Stretching from just south of the Lake District region to the southern tip of South America, Chilean Patagonia is renowned for its barren seascapes, massive glaciers, vast fjords, beautiful valleys, glistening lakes and soaring snow-capped mountains. Visitors can look forward to spotting penguins, hiking through rugged landscapes, kayaking amidst massive icebergs and horseriding across the steppe. Highlights include: the remote Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael and the Parque Nacional Bernado O'Higgins and the more popular Torres del Paine National Park, as well as the southern part of the popular Carretera Austral, one of the most beautiful roads and most incredibly scenic drives in the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover the sheer beauty of the Southern Patagonian Icefields.
One of the islands of the South Shetland Archipelago, King George Island features windswept icy glacial plains and the stark dramatic beauty for which Antarctica is famed for. It serves as the first stop on most Antarctic journeys. It is the largest island of the archipelago and its accessibility has made it a popular spot for the establishment of numerous research stations, with over twelve stations from different countries. It boasts a diversity of wildlife such as leopard, Weddell and elephant seal populations, as well as whales, seabirds, and gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the Southern Aurora, also known as the Southern Lights, visit the charming Russian orthodox church known for its otherworldly location, or participate in the world’s most southerly marathon, the Antarctic Ice Marathon.
Situated 120 kilometres north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are a remote destination comprising of eleven islands which form part of the icy landmass of the ‘White Continent’. This Antarctic archipelago possesses a sheer dramatic beauty with its rugged, icy, windswept landscapes dotted with research stations. It is home to a variety of wildlife such as seabirds, penguins, and large colonies of elephant seal. Visitors can look forward to exploring the spectacular islands of South Shetland, including; Livingstone Island, home to the highest point of the archipelago; King George Island, with its twelve research stations from different countries; and Deception Cove on Deception Island, an active flooded caldera featuring bubbling pools of thermal water, where visitors can take the once-in-a-lifetime ‘polar plunge’.
Warmer and more accessible than the rest of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula is a popular destination for those wanting to experience one of the most captivating landscapes on the planet. Snow-capped mountains descend into icy blue waters dotted with magnificent icebergs and numerous islands. Although it only extends 1300km into the ocean, the peninsula is home to a wide variety of wildlife species that include penguins, whales and seals. Activities include trips to a volcanic island, swimming in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove, and the chance to cross the Antarctic Circle.
Set close to the tip of Chile's southern Patagonia region, Punta Arenas is the southernmost continental city in the world. Situated on the Strait of Magellan, it is best known as a departure point for trips to Antarctica and other bioceanic travelling. The city's charms, history, tax-free shopping, good travellers' services and hospitality make it a popular destination in its own right. It has much to offer by way of history – visit the Mayorino Borgatello Salesian Museum, the Shepherds Monument 'Monumento al Ovejero', and the Patagonia Institute. Don't miss the Nao Victoria Museum, where visitors can view a full-size replica of the first ship to circumnavigate the world, Ferdinand Magellan's ship 'Victoria'.
