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| At the very end. Because in the southernmost corner of America is Puerto Williams, capital of the province of the Chilean Antarctica, an insular territory that ends up broken up in the Cabo de Hornos and located North of the Navarino island, on the banks of the Beagle channel and under the huge mountain massif of Dientes de Navarino. |
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Arriving to Puerto Williams is easy, but expensive. In spite of its island nature, it can be accessed by air, land or sea. The air flight lasts approximately 90 minutes from Punta Arenas, from where the Strait of Magellan and the Darwin mountain range tops can be admired. This tour can be carried out from September on.
The sailing trip is even more beautiful. The Mare Australis cruises make the trip from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams across the beautiful landscapes and whereby the whole archipelago can be seen, going across the glaciers, fjords, islands and channels. More information on www.australis.com |
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By land, tours are also beautiful.
The northern area of the island offers stunning views of the Darwin mountain range and the city of Ushuaia, passing by the Mejillones small bay that was inhabited by the last yaganes of the province who were later moved to Ukika village, another attraction here. Here, it's also possible to find the yamana cemetery and a lot of information on this almost extinct southern culture.
Another interesting place is the Omora Botanical Park, project planned by the Omora NGO and the University of Magallanes to preserve the forests of the archipelago of the Strait of Magellan.
The Martín Gusinde museum is another attraction of the area. Built in honor of the anthropologist who worked among yaganes and onas at the beginning of the XX century, this museum was opened in 1965 and displays a collection from the discovery of Cabo de Hornos and photographs of the foundation of Puerto Williams, among others. |
| Activities |
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It's impossible to describe the activities to be performed in Puerto Williams, like in Cabo de Hornos, without linking us to an activity: trekking. The fabulous and stunning ice landscapes and the astonishing summits ideal for practicing mountaineering and climbing are part of the southernmost trekking circuits worldwide.
The first one corresponds to Dientes de Navarino that surrounds the mountain range bearing the same name and which is the preamble for a rock slope landscape where snow stands out in all its forms, by means of streams, underground rivers and frozen lagoons amid fauna adapted to the area and stunning views to the Beagle channel. Before departing, weather conditions are to be checked. A nice hike will depend on that information.
La Bandera mountain circuit has its origin in Puerto Williams, exactly at the Virgen cascade from where you can cross a properly signaled lenga forest. Those trails guide you towards the mountain from where beautiful views of the Beagle channel can be enjoyed.
Another typical activity of the area is sport fishing, which can be practiced in the lakes of the Patagonian archipelago that has plenty of trouts. One of the best lakes for fishing is Lago Navarino, as well as Windhond, Rilushejan lakes and Laguna Rojas. |
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| Tours |
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 Cabo de Hornos, to the fjords and channels of Tierra del Fuego. |
| A major attraction of Puerto Williams are the 3 sailing circuits that are only carried out during summer time: |
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Ventisqueros that passes by Puerto Williams, northwest arm, Thompson channel, southwest arm. |
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Navarino that passes by Puerto Williams, Windhond bay, Murria channels. |
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Tour across Cabo de Hornos that passes by Puerto Williams, Picton island, Nueva island, Lenox island, Wollaston island, Orange bay, southern area of the Navarino island. |
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