We’ll start a scenic two-hour drive along the picturesque coastline of the vast Useless Bay (Bahía Inútil). This journey promises opportunities to encounter a variety of wildlife. Keep an eye out for guanacos gracefully roaming the open landscapes, southern gray foxes darting through the bushes, and the ubiquitous Upland Goose. The bay’s shores are alive with diverse waterbirds, and with some luck, you might even spot Chilean Flamingos adding a splash of color to the landscape. Offshore, the often-turbulent waters of the bay are patrolled by majestic Sei Whales, albatrosses gliding effortlessly, giant petrels, gulls, and skuas—a true spectacle of Patagonian marine life.

Our next stop is the Reserva Natural Pingüino Rey, a private nature reserve dedicated to preserving the only known continental colony of King Penguins. Here, we’ll enjoy ample opportunities to observe and photograph these birds in their natural habitat. Watching them interact is a privilege, and strict guidelines ensure their protection—visitors must maintain a respectful distance, a rule that must be adhered to at all times during our visit.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey southward toward the welcoming Innata Lodge. Nestled in the heart of the vast and pristine Karukinka Park, this lodge is lovingly run by its owners, offering a warm and hospitable retreat amidst nature. We’re likely to encounter native wildlife such as geese, caracaras, and guanacos, and if we’re fortunate, we might even catch a glimpse of soaring Andean condors.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this journey is witnessing how dramatically the landscapes and vegetation shift. The day begins in the golden expanse of the Patagonian steppe, where resilient grasses and shrubs like Mata Verde and Calafate dominate. As we travel further south, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly, and the region’s rainfall patterns transform the scenery. Lush vegetation starts to emerge, eventually giving way to the iconic Patagonian *Nothofagus* forests that define the final stretch of our route.

Distance to travel: 250 km (155 miles)

Overnight: Innata Lodge, Karukinka (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided) (Guide)

Today promises to be a fairly active and adventurous day, immersing us in the stunning natural beauty of southern Tierra del Fuego.

In the morning, we’ll journey southward to explore the majestic mountains of the Darwin Range up close. This scenic road offers countless opportunities to pause for breathtaking photo stops. As we traverse the Andean passes, lush temperate forests, and pristine lakes, we’ll be greeted by the soaring Andean Condors and graceful Guanacos. From a distance, the southernmost reaches of the mighty Andes will come into view, with their dramatic, snow-capped peaks—many of which remain unnamed, adding to their mystery and allure.

In the afternoon, we’ll walk through the silent Nothofagus forests. Along the way, we’ll marvel at ancient, weathered trees that provide a perfect habitat for the magnificent Magellanic Woodpecker, known for its striking appearance and impressive size. These forests are also alive with the chatter and movement of other bird species, such as the Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner, White-crested Elaenia, and even raucous Austral Parakeets.

The dense forests of Karukinka are also home to the industrious American Beaver, a species introduced to Tierra del Fuego from North America in 1946 for fur production. With no natural predators and abundant food, the beaver population has flourished, leaving its mark on the landscape. While not a native species, its impressive constructions are fascinating to observe. We’ll take time to examine their handiwork up close and discuss the ecological impacts of their presence on this unique environment.

Overnight: Innata Lodge, Karukinka (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide).

Argentina Awaits Us! After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we set off eagerly for Argentina. The border between the two neighboring countries lies just an hour’s drive from our accommodation, making it a smooth start to our day.

The route is delightfully quiet, with hardly any traffic, and the border controls reflect the rural character of the area—small, personal, and unhurried. We can almost count on one hand the number of cars we encounter before reaching the junction with the main road at Rio Grande.

As we journey through the landscape, we pass several historic estancias, built over a century ago, which stand as testaments to the pioneering spirit of the region. The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. Initially, we traverse the Patagonian steppe near Rio Grande, but as we progress, the terrain transforms dramatically. The vast Nothofagus forests of southern Tierra del Fuego come into view, and the rolling hills and rising mountains begin to dominate the horizon.

The wildlife adds to the magic of the journey. Guanacos roam freely, while geese and smaller songbirds flit through the air. We may even catch sight of a fox or two. And, of course, we’ll always be scanning the skies for the majestic Andean Condors and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles that call this region home.

Tonight, we’ll rest at a place steeped in history. Our accommodation—Hostería Kaiken—sits directly on the serene shores of Lake Fagnano, a transnational lake shared by Argentina and Chile. Built in 1964, the guesthouse underwent a thoughtful and extensive renovation in 2004, preserving its charm while enhancing comfort. It remains one of the oldest and most traditional lodgings on the island of Tierra del Fuego, offering a unique glimpse into the past.

Distance to travel: 240 km (150 miles)

Overnight: Hostería Kaiken, Tolhuin (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)

After breakfast, we leave towards Harberton, the oldest ranch in Tierra del Fuego. First we take the international highway in the direction of Ushuaia. Halfway to the “city at the end of the world”, however, we turn off again onto a side road. This leads us through the wild valley of the Lasifahaj River to the coast of the mythical Beagle Channel. Our destination for the day is Estancia Harberton. The ranch was founded in 1886 by Thomas Bridges and is nowadays run by the 5th and 6th generation of the same family.

We’ll enjoy the evening in the immediate vicinity of the estancia. There is a good chance that we see bird species such as Peale’s Dolphin, Magellanic Oystercatcher and Kelp Goose. The estancia is keen to share with visitors the long and rich history of the Bridges family in this remote location. They take us on a guided tour of the main area of the farmstead. We learn lots of fascinating facts about Thomas Bridges’ origins, his motivation and his work here in the far south of Tierra del Fuego. We also see first-hand how the early settlers organized themselves in order to be as self-sufficient as possible. The extremely welcoming estancia with its gentle, picturesque surroundings and rich history definitely invites to linger, enjoy and discover.

Distance to travel: 100 km (62 miles)

Overnigth Harberton Ranch (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Today we have a whole day at our disposal to explore the Harberton peninsula, the shores of Bonsati Bay and the surrounding areas. We also drive the remaining 50 km, mostly along the Beagle Channel, to Estancia Moat. Here we have definitely reached the end of the world. The road ends here. If we look out to sea, there are only a few more islands before the Southern Ocean spreads out in all its mightiness. Only with the South Shetland Islands does land rise out of the water again – more than 1000 km (620 miles) from our current location!

With the Acatushun Museum, the ranch has one of the world’s largest and most important collections of marine mammals and birds. The museum encompasses more than 2800 mammals and 2300 birds. Some of these have been made accessible to the public in life-size, excellently illustrated displays. Natalie Goodall – the wife of Thomas D. Goodall, himself the great-grandson of estancia founder Thomas Bridges – had spent decades painstakingly collecting and evaluating countless skeletons from the coasts of Tierra del Fuego and incorporating them into her collection. Since her death in 2015, the family has continued to run the museum in the spirit of its founder.

Overnigth Estancia Harberton (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Once more we enjoy a delicious breakfast on the legendary shores of the Beagle Channel. And once again, we soak up all the beauty, diversity and remoteness of the Bridges family’s estate. Towards the end of the morning, we’ll drive to Ushuaia, where our trip ends.

(Breakfast, Lunch) (Guide) Tierra del Fuego Overland