from characterful hotels in Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales to expedition vessels designed specifically for exploring the remote fjords and channels of Patagonia.
Centrally-located Cabo de Hornos is a classically-styled Punta Arenas hotel with high standards of accommodation and service.
The imaginatively designed La Yegua Loca is a small Patagonia-themed boutique hotel close to the centre of Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia.
Pleasant, unfussy hotel with modern, comfortable rooms and helpful staff: a good value base in Punta Arenas.
Comfortable expedition vessel giving unparalleled access to a remote region, with well-appointed cabins, several cosy lounges and unlimited meals and drinks.
These first-class cruise vessels offer excellent service and spacious elegance on scenic crossings between Chile and Argentina.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Patagonia cruise: Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia · Valdes Peninsula and Atlantic Patagonia · Buenos Aires
13 days from £6,250
FAQs about visiting Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia
Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to go to Southern Patagonia?
This far south, you will benefit from long daylight hours and mild temperatures between Dec (when it is light until 1am) and the end of Feb, though you can have snow flurries at any time of the year. In the winter, snowy landscapes are beautiful here but hiking is not practical.
- What language is spoken in Southern Patagonia?
The main language spoken in Southern Patagonia is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Southern Patagonia?
Notes in local currency can be withdrawn from the ATMs in the centre of Punta Arenas.
- What is the time difference between South Patagonia and UK?
The time difference between Southern Patagonia and the UK is GMT -3 hours.
- What places combine well with Southern Patagonia?
Antarctic fly-cruises, the Chilean lake district, Torres del Paine National Park, Santiago. You can cross into Argentina on Tierra del Fuego, visit Ushuaia and fly to El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Most Antarctic cruises depart from Ushuaia; Buenos Aires (3.5hrs by air from Ushuaia).
- How do I get to Southern Patagonia?
Direct flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas take about 4 hours.
- What time of year can you ski Southern Patagonia?
The skiing season in Southern Patagonia is from June to September.
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